1. Breakstone, White and Gluck, P.C.
Practice Focus: Motorcycle accidents, car accidents, truck accidents, personal injury, wrongful death, medical malpractice throughout Massachusetts
Case Types Handled: Motorcycle versus car collisions, motorcycle versus truck accidents, left-turn accidents, lane change accidents, rear-end collisions involving motorcycles, intersection accidents, distracted driving motorcycle crashes, drunk driver motorcycle accidents, wrongful death motorcycle cases
Legal Services: Case investigation, evidence gathering, accident reconstruction, insurance negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiation, medical expense documentation, lost wage recovery, pain and suffering claims, wrongful death claims
Background: The firm has secured several million dollars on behalf of motorcycle accident clients. Notable results include $3.75 million for a motorcyclist unable to fully return to work after a crash, $3.5 million for the family of a motorcyclist run over and killed by a waste disposal truck, and $1.25 million for a seriously injured motorcyclist who was out of work for several months. The firm prepares every motorcycle accident case for trial, giving them leverage in settlement negotiations.
Location: 2 Center Plaza, Suite 530, Boston, MA 02108 (Government Center)
Contact: https://www.bwglaw.com
Consultation: Free consultation available. Phone, video conference, or hospital visits available for injured clients.
2. Jeffrey Glassman Injury Lawyers
Practice Focus: Motorcycle accidents, car accidents, truck accidents, personal injury, wrongful death throughout Massachusetts. Many attorneys at the firm are avid motorcycle riders themselves.
Case Types Handled: Motorcycle versus car collisions, motorcycle versus truck accidents, left-turn accidents, lane change accidents, rear-end collisions, intersection accidents, distracted driving crashes, drunk driver accidents, single-vehicle motorcycle accidents, road hazard accidents
Legal Services: Case investigation, police report analysis, witness interviews, insurance negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiation, medical expense documentation, lost wage recovery, comparative negligence defense
Background: The firm serves clients throughout Massachusetts including Suffolk County, Middlesex County, Essex County, Norfolk County, Plymouth County, Worcester County, and Bristol County. Attorneys understand Massachusetts helmet laws and comparative negligence rules. The firm handles challenging findings of fault and insurance company disputes.
Location: Boston, MA (Suffolk County)
Contact: https://www.jeffreysglassman.com
Consultation: Free and confidential consultation available.
3. Altman and Altman, LLP
Practice Focus: Motorcycle accidents, car accidents, personal injury, wrongful death throughout Massachusetts with offices in Boston and Cambridge
Case Types Handled: Motorcycle versus car collisions, motorcycle versus truck accidents, brain injury motorcycle accidents, spinal cord injuries, paralysis cases, broken bone injuries, concussion cases, internal bleeding injuries, wrongful death motorcycle cases
Legal Services: Medical coverage coordination, lost wage collection, medical bill management, insurance claim submission, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiation, pain and suffering claims
Background: Attorney Dave Altman is recognized within the motorcycle community for representing bikers. The firm has successfully handled numerous motorcycle accident cases ranging from soft tissue injuries to paralysis. The attorneys help clients understand legal options and coordinate medical coverage since motorcyclists do not receive Personal Injury Protection (PIP) benefits in Massachusetts.
Location: Boston and Cambridge, Massachusetts
Contact: https://www.altmanllp.com
Consultation: Free initial consultation available.
4. Law Offices of Christopher Sullivan, P.C.
Practice Focus: Motorcycle accidents, personal injury, wrongful death throughout the Boston area and Massachusetts
Case Types Handled: Motorcycle versus car collisions, motorcycle versus truck accidents, highway motorcycle accidents, intersection accidents, negligence-caused motorcycle crashes, wrongful death motorcycle cases
Legal Services: Case investigation, evidence collection, insurance claim filing, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiation, medical expense documentation, lost wage recovery
Background: The firm has over two decades of experience handling and resolving motorcycle accident cases. The litigation team handles all legal aspects of cases while clients focus on recovery. The firm is familiar with common accident locations in the Boston area including Route 24 and other high-traffic highways.
Location: Boston, MA
Contact: (617) 357-8600 | https://sullivaninjurylaw.com
Consultation: Free case evaluation and legal consultation available.
5. Michael Kelly Injury Lawyers
Practice Focus: Motorcycle accidents, car accidents, personal injury throughout Boston and Massachusetts
Case Types Handled: Motorcycle versus car collisions, left-turn accidents, failure to yield accidents, lane change accidents, distracted driving motorcycle crashes, defective road surface accidents, mechanical defect motorcycle accidents
Legal Services: Case evaluation, liability determination, insurance negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiation, medical expense documentation, lost wage recovery
Background: Attorney Michael D. Kelly provides direct attorney contact with clients rather than assistants or paralegals. The firm offers a 30-day client satisfaction guarantee for serious injury cases. Attorneys understand that motorcyclists do not receive Personal Injury Protection (PIP) benefits in Massachusetts and work to establish third-party liability claims.
Location: 65A Atlantic Ave, Boston, MA 02110
Contact: (617) 444-4444 | https://callkellycall4.com
Consultation: Free consultation available. No costs or fees unless compensation is secured.
Motorcycle Accident Laws and Regulations in Massachusetts
Statute of Limitations for Personal Injury Claims: Massachusetts provides three years from the date of the motorcycle accident to file a personal injury lawsuit under M.G.L. c. 260, Section 2A. Claims against government employees may have shorter deadlines. Missing this deadline typically results in the court refusing to hear the claim.
