Top Causes of Motorcycle Accidents in Massachusetts and How to Avoid Them

Riding a motorcycle can give you a sense of unmatched freedom, but it can also put you in more danger than you would be in if you drove a car. Motorcycles do not have airbags or sturdy metallic structures that can bear the brunt of a collision and keep you from getting significantly injured. Unfortunately, motorcycle accidents are common throughout Massachusetts. You can help protect yourself by learning about the top causes of motorcycle accidents in Massachusetts and how to avoid them.

At Cava Law Firm, our personal injury lawyers can offer the assistance you need to file a claim if you suffered losses in a motorcycle accident. With our team by your side, you can focus on healing while we take care of the legalities.

Contact Cava Law Firm at (413) 737-3430 or (413) 781-CAVA (2282).

Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents in Massachusetts and What You Can Do to Avoid Them

Understanding the Problem

Our Springfield personal injury lawyers have represented people who have suffered injuries in all manner of motorcycle accidents. Here is a look at some of the most common reasons why they occur and what you can do to prevent these accidents.

Speeding

Speeding can have catastrophic results for motorcyclists. If you speed, you have less time to react to hazards that appear on the road, making accidents more likely to occur. If you do collide with another vehicle or even with a stationary object, the force a speeding bike exerts can result in broken bones, traumatic brain injuries, and spinal cord injuries.

To avoid speeding accidents, the answer is obvious. Stick to posted speed limits, and if weather or road conditions are poor, go even slower. Of course, you may not be the party who is speeding. If you see that another driver is doing so, try to stay out of their way and let them pass.

Inattentive Drivers

If the drivers in the vehicles around you are distracted, they will not be able to see you. It is already difficult for vehicles to spot motorcycles because they can easily fall into blind spots, but if the drivers are looking down at their phones or changing radio stations, the chances of accidents rise dramatically. Massachusetts has hands-free laws in place to prevent people from using their phones while driving, but these aren’t always respected.

There is not much you can do to prevent others from driving while distracted, but you can ensure that you are paying full attention to your surroundings. Before changing lanes, make an effort to signal and, if possible, try to avoid falling into a vehicle’s blind spots. You can do this by riding in the blocking position, which is a little to the side of the center of the lane. That allows the vehicle in front of you to see you in their side mirrors.

Be sure to also wear clothes that make you visible, like bright protective jackets. At night, ensure that all of your lights are working and that you have reflective gear.

Road Conditions

Lots of road issues that do not faze drivers of larger vehicles can be very dangerous for motorcyclists. Potholes are one example. If a motorcycle comes across a pothole or cracked asphalt, especially at high speed, the vehicle could lose its balance and topple. At the very least, it could swerve into another lane and cause an accident. The same problem can happen if there’s debris on the road that the motorcycle rider does not have time or space to avoid.

Weather can also affect road conditions. Because motorcycles only have two wheels, they can much more easily lose traction if there is ice on the road or even if there has been a significant amount of rain.

As you are riding your bike, take the time to watch for road issues that could spell disaster. If there is debris on the road, go around it instead of trying to run over it, no matter how small you think it is. You also need to be aware of weather conditions. If it has rained recently or there is ice on the road, rethink whether you should take your bike. If that is your only mode of transportation, go slower than you normally would, and pay close attention to the road.

Aggressive Drivers

Another common cause of motorcycle accidents is aggressive drivers. Most motorcycle riders know that other drivers have a negative view of bikers. They feel that they do not belong on the road or that they should not be entitled to full lanes. If there is traffic, drivers can become more aggressive and try to push motorcycles out of lanes.

To avoid this cause of motorcycle accidents, try to keep your distance from other vehicles and follow traffic laws as much as you can. If you feel that you are being pushed out of your lane, be sure that other drivers can see what is happening so they do not end up crashing into you. Use your horn, if needed.

Trust Experienced Legal Representation After a Massachusetts Motorcycle Accident

Contact Cava Law Firm to Begin

Being in a motorcycle accident can leave you with catastrophic injuries. To be able to recover losses in a collision that was the result of someone else’s negligence or wrongful conduct, you need to have experienced personal injury lawyers helping you. The right team will fight for fair compensation, even if that means taking the case to court.

At Cava Law Firm, we have decades of experience helping people who have suffered injuries, lost wages, and emotional trauma. We know how dangerous motorcycle accidents can be and how much assistance you need in your pursuit of compensation. You don’t have to go through this alone.

Winning is NO accident! Call our team at (413) 737-3430 or (413) 781-CAVA (2282) to schedule a free consultation.

Attorney Jennifer L. Cava-Foreman

Attorney Jennifer L. Cava-Foreman would like to take the guesswork out of choosing a lawyer by letting the facts and her winning verdicts speak for themselves. Attorney Cava-Foreman is known in the local courts and has firsthand experience with many types of cases ranging from personal injury to criminal defense. Attorney Cava-Foreman understands that every case and every client is different. Whether a client is injured or mixed up in a criminal matter, she will provide the legal advice needed and stand up for her client in court. [ Attorney Bio ]