If you or a loved one has been injured in a bicycle crash in Boston or anywhere in Massachusetts, the dedicated Boston bicycle accident lawyer at Brooks & Crowley LLP is here to help. We understand the unique challenges cyclists face on Boston's busy streets and are committed to fighting for the compensation you deserve after a bike accident.
Our bicycle accident attorney in Boston has extensive experience handling complex bike crash cases involving negligent drivers, dangerous road conditions, and other hazards that put cyclists at risk. We know that bicycle accidents often result in catastrophic injuries because cyclists lack the protective barriers that motor vehicles provide.
When you're injured through no fault of your own, you need experienced legal advocates who will stand up for your rights and pursue maximum compensation for your injuries, medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Brooks & Crowley LLP serves as your trusted personal injury lawyer in Boston, providing comprehensive legal representation for all types of bicycle accident claims throughout Massachusetts.
Types of Bicycle Accident Injuries We Handle
Bicycle accidents often result in severe, life-changing injuries. Our Boston bicycle accident attorney represents clients who have suffered:
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Traumatic brain injuries and concussions
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Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
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Broken bones and fractures (especially collarbones, wrists, and facial bones)
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Road rash and severe skin abrasions
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Internal organ damage
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Facial injuries and dental damage
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Shoulder injuries and rotator cuff tears
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Knee and leg injuries
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Neck injuries and whiplash
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Permanent scarring and disfigurement
Common Causes of Boston Bicycle Accidents
As an experienced bike crash attorney in Boston, we handle cases involving all types of bicycle accidents. While Boston has made strides in expanding bicycle infrastructure, many areas still lack adequate bike lanes or have poorly maintained cycling facilities. Inadequate bike lane design, abrupt lane endings, and the absence of protected bike lanes in high-traffic areas force cyclists to share the road with vehicles in unsafe conditions, significantly increasing accident risk.
Dooring Accidents: One of the most common bicycle accidents in Boston occurs when a driver or passenger opens a car door into the path of an oncoming cyclist. These dooring incidents can cause severe injuries and are often preventable.
Left-Turn Collisions: Motorists frequently fail to yield to cyclists when making left turns, resulting in serious bike crashes at intersections.
Right-Hook Accidents: When a driver turns right in front of a cyclist or cuts off a bike rider, devastating injuries can occur.
Failure to Yield: Drivers who fail to yield the right-of-way to bicyclists at intersections, in parking lots, or when entering traffic are a leading cause of bicycle accidents.
Distracted Driving: Drivers who are texting, talking on phones, or otherwise distracted pose a serious danger to cyclists sharing the road.
Road Hazards: Potholes, construction debris, uneven pavement, and other dangerous road conditions can cause cyclists to lose control and suffer injuries. Our Boston bicycle crash attorney can help you pursue claims against municipalities or contractors responsible for unsafe conditions.
Drunk or Impaired Drivers: Drivers under the influence of alcohol or drugs cause numerous bike accidents each year.
Road Rage and Aggressive Driving: Unfortunately, some motorists engage in aggressive behavior toward cyclists, leading to intentional or reckless collisions.
Rideshare and Transit Vehicles: Uber, Lyft, taxi, and bus operators who fail to check for cyclists when changing lanes, pulling over, or opening doors can cause serious bike crashes.
Your Bicycle Accident Claim: Understanding Your Rights
After a bike crash in Boston, you may be entitled to significant compensation through a bicycle accident claim. As your bicycle accident attorney in Boston, we will pursue all available sources of recovery, including:
The At-Fault Driver's Insurance: In most cases, the negligent driver's auto insurance policy provides compensation for your bike accident injury and related losses.
