Boston Motorcycle Accident Lawyers (2025)

How Much Does a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Cost in Boston, Massachusetts?

Most Boston attorneys handle motorcycle accident lawsuits and other personal injury cases on a "contingency" basis. This means they don’t charge by the hour or send you regular bills for services. Instead, they take a percentage of the settlement or verdict they win for you. You don’t owe them any fees if they don't recover anything.

The Massachusetts Rules of Professional Conduct spell out the requirements for contingency fee contracts, including that they be in writing and signed by both you and your attorney. It’s important to read an agreement closely to understand who will cover any costs related to pursuing your case (such as filing fees and other expenses) and whether you’ll be responsible for those costs if the case isn’t successful.

No-Fault Insurance and Motorcycle Accidents in Massachusetts

Massachusetts is a no-fault state for car insurance. This means that in the event of an accident, each driver files a claim with their own insurance company. Drivers must carry personal injury protection (PIP) coverage, which pays for medical care.

However, insurance companies do not offer PIP coverage to motorcyclists. If you are hurt in a crash while riding a motorcycle, you usually have two options:

• File a negligence-based lawsuit against the other driver
• File an uninsured motorist claim with your policy if the driver is uninsured

In either case, it’s wise to retain a lawyer. Insurance companies and courts are often biased against motorcyclists because they see them as reckless, but a skilled attorney can advocate for you.

Steps to Take After a Motorcycle Accident in Boston

Motorcycle accidents can be terrifying. In the immediate aftermath of a crash, it can be difficult to think clearly. If you have the presence of mind and are not too injured to do so, take the following steps:

• Get out of harm’s way
• Don’t admit fault
• Call 911
• Document the scene with photos
• Exchange insurance and contact information with the other driver
• Collect contact information for witnesses if they’re available

You should immediately seek medical care as well. Once you’ve been stabilized, do your best to find an attorney experienced with motorcycle accidents.

How to Hire a Boston Motorcycle Accident Attorney

Look for a lawyer with experience handling motorcycle accident claims particularly. Insurance companies often vigorously defend these cases, arguing that a rider engaged in dangerous or illegal behavior like lane splitting.

Once you have a few leads on potential attorneys, set up consultations to get a feel for each attorney's approach and personality. Find one that you like who offers communication options that work for you. Many now provide video conferencing appointments, making staying in contact easier and more convenient. Ultimately, trust your instincts—choosing an attorney is as much about comfort and cooperation as it is about expertise.

Common Motorcycle Accident Injuries in Boston

When you’re on a motorcycle, you don’t have the same protection as someone driving a car. Therefore, something that seems like a minor accident to a driver could be much more serious for a motorcyclist. These are some of the most common injuries motorcyclists suffer in accidents:

• Major abrasions and degloving injuries
• Broken bones
• Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
• Internal bleeding and organ damage
• Spinal cord injuries

Some of these injuries will be obvious after an accident, but not all of them will be. To maximize your chances of recovery, you should seek medical care after an accident — even if you don’t think you’re badly injured.

Average Motorcycle Accident Settlement in Boston

Because most accident settlements are confidential, estimating the accurate "average" settlement value in a motorcycle accident case is challenging. Each person’s claim presents its own unique set of circumstances that influence its value. How severely you are injured, the extent of the property damage, and many other factors contribute to how much your case is worth. Riders may suffer from PTSD and other mental distress, which are also compensable damages.

Injuries in motorcycle accident cases are often catastrophic and result in permanent disability. They can require years of rehabilitation and may necessitate permanent assistant care. If your injuries restrict your ability to work, require you to hire in-home help, or make it necessary to modify your home, it's essential to retain an attorney who can help you understand the full value of your case.

An experienced attorney will use their own settlement history, litigation success, and knowledge of insurance company practices to help ensure you recover the full value of your losses. Your settlement should ensure you are financially secure enough to manage your future medical needs.

Filing a Motorcycle Accident Lawsuit in Boston

If your medical expenses from a motorcycle accident are more than $2,000, you can file a lawsuit in the Massachusetts District Court or Massachusetts Superior Court. In addition to recovering any out-of-pocket medical costs, you may also seek compensation for pain and suffering. There are also some exceptions that automatically allow you to pursue a lawsuit, including loss of sight or hearing, disfigurement, and loss of a limb.

If you’ve lost a loved one in a fatal motorcycle accident, an attorney can help you file a wrongful death case. This type of lawsuit allows you to pursue reimbursement for medical expenses, burial costs, and compensation for the loss of their companionship, among other damages.

Most personal injury cases, including motorcycle accident cases, settle without going to trial. If you have been injured in an accident, you can negotiate directly with the at-fault driver's insurer if you prefer. However, retaining an attorney can increase the amount of your recovery.

Experienced attorneys understand how insurers try to minimize what they pay in a motorcycle claim. They will use detailed medical records, expert opinions, and accident reports to demonstrate the true extent of your injuries and the impact on your life. These persuasive tactics can help them recover a settlement that compensates you for the actual value of your losses.

How Does a Motorcycle Accident Lawsuit Work in Boston?

You can file a civil lawsuit to recover damages if someone else is legally responsible for the accident that caused your injuries. You may recover both economic losses (like medical costs, vehicle damage, and lost wages) and non-economic losses (like pain and suffering or emotional trauma). A Boston motorcycle accident lawyer can help you determine the value of your claim and understand your options for pursuing fair compensation.

The Massachusetts statute of limitations for most personal injury claims is three years from the date of the injury. You must file a lawsuit within the allowable time, or you will lose the right to do so. Certain situations allow more time for an injured victim to file a claim. An experienced attorney will help you understand your legal options and the time limits that apply.

How to Prove Negligence in a Boston Motorcycle Accident Case

To win your case, you must be able to prove the elements of negligence:

• The at-fault driver owed you a duty of care
• They breached that duty
• The breach of duty caused your injuries
• Because of your injuries, you have damages to collect

In many instances, these elements are simpler to prove than one might think. Motorists have a duty to one another to obey traffic laws. If a careless driver is speeding and hits you, they have violated that duty.

Accident reports and traffic camera footage can verify that their carelessness caused your injuries, and medical bills and lost income records can prove that you have damages to collect.

Types of Motorcycle Accident Cases in Boston

Boston has a Vision Zero plan that works towards eliminating traffic fatalities and accidents by improving infrastructure systems. Unfortunately, there are still many motorcycle accidents in the Boston metro area. Motorcycle riders are less visible to cars and trucks on the road. Escooter accidents are also common, as riders may have less experience and skill than licensed motorcyclists.

Although many motorcycle accidents are caused by vehicle drivers failing to notice motorcycles, other common causes include speeding, distracted driving, drunk driving, failure to yield, improper lane changes, and aggressive driving. A Boston motorcycle accident attorney will help you understand your options, discuss the value of your case, and help you pursue compensation for your damages.