At Brooks & Crowley LLP, our Boston motorcycle accident lawyer team understands the unique challenges faced by riders who have been injured in crashes. As a leading motorcycle accident attorney in Boston, our firm is dedicated to protecting the rights of motorcyclists and ensuring they receive full and fair compensation for their injuries.

Our personal injury attorney in Boston brings decades of combined experience to every motorcycle accident case, understanding not only the legal complexities but also the physical, emotional, and financial toll these crashes take on victims and their families. We work tirelessly to hold negligent drivers accountable and secure the resources our clients need for their recovery and future.

Types of Motorcycle Accident Injuries We Handle

Our motorcycle accident attorney at Brooks & Crowley LLP represents clients who have suffered a wide range of serious injuries in motorcycle crashes, including:

  • Traumatic Brain Injuries and Concussions: Even when wearing a helmet, motorcyclists can sustain life-altering brain injuries that require extensive medical treatment and rehabilitation. Traumatic brain injuries can cause cognitive impairment, memory problems, personality changes, and permanent disability. Our firm will aggressively pursue compensation for clients with these catastrophic motorcycle accident injuries, working with medical professionals to document the full extent of these injuries and their impact on our clients' futures.

  • Spinal Cord Injuries and Paralysis: Damage to the spinal cord can result in partial or complete paralysis, requiring lifetime care and accommodation. These injuries represent the most devastating motorcycle accident injury cases, forever altering every aspect of a victim's life. Our Boston motorcycle accident attorney understands the enormous financial and emotional impact of these injuries and fights to secure compensation that addresses both immediate needs and lifelong care requirements.

  • Fractures and Broken Bones: The force of a motorcycle crash often causes multiple fractures, including compound fractures that require surgery, metal hardware implantation, and extended recovery periods. Fractures to the legs, arms, wrists, ankles, pelvis, and ribs are common. We pursue full compensation for the pain, medical treatment, multiple surgeries, and permanent disability associated with these motorcycle accident injuries.

  • Road Rash and Severe Skin Injuries: The friction of sliding across pavement can cause deep abrasions, burns, and scarring that may necessitate skin grafts, debridement, and plastic surgery. These painful injuries are among the most common in motorcycle accidents and often leave permanent scarring and disfigurement that deserves substantial compensation for both medical treatment and emotional suffering.

  • Internal Organ Damage: Blunt force trauma in a motorcycle crash can injure internal organs, leading to internal bleeding, organ failure, and the need for emergency surgery. Injuries to the liver, spleen, kidneys, and other organs may not be immediately apparent but can be life-threatening. Our motorcycle crash attorney works with medical experts to fully document these serious injuries and their long-term health implications.

  • Facial Injuries and Dental Damage: Impact with the road, other vehicles, or being thrown from the motorcycle can cause severe facial trauma including broken jaw, fractured facial bones, eye injuries, and extensive dental damage. These injuries often require multiple reconstructive surgeries and can cause permanent disfigurement affecting a victim's appearance, self-esteem, and career prospects.

  • Amputations and Limb Loss: Some motorcycle accident victims suffer such severe trauma that amputation is necessary, either at the accident scene or during subsequent medical treatment. This life-changing motorcycle accident injury dramatically affects mobility, independence, career prospects, and quality of life. Brooks & Crowley LLP fights for maximum compensation to address the lifetime costs and challenges these clients face, including prosthetic devices, home modifications, ongoing medical care, and vocational rehabilitation.

  • Psychological Trauma: Beyond physical injuries, many motorcycle accident victims experience significant psychological harm including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, depression, and fear of riding. The emotional and mental health impacts of a serious motorcycle crash are compensable injuries that our Boston motorcycle crash lawyer pursues as part of comprehensive damage claims.

  • Wrongful Death: When a motorcycle crash results in the tragic loss of life, surviving family members may pursue a wrongful death claim. These cases seek compensation for funeral and burial expenses, medical bills incurred before death, lost financial support and benefits the deceased would have provided, loss of companionship and consortium, and the emotional devastation of losing a loved one. Our motorcycle accident attorney in Boston handles wrongful death cases with compassion and dedication, working to hold negligent parties accountable and secure justice for grieving families.

Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents in Boston

Our Boston motorcycle accident attorney has represented clients injured in crashes caused by various forms of driver negligence, including:

  • Driver Inattention and Failure to See Motorcyclists: Many motorcycle crashes occur when drivers fail to notice riders, particularly at intersections or when changing lanes. This lack of awareness leads to devastating collisions that could have been prevented. The common refrain "I didn't see the motorcycle" offers no legal excuse when a driver's failure to properly observe their surroundings causes a motorcycle accident injury.

  • Violations of Right-of-Way: When motorists turn left in front of oncoming motorcycles or pull out from side streets without yielding, the results can be catastrophic. These violations represent a significant portion of the motorcycle accident cases our firm handles. Left-turn collisions at intersections remain among the leading causes of fatal motorcycle crashes in Massachusetts.

  • Unsafe Lane Changes and Following Distance: Drivers who merge without checking blind spots or follow motorcycles too closely create dangerous situations. The motorcycle crash lawyer team at Brooks & Crowley LLP has successfully pursued claims against drivers who engage in these reckless behaviors.

  • Impaired and Distracted Driving: Operating a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or while distracted by phones and other devices, puts motorcyclists at extreme risk. Our motorcycle accident attorney in Boston aggressively pursues justice against impaired and distracted drivers who cause motorcycle crashes.

  • Speeding and Aggressive Driving: Excessive speed reduces a driver's ability to react to motorcycles and dramatically increases the severity of injuries in a motorcycle crash. Aggressive driving behaviors including tailgating, weaving through traffic, and road rage create unnecessary dangers for riders sharing the road.

  • Road Hazards and Poor Maintenance: Potholes, uneven pavement, debris, and inadequate signage pose particular dangers to motorcyclists. When government entities or private parties fail to maintain safe road conditions, they may be held liable for the resulting motorcycle accident injuries.

Massachusetts Motorcycle Accident Statistics: A Growing Crisis

Massachusetts recorded 71 motorcycle operator fatalities in 2024, representing a 22% increase from 58 fatalities in 2023, according to data from MassDOT's crash data portal. This alarming trend underscores the urgent need for increased awareness and legal protection for motorcyclists across the Commonwealth. 

The two most common roadway fatality crashes are single-vehicle crashes involving a motorcycle driver failing to negotiate a curve in the road, and crashes involving a left-turning vehicle striking a motorcycle. These statistics represent more than numbers, they represent families torn apart, careers ended, and lives forever changed by preventable crashes.

Where Motorcycle Accidents Commonly Occur in Boston and Elsewhere in Massachusetts

Understanding where motorcycle crashes most frequently happen can help riders stay vigilant and provide crucial context for building motorcycle accident cases. Our motorcycle accident lawyer in Boston represents clients injured in crashes throughout the region, with certain locations proving particularly dangerous for riders.

Urban Intersections and City Streets: Around a third of fatal motorcycle crashes occur at intersections, making these locations the most hazardous for riders throughout Massachusetts. Boston's busy intersections, where multiple lanes of traffic converge and drivers make turns across the path of oncoming motorcycles, account for a significant portion of the motorcycle accident injury cases our firm handles.

Major Highways and Interstates: While only a small fraction of collisions occur on interstate highways, the crashes that do happen on these major roadways often involve high speeds and multiple vehicles, leading to catastrophic injuries. Interstate 495, sections of I-95 near Attleboro and Mansfield, and the Massachusetts Turnpike (I-90) have all been identified as particularly dangerous for motorcyclists.

Suburban and Rural Roads: Winding roads through Norfolk, Plymouth, and Bristol Counties attract motorcyclists seeking scenic rides but also present hazards including sharp curves, uneven pavement, and unexpected obstacles. These areas have consistently reported significant numbers of motorcycle fatalities, with drivers often failing to anticipate motorcycles on less-traveled roads.

