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Massachusetts personal injury lawyers

For Over 25 Years Fighting
The Big Insurance Companies

Thousands of claims successfully handled. Millions of dollars recovered for our clients.

Open Door Accidents

Motorcycle Collision Lawyer Serving Massachusetts Residents

If you ride a motorcycle, chances are you know all too well the dangers that you face on the road from inattentive drivers. While motorcycles provide a convenient way to get around, better parking options, and lower gas mileage, they lack the same protective infrastructure that a passenger vehicle provides. Although most motorists are aware that the road is full of motorcycle riders, they may still fail to pay appropriate attention, yield the right-of-way, or to allow motorcycles enough space. One of the most serious accidents that can impact motorcycle riders is an open door accident, which happens when a car parked on the side of the street opens a door in front of a passing motorcyclist. The injuries that result can be devastating. If you were involved in a collision of this nature, a Massachusetts motorcycle accident attorney can assist you in pursuing the settlement or judgment that you deserve.

Open Door Accidents

In congested metropolitan areas like Boston, Cambridge, and other populous Massachusetts cities, countless people travel through the streets every single day. It is critical for drivers in these places to keep watch for approaching motorcyclists before they either open their car doors or enter a parked vehicle. According to Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 90, Section 14, it is unlawful to open a car door in a negligent manner. This refers to the common practice of a motorcyclist, bicyclist, or other pedestrian being hit with an opening car door, also referred to as being “doored.”

Too often, however, people who are distracted, in a hurry, or simply careless fail to perform this crucial step. Two of the most proactive things you can do after being injured in a dooring accident are to seek medical treatment and obtain a police report. This document may contain information about what the other person was doing at the time he or she opened the door without ensuring that the way was clear first. Obtaining the contact information of any eyewitnesses is another helpful tool. They can assist with establishing that the person who opened the door did not look to see if the way was clear before opening the door and causing an accident because they were on the phone or otherwise distracted.

Seeking the Compensation You Deserve

A motorcycle accident is a type of personal injury accident. If you bring a lawsuit following this sort of crash, you will be asked to establish a variety of elements before you will be awarded compensation for the injuries that resulted from the accident. The first thing you will need to establish is that the other person owed you a duty of care to act as a reasonable and prudent person would when faced with the same situation. A reasonably prudent person would check to see if the way is clear before opening his or her door into a lane of traffic. A reasonably prudent person would also make an effort to comply with traffic laws like the Massachusetts statute against dooring.

Once you prove that the person who caused the accident did not use reasonable care, you must prove that this was the foreseeable cause of your injuries. If the other person can show that some other factor was to blame, including examples of your own negligence at the time of the accident, you may be barred from recovering compensation. It is important to establish this element because without causation, you will not be awarded damages even if you can prove that the defendant acted in a negligent way.

The last stage of the lawsuit involves providing evidence to support any damages that you are claiming in the lawsuit. This often includes past and future medical expenses, lost wages, diminished earning capacity, pain and suffering, disfigurement, and diminished quality of life. A seasoned motorcycle accident attorney can help you ensure that you seek the full amount of compensation that you may be owed.

Meet With Committed Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in Massachusetts

Motorcycle accidents can be particularly devastating for the victim, especially if the crash leads to permanent injuries or disfigurement. Although no amount of money can make you whole again after the injuries that you suffered, the financial toll of an accident can be crushing for the victim and his or her family, particularly in the event of a fatal collision. A dedicated Massachusetts attorney at our firm is available to serve clients in areas around Boston, Cambridge, Waltham, Lowell, Newton, Somerville, Quincy, Dedham, Norwood, Brookline, and Peabody. Call us at  (800) 262-9200 or contact us online to get started.

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