Pittsfield Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

All motorists must exercise reasonable care to avoid causing preventable harm to others around them. Vehicle accidents are common and almost always avoidable but happen because of human error.

Motorcyclists are particularly at risk because their vehicles lack protective structures, airbags, and seat belts, and collisions are often more severe or catastrophic for them. If you sustained injuries in this type of crash, a seasoned Pittsfield motorcycle accident lawyer from our firm could help you. Our personal injury attorneys have experience handling cases like yours.

What Are the Typical Causes of Motorcycle Accidents?

Most motorcycle crashes involve other vehicles and are caused by negligence. They typically occur because another motorist:

• Turned left into the path of an oncoming motorcycle
• Merged unsafely after failing to check blind spots
• Changed lanes too abruptly
• Drove while distracted (which is a significant cause of many types of crashes)
• Followed a motorcycle too closely (which makes it hard to avoid a wreck if the biker stops suddenly)
• Failed to obey traffic signals, stop signs, or yield signs
• Drove while drunk or drugged (which leads to poor judgment)
• Doored a motorcyclist (which means swinging the door of a parked car open into the biker’s path)

Our Pittsfield attorneys could review the specifics of your motorcycle crash case, determine its causes, and explain your legal options.

The Timeline for Accident Claims

Negligence claims are time-sensitive, and knowing the deadline for filing them is crucial. Under Massachusetts General Statutes § 2A, the courts require you to prepare and start legal action within three years of the date of your motorcycle wreck.

The time starts on the day your crash occurred. If your injuries are not immediately apparent, the statute allows for an extension for discovery, and the clock begins the day you reasonably discover the damage.

The Impact of Comparative Fault

The state follows a comparative fault rule for claims with shared liability, which is common in all types of vehicle crashes, including those involving motorcycles. If the court determines you are partly responsible for your accident, you are eligible for damages as long as your part is less than 50 percent.

The court reduces the award by the percentage of fault it assigns to you, and it bases its calculations of each party’s fault on police reports, witness accounts, expert analysis, and other supporting evidence.

Recoverable Damages

The courts compensate victims of negligence for their verifiable financial losses, which they determine using receipts and bills for the cost of medical devices, equipment, and ongoing services. These damages also include lost salary and earning potential if the victims cannot work for extended periods while recovering from their injuries.

Non-economic damages are more challenging to establish but have a substantial impact, including:

• Chronic pain
• Distress
• Post-traumatic stress disorder
• Permanent scarring or disabilities

Our lawyers in Pittsfield could answer your questions about your recoverable damages after your motorcycle collision.

Contact Our Pittsfield Attorneys After a Motorcycle Wreck

If another person’s carelessness caused your motorcycle crash, you should hold them responsible. Your damages and losses can be significant, and you should not have to cover the bills resulting from someone else’s negligence.

A compassionate Pittsfield motorcycle accident lawyer from our firm could provide legal guidance, build a powerful case for you, and pursue the maximum possible compensation. Call us today to schedule an appointment.