Your Own Auto Insurance: Even if you weren't driving a car at the time of the accident, your own auto insurance policy may provide coverage through:
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Uninsured motorist coverage (if the driver had no insurance)
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Underinsured motorist coverage (if the driver's insurance is insufficient)
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Personal injury protection (PIP) benefits for immediate medical expenses
Third-Party Liability: In some cases, parties other than the driver may be liable, such as:
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Construction companies responsible for dangerous road conditions
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Municipalities that failed to maintain safe roadways
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Employers of commercial drivers
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Bicycle or equipment manufacturers (in defective product cases)
Bicycle Accident Compensation: What You Can Recover
When you file a bike accident claim with Brooks & Crowley LLP, we fight to recover full and fair bicycle accident compensation for all your losses, including:
Medical Expenses: All past and future medical treatment, including emergency care, hospitalization, surgery, rehabilitation, physical therapy, medications, and assistive devices.
Lost Wages: Compensation for time missed from work during recovery, as well as reduced earning capacity if your injuries prevent you from returning to your previous employment.
Pain and Suffering: Financial recovery for the physical pain, emotional distress, anxiety, depression, and reduced quality of life caused by your bike accident injury.
Property Damage: Reimbursement for your damaged bicycle and other personal property.
Scarring and Disfigurement: Additional compensation for permanent scarring or disfigurement resulting from your bicycle accident.
Loss of Enjoyment of Life: Recovery for your inability to participate in activities and hobbies you enjoyed before the accident.
Wrongful Death Damages: In fatal bicycle accidents, surviving family members may recover funeral expenses, loss of financial support, loss of companionship, and other damages.
The value of your bicycle accident settlement depends on the severity of your injuries, the extent of your medical treatment, your recovery time, and the impact on your life. Our experienced Boston bike crash lawyer will carefully evaluate all aspects of your case to determine the full value of your bike accident compensation.
Filing a Bike Accident Lawsuit in Massachusetts
While many bicycle accident claims settle through negotiations with insurance companies, sometimes filing a bike accident lawsuit becomes necessary to achieve fair compensation. Our Boston bicycle accident lawyer is a skilled trial attorney prepared to take your case to court when needed.
Massachusetts has a three-year statute of limitations for most personal injury cases, including bicycle accidents. This means you generally have three years from the date of the accident to file a bike accident lawsuit. However, there are exceptions to this rule, and certain factors can shorten this timeframe, so it's critical to contact a bicycle crash attorney in Boston as soon as possible after your accident.
What to Do After a Bicycle Accident in Boston
If you're involved in a bike crash, taking the right steps immediately can protect your health and strengthen your bicycle accident claim:
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Seek Medical Attention: Your health and safety are the top priority. Even if you feel okay, get evaluated by a medical professional, as some bike accident injuries may not be immediately apparent.
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Call the Police: Report the accident and ensure an official police report is filed. This documentation is valuable evidence for your bike accident claim.
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Document Everything: If possible, take photos of the accident scene, your injuries, damage to your bicycle, the vehicle involved, road conditions, and any traffic signs or signals. Collect contact information from the driver and any witnesses.
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Preserve Evidence: Keep your damaged bicycle and clothing as evidence. Write down everything you remember about how the accident happened.
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Contact a Boston Bicycle Accident Attorney: Before speaking with any insurance company or giving a recorded statement, consult with an experienced bike crash lawyer in Boston who can protect your rights and guide you through the legal process.
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Do Not Admit Fault: Be cooperative with police and others at the scene, but do not apologize or make statements that could be interpreted as admitting fault for the accident.
Boston's High-Risk Areas for Bicycle Accidents
Our Boston bicycle crash lawyer has handled numerous cases involving accidents in some of the city's most dangerous areas for cyclists, including:
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Massachusetts Avenue: One of the top locations for bicycle accidents, particularly at intersections with Beacon Street and Commonwealth Avenue
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Commonwealth Avenue: Frequently cited as having the highest number of bike crashes in Boston
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Fenway/Kenmore: High traffic congestion and poorly designed bike lanes create significant hazards
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Back Bay: Dense traffic and frequent dooring incidents
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Downtown Boston: Heavy vehicle and pedestrian traffic increase collision risks
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Cambridge Street: Dangerous intersections and narrow roadways
No matter where your bicycle accident occurred in Boston or throughout Massachusetts, our experienced attorney is ready to help.
