Motorcycle Accidents

Wrongful Death in Motorcycle Accidents (Podcast)

Posted August 15, 2019 by Kevin McCullough & filed under Motorcycle Accidents, Wrongful Death.

From helmets to obeying the rules of the road, there are many factors that could contribute to a wrongful death in a motorcycle accident. Personal injury attorneys Robert Mazow and Kevin McCullough discuss what to do if a loved one dies as a result of a motorcycle accident. Listen or read more to learn more.

John Maher: Hey, I’m John Maher. I’m here today with Robert Mazow and Kevin McCullough of the Law Office of Mazow McCullough, the personal injury law firm with offices in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. Today, we’re talking about wrongful death involving motorcycle accidents. Robert and Kevin, welcome.

Robert Mazow: Thanks, John.

Kevin McCullough: Thank you, John.

John: So, what causes a motorcycle accident? What are some of the most common causes, and why are so many of them fatal?

Kevin: We see a number of different reasons that motorcycle collisions occur or causes for motorcycle collisions, ranging from drivers of motorcycles and/or motor vehicles just simply not paying attention to speed issues or going beyond the speed limit, not paying attention to traffic signals, not being aware of their surroundings or how close they are to other vehicles, whether it’s on a highway and a car is changing lanes and they just don’t see that motorcycle in the blind spot. But, here in the northeast part of the country, there are so many other reasons why we see them. In the winter months when the roads are slippery and we’re seeing salt and sand placed on the roadways to make the road safe, that’s a very dangerous hazardous condition for someone driving a motorcycle, whether they pull it out on a nice a winter day when it’s not too cold out or those early rides in the spring season when there’s still a lot of sand and debris on the roadway, it can be very dangerous out there.

So, in addition to the typical reasons that somebody might think about for motorcycle collisions, we also have some extra hazards and factors here in this part of the country that we have to deal with.

John: Okay. And then of course, with a motorcycle as compared to a car or a truck, you just have so much less protection as a driver, that you’re bound to get thrown onto the road, and that’s going to be potentially fatal.

Robert: Right. Well, we certainly see a lot more likelihood of a death if a motorcycle is involved than if two cars are involved. Motorcyclists clearly are not protected with steel barriers like a person in a car is protected. I mean, a motorcyclist — a smart motorcyclist — will wear their leathers, they’ll wear their helmet. But we know that many motorcyclists — certainly, New Hampshire motorcyclists — there’s no requirement that they wear a helmet. Unfortunately, we see some pretty terrible injuries when a motorcycle is struck by a vehicle, and sometimes, it leads to death.

Helmet Laws in New Hampshire and Massachusetts

John: You bring up a good point, which is that in New Hampshire, there is no helmet law, but in Massachusetts there is. How does that make things different in terms of how you approach the case, you know, involving somebody who has been killed, maybe in Massachusetts when maybe they haven’t been wearing their helmet like they’re required to?

Robert: I think as far as the liability part of the case, the what happened, who was at fault, whether a person was wearing a helmet or not, it doesn’t make a difference. If a driver of the vehicle is texting and they strike a motorcyclist and the motorcyclist has done nothing wrong, yet the motorcyclist isn’t wearing his helmet, it doesn’t mean it’s the motorcyclists fault. Now, if the motorcyclist dies as a result, strictly of a head injury, the smart defense attorney, the person defending the vehicle that was at fault, will certainly raise, and we’ll get an expert to say, “Had the motorcyclist been wearing a helmet, they would not have died.” Of course, there may be another expert on the other side that will possibly say, “It doesn’t matter if they were wearing a helmet or not. The severity of the impact was large enough that would have caused death anyway.”

So, if the law says to wear a helmet, we certainly encourage you to wear a helmet, but it’s not necessarily going to be a deciding factor if there’s a crash.

Determining Fault in a Motorcycle Accident

John: Okay. How do you determine fault in a motorcycle accident? Is it different than a normal car accident?

Kevin: It’s pretty similar, John, in that there are rules of the roadway, there are traffic signals, traffic signs, speed limits. The driver of a motorcycle and a motor vehicle are both obligated to follow those rules of the road to obey the traffic signals, to obey the speed limit. Those are the typical reasons that collisions may occur, whether someone’s speeding or just not paying attention. But, as I mentioned earlier, when you’re driving a motorcycle, there are so many different factors involved. Being exposed to the elements, whether it’s weather or the roads being slick, but just, you know, not being seen by people driving a motor vehicle. Those are a number of different reasons of why these things occur and going to the extent of the damages of when you’re exposed.

John: Are there any other aspects of motorcycle accident wrongful death lawsuits that make them different from other types of lawsuits?

Robert: As far as the lawsuit is concerned, they’re pretty straight-forward. If it’s determined that a motor vehicle causes a crash that leads to the death of a motorcyclist, a lawsuit would be filed. It would include claims for negligence. It would include claims for possibly reckless driving, gross negligence. But they’re fairly similar to other types of motor vehicle lawsuits.

John: Okay. That’s great information. Rob and Kevin, thanks again for speaking with me today.

Robert: Thanks, John.

Kevin: Thank you, John.

John: For more information on personal injury cases, visit the firm’s website at helpinginjured.com or call 855-693-9084.

