Understanding Fault, Negligence, and Your Legal Rights After a Motorcycle Crash
Motorcycle accidents often result in severe injuries, especially when another driver turns directly into a rider's path. One of the most common and dangerous types of motorcycle collisions occurs when a motor vehicle makes a left turn in front of an oncoming motorcycle.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a left-turn motorcycle accident in Massachusetts, understanding who may be liable is an important first step toward protecting your rights and pursuing compensation.
At Faneuf Law Group, our experienced motor vehicle accident lawyers represent injured motorcycle riders throughout Woburn and across Massachusetts. We understand the unique legal and insurance issues that arise in motorcycle accident cases and work to hold negligent drivers accountable.
Contact Faneuf Law Group today to discuss your case and learn how we can help after a serious motorcycle accident. You do not pay our office out of pocket at any time. If we are successful our office takes our fee out of the settlement or judgement. 617-939-9894.
Why Are Left-Turn Motorcycle Accidents So Common?
Motorcycles are smaller than passenger vehicles and can be more difficult for inattentive drivers to notice. Unfortunately, many drivers fail to properly scan intersections before turning, leading to devastating collisions.
Left-turn motorcycle accidents can occur in several ways, including:
A motorist cutting off a motorcyclist while making a left turn.
A motorist running a red light and turning into the rider's path.
A motorist ignoring a stop sign or failing to come to a complete stop before turning.
A motorist making a left turn on a yellow light without carefully checking for approaching motorcycles.
In many cases, the driver simply fails to recognize the motorcycle's presence until it is too late.
Who Has the Right of Way in a Massachusetts Left-Turn Accident?
Under Massachusetts traffic laws, drivers making a left turn generally must yield the right of way to oncoming traffic that is close enough to constitute an immediate hazard.
This means that if a motorcycle is lawfully traveling through an intersection and a driver turns left across the rider's lane, the turning driver will often be found at fault for the collision.
However, every accident is different. Liability depends on the specific facts, evidence, witness statements, traffic signals, roadway conditions, and other contributing factors.
How Is Liability Determined After a Left-Turn Motorcycle Accident?
Most Massachusetts motor vehicle accident claims are based on the legal concept of negligence.
Negligence occurs when a person fails to exercise reasonable care under the circumstances and causes injury to another person.
Drivers have a legal duty to operate their vehicles safely and responsibly. This includes:
Maintaining awareness of surrounding traffic.
Checking blind spots and intersections before turning.
Yielding the right of way when required.
Following traffic signals and stop signs.
Adjusting driving behavior during poor weather or hazardous road conditions.
When a driver fails to meet these responsibilities and causes a motorcycle accident, they may be held legally liable for the injuries and damages that result.
Why Left-Turn Accidents Are So Dangerous for Motorcyclists
When a vehicle turns into a motorcycle's path, riders often have very little time to react.
Unlike occupants of passenger vehicles, motorcyclists do not have the protection of:
Airbags
Seat belts
Reinforced vehicle frames
Side-impact protection
As a result, left-turn motorcycle crashes frequently lead to serious injuries such as:
Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
Spinal cord injuries
Broken bones
Internal organ damage
Severe road rash
Permanent disability
In the most tragic cases, these collisions can be fatal.
Can a Motorcyclist Share Responsibility for the Accident?
Massachusetts follows a modified comparative negligence rule.
Under this rule, an injured motorcyclist may still recover compensation if they were partially responsible for the accident, provided they were not more than 50% at fault.
For example, an insurance company may argue that a rider was:
Speeding
Following too closely
Riding aggressively
Failing to obey traffic signals
If the rider is found partially responsible, any compensation awarded may be reduced by their percentage of fault.
Because insurance companies frequently attempt to shift blame onto motorcyclists, it is important to have strong evidence and legal representation following a crash.
Evidence That Can Help Prove Liability
Determining fault often requires a thorough investigation.
Important evidence may include:
Police Accident Reports
Responding officers often document roadway conditions, witness statements, and preliminary findings regarding fault.
Witness Testimony
Independent witnesses can provide valuable insight into how the collision occurred.
Traffic Camera and Surveillance Footage
Video evidence can help establish whether the turning driver failed to yield.
Vehicle Damage Analysis
The location and severity of impact can provide important clues about the sequence of events.
Accident Reconstruction Experts
In complex cases, experts may be used to recreate the crash and identify contributing factors.
What Compensation May Be Available?
If another driver's negligence caused your motorcycle accident, you may be entitled to compensation for:
Medical expenses
Future medical treatment
Lost wages
Loss of earning capacity
Pain and suffering
Emotional distress
Permanent disability or disfigurement
Property damage to your motorcycle
In wrongful death cases, surviving family members may also have the right to pursue compensation under Massachusetts law.
How Faneuf Law Group Helps Injured Motorcycle Riders
Motorcycle accident claims often involve aggressive insurance company tactics and disputes over liability. At Faneuf Law Group, we carefully investigate every case to identify all responsible parties and build the strongest possible claim for our clients.
As experienced motor vehicle accident lawyers based in Woburn, Massachusetts, we understand the unique challenges motorcycle accident victims face and are committed to pursuing the compensation they deserve.
Our firm structures each case based on the vehicles involved, the severity of the injuries, and the parties responsible for causing the crash.
Contact a Woburn Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Today
If you were injured in a left-turn motorcycle accident in Massachusetts, do not assume the insurance company will treat you fairly. An experienced motorcycle accident attorney can help protect your rights, investigate the crash, and pursue the compensation you need to move forward.
Contact Faneuf Law Group today to discuss your case and learn how we can help after a serious motorcycle accident. You do not pay our office out of pocket at any time. If we are successful, our office takes our fee out of the settlement or judgment.