Fall River Bicycle Accident Lawyer

Fall River bicyclists are considered “vulnerable road users” under M.G.L. c. 90 § 14, meaning Massachusetts drivers owe them an elevated duty of care. In January 2023, the Legislature strengthened that duty by requiring motorists to leave a minimum four-foot buffer and to slow to a “reasonable and proper” speed when overtaking a rider. If traffic conditions make a four-foot distance impossible, the driver must change lanes or wait until it is safe to pass. Motorists who “door” cyclists (open a vehicle door into a rider’s path) or make a sudden right turn across a bike’s travel lane can also be cited for failing to yield. Our Fall River bicycle lawyers are cyclists too. We understand and empathize with those injured in a bicycle crash. Get in touch with our Fall River personal injury team today for a free consultation if you have been injured.

Civil liability follows the same logic; when a driver violates a safety statute and causes harm, the violation is robust evidence of negligence. As a result, a bicyclist injured in Fall River can pursue compensation for crash-related losses through an insurance claim or, if necessary, a lawsuit in Bristol County Superior Court. Massachusetts follows modified comparative negligence (51 percent rule), so even if a rider is partly at fault, they may still recover damages if their share of blame is 50 percent or less.

Our Fall River bicycle accident attorneys have extensive experience in all types of bicycle injury cases, including accidents caused by motor vehicles, other cyclists, pedestrians, roadway defects, and more.

Fall River’s compact street grid, high-volume trucking routes, and historic mill buildings create unique hazards:

• Narrow lanes and limited shoulders on State Route 79, Davol Street, and South Main Street force cyclists to squeeze against the curb edges.
• Heavy commercial traffic serving the waterfront industrial parks increases the risk of wide-turn and side-swipe crashes.
• Multilane intersections at President Avenue, Plymouth Avenue, and Globe Street invite dangerous “hook” collisions when drivers turn across bike lanes.
• Aging pavement and storm-drain grates along North Main Street force riders into the traffic stream to avoid wheel-swallowing gaps.
• Tourist congestion near Battleship Cove and the Quequechan River Rail Trail brings out-of-town drivers unfamiliar with local bicyclist rights.

These conditions exacerbate the consequences of even momentary driver distractions, such as texting, searching for parking, or failing to check blind spots, making legal representation essential in the event of a crash.

In addition to the four-foot passing rule, several statutes and regulations safeguard riders:

• Helmet Requirement (M.G.L. c. 85 § 11B). Riders 16 and younger must wear a helmet that meets CPSC standards; failure to do so does notbar an injury claim, but insurers may argue that not wearing one increases the damages sustained.
• Right to Take the Lane. Cyclists may use any part of a travel lane when necessary for safety or to prepare for a turn. Drivers who honk or attempt to “squeeze” a rider may be cited for improper passing.
• Bike Lane Obstruction Ban. Stopping or parking in a marked bike lane violates local traffic ordinances and can support a negligence per se argument if it triggers a crash.
• Three-Year Statute of Limitations (M.G.L. c. 260 § 2A). An injured rider generally has three years from the date of the crash to file a lawsuit. Shorter deadlines apply against municipal or state entities under the Massachusetts Tort Claims Act, so prompt legal advice is critical.

The City of Fall River has also adopted Complete Streets design standards, prioritizing bike-friendly infrastructure such as protected lanes on South Main Street and shared-lane markings on Rodman Street. Although design changes lower the frequency of crashes, they do not eliminate a negligent driver’s civil liability.

Unlike motorists, cyclists lack a metal frame, airbags, or crumple zones. Even “low-speed” impacts can produce life-altering harm:

• Traumatic brain injuries(concussion, diffuse axonal injury)
• Spinal cord trauma leading to partial or complete paralysis
• Complex orthopedic fractures to the clavicle, femur, or pelvis
• Facial fractures and dental injuries from striking the pavement
• Road-rash burns that risk infection and permanent scarring
• Psychological trauma, post-traumatic stress disorder, phobias, and depression

Medical bills often exceed the $8,000 available in Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage required under Massachusetts no-fault rules, making third-party liability claims essential for a full recovery.