Statute of Limitations for Property Damage Claims: Three years from the date of the accident.
Fault System: Massachusetts is a no-fault state for automobile insurance, but motorcyclists are specifically excluded from Personal Injury Protection (PIP) benefits. Motorcyclists must pursue third-party liability claims against at-fault drivers for compensation.
Comparative Negligence Rules: Massachusetts follows modified comparative fault with a 51 percent bar under M.G.L. c. 231, Section 85. Injured motorcyclists can recover damages as long as their negligence is not greater than the defendant’s negligence (less than 51 percent at fault). Compensation is reduced proportionally by the motorcyclist’s percentage of fault. For example, if found 20 percent at fault with $100,000 in damages, recovery would be $80,000. If found 51 percent or more at fault, no recovery is permitted.
Minimum Motorcycle Insurance Requirements: Massachusetts requires liability insurance with at least $20,000 per person and $40,000 per accident for bodily injury to others, plus $5,000 for property damage. Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage matching bodily injury limits is mandatory.
Personal Injury Protection (PIP) Exclusion: Motorcyclists are specifically excluded from PIP benefits in Massachusetts. This means motorcycle riders do not receive automatic medical payment coverage after an accident, unlike car drivers. Medical payments coverage may be available if purchased separately with motorcycle insurance.
Helmet Laws: Massachusetts has a universal helmet law under M.G.L. c. 90, Section 7 (enacted 1967). All motorcycle operators and passengers, regardless of age or experience, must wear DOT-approved helmets at all times. This is one of the strictest helmet laws in the nation. Eye protection is also required unless the motorcycle has a windscreen.
Lane Splitting and Lane Filtering Laws: Lane splitting (riding between lanes of traffic moving in the same direction) is illegal in Massachusetts under General Laws Chapter 89, Section 4A. Motorcyclists must stay within a single lane and cannot pass other vehicles in the same lane, except another motorcycle in limited circumstances.
Motorcycle Licensing Requirements: Massachusetts requires a motorcycle license or permit to operate a motorcycle. Riders with instructional permits have additional restrictions including eye protection requirements.
Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage: Mandatory coverage matching bodily injury liability limits. This coverage is important because approximately one in seven drivers nationally has no insurance.
Damage Caps: Massachusetts does not impose caps on economic or non-economic damages in most personal injury cases.
Helmet Use as Evidence of Comparative Negligence: Not wearing a helmet violates Massachusetts law and may affect compensation claims, particularly for head and neck injuries. Defense attorneys may argue injuries would have been prevented or reduced with helmet use, increasing the motorcyclist’s assigned fault percentage. However, Massachusetts courts have established that helmet non-compliance alone does not conclusively establish negligence, and expert witness testimony is typically required to establish the helmet defense.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the deadline for filing a motorcycle accident lawsuit in Massachusetts?
Massachusetts law provides three years from the date of the motorcycle accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. This statute of limitations applies to claims for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages. Claims against government entities or employees may have shorter notice requirements. Missing this deadline typically results in the court refusing to hear your claim, permanently barring recovery. Given the time needed to investigate accidents and gather evidence, consulting with an attorney promptly is advisable to protect your rights.
Why are motorcyclists excluded from PIP benefits in Massachusetts?
Massachusetts law specifically excludes motorcycle riders from Personal Injury Protection (PIP) benefits, which are available to car drivers regardless of fault. This exclusion stems from insurance industry lobbying and the recognition that motorcycle injuries are typically more severe and costly than car accident injuries. This makes it even more important for injured motorcyclists to establish third-party liability claims against negligent drivers. Optional medical payments coverage is available when purchasing motorcycle insurance and is recommended. An experienced motorcycle accident attorney can help navigate insurance claims and pursue compensation through liability claims.
How does Massachusetts’ comparative negligence rule affect my motorcycle accident claim?
Massachusetts follows modified comparative fault with a 51 percent bar. You can recover damages as long as your negligence is less than the defendant’s (under 51 percent at fault). Your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if found 30 percent at fault with $100,000 in damages, you would receive $70,000. If found 51 percent or more at fault, you cannot recover any compensation. Insurance companies and defense attorneys often try to assign higher fault percentages to motorcyclists, so strong evidence and legal representation are important for minimizing fault attribution.
Can I recover compensation if I was not wearing a helmet at the time of my motorcycle accident in Massachusetts?
Yes, you may still recover compensation even if you were not wearing a helmet, but your damages may be reduced. Massachusetts requires all riders to wear DOT-approved helmets. If you suffered head or neck injuries without a helmet, defense attorneys may argue your injuries were worsened by non-compliance, increasing your assigned fault percentage under comparative negligence. However, not wearing a helmet does not automatically bar recovery, and fault related to helmet non-use typically applies only to head and neck injuries, not unrelated injuries like broken limbs. An experienced attorney can counter helmet defense arguments and work to minimize fault attribution.
What types of compensation can motorcycle accident victims recover in Massachusetts?
Motorcycle accident victims in Massachusetts can seek economic damages including medical expenses (emergency care, surgeries, rehabilitation, ongoing treatment), lost wages during recovery, reduced future earning capacity, and property damage to the motorcycle. Non-economic damages include pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life. In wrongful death cases, surviving family members can recover funeral expenses, loss of financial support, and compensation for the loss of consortium. Since motorcyclists do not receive PIP benefits, establishing third-party liability against negligent drivers is essential for full compensation.