Intersection Accidents

At the Law Offices of John C. Manoog III, our motorcycle crash attorneys represent individuals hurt in accidents throughout the Cape Cod area. We have more than 146 years of combined legal experience handling a wide variety of personal injury cases and a track record that includes obtaining previous settlements in excess of $1 million. We work closely with our clients so that they stay informed of the status of their cases, and we fight aggressively to assert their right to compensation.

Motorcycle accidents are unfortunately common in Massachusetts and across the nation. As many riders already know, these crashes can cause serious injuries and even death. The risk of an accident becomes especially great when motorcyclists pass through intersections, where car and truck drivers often later claim that they simply didn’t see the bike. Unlike those motorists and their passengers, who are relatively protected inside their vehicles, riders are largely exposed during a collision and often are thrown from their motorcycles.

State law requires all drivers to obey traffic signals, speed limits, and other rules of the road. In addition, people are generally expected to exercise reasonable care while behind the wheel. That means avoiding hazardous or distracting behavior like tailgating, changing lanes aggressively, or using a cell phone while driving. It also means looking both ways before entering an intersection.

A driver who fails to use reasonable care behind the wheel and causes an injury to a motorcyclist as a result is likely to be found negligent in the eyes of the law. A crash victim who succeeds in this type of claim can hold the defendant liable for any economic or non-economic harm that stemmed from his or her careless actions. These can include not only medical expenses, lost wages, and damage to the motorcycle but also the pain and suffering caused by the accident.

Massachusetts is a comparative negligence state. Therefore, a motorcycle rider injured in a collision can sue a negligent driver for compensation, even if the victim was partly to blame. For example, an accident might happen when a motorcyclist fails to come to a complete halt at a stop sign before entering an intersection, where he or she is struck by a speeding car. The rider is likely to be deemed partly responsible for the crash. If it is determined that the speeding car driver was 70 percent responsible, however, the victim can still seek to recover up to 70 percent of his or her damages. As this example shows, any compensation award is proportionate to the percentage of the defendant’s fault in causing the accident.

Although the same state laws generally apply in every jurisdiction in Massachusetts, the law limits where a victim can file suit to the district in which the crash happened or where the victim or the defendant lives. There is a three-year statute of limitations for personal injury cases, which runs from the date of the accident. That means that a victim must take legal action within that period or likely forfeit the right to seek compensation.

If you or a loved one has been hurt in an accident, the lawyers at the Law Offices of John C. Manoog III can help you identify the potentially responsible parties and seek the appropriate legal remedies. We have been representing individuals in these and other matters since 1994, and we understand the legal issues that often come up in motorcycle crash cases. We are well-respected in the professional and local communities for providing comprehensive and personalized services to the people we represent. We make every effort to fully understand our clients’ needs and desires, and we work tirelessly to pursue the compensation they deserve.

Our motor vehicle collision lawyers offer free consultations to accident victims from throughout Massachusetts. Our offices are conveniently located in Hyannis and Plymouth, but we are also happy to travel to you if you can't make it to us. We don't charge a fee in many cases unless we are successful. Call us at 888-262-6664 or contact us online to schedule a free initial consultation. Nós Falamos Português.