High-Risk Municipalities: The greater Boston area, Worcester, Brockton, Lynn, and Springfield rank among locations with elevated motorcycle accident rates. Our motorcycle accident lawyer in Boston serves clients throughout these communities, understanding the specific road conditions and traffic patterns that contribute to crashes in each area.

Construction Zones and Road Hazard Areas: Temporary construction zones, potholes, uneven pavement, loose gravel, and debris create particular dangers for motorcyclists who can lose stability when encountering these hazards. When government entities or contractors fail to properly maintain roads or adequately warn of hazards, they may be held liable for resulting motorcycle crash injuries.

What to Do After a Motorcycle Accident

If you've been involved in a motorcycle crash in Boston, taking the right steps immediately afterward can protect both your health and your legal rights:

  • Seek Medical Attention Immediately: Even if you don't think you're seriously hurt, get evaluated by medical professionals right away. Some motorcycle accident injuries, including traumatic brain injuries and internal damage, may not be immediately apparent. Adrenaline can mask pain and symptoms in the moments after a crash. Creating a medical record also documents your injuries for your motorcycle accident claim.

  • Contact Law Enforcement: Call 911 to report the accident and ensure an official accident report is filed. This report becomes crucial evidence in your motorcycle accident case, documenting the scene, gathering witness information, and often indicating the officer's assessment of fault. Even if the other driver suggests handling the matter privately without police involvement, insist on having law enforcement respond and create an official record of the crash.

  • Document the Scene: If you're physically able and it's safe to do so, take photographs of the accident scene, all vehicles involved, road conditions, traffic signals and signage, debris, skid marks, and your visible injuries. Use your phone to capture as many images as possible from multiple angles. Collect contact information from witnesses who saw the motorcycle crash occur, including their names, phone numbers, and email addresses. This evidence can be invaluable when building your motorcycle accident lawsuit, as conditions at the scene change quickly and memories fade over time.

  • Exchange Information with Other Parties: Obtain the other driver's name, contact information, driver's license number, license plate number, insurance company name, and policy number. Take photos of their license, registration, and insurance card if possible. Provide your information as required by law, but avoid discussing fault, apologizing, or making detailed statements about how the crash occurred.

  • Preserve Evidence: Keep your damaged motorcycle, helmet, and riding gear in the condition they were in after the crash. Don't repair, clean, or dispose of anything until your motorcycle crash attorney has had the opportunity to inspect and document everything. Your damaged equipment serves as powerful evidence of the impact forces involved and can help accident reconstruction experts understand how the collision occurred.

  • Avoid Speaking with Insurance Companies: Insurance adjusters often contact accident victims quickly, hoping to obtain recorded statements or push for quick, lowball settlements before riders understand the full extent of their injuries. These adjusters work for the insurance company's interests, not yours. Politely decline to give detailed statements, sign any documents, or accept any offers until you've consulted with a motorcycle accident lawyer in Boston who can protect your interests. You are only legally required to cooperate with your own insurance company as specified in your policy.

  • Keep Detailed Records: Maintain a file containing all documents related to your motorcycle crash, including medical bills, prescriptions, therapy appointments, lost wage documentation, correspondence with insurance companies, repair estimates, and receipts for any accident-related expenses. Take notes about your pain levels, limitations on daily activities, and how your injuries affect your life. This documentation supports your motorcycle accident claim by demonstrating the full impact of the crash.

  • Contact a Boston Motorcycle Crash Attorney: Reach out to Brooks & Crowley LLP as soon as possible after your accident. The sooner a motorcycle accident attorney in Boston begins investigating your case, the better we can preserve evidence, identify liable parties, interview witnesses while their memories are fresh, and build a strong motorcycle accident claim on your behalf. Early legal representation also protects you from making statements or accepting settlements that could jeopardize your right to full compensation.

Understanding Massachusetts Motorcycle Accident Laws

Massachusetts law presents unique considerations for motorcycle accident cases. Unlike automobile insurance policies, motorcycle insurance policies in Massachusetts are not required to include Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage. This means that injured motorcyclists typically cannot rely on their own insurance to cover immediate medical expenses and lost wages, making it even more critical to pursue compensation from the at-fault driver.

