State Motorcycle Laws

Cape Cod Attorneys Protecting the Rights of Accident Victims

At the Law Offices of John C. Manoog III, our dedicated motorcycle accident lawyers have been representing injured riders in the Cape Cod area and beyond since 1994. With more than 146 years of combined experience, we have the resources, skills, and ability to help clients seek the legal remedies that they deserve. This often includes money to help them get themselves and their families back on track after a serious crash. We believe that our history of success speaks for itself. Our firm has obtained a number of verdicts and settlements in excess of $1 million over the years.

Filing a Negligence Claim for Compensation

There are a number of state laws related to the operation of motorcycles. Riders have many of the same rights and obligations as other drivers. For instance, they can use a full lane of traffic, and they must obey all the rules of the road. Most of the laws affecting motorcyclists are designed to protect them and reduce the risk of accidents. However, due to the carelessness of other drivers, collisions unfortunately happen all too often.

Motorcycle accident cases usually give rise to claims of negligence. This is a common legal theory that holds people responsible for a crash liable for the resulting injuries and related damages. In order to prove negligence, the victim has to show that the person or entity being sued breached what is known as a “duty of care.” Motorists have a duty to drive safely and avoid causing needless risks for others by acting recklessly behind the wheel or violating traffic rules. Some examples of a breach include driving while intoxicated, failing to yield at an intersection, or texting while driving.

The breach also must be directly linked to the injuries that the victim experienced, and quantifiable damages must be identified that arose from the collision. Causation usually consists of proof that the accident would not have happened if the defendant had used the proper level of care. It must have been a reasonably foreseeable result of the careless actions. Damages often include pain and suffe ring as well as more objective costs such as past and future medical treatment, lost income, and repairs to a motorcycle. Even if a motorcyclist was partially responsible for the accident, he or she still may be able to recover compensation proportionate to the degree of the defendant’s fault. This comparative negligence rule applies as long as the injured individual was not more than 50 percent responsible.

It is important to take action as soon as possible after an accident happens. Not only does important evidence often decay or disappear quickly, but a rule known as the statute of limitations requires victims to take legal action within a certain time period after they are hurt.

Consult a Massachusetts Lawyer After a Motor Vehicle Collision

If you or a loved one has been hurt in a motorcycle accident, it is sensible to seek the counsel of an experienced lawyer. At the Law Offices of John C. Manoog III, we have helped countless individuals pursue negligence claims. Our vehicle collision attorneys offer free consultations throughout Massachusetts. We do not charge a fee in many cases unless we are successful. Call us at 888-262-6664 or contact us online to schedule an appointment to discuss your situation. Nós Falamos Português.