Motorcycle accidents produce injuries that car crashes rarely do. Road rash that requires skin grafting, orthopedic trauma from low-side impacts, and traumatic brain injuries, even with helmet use are routine in the cases we handle across Massachusetts and Rhode Island. What makes these claims uniquely difficult is not the severity of the injuries. It is the bias that follows. Insurance adjusters, jurors, and even police officers frequently begin with the assumption that the motorcyclist was riding recklessly, and every element of the claim, from liability to damages, is filtered through that assumption. For riders dealing with serious injuries, mounting medical costs, and the added frustration of being blamed for a crash they did not cause, the priority is securing legal counsel that understands these dynamics. Cohen Cleary’s motorcycle accident lawyers build cases designed to dismantle fault narratives built on prejudice rather than evidence.
How We Help After a Motorcycle Crash in Massachusetts
The most common motorcycle accident we see is the left-turn collision: a driver turns across the path of an oncoming motorcycle, claiming they never saw the rider. These “SMIDSY” accidents (Sorry, Mate, I Didn’t See You) account for a disproportionate share of motorcycle crash injuries in Massachusetts. We also handle rear-end collisions where following drivers misjudge a motorcycle’s braking distance, lane-splitting and lane-violation crashes, and accidents caused by road hazards that pose no danger to cars but are catastrophic for riders.
One critical distinction separates motorcycle accident claims from automobile claims in Massachusetts: the state’s no-fault insurance system does not apply to motorcycles. Riders have no Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage. This means there is no threshold requirement before filing a tort claim, but it also means there is no automatic coverage for initial medical expenses. Every dollar of compensation must come through a liability claim against the at-fault driver or through the rider’s own underinsured/uninsured motorist coverage. We tell our clients that UM/UIM coverage is the single most important protection a Massachusetts motorcyclist can carry, because the driver who hits you may carry only the state minimum of $20,000 per person.
Insurance companies approach motorcycle claims with a built-in assumption that the rider was being reckless. This is not speculation. It is a pattern we see repeatedly in adjuster evaluations, independent medical examinations, and defense expert reports. Overcoming this bias requires early evidence preservation, witness documentation, and aggressive challenge of any comparative fault argument before the insurer’s narrative takes hold. Massachusetts requires motorcycle operators and passengers to wear helmets, and compliance with the helmet law eliminates one common defense tactic. We address residual arguments about gear and injury severity head-on with medical evidence and biomechanical analysis.
Why Injured Motorcyclists Choose Cohen Cleary
At Cohen Cleary, our practice teams combine deep subject-matter experience with disciplined execution and responsive client service. We do not take a one-size-fits-all approach. Every matter is handled with careful preparation, clear communication, and a strategy tailored to the client’s goals and the realities of the forum.
Clients choose Cohen Cleary because we deliver:
Practice-Focused Legal Experience
Our attorneys work in defined practice areas, allowing us to develop practical insight into the legal, procedural, and regulatory nuances that matter most in each case. This focus allows us to anticipate issues, avoid unnecessary delays, and position matters for efficient resolution.
Clear Guidance and Proactive Communication
We prioritize clarity at every stage. Clients receive straightforward explanations of their options, timely updates on developments, and practical advice grounded in real-world outcomes.
Strategic Advocacy with Trial Readiness
Whether a matter calls for negotiation, mediation, or litigation, our attorneys prepare every case with discipline and foresight. We pursue efficient resolution when possible and are fully prepared to advocate aggressively when necessary to protect our clients’ interests.
Regional Knowledge and Local Presence
With offices throughout Massachusetts and experience across New England courts and agencies, we bring local insight and regional reach to every matter.
Client-Centered Service
We treat every matter with urgency and respect. Our clients rely on us for responsive service, sound judgment, and steady counsel through complex legal challenges.
In our personal injury work, this approach helps clients navigate serious motorcycle accident claims with clarity, efficiency, and confidence.
Motorcycle Road Rash, Orthopedic Trauma, and TBI: Our Approach
Motorcycle injuries differ from typical motor vehicle injuries in both severity and treatment trajectory. Road rash classified as second- or third-degree often requires debridement, skin grafting, and months of wound care. Orthopedic fractures from low-side or high-side impacts frequently involve multiple surgeries and hardware placement. Traumatic brain injuries sustained even at moderate speeds can produce cognitive deficits that do not fully manifest for weeks after the crash. We do not evaluate a claim based on initial emergency room records alone. We work with treating physicians to document the full scope of current and projected treatment before engaging in settlement discussions or preparing for trial. In fatal motorcycle accidents, we pursue wrongful death claims on behalf of surviving family members.
Representing Motorcycle Accident Victims Throughout New England
Cohen Cleary represents motorcycle accident victims from offices in Taunton and Plymouth, handling claims throughout southeastern Massachusetts, Bristol County, Plymouth County, and Norfolk County. Our motorcycle crash attorneys are familiar with the procedural requirements and case management practices of the Superior Courts and District Courts across these regions, including the scheduling patterns and discovery timelines that affect how motorcycle injury litigation unfolds. We have handled motorcycle accident claims involving collisions on Route 24, Route 3, Interstate 93, and local roadways across the region. We also represent injured riders throughout Massachusetts and Rhode Island, with the capacity to serve clients across New England.
Contact Cohen Cleary About Your Motorcycle Accident
If you or a family member has been injured in a motorcycle accident, contact Cohen Cleary for a case evaluation. We handle motorcycle injury claims on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay no attorney fees unless we recover compensation on your behalf. Call our Taunton or Plymouth office to schedule a consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions About Motorcycle Accidents
Does Massachusetts no-fault insurance apply to motorcycle accidents?
No. Massachusetts no-fault insurance, which provides PIP coverage and imposes a tort threshold for car accidents, does not extend to motorcycles. Motorcycle riders must pursue compensation through a third-party liability claim against the at-fault driver or through their own uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage.
Can my claim be reduced because I was not wearing certain gear?
Massachusetts law requires helmets for all motorcycle operators and passengers. If you were compliant with the helmet law, an insurer cannot reduce your claim based on helmet use. Other gear choices, such as jacket or boot selection, are not legally required and should not affect your claim, though insurers sometimes raise these arguments.
What types of injuries are most common in motorcycle accidents?
Motorcycle accidents frequently cause road rash requiring surgical treatment, fractures and orthopedic injuries, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, and internal organ injuries. The absence of a vehicle frame means riders absorb the full force of impact, producing injuries that are typically more severe than those sustained in car accidents.
Should I speak with a motorcycle accident lawyer before accepting an insurance offer?
Insurance companies calculate early settlement offers before the full extent of motorcycle injuries is known. Accepting before you understand your complete treatment timeline, including future surgeries, rehabilitation, and any permanent impairment, often means settling for a fraction of what the claim is worth. A motorcycle accident lawyer can assess whether an offer accounts for the actual scope of your damages.