Our Boston motorcycle accident lawyer is well-versed in these insurance complexities and knows how to navigate the challenges they present. We work to identify all available sources of compensation for your motorcycle accident injury, including the at-fault driver's liability coverage, uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, and any other applicable policies.

Massachusetts follows a modified comparative negligence rule, which means you can still recover damages in your motorcycle accident lawsuit even if you share some fault for the crash, as long as you are not more than 50% responsible. However, your recovery will be reduced by your percentage of fault. Insurance companies often try to unfairly assign blame to motorcyclists, playing on stereotypes and biases against riders. This is why having an experienced motorcycle crash lawyer in Boston is essential to protect your rights and counter these tactics.

In accordance with Massachusetts' motorcycle laws and motorcycle safety policies, all motorcycle operators and passengers in Massachusetts must wear helmets that meet U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) standards.. This universal helmet law has proven effective in reducing fatalities and severe head injuries. While wearing a helmet is required by law, it does not prevent all injuries, and motorcyclists who were properly helmeted at the time of their crash are still entitled to full compensation for their injuries.

Compensation Available in Your Motorcycle Accident Claim

When you work with our Boston motorcycle crash lawyer, we pursue all forms of compensation available under Massachusetts law for your motorcycle accident case, including:

  • Medical Expenses: Coverage for emergency treatment, hospitalization, surgery, medication, physical therapy, rehabilitation, assistive devices, home health care, and future medical care related to your motorcycle accident injury. We work with medical experts to project the costs of ongoing treatment you'll need for years or even decades after your crash.

  • Lost Wages and Income: Compensation for time missed from work during recovery, as well as reduced earning capacity if your motorcycle accident injuries prevent you from returning to your previous employment or limit your ability to work. This includes lost salary, benefits, bonuses, retirement contributions, and career advancement opportunities you've missed due to the crash.

  • Pain and Suffering: Damages for the physical pain, emotional distress, anxiety, depression, loss of enjoyment of life, and diminished quality of life resulting from your motorcycle crash and injuries. These non-economic damages recognize that the impact of a serious accident extends far beyond financial losses.

  • Property Damage: Recovery for the repair or replacement value of your motorcycle, riding gear, helmet, and personal property damaged in the accident. Custom motorcycles or expensive riding equipment warrant particular attention to ensure full valuation.

  • Loss of Consortium: Compensation available to spouses for the loss of companionship, affection, intimacy, and support when their partner is seriously injured in a motorcycle accident. These damages recognize the impact severe injuries have on marriages and family relationships.

  • Disfigurement and Scarring: Additional compensation for permanent visible scarring, disfigurement, and changes to physical appearance that affect self-esteem, social relationships, and professional opportunities.

The specific value of your motorcycle accident claim depends on the severity of your injuries, the extent of your losses, the strength of the evidence, the degree of the defendant's negligence, and the insurance coverage available. Our motorcycle accident lawyer in Boston conducts thorough investigations and works with medical professionals, accident reconstruction experts, vocational rehabilitation specialists, and economists to accurately calculate the full value of your case. We don't settle for insurance company formulas that minimize your injuries—we fight for what you truly deserve.

Time Limits for Filing a Motorcycle Accident Lawsuit in Massachusetts

Massachusetts law generally provides a three-year statute of limitations for filing a personal injury lawsuit following a motorcycle accident. This means you have three years from the date of the motorcycle crash to file a legal claim. However, certain circumstances may shorten or extend this deadline, and there are important exceptions to be aware of.

Claims Against Government Entities: If your motorcycle accident injury was caused by poor road conditions maintained by a municipality or state agency, dangerous traffic signal timing controlled by a government entity, or negligence by a government employee, you may have as little as 30 days to provide written notice of your claim. Missing these strict notice requirements can permanently bar you from recovering compensation, even for the most serious injuries.

Wrongful Death Claims: When a motorcycle crash results in a fatality, Massachusetts law provides a three-year statute of limitations from the date of death for wrongful death lawsuits. However, in some circumstances, the deadline runs from when the executor or administrator knew or should have known of the factual basis for a cause of action. Given the complexity of wrongful death cases and the importance of preserving evidence while memories are fresh, families should contact a Boston motorcycle crash attorney as soon as possible after losing a loved one.

