Were you hit while riding your bike? Being struck by a motor vehicle as a biker is a very traumatic and life-altering experience, especially when you didn’t see the car coming at all. As isolated and overwhelmed as you feel, we want to remind you that you’re not alone.
At Jason Stone Injury Lawyers, we have 21-plus years of experience handling cases similar to yours. We’ve helped more than 15,000 people recover over $250 million in compensation, and we’ve spent years fighting for injured cyclists just like you all across the state.
We take care of our own because Massachusetts is our home. Let us represent you as your bicycle accident lawyer in Framingham. Trust us to advocate for your rights and help you pursue accountability as your Framingham personal injury lawyer.
Bicycle Laws in Massachusetts
Massachusetts law defines bicycles as vehicles. This means cyclists have to adhere to the same rights and responsibilities as motorists. Cyclists are permitted to ride on all public ways, unless specifically prohibited, and must obey all traffic signals and signs.
They are also expected to ride in the same direction as traffic, use hand signals, and yield to pedestrians in crosswalks. More specifically, here are examples of some laws specific to Massachusetts that are particularly relevant to cyclists:
- Helmet use: Riders who are 16 years old or younger are required by law to wear helmets. While helmet use is not mandatory for adults, it is still strongly encouraged.
- Sidewalk riding: Local rules often affect whether or not cyclists ride on sidewalks. That said, in many Massachusetts cities and towns, sidewalk riding is allowed outside of business districts.
- Passing on the right: Cyclists are allowed to pass vehicles on the right as long as it is safe to do so.
- Bike lanes and shared roads: Drivers must maintain a safe distance when passing a cyclist. In fact, Massachusetts law requires a safe passing distance of at least four feet of space.
Despite these protections, the enforcement of cycling laws varies, and many crashes result from drivers failing to yield, misjudging distances, or opening doors into a cyclist’s path. Your bicycle accident attorney in Framingham will help you understand which laws apply to your case.
Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents in Framingham
Framingham’s roadways are a mix of residential streets, high-traffic commuter routes, and commercial areas. The presence of multiple traffic zones increases the likelihood of collisions, particularly in areas where designated bike lanes are absent or poorly maintained.
These are examples of common causes of bicycle-related collisions in the area:
- Distracted driving: Motorists who are texting, using GPS devices, or failing to pay attention to the road often fail to see cyclists until it is too late.
- Failing to yield: Many collisions occur at intersections when drivers decide to turn without checking for cyclists approaching in bike lanes or on the shoulder.
- Dooring: When a driver or passenger opens a car door into the path of bicyclists, the cyclist often has no time to react, leading to them making a direct impact or swerving into traffic.
- Making unsafe lane changes or passing unlawfully: Drivers who pass too closely or merge into bicycle lanes often force riders off the road or into other dangerous situations.
- Speeding and operating a vehicle aggressively: High speeds reduce reaction times and increase the severity of any impact that occurs in collisions involving bicycles.
- Driving while drunk or impaired: Alcohol and drugs likely will affect a driver’s ability to notice cyclists or respond to them safely.
Environmental factors—such as poor lighting, bad weather, or road defects—often also contribute to accidents. However, they are typically secondary to driver behavior in the majority of cases.
Your bicycle accident attorneys in Framingham will look into the details of your circumstances and determine what caused the incident that left you injured.
How Liability Is Determined in Massachusetts
Massachusetts follows a modified comparative negligence rule when assigning liability in personal injury cases, which include bicycle accidents. Under this system, an injured party will only recover damages only if they are less than 51% at fault for the incident.
If they are found to be partially at fault, their compensation will be reduced in proportion to their share of responsibility. For example, if a cyclist is determined to be 25% at fault for a crash, any settlement or jury award they receive will be reduced by that same percentage.
However, if they are determined to be 51% or more at fault, they are not eligible to recover damages under state law whatsoever. These are a handful of factors that likely will influence the process of determining fault in a bicycle accident:
- Traffic camera footage or dash cams
- Police accident reports
- Eyewitness testimony
- Physical evidence from the scene
- Compliance with traffic laws
The good news is that you don’t have to choose
Contact Our Bicycle Accident Law Firm in Framingham Today For Legal Advice Regarding Your Case
If you or someone you love was injured in a bike-related incident, you don’t have to face the aftermath all alone. While this kind of experience will likely leave you physically, emotionally, and financially overwhelmed, you have options when it comes to support, guidance, and advice.
Consider reaching out to the Framingham bicycle accident attorneys at the law firm of Jason Stone Injury Lawyers. We’re prepared to stand by your side, fight for your rights, and help you pursue the compensation you’re eligible for as a victim in your case.
Don’t wait to reach out—we’re here for you. When you meet with us, you’ll know there’s no obligation, just information®. You never need to reach into your pocket to pay us. That’s our Stone Cold Guarantee®. We take care of our own because Massachusetts is our home.
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