A successful claim can provide monetary relief for:

• Economic losses
  • Hospital and surgical bills
  • Rehabilitation, prosthetics, and future medical care
  • Lost wages and diminished earning capacity
  • Bicycle repair or replacement
• Non-economic losses
  • Pain and suffering
  • Mental anguish and loss of life’s enjoyment
  • Scarring or disfigurement
  • Loss of consortium for a spouse or partner

In egregious cases, such as a hit-and-run or drunk-driving collision, Massachusetts courts may award punitive damages in wrongful-death actions to deter similar misconduct.

Your actions in the minutes and days following a crash can make or break an eventual legal claim:

• Call 911 and request the responding officer to create an official Massachusetts Motor Vehicle Crash Operator Report.
• Seek medical evaluation even if injuries seem minor; adrenaline masks pain, and medical records form the backbone of your case.
• Collect evidence while still on the scene:
  • Photographs of bike damage, skid marks, and vehicle license plates
  • Contact information for eyewitnesses who can corroborate events
  • Any available video from helmet cameras, storefront CCTV, or dash cams
• Avoid recorded statements with the at-fault driver’s insurer until you speak with counsel. Insurers often use innocuous comments, “I’m fine” or “I didn’t see the car”, to dispute liability or minimize damages.
• Preserve the bicycle in its post-crash condition; do not repair or dispose of it until an expert inspects it for impact angles and component failures.

At Jeffrey Glassman Injury Lawyers, we have devoted more than two decades to protecting vulnerable road users across Bristol County and Greater Boston. When you retain our firm, we deploy a comprehensive case-building strategy:

• Rapid investigation. Our in-house investigators secure crash-site measurements, surveillance footage, and black-box vehicle data before crucial evidence disappears.
• Expert retention. We partner with accident reconstructionists, biomechanical engineers, and medical specialists to translate technical findings into plain-language proof of negligence.
• Insurance negotiation. Our attorneys identify every available policy, driver’s liability, employer vicarious liability, commercial coverage, and your underinsured motorist (UIM) benefits to maximize the compensation pool.
• Litigation readiness. While most claims settle, we prepare every case as if the trial were pending. That diligence signals strength to insurers and often accelerates fair settlement offers.
• Client-centered communication. You receive regular updates, clear explanations of legal options, and direct access to your attorney. After all, it is yourstory and your

Because we accept bicycle cases on a contingency fee, you pay no attorney’s fee unless we win. The firm advances case expenses and reimburses them only from a recovery.

Q: “Do no-fault insurance rules bar me from suing?”
No. PIP benefits cover the first $2,000 (up to $8,000) of medical expenses and 75 percent of lost wages. Still, you may sue the at-fault party if your medical bills exceed $2,000 or you suffer a “serious injury” as defined by Massachusetts law (fracture, significant disfigurement, or death).

Q: “What if the driver fled the scene or was uninsured?”
Your own auto policy’s Uninsured Motorist (UM) coverage can step in. If you do not own a car, you may qualify for benefits under a household member’s policy or through the Massachusetts Assigned Claims Plan.

Q: “Can the city be liable for bad road design?”
Possibly, but municipal claims require a formal presentment letter within two years and are capped at $100,000 under the Massachusetts Tort Claims Act. Design-defect cases are fact-intensive and benefit from immediate legal review.

Q: “How long will my case take?”
Minor-injury claims often settle within six to nine months of maximum medical improvement, while contested liability or catastrophic-injury suits can run 18-36 months, including discovery, expert depositions, and trial scheduling. However, the circumstances of each case are different, and your case's timeline will depend on various factors.

Q: “Will my health insurer seek reimbursement?”
Most private health plans and MassHealth assert subrogation liens against third-party recoveries; careful negotiation is required to protect your net award.

Every bicycle crash is personal: it disrupts commutes, sidelines recreation, and threatens the hard-earned independence of those involved. You deserve advocacy that treats your case with the urgency and respect it deserves. Jeffrey Glassman Injury Lawyers stands ready to answer your questions, outline your options, and pursue the compensation you need to heal and move forward.

• Free consultation, no obligation
• Available 24/7 by phone, video, or in-office meeting
• Decades of experience, millions recovered for injured cyclists

Call (508) 974-3304 today or complete our secure online form to schedule your case review. The sooner you reach out, the sooner we can preserve vital evidence and begin fighting for your rights.

Fall River Office

99 S Main St #350
Fall River, MA 02721
Phone: (508) 974-3304