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Lowell Bicycle Accident Lawyer

Lowell has made meaningful efforts to support bicyclists, from its 25 mph citywide speed limit to its extensive network of bike paths. Popular routes, such as the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail, have made cycling more accessible, but they can’t eliminate the risks posed by careless drivers. Bicyclists can still suffer serious injuries while traveling through the city, and the days that follow are often filled with frustration and uncertainty.

If you or a loved one has been hit by a car while riding a bike, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries. Our Lowell bicycle accident lawyers can help you understand your options and pursue the recovery you need to move forward.

Find out what your case is worth.

How Our Lowell Bicycle Accident Lawyers Can Help After a Serious Crash

For over 25 years, Rob Levine has helped injured people pursue the maximum compensation they deserve. We’ve recovered more than $2 billion in disability benefits and injury compensation for over 50,000 clients, and we’re ready to put that experience to work for you.

What to Expect When You Choose Us to Represent You

When you turn to us for help after a bicycle accident, we’ll start with a free consultation. Our team is available 24/7 and can meet with you remotely, at our office, or at a location that is convenient to you.

If you hire us, we’ll represent you under our Fee Free Guarantee®, meaning you’ll pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you. Our attorneys will get to work immediately, conducting a thorough investigation into the crash and, if necessary, collaborating closely with independent experts. We’ll analyze police reports, witness statements, medical records, and evidence from the scene to determine who’s at fault.

Our Lowell law firm has earned a reputation for having one of the most aggressive approaches to personal injury litigation in Massachusetts. After we build your case, we’ll negotiate for a fair settlement with the insurance companies on your behalf. If the insurer’s settlement offers fail to reflect the full value of your losses, we’ll be prepared to take your case to trial and fight for you in court.

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Key Legal Protections for Bicycle Riders in Lowell

Several state and local laws aim to make cycling safer. These laws may play an important role when establishing that someone else’s negligence caused your injuries.

Local Bicycle Laws and Infrastructure

Lowell has adopted several measures to reduce the risk of serious bicycle accidents throughout the city, including the following:

  • Riders must observe a 25 mph citywide speed limit, unless otherwise posted.
  • Cyclists have the right to use the full travel lane when no designated bicycle lane is available.
  • Bicyclists, other than young children, are banned from riding bikes on sidewalks in the downtown business area.
  • The city provides designated bike routes, including bike lanes, bikeable shoulders, and shared-use paths.

State-Level Bicycle Safety Laws in Massachusetts

Massachusetts law has undergone recent changes to improve safety outcomes for bicyclists. Under the 2023 Vulnerable Road User Law, drivers must leave at least four feet of space when passing a bicycle. If there isn’t enough room to do so safely within the lane, they must use all or part of an adjacent lane or wait until it is safe to pass.

Under Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 85, §11B, bicyclists 16 years old and younger must wear helmets that meet federal safety standards. If a cyclist is riding at night, they must use a white front light visible from at least 500 feet away and a red rear light and reflector visible from at least 600 feet away. The rules of the road also allow cyclists to ride on sidewalks outside of business districts unless a local ordinance provides otherwise.

Statute of Limitations

Massachusetts’ statute of limitations gives injured bicyclists three years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. If you miss the filing deadline, you’ll likely lose your right to recover compensation. It’s important not to wait until the deadline to act. Evidence disappears quickly after an accident. Consulting an attorney as soon as possible after an accident gives you the best chance at recovering the full compensation you deserve.

Can You Recover Compensation if You’re Partially at Fault for a Bicycle Accident?

Massachusetts follows a modified comparative negligence rule in personal injury cases, allowing you to recover compensation as long as you’re less than 51% at fault for your bicycle accident. If you are less than 51% responsible for the crash, your compensation will be reduced by your share of the fault.

What Are Your Rights if You Weren’t Wearing a Helmet?

Not wearing a helmet doesn’t automatically prevent you from recovering compensation. Massachusetts law prohibits insurance companies from using your failure to wear a helmet as evidence of contributory negligence. If the insurer tries to reduce your compensation because you weren’t wearing a helmet at the time of the crash, our Lowell personal injury lawyers can protect your right to a fair recovery.

