Bicycle Accidents
With more bicyclists on the road, accidents are unfortunately becoming more common.
More Massachusetts residents are leaving their cars at home in favor of bicycles.
In recent years, more and more Massachusetts residents have been leaving their cars at home and foregoing public transit transportation in favor of using their bicycles for short trips and their daily commutes. Of course, many others use their bikes as a form of recreation and exercise as well.
The rise in bicycle transportation is not limited to simple joy rides or quick commutes to the store or work. To encourage residents and tourists to see and travel through the city in a unique way, Boston has initiated Hubway, a popular seasonal bike-share network with over 400+ stations and 4,000+ bikes available throughout 11 municipalities. It seems that more and more bicyclists are taking to the streets every year.
As more cyclists take to the streets, the number of bicycle-related accidents has risen sharply. Even when wearing a helmet, bicyclists can sustain devastating and life-altering injuries. More often than not, these accidents are caused by careless or inattentive drivers who may be on the lookout for other cars, but are not focused on bicyclists that may be riding in their vicinity.
Massachusetts has enacted laws to help protect cyclists and to reduce the number of people seriously injured in bike accidents, namely M.G.L., c. 89, §2 and c. 90, §14. Bicyclists who are injured due to negligent motor vehicle operation may hold drivers liable for their negligence in causing a bicycle accident.
If you or a loved one has been involved in a bicycle accident, the injury lawyers at SUGARMAN are here to help.
More About Bicycle Accidents
Throughout its history, SUGARMAN attorneys have represented cyclists in a wide range of personal injury claims, including those where the cyclist has died or suffered a catastrophic injury from the bicycle accident.
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Arbitration award for electric bicyclist
Arbitration award in excess of defendant’s policy limits obtained for 34-year-old Ph.D. student who suffered right shoulder and elbow injuries when he was struck by a car while riding his electric bicycle in heavy traffic in Boston. Following the collision, the plaintiff’s primary complaints centered around superficial injuries to his legs and right hand, but he subsequently developed significant pain in his shoulder and right arm. He underwent right shoulder surgery nine months after the accident and elbow surgery more than a year later. The defendant made a minimal offer, disputing both liability and causation, pushing the case to arbitration.
Cyclist chased by dog fractures wrist
Pre-suit settlement of claim made for a bicyclist who was chased by a dog on a bike path in Danvers, Massachusetts. The dog was not on a lease, chased after the cyclist and crashed into the cyclist bike - causing the cyclist to be thrown through the air off her bike and fracture her wrist when she hit the ground. The claim was brought against the dog's owners under Massachusetts "dog bite" law.
Injured cyclists recover from driver who struck them
Recovery for two New York residents who were struck by a car while riding bikes during a vacation on Cape Cod. One bicyclist suffered compression fractures in her spine and the other bicyclist suffered injuries to his back and other parts of his body. The defendant driver's insurer resolved the case soon after SUGARMAN's attorneys filed suit in federal court in Boston after turning down the insurer's initial settlement offer.
Arbitration victory for cyclist struck by car
SUGARMAN attorneys prevailed at arbitration on behalf of a cyclist who suffered multiple facial injuries requiring surgery. The cyclist was riding in Dedham when a vehicle driven by the defendant turned into him without warning, striking him and causing him to land on the hood of the car before falling to the ground. After a full hearing, the arbitrator found for SUGARMAN's client and his wife, who had a loss of consortium claim, and awarded significant damages for both claims.
Bicyclist killed by SUV at intersection crash
Wrongful death settlement against driver of SUV who struck and killed a 61-year-old man riding his bicycle.
Competitive cyclist suffers hip fracture
Settlement for competitive cyclist who was struck by a car when the driver failed to stop at a stop sign. The cyclist suffered a comminuted fracture and dislocation of his right hip requiring surgical repair and placement of hardware. His riding abilities were permanently impaired by his injuries.
Bicyclist struck by driver taking turn at an intersection
Settlement for bicyclist who was struck when a motorist took a left turn across an intersection directly into the path of an oncoming bicyclist, who had the right of way. The cyclist, who was wearing a helmet, was thrown through the air and suffered several fractured teeth requiring surgical repair.
Bicyclist struck in crosswalk by ambulance
The bicyclist sustained severe and permanent injuries to his ankle and heel when an ambulance ran him over. The ambulance was not responding to an emergency and was driving toward an intersection within the speed limit. Through eyewitnesses and an expert witness’ reconstruction of the accident, SUGARMAN attorneys were able to demonstrate the bicyclist was within the confines of the crosswalk before the ambulance reached the intersection, thus proving the defendants’ negligence in the personal injury lawsuit.