Discovery Rule Exceptions: In rare cases where an injury or its cause was not immediately discoverable, the statute of limitations may be extended. However, these exceptions are narrowly construed by Massachusetts courts, and you should never assume you have additional time without consulting an attorney.

Minor Victims: If the motorcycle accident victim is under 18 years old, the statute of limitations may be tolled (paused) until they reach the age of majority, though parents may still need to file claims for medical expenses and other damages within the standard timeframe.

Don't wait to contact a motorcycle accident lawyer in Boston. Evidence disappears, witnesses' memories fade, and insurance companies become less willing to negotiate as time passes. The sooner you reach out to Brooks & Crowley LLP, the sooner we can begin protecting your rights and building your motorcycle accident case while evidence is fresh and witnesses' recollections are clear. Even if you're still receiving medical treatment, consulting with an attorney early ensures important deadlines are met and crucial evidence is preserved.

Why Choose a Boston Motorcycle Accident Attorney from Brooks & Crowley LLP?

When you need a motorcycle accident lawyer in Boston, choosing the right legal representation can make all the difference in your motorcycle accident case. Our motorcycle crash attorney in Boston has extensive experience handling complex motorcycle accident claims and understands the biases that motorcyclists often face from insurance companies and other drivers.

As your dedicated Boston motorcycle crash lawyer, we bring comprehensive knowledge of Massachusetts traffic laws, insurance regulations, and personal injury litigation to every motorcycle accident lawsuit we handle. Our team recognizes that motorcycle crash injuries are often catastrophic, requiring substantial compensation to cover medical treatment, lost income, and ongoing care needs.

The Brooks & Crowley LLP Approach to Motorcycle Accident Cases

Our motorcycle accident attorney in Boston takes a comprehensive, aggressive approach to every motorcycle crash case:

Thorough Investigation: We immediately begin investigating your motorcycle accident, visiting the crash scene when possible, obtaining police reports and witness statements, reviewing medical records, examining your motorcycle and riding gear, and consulting with experts to build the strongest possible case. We leave no stone unturned in gathering evidence that proves liability and damages.

Expert Collaboration: Our firm works with accident reconstruction specialists who can recreate how the crash occurred, medical professionals who can testify about your injuries and prognosis, vocational experts who can assess your lost earning capacity, and life care planners who can project your future medical needs. This expert testimony strengthens your motorcycle accident lawsuit and helps juries understand the full impact of your injuries.

Aggressive Negotiation: We handle all communications with insurance companies and fight for a settlement that truly reflects the value of your motorcycle accident claim. Our reputation for thorough case preparation and willingness to try cases gives us leverage in negotiations. We won't allow insurers to minimize your injuries, blame you for the crash, or pressure you into accepting an inadequate offer.

Prepared for Trial: While many motorcycle accident lawsuits settle through negotiation, our Boston motorcycle crash attorney is always prepared to take your case to court if necessary to achieve justice and fair compensation. We have extensive trial experience and the resources to present compelling cases to juries. Insurance companies know we're not afraid to litigate, which often leads to better settlement offers.

Client-Centered Service: Throughout your motorcycle accident case, we keep you informed about developments, explain your options, and involve you in important decisions. We understand this is one of the most difficult times in your life, and we handle your case with compassion while fighting aggressively for your rights. You'll have direct access to your motorcycle accident lawyer in Boston, not just support staff.

Contact Our Boston Motorcycle Accident Attorney Today

If you or a loved one has been injured in a motorcycle crash, the Boston motorcycle accident lawyer at Brooks & Crowley LLP is here to help. We offer a free initial consultation to discuss your motorcycle accident case, explain your legal options, and answer your questions about pursuing a motorcycle accident claim.

Don't face insurance companies and their legal teams alone. Let an experienced motorcycle accident attorney in Boston fight for the justice and compensation you deserve. Contact our office today to schedule your free consultation and take the first step toward recovery and justice.