Reliable Representation for Bicycle Accidents in Massachusetts

Straightforward Counsel. Impressive Results.

Whether they’re used for commuting to work or recreation, bicycles can offer an economical means of transportation and a fun way to exercise. However, bicyclists often share the same roads as cars, SUVs, trucks, and other large vehicles — and since they are not protected by steel doors or airbags, they are at a higher risk of serious injury in the event of a crash. If a bicycle collision occurs, the results can be catastrophic.

Attorney Rick Madore understands the challenges you may face after a bicycle accident, from navigating the insurance maze to fighting for the monetary recovery to which you’re entitled. Striving to ease your financial and emotional burdens, Rick works to hold the responsible party accountable for their negligence, carelessness, or recklessness and secure the justice you deserve.

Aggressive Advocacy for Injured Bicyclists

In Massachusetts, bicyclists are permitted to share the same public roadways and streets as other vehicles. But simply because of the size and weight of a bicycle — and the lack of protection they offer — bicyclists are at an increased risk of danger on the road. Regardless of how many safety precautions a bicyclist might take, a motorist’s inattention, distraction, or carelessness can have devastating consequences.

Despite the reasonable duty of care motorists owe to bicyclists, accidents are often caused by a driver’s failure to observe them on the road. Other common causes of bicycle accidents can include the following:

• Distracted driving
• Speeding or recklessness
• Inattention
• Driving under the influence
• Dangerous roadway conditions
• Unsafe lane changes
• Bicycle defects
• Texting while driving
• Improper turns
• Failure to yield

The facts and circumstances surrounding every bicycle accident are unique and each victim is impacted by their injuries in a different way. In addition, there may be a party besides a negligent motorist who should be held accountable for the accident. For example, if a defect in the bicycle caused the accident, a manufacturer may be named in the lawsuit. If dangerous road conditions contributed to the crash, a municipality might be liable.

Whether you were struck by a car, truck, bus, or other vehicle, it’s vital to have skilled legal counsel by your side to protect your rights and secure the compensation that is rightfully yours. Providing compassionate counsel and aggressive advocacy, Attorney Rick Madore is committed to ensuring his clients receive high-quality representation, professional legal services, and the best possible outcome in their cases.

Ensuring You Don’t Settle for Less Than You Deserve

In order to recover monetary compensation for your bicycle accident injuries, you must demonstrate that another party’s negligence is to blame for the accident. To establish negligence in Massachusetts, four elements must be satisfied. You must show that the other party (1) owed you a duty of reasonable care; (2) they breached that duty; (3) their breach caused your injuries; (4) you suffered damages as a result.

Proving negligence in a bicycle accident can be complex and you must have sufficient evidence to support your claim. Valuable evidence in a bicycle crash can include the police report, photos of the accident scene, video footage, eyewitness statements, and your medical records. While testimony from an accident reconstruction expert may be helpful to establish liability, expert testimony from a doctor can be useful in demonstrating the extent of your injuries.

A negligent party may attempt to shift the blame to the bicyclist and assert they contributed to the accident by cycling at a high speed, losing control of the bicycle, or failing to wear reflective clothing. However, Massachusetts follows the rule of modified comparative negligence. This means that you can still recover compensation if you are partly responsible for the accident, as long as you are less than 51 percent to blame. The total amount of compensation awarded would be reduced by your percentage of fault.

If you have been injured in a bicycle collision, it’s important to ensure the negligent party answers for the wrongful conduct that caused you harm. Providing clients with results-oriented representation and responsive counsel, Attorney Rick Madore has extensive experience handling personal injury matters involving bicycle accidents. With a wide breadth of knowledge and deep insight, Rick knows what it takes to resolve even the most complicated cases successfully — whether the outcome be obtained through negotiation, litigation, or an alternative dispute resolution method.

Professional. Effective. Results-Oriented.

Depending on the extent of your injuries, the medical bills you may incur after a bicycle accident can be substantial. Although up to $8,000 of your medical expenses may be covered through personal injury protection (PIP), it is not uncommon for the costs associated with hospital stays, doctor visits, surgery, and physical rehabilitation to exceed this threshold. If applicable, you may be able to turn to your own health insurance policy to cover the costs of medical treatment.

Critically, you might be entitled to recover a wide range of economic and noneconomic damages by filing a personal injury lawsuit. An award of economic damages is meant to compensate you for the financial losses you suffered due to the accident, including your lost wages and medical expenses. Noneconomic damages address the physical and emotional impact of your injuries on your daily life.

In a personal injury action, you may be eligible to recover compensation for the following:

• Medical expenses, hospital bills, and surgery costs
• Physical rehabilitation and future medical costs
• Out-of-pocket costs related to medical treatment
• Past and future lost wages
• Loss of consortium and companionship
• Your physical pain and mental anguish
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Replacement services loss
• Punitive damages in certain cases

If you’ve suffered serious injuries, your sole focus should be on your physical — and emotional — recovery. Attorney Rick Madore understands how overwhelming the aftermath of a bicycle collision can be and works diligently to secure your rightful compensation. Offering the legal support you need at the time you need it most, Rick will handle all aspects of your claim, including the coordination of benefits that must take place between insurance companies under Massachusetts law.

Contact an Experienced Bicycle Accident Attorney

If you’ve been injured in a bicycle accident caused by someone else’s negligence, a competent attorney can help you obtain the maximum compensation you are entitled to by law. Based in Boston, the Law Office of Richard R. Madore, P.C. offers trusted advocacy to clients for personal injury matters throughout the Greater Boston area, Central Massachusetts, and Western Massachusetts. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation and review of your claim.