Motorcycle Accident Overview and Statistics – Skilled Attorneys Serving Clients throughout Massachusetts
As motorcycle accident statistics in Massachusetts underscore, riding a motorcycle is an inherently risky activity; there were 59 motorcycle accident deaths in the state in 2007 alone.* If you are among these accident victims, you may be entitled to financial compensation for your injuries. Proner & Proner can help. Our motorcycle accident attorneys serve clients throughout Massachusetts, working diligently to protect our clients’ rights. When you enlist the services of our team, you will obtain the top-notch legal counsel you need and deserve.
Motorcycle Accident Law
When a motorcyclist is injured in an accident caused by someone else’s actions or negligence, the motorcyclist may seek financial compensation for his or her injuries. Although every state has laws that protect crash victims, the particulars of those laws vary state to state. Accordingly, motorcycle accident law is the body of state laws that determine who may seek damages, who may be held liable for an accident, the time limits within which a victim must press charges (the statute of limitations), and additional matters. For example, in some states, the victim can be held partially liable ( comparatively negligent) for his or her injuries, while in other states he or she cannot. When considering filing a motorcycle accident lawsuit, it is crucial that one understand the laws of the state in which the accident occurred in order to increase the chances of obtaining the best possible case outcome.
Types of Injuries
In every state, the severity of a victim’s motorcycle accident injury will typically impact the size of his or her potential settlement. For example, if a victim sustains a catastrophic injury (including a burn, spinal cord, back, or brain injury), his or her settlement will likely be larger than if he or she suffered a less severe injury. In cases of motorcycle accident death, in which the death is considered a wrongful death (caused by someone else’s negligence), this is also likely to increase the amount of damages the surviving family members obtain.
Motorcycle Accident Compensation
The size of a motorcycle accident settlement depends on a number of factors, including the severity of the victim’s injuries, the circumstances and cause of the accident, state law, and the skill of the victim’s motorcycle accident attorney. A settlement may include financial compensation for the victim’s medical expenses related to the crash, cost of rehabilitation, household expenses during recovery, lost wages, decreased earning potential, pain and suffering, and additional losses.
Filing a Motorcycle Accident Lawsuit
The process of filing motorcycle accident claims varies state to state. In every state, there is a time limit within which, and a set procedure by which, the victim must file suit. If you or a loved one has suffered personal injury in a motorcycle accident, our attorneys can help. Serving clients throughout Massachusetts, we provide the aggressive legal representation necessary to ensure that all state deadlines and protocol for filing a claim are met. Contact Proner & Proner today to schedule a case evaluation with a member of our team.
Learn more about motorcycle accident law in Massachusetts.
Motorcycle Accident Statistics
The following motorcycle accident statistics indicate trends in Massachusetts and throughout the nation since 1998*:
- In the U.S. in 1998, there were 2,294 motorcycle accident fatalities and an additional 49,000 motorcycle accident injuries.
- In 1999, there were 2,472 motorcycle accident deaths and an additional 50,000 motorcycle accident injuries – an 8 percent increase in deaths and a 2 percent increase in injuries compared to the previous year.
- Between 2004 and 2006, the number of motorcycle accident fatalities in Massachusetts decreased (from 60 in 2004 to 50 in 2006), as did the number of total motor vehicle fatalities (which decreased from 476 to 430).
- In 2005, there were 56 motorcycle accident deaths in Massachusetts – 13 percent of all motor vehicle accident fatalities in the state that year.
- Of the 442 highway traffic fatalities in Massachusetts in 2005, 34 percent (150 deaths) involved driver impairment. Of these fatalities, 55 were motorcyclists – 93 percent of whom were wearing a helmet at the time of the crash, 17 of whom had a Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) of .01 or higher, and 38 of whom had no BAC.
- In 2007, there were 5,154 motorcycle accident deaths in the U.S. Of those that occurred in Massachusetts, 95 percent of the victims were helmeted, 46 percent had a BAC of 0.01 or higher, and 34 percent were driving with a BAC of .08 or higher.
- Massachusetts is one of 16 states without a motorcycle advisory committee; 20 with a universal helmet law; 17 with an education program intended to increase helmet use; 9 with a program intended to help law enforcement identify non-compliant helmets; and 27 with an anti-impaired riding education program for riders.
Contact Our Motorcycle Accident Attorneys
If you or a loved one has suffered personal injury in a motorcycle accident, you need legal representation by a talented and experienced lawyer. Contact Proner & Proner to learn more about motorcycle accident statistics. Our attorneys serve clients throughout Massachusetts. We will work diligently to protect your rights and obtain any damages to which you may be entitled.
*Motorcycle accident statistic references: the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, U.S. Department of Transportation Bureau of Transportation Statistics, and Governors Highway Safety Association websites.
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