Saturday, July 19, 2008

Massachusetts Attorneys >> Motorcycle Accidents
Motorcycle riders enjoy the exhilaration and freedom that come with this most revered and feared form of transportation; however they are also exposed to dangers not faced by automobile drivers or other motorists. Cars and trucks have difficulty in anticipating or seeing a motorcyclist and therefore a motorcyclist faces a far higher risk of collision. Unlike cars, there is no substantial protective barrier between a motorcyclist and the hazards of the road. Therefore a motorcycle driver faces a much higher risk of serious injury in the event of an accident. The risks that motorcycle riders face, and the need to protect their right of accountability after an accident, become readily apparent through a review of the following statistics:

The Risks of the Road for Motorcycle Riders

Motorcyclists are about 26 times more likely to die in a crash than someone riding in a passenger car, and are 5 times as likely to be injured.
Per mile traveled in 1998, motorcyclists were about 16 times more likely than passenger car occupants to die, and about 3 times as likely to be injured, in a motor vehicle crash.
In two-thirds of motorcycle accidents involving another vehicle, the driver of the other vehicle violated the motorcycle rider's right of way and caused the accident.

Unique Problems Faced By Motorcycle Riders

Visual Recognition: Motorcycles make smaller visual targets, which are more likely to be obscured by other vehicles, or by road and weather conditions. This is an issue especially at intersections, where approximately 70 percent of motorcycle-versus-vehicle collisions occur.

Road Hazards: Hazards that are minor irritations for an automobile can be a major hazard for a motorcycle rider. These include potholes, oil slicks, puddles, debris, or other objects on the roadway, ruts, uneven pavement, and railroad tracks.

Speed "Wobble" Accidents: At higher speeds, or even at low speeds, the front end of a motorcycle may become unstable and begin to shake or "wobble" or “weave”. This problem may be due to looseness in the steering head or a misalignment of the front and rear tires of the motorcycle, improper tire pressure, improper suspension settings or components, or a combination thereof. If an accident is caused by such a wobble, the manufacturer or shop selling or maintaining the bike may be liable for any resulting injuries, under a product liability theory.

Riding Skills; Familiarity: A motorcycle requires much more skill and physical coordination to operate than a car. Many motorcycle accidents are caused in whole or in part by a rider's lack of basic riding skills, or failure to appreciate the inherent operating characteristics and limitations of the motorcycle, or a failure to react appropriately in the face of roadway hazards.

Riding a motorcycle has been estimated as being five times more complex as driving an automobile, and reconstructing a motorcycle accident can be equally difficult. A thorough, detailed investigation, bearing in mind the special considerations present with motorcycle accidents is essential to determining the facts and circumstances relating to a motorcycle accident. An attorney needs to take in account the characteristics and dynamics of the particular motorcycle involved, along with abilities and experience of the rider, the characteristics of the roadway, and, most importantly, the evidence left at the scene to accurately reconstruct the accident. Estimating the speed of the motorcycle involved can also be an extremely difficult task. Motorcycle accident reconstruction must take into account the significant differences between motorcycle crashes and automobile crashes.

Massachusetts Attorneys.com provides a directory of Massachusetts lawyers who offer free case evaluations. To contact an attorney reviewing motorcycle accident cases, please fill out the free motorcycle accident evaluation form below.

Once you submit your form, your contact information will be sent to the sponsored Massachusetts attorney or law firm listed below. That lawyer will review your form in accordance with the site terms and conditions and may contact you to discuss your case. There is no cost or obligation for this service. This form will be sent to:

Attorney Doug Sheff
SHEFF LAW OFFICES
Ten Tremont Street, 7th Floor
Boston, MA 02108
(617) 227-7000

Free Motorcycle Accidents Consultation

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