If you were hit while riding in Boston or anywhere in Massachusetts, you already know how the story usually gets told: the driver says they never saw you. Cyclists carry no steel around them, so an ordinary traffic mistake becomes a hospital stay.
You have the same right to the road as any driver. A dedicated Massachusetts bicycle accident attorney at the Law Offices of Michael F. Campopiano is ready to rebuild what actually happened, push back on the assumption that you must have done something wrong, and pursue the full compensation you are owed.
Call (401) 288-3888 for your free, confidential consultation. No fee unless we win.
How Michael F. Campopiano Can Help After a Bicycle Crash in Massachusetts
Bicycle claims turn on bias as much as on facts. Insurers lean on the idea that the cyclist was reckless, was not visible, or “came out of nowhere.” We take that argument apart with evidence before it hardens into their settlement position.
A Massachusetts bicycle accident lawyer from our firm makes the difference by stepping in immediately to:
- Establish your right to the road:
Massachusetts requires a helmet for riders 16 and younger under M.G.L. c. 85, § 11B½, and that section states a violation shall not be used as evidence of contributory negligence in any civil action. Cyclists also have the right to use all public ways except limited-access highways where bicycles are posted as prohibited, under § 11B.
- Preserve the evidence that disappears: Nearby business and doorbell camera footage is often overwritten within days. We move immediately to secure it, along with the vehicle’s damage pattern and your bicycle itself.
- Reconstruct the collision: Point of impact, sight lines, and speed frequently contradict the driver’s account.
- Document the full injury: We work with your treating doctors so head injuries, fractures, and lasting nerve damage are valued for a lifetime, not just today.
- Handle the insurer: Every conversation with the driver’s carrier runs through us, so you are not talked into a number that will not cover your recovery.
Call us today at (401) 288-3888 to schedule a free consultation and learn how we can help.
Common Causes of Serious Bicycle Accidents in Boston
Most cycling injuries are not caused by the cyclist. They are caused by a driver who failed to look, failed to yield, or passed too close.
Our Massachusetts bicycle accident attorneys handle cases arising from:
- Unsafe Passing:
Massachusetts drivers must pass cyclists at a safe distance and may cross the centre line to do so when it is safe. Squeezing past inside the lane is a common cause of serious injury.
- Right Hook Collisions: A driver overtakes and then turns right across the cyclist’s path.
- Left Cross Collisions: An oncoming driver turns left across a cyclist travelling straight through.
- Dooring: A parked motorist opens a door into the travel lane without looking.
- Failure to Yield at Intersections: Drivers who roll a stop sign or pull out from a side street.
- Dangerous Road Surfaces: Potholes, sunken drain grates, and broken pavement that force a rider down.
Severe Injuries and Damages in Bicycle Accident Claims
A cyclist has no crumple zone. Even a low-speed impact transfers directly to the body, and the result is often surgery, months off work, and permanent change.
Common Catastrophic Injuries:
- Traumatic Brain Injuries: Including lasting cognitive and personality change, even where a helmet was worn.
- Facial and Dental Injuries: Often requiring reconstructive work.
- Clavicle, Wrist and Arm Fractures: The classic outstretched-hand injuries, frequently needing hardware.
- Road Rash and Scarring: Deep abrasions that can require grafting and leave permanent marks.
- Spinal and Nerve Damage: From herniated discs to permanent loss of function.
What Compensation Can You Recover?
Under Massachusetts personal injury law, you can pursue damages for:
- Medical Bills and Rehabilitation: Past, present, and future care, including surgery and physical therapy.
- Lost Wages and Loss of Earning Capacity: Time off now, and what you lose if you cannot return to the same work.
- Pain and Suffering: The physical pain and the loss of something you did for health, work, or joy.
- Property Damage: Your bicycle, helmet, and gear.
We are here to fight for every dollar you deserve. Contact us today for a free review.
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Areas We Serve
- Throughout Rhode Island & Massachusetts, helping victims of personal injury get the care they deserve.
“When you choose us, you can be rest assured that you will receive personalized attention and a comprehensive legal strategy tailored to your unique circumstances. Our skilled lawyers will guide you through every step of the legal process, explaining your rights and options in clear, straightforward language.
We handle a wide range of personal injury cases, including car accidents, slip and falls, Dog Bite, and more. No matter the complexity of your case, we have the expertise and resources to fight for the compensation you deserve.”
Frequently Asked Questions About Bicycle Accidents
1. Does not wearing a helmet hurt my Massachusetts bicycle claim?
Massachusetts requires a helmet for riders 16 and younger under M.G.L. c. 85, § 11B½, and that section states a violation shall not be used as evidence of contributory negligence in any civil action. Cyclists also have the right to use all public ways except limited-access highways where bicycles are posted as prohibited, under § 11B.
2. What if the police report blames me for the accident?
The police officer’s opinion on fault is not the final determination in a civil claim. We conduct our own independent investigation, often using accident reconstruction experts, to challenge the report’s conclusion and prove the other driver’s true negligence.
3. How does Massachusetts's comparative negligence rule apply to my bicycle accident?
Massachusetts uses a modified comparative negligence rule under M.G.L. c. 231, § 85. You can recover only if you are not more than 50% at fault, and your award is reduced by your share. Above that threshold you recover nothing, which is exactly why insurers work so hard to pin blame on the cyclist.
4. What if the driver was distracted or texting?
We pursue evidence of distracted driving (like cell phone records) to prove negligence. Distracted driving is a significant breach of the duty of care and often leads to higher compensation awards because it demonstrates a blatant disregard for safety.
5. What if I was injured by a dangerous road condition, like a pothole?
If a road defect caused your crash, the claim runs against the city, town, or state responsible, and Massachusetts is stricter still. Written notice is due within 30 days under M.G.L. c. 84, § 18, and recovery against a municipality for a road defect is capped at $5,000 under § 15.
6. Can I recover the cost of my bicycle and gear?
Yes. We pursue the cost of repairing or replacing your bicycle, helmet, and damaged gear from the at-fault driver’s insurer, alongside your injury claim. Keep the damaged bicycle and do not repair it until it has been documented, because it is physical evidence of the force involved.
7. Will the insurance company cover my future medical treatment for permanent injuries?
Yes. We work with medical and financial experts to calculate the total cost of your lifetime care, including future surgeries, chronic pain management, and long-term rehabilitation. This is a crucial component of any catastrophic injury settlement.
8. How long do I have to file a bicycle accident lawsuit in Massachusetts?
In Massachusetts the limitations period for personal injury is generally three years from the date of the crash under M.G.L. c. 260, § 2A. Claims against a public entity carry much shorter notice deadlines. Act early: camera footage is overwritten in days.
Contact Our Massachusetts Bicycle Accident Attorney for a Free Consultation
Contact Our Massachusetts Bicycle Accident Attorney for a Free Consultation
At MFC Law, we know how disorienting it is to be hit while doing something as ordinary as riding to work. We handle the insurer, the paperwork, and the pressure, and keep you informed at every step. You pay no fee unless we win.
We proudly serve Boston, Worcester, Springfield, Lowell, Fall River, New Bedford, Quincy, Brockton, Lynn, and communities across Massachusetts. Our team speaks English, Spanish, and Portuguese, so every client feels understood and informed.
Talk to us before you give the driver’s insurer a statement. Schedule your free, confidential consultation today. There is no fee unless we win.
We're here for you.
We fight for every dollar you deserve. No fee unless we’re successful.
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Wherever you are, we’ll fight for your rights bringing justice to light.