Fall River Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
Motorcyclists love the sweeping views along Route 79, the gritty charm of the city’s mill buildings, and those quick hops across the Braga Bridge to the beaches of the South Coast. Unfortunately, what makes riding in and around Fall River exhilarating can also make it a dangerous experience. When a crash happens, the injuries are often catastrophic, and the legal and financial stakes are high. Our Fall River motorcycle accident attorneys are bikers too. We understand the risks and potential injuries associated with a wreck. We are available 24/7 for a free consultation. Call us now.
At Jeffrey Glassman Injury Lawyers, our Fall River personal injury team has helped injured bikers and their families throughout Massachusetts for over thirty years. Our mission is straightforward: to provide aggressive, compassionate, and highly tailored representation that enables injured riders to focus on healing while we secure the maximum compensation allowed by law.
Why Motorcyclists Face Unique Risks on Fall River Roads- Limited Visibility: Passenger-vehicle drivers frequently overlook motorcycles in mirrors, intersections, and in heavy Mill River traffic because bikes are smaller and narrower than cars.
- Road Surface Hazards: Cobblestone patches, potholes on Davol Street, or loose gravel on rural routes such as Route 177 can destabilize two wheels far more than four.
- Driver Distraction: The use of cell phones, infotainment systems, and other distractions increases the likelihood that a motorist will drift into a rider’s lane or fail to yield.
- Speed Differentials: Sudden slowdowns near the Brightman Street Bridge or high-speed merges on I-195 leave riders with little reaction time.
- Lack of Crash Protection: Without seat belts, airbags, or a steel frame, motorcyclists absorb the full kinetic energy of a collision, leading to severe head, spine, and orthopedic injuries.
- Universal Helmet Law (M.G.L. c. 90 § 7) requires all operators and passengers to wear USDOT-compliant helmets. Violations can result in fines and may be cited by insurers as a factor in comparative negligence.
- Insurance Requirements. Minimum liability coverage. Bodily injury to others $20,000 per person / $40,000 per accident. Property damage $5,000. Uninsured motorist $20,000 / $40,000. Personal Injury Protection (PIP) does not apply to motorcycles, so injured riders do not receive the automatic medical benefits that car occupants do.
- Statute of Limitations (M.G.L. c. 260 § 2A). Generally, you have three years from the date of the crash to file a lawsuit. Missing this deadline almost always bars recovery, so early action is critical.
- Comparative Negligence (M.G.L. c. 231 § 85). The rider’s percentage of fault reduces damages. Recovery is barred if the rider is 51 percent or more at fault.
- Call 911 and Seek Medical Care: Even low-speed spills can cause hidden brain or internal injuries. Prompt documentation establishes a causal link between the crash and your injuries.
- Cooperate with Police: The Fall River Police Department’s accident report becomes pivotal evidence. Provide clear, factual statements without speculating.
- Document the Scene: If safe, gather photos of vehicle positions, skid marks on Eastern Avenue, traffic signals, weather conditions, and injuries.
- Identify Witnesses: Obtain names and phone numbers of bystanders, other motorists, and first responders.
- Preserve Evidence: Keep damaged helmets, riding gear, and bike parts; they may later illustrate impact forces or product defects.
- Avoid Social Media: Posts or photos can be misconstrued by insurers to downplay injuries or allege contributory negligence.
- Contact a Motorcycle Accident Attorney: Early legal guidance helps protect your rights, preserves evidence, and keeps adjusters from eliciting statements that hurt your claim.
- Medical Expenses. Emergency transport to St. Anne’s or Rhode Island Hospital, surgeries, hospital stays, rehabilitation, medication, assistive devices, and anticipated future care.
- Lost Earnings. Time missed from work, diminished earning capacity, and vocational retraining if injuries prevent a return to the same occupation.
- Pain and Suffering. Physical pain, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, disfigurement, and PTSD.
- Property Damage. Repair or replacement of your motorcycle, helmet, and riding gear.
- Loss of Consortium. Impact on the marital relationship of a spouse.
- Punitive Damages. Rare but possible if the defendant’s conduct was willful, wanton, or reckless (e.g., drunk-driving crashes).
- Comprehensive Investigation. Secure dash-cam, surveillance, and traffic-camera footage along Route 6 or I-195 before it’s overwritten. Retrieve electronic data recorder (EDR) downloads from involved vehicles to confirm speed, braking, and steering inputs. Utilize a drone and 3D laser scanning to create precise accident scene reconstructions.
- Expert Collaboration. Partner with former state troopers and certified accident-reconstruction engineers. Consult orthopedic surgeons, neurologists, and life-care planners to quantify long-term medical needs. Retain vocational economists to project wage loss and reduced earning capacity.
- Aggressive Negotiation. Calculate full economic and non-economic damages, leaving no category undervalued; present adjusters with compelling demand packages backed by demonstrative exhibits, medical illustrations, and before-and-after videos. Pursue uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) claims when the at-fault driver’s coverage is inadequate.
- Trial-Ready Litigation. File suit in Bristol County Superior Court when insurers lowball or deny valid claims. Employ persuasive opening statements, cutting-edge demonstratives, and expert testimony that translates complex crash data into plain English. Showcase your story to jurors in a way that emphasizes the human toll of preventable negligence.
- Local Knowledge: Familiarity with accident-prone intersections, such as President Avenue & North Main, or the tricky S-curves of Route 24, means we understand the conditions that lead to crashes.
- Motorcycle-Specific Experience: We have secured multi-million-dollar verdicts and settlements for riders suffering traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, and complex fractures.
- Contingency-Fee Representation: You pay no legal fees unless we recover
- Resources to Fight Big Insurers: From advanced forensic tech to top-tier medical experts, we invest in your case, so you are never outmatched.
- Individualized Attention: You will be able to contact your attorney directly and receive regular updates and status reports.
- Bilingual Services: Our team comprises fluent speakers of Portuguese and Spanish to serve Fall River’s diverse community.
Q: “How long will my case take?”
Each case is unique. Straightforward liability and complete medical recovery may be resolved in months, while disputed liability or severe injuries requiring future cost projections can extend litigation to two years or longer.
Q: “Should I speak to the other driver’s insurer?”
Politely decline. Refer all calls to Jeffrey Glassman Injury Lawyers. Adjusters are trained to elicit statements that minimize payouts.
Q: “What if I wasn’t wearing a helmet?”
Lack of a helmet could reduce damages if it contributed to your injuries, but it does not automatically bar recovery unless you are over 50 percent at fault overall.
Q: “Can I afford quality medical care without PIP?”
Yes. We often arrange treatment liens or negotiate deferred payment with providers, allowing you to receive necessary care while the claim is pending.
Q: “Do I have a claim if a road defect caused my crash?”
Potentially. Claims against a municipality or the Massachusetts Department of Transportation must be filed within strict notice deadlines, often as short as 30 days; therefore, contact us immediately.
Contact Jeffrey Glassman Injury Lawyers for a Free ConsultationMotorcycle crashes change lives instantly, but the path to justice doesn’t have to be traveled alone. Our firm is built on a commitment to injured riders and their families.
- Call:(508) 974-3304 (24/7)
- Visit: 1 Pine Street, Fall River, MA 02720 (by appointment)
- Online: Use our secure contact form for a same-day response from an attorney.
We will review your case, explain your rights, and outline a legal strategy at no cost and with no obligation. If we accept your case, you owe nothing unless we win.
Fall River Office
99 S Main St #350
Fall River, MA 02721
Phone: (508) 974-3304