Massachusetts Bicycle Laws: Know Your Rights
Under Massachusetts law, cyclists have important rights and protections:
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The right to use any public road, street, or bikeway (except limited access highways where prohibited by signs)
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The right to the full lane of travel when necessary for safety
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The right to pass vehicles on the right
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The right to ride on sidewalks outside business districts (unless local ordinances prohibit it)
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Protection under the same traffic laws that protect motor vehicle operators
Bicycle Helmet Requirements: Massachusetts law requires all bicycle riders under the age of 16 to wear a helmet. While helmets are not legally required for adult cyclists, wearing a properly fitted helmet is strongly recommended as it can significantly reduce the risk of head injuries and traumatic brain injuries in the event of an accident. Importantly, failure to wear a helmet does not prevent you from recovering compensation for your bicycle accident injuries, as Massachusetts law prohibits using the absence of a helmet as evidence of contributory negligence in a civil action.
Drivers have a legal duty to:
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Maintain a safe distance when passing cyclists (at least 3 feet when possible)
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Yield to bicycles that have the right-of-way
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Check for cyclists before opening car doors
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Exercise extra caution in areas where children may be riding bicycles
When drivers violate these duties and cause bicycle accidents, they can be held liable for resulting injuries and damages.
Bicycle Accident Statistics in Boston
Understanding the scope of the bicycle accident problem in Boston helps illustrate why experienced legal representation is so critical. According to data from the City of Boston and safety organizations:
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More than 90 percent of bike-related injuries in Boston involve a collision between a bicycle and a motor vehicle
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Approximately 60 percent of bicycle accidents occur at intersections
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Data shows 98 percent of those injured in bicycle crashes are the cyclists themselves, even though they account for only about half of those involved
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Nationally, bicycle injuries result in approximately $10 billion in lifetime medical costs and productivity losses
These statistics underscore the vulnerability of cyclists and the serious nature of bike accident injuries.
Why Choose a Boston Bike Crash Lawyer at Brooks & Crowley LLP?
When you work with a bike crash attorney in Boston from our firm, you benefit from:
Deep Understanding of Bicycle Law: Our Boston bicycle crash lawyer has in-depth knowledge of Massachusetts bicycle laws and the rights of cyclists on the road. We understand that bicyclists have the same legal rights and responsibilities as motor vehicle operators under Massachusetts law.
Proven Track Record: We have successfully recovered substantial compensation for injured cyclists throughout Boston and Massachusetts, including cases involving serious injuries such as traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, broken bones, and other life-altering harm.
Comprehensive Investigation: As your bicycle crash lawyer in Boston, we thoroughly investigate every aspect of your case, gathering evidence, consulting with accident reconstruction experts, reviewing police reports, interviewing witnesses, and building a strong foundation for your bicycle accident claim.
No Fees Unless We Win: We work on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay no attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you. Your initial consultation is always free.
Personalized Attention: We treat every client like family and provide the dedicated, compassionate representation you need during this difficult time.
Contact an Experienced Boston Bike Crash Attorney Today
If you or a family member has been injured in a bicycle accident in Boston or anywhere in Massachusetts, don't wait to seek legal help. Our experienced Boston bicycle accident lawyer at Brooks & Crowley LLP is ready to fight for you.
Our firm handles all types of bicycle accident cases, including dooring incidents, intersection collisions, hit-and-run accidents, road hazard injuries, defective bicycle product claims, and wrongful death cases. We understand the physical, emotional, and financial toll a bike accident injury can take on you and your family, and we're committed to providing the compassionate, aggressive representation you need during this challenging time.
Contact Brooks & Crowley LLP today to schedule your free consultation with a dedicated bicycle crash lawyer in Boston. We're here to answer your questions, protect your rights, and help you pursue the full bicycle accident compensation you deserve.