Bicycle accidents can cause devastating injuries. If you have been hurt in a bicycle accident, you may be able to seek monetary damages for your injuries and losses. Our reputable Massachusetts bike accident lawyers have over 25 years of experience and understand what it takes to advocate for your rights. We will examine the circumstances surrounding your accident and devise a legal strategy accordingly.
A 32-year-old Brewster man was left critically injured when a driver hit his bicycle and fled the scene. The incident took place just after 9:30 pm on Millstone road where the victim, when riding his bike, was hit by a vehicle – potentially a Sedan. The victim was rushed to a hospital by Medflight and has already undergone two surgeries. He was also in a coma and is now sedated. Police are still investigating the case, as the driver still has not been located. The victim’s family is pleading for information from anyone who may know anything about the crash.
Sadly, bicycle accidents happen quite frequently. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) found that 783 bicyclists died in traffic accidents in the country in 2017. As you may expect, when an accident takes place between a vehicle and a bicycle, it is the cyclist that is most likely to be hurt. Bicycle riding is very popular in parts of Massachusetts. In fact, ridership more than doubled from 2007 to 2015. The Massachusetts Bike Coalition reports that there were 10 bicyclist fatalities in 2017 and 6 bicyclist deaths in 2018.
Cyclists have a right to be on the roads and they are entitled to the same privileges and protections as any other motorist. Unfortunately, many motorists are not cautious of cyclists, and end up causing catastrophic accidents. If you have been injured in a bicycle accident caused by a motorist’s error or carelessness, you may be able to recover compensation through a personal injury lawsuit rooted in negligence. To establish negligence, the plaintiff bears the burden of proving the following:
- The defendant owed the plaintiff a duty of care (i.e., the duty to drive in a safe and reasonably prudent manner);
- The defendant breached the duty of care owed to the plaintiff (i.e., by driving in a careless, unsafe or outright dangerous manner); and
- The defendant’s breach was a direct cause of the bicycle accident and the plaintiff’s resulting injuries and losses.
Each of the above elements must be established before a plaintiff can recover monetary damages. Generally, damages available to bicycle accident victims include: medical expenses, rehabilitation costs, lost income, property damage and any other losses arising from the accident.
If you have been injured in a bicycle accident that was not your fault, you need to reach out to a skilled Massachusetts bicycle accident attorney who can help. At The Law Offices of Barry Feinstein & Affiliates, P.C., we have the experience and resources necessary to obtain the compensation you rightfully deserve. We are here to answer your questions every step of the way. For a free initial consultation about your case, please call us today at 1-800-262-9200 or contact us online.