Common Types of Bicycle Accident Injuries

Bicyclists have little protection from the force of a collision, and serious injuries are common even at relatively low speeds. Common injuries we see from bicycle accidents in Lowell include the following:

  • Broken bones in the wrists, arms, and legs
  • Head injuries, including concussions and traumatic brain injuries
  • Skin injuries, such as road rash and severe bruising
  • Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
  • Neck injuries, such as whiplash
  • Facial injuries, such as dental damage and eye injuries
  • Internal injuries, such as internal bleeding or organ damage
  • Soft tissue injuries, including sprains, strains, and torn ligaments

Who May Be Responsible for Your Bicycle Accident in Lowell?

Many different parties could be liable for your bicycle accident in Lowell, including:

  • Negligent drivers: Drivers who fail to obey traffic laws or operate their vehicles in a reasonably safe manner may be held liable. For example, a driver who makes a sudden left turn onto Merrimack Street without signaling and strikes an oncoming cyclist could be responsible for the victim’s damages.
  • Commercial vehicle companies: If a delivery truck makes a wide turn without checking for nearby bicyclists on Central Street, both the driver and the employer may be liable under the concept of vicarious liability.
  • Municipalities: Government agencies are responsible for keeping the properties they manage reasonably safe. If a bicyclist crashes because of a large, unmarked pothole on Lawrence Street despite prior complaints, the City of Lowell may be liable.
  • Product manufacturers: If defective brakes, tires, or other bike components contribute to a bicycle accident, the manufacturer may be responsible under product liability laws.

What Compensation Can You Recover After a Bicycle Accident?

If you were injured in a bicycle accident, you may be entitled to compensation for any losses you’ve suffered as a result of the crash. Case values vary widely, and the compensation you can recover will depend on factors such as injury severity, extent of your financial losses, and available insurance coverage.

Economic Damages for Bicycle Accidents

Economic damages compensate you for the accident’s financial impact. These may include past and future medical expenses, lost wages for the time you missed from work while recovering, and reduced earning capacity if you’re unable to return to your previous occupation. You may also seek compensation for any property damage, such as the cost of repairing or replacing your bicycle and other damaged personal property.

Non-Economic Damages for Bicycle Accidents

Non-economic damages compensate you for the accident’s impact on your quality of life beyond finances. Common examples include physical pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life.

Calculate the Value of Your Case

Use our free personal injury settlement calculator to determine how much your case may be worth. This calculator is designed to give you a value with a range based on thousands of case we have settled.

Our Lowell Bicycle Accident Attorneys Are Ready To Help You Move Forward

When a serious bicycle accident turns your life upside down, you deserve a legal team that will put you first. At Rob Levine Law, we provide tireless advocacy for those in need while upholding the highest ethical standards.

We’ve been fighting for injured people and their loved ones throughout Lowell and the surrounding communities for decades. We know the local area, are available 24/7, and value complete fee transparency.

Under our Fee Free Guarantee®, there is no upfront cost to hire our lawyers. We only get paid if we recover compensation for you. Our standard contingency fee is 33% of your recovery, and we offer a discounted rate of 25% for first responders and military personnel.

To learn more about your legal options, contact us online or call (888) 791-9135 for a free consultation.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Bicycle Accidents

Get answers to some of the most common questions we receive from people injured in bicycle accidents in Lowell.

What Should I Do Immediately After a Bicycle Accident in Lowell?

Call 911 and report the accident to the police. Before you leave the scene, exchange information with the driver and any witnesses. Take photos of any property damage, visible injuries, and the surrounding area.

Seek immediate medical attention, even if your injuries seem minor. Once your condition stabilizes, reach out to our Lowell bicycle accident attorneys for further guidance.

If you were injured in a bicycle accident with an uninsured or underinsured driver, you may still have options for recovering compensation. Depending on the circumstances, you may be eligible for Personal Injury Protection benefits through your own auto insurance policy or a household member’s policy. Your Bodily Injury Caused by Uninsured Auto coverage may also cover some of your damages.

Hold on to any evidence available to you after you’ve been injured in a bicycle accident. Key sources of proof may include photos of the accident scene, witness contact information, communication with insurance companies, and personal symptom logs. Our attorneys can obtain additional evidence you may not have immediate access to, such as medical records, the police report, surveillance footage, commercial vehicle records, or cell phone records.

Probably not. We resolve most bicycle accident claims through settlement negotiations, and only a few cases ever go to trial. However, if the insurer refuses to settle fairly, we’ll be ready to represent you before a jury.

Call 911 immediately and report the driver’s behavior. Write down any details you remember about the driver or the vehicle. If anyone witnessed the crash, ask what they saw and request their contact information.

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Office Location

Lowell, MA

1 Merrimack Plaza Suite 5,
Lowell, MA 01852

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