Motorcycle Accidents and Insurance Coverage (Podcast)

Posted July 11, 2019 by Robert Mazow & filed under Motorcycle Accidents.

There are many ins and outs when dealing with motorcycle insurance coverage. Attorneys Robert Mazow and Kevin McCullough of Mazow McCullough law offices discuss what motorcyclists need to know to stay fully insured. Listen or read more to find out what you need to know.

John Maher: Hi, I’m John Maher. I’m here today with Robert Mazow and Kevin McCullough of the law office of Mazow McCullough, a personal injury law firm with offices in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. Today we’re talking about motorcycle accidents and insurance coverage. Rob and Kevin, welcome.

Robert Mazow: Thank you.

Kevin McCullough: Thank you, John.

John: How is insurance coverage different in a motorcycle accident versus a car accident?

Kevin: John, the coverages that come into play for a motorcycle collision or incident or injury can be much different than the coverages that come into play for a car accident. Just like when you’re insuring your motor vehicle, you want to sit down with your insurance agent and go over the different potential scenarios to make sure that you have the proper coverage in place. You certainly want to do that with a motorcycle.

And the reason why it’s so important to do that with a motorcycle is, here in Massachusetts, when you insure your car, you are required to have a certain line of coverage to have your car lawfully on the road. And that coverage is called personal injury protection benefits. Those benefits will protect you if you’re injured in a car accident and provide some coverage to you for medical bills and lost wages. But, that personal injury protection coverage is just not available to you as a motorcyclist. Whether you want it or not, you just can’t get it.

When you are an owner of a motorcycle and you go to insure the motorcycle, step one, you want to make sure you get the right coverage and you let your insurance agent know that. And what we suggest or recommend to our clients who operate or drive motorcycles is to be sure to get what’s called medical payments coverage. And that will protect you as a motorcyclist if you’re injured in a motorcycle collision, whether it’s with a motor vehicle or some other object. It’s a layer of coverage that’s there for you to provide coverage to you for medical bills or medical treatment.

And, oftentimes, clients may not know that unless they’re involved in an incident or a collision and they start to have medical bills adding up and they’re just not sure what to do, and they assumed that certain coverage was in place. So, we have health insurance requirements and even if you have health insurance, it’s great to have a benefit of protection to pay for medical bills and treatment. But, here in Massachusetts it’s heavily regulated and you’re obligated to have medical bills from a car accident processed a certain way. And just like with a motorcycle, you’re obligated to have medical bills processed a certain way.

Those coverages — and how they interplay with each other — can be tricky and you want to make sure you start to answer those questions before there’s an incident.

Motorcycle vs. Auto Insurance in an Accident

John: Okay. And then how does the motorcyclists own insurance and the car driver’s insurance, if there’s an accident between them come into play in the relationship between those two different insurance companies?

Robert: Well, I think to answer that question, let’s assume that the motorcycle was not at-fault for the crash . . . that it was the fault of the car. Let’s say it struck the motorcyclist. Kevin said there’s no personal injury protection available to the motorcyclist, so the motorcyclist’s medical bills have to be taken care of, hopefully by their own health insurance. The insurance of the vehicle that struck them would be responsible for compensation for pain and suffering and loss of future earning capacity — the sort of special damages that we see in those instances.

Now, just to drill down a little bit about what Kevin said. Sometimes a motorcyclist might be struck by a vehicle that doesn’t have enough insurance coverage to cover for what could be a very substantial injury or a death. Among the other coverages that would be important for motorcyclists to have would be a high option of bodily injury coverage, which would allow them to have a high under insurance motorist coverage, which would provide an extra layer of protection if the vehicle that strikes them does not have enough insurance coverage.

John: Okay. That’s all really great information Rob and Kevin thanks again for speaking with me today.

Kevin: Thank you, John.

Robert: Thanks, John.

John: And for more information on personal injury cases and motorcycle accidents, visit the firm’s website at helpinginjured.com or call 855-693-9084.

Insurance for Motorcycle Accidents

Posted September 24, 2018 by Robert Mazow & filed under Motorcycle Accidents.

In most cases, the insurance coverage for motorcycles is very similar to the coverage you get for cars or trucks. However, there are some differences. To ensure you’re protected from the financial effects of a motorcycle accident, you may want the following types of coverage.

Bodily Injury Liability

Most, if not all states require you to have liability coverage on your motorcycle. This coverage kicks in and pays for the other driver’s bodily injuries if you are at fault for an accident.. That includes medical costs, but it can also include lost wages due to the injuries and psychological suffering.

In Massachusetts, you are required to have at least $20,000 per person and $40,000 per accident in bodily injury liability coverage for your motorcycle. New Hampshire doesn’t require motorcycle owners to have any liability coverage, but to be on the safe side, you should get coverage anyway.

However, if any of the following things happen in New Hampshire, you will need to get coverage and register an SR-22 liability policy with the state:

Being in an accident
Getting charged with driving under the influence
Facing multiple reckless driving charges
Dealing with any traffic violation that may trigger the DMV to look at your situation

In New Hampshire, your SR-22 must include at least $25,000 liability coverage per person for injuries or death, up to $50,000 liability coverage per accident, and up to $25,000 for property damage.

Property Damage Liability

Like bodily injury liability, property damage liability also covers situations when you are responsible for the accident. This type of coverage applies to damage to the other driver’s vehicle or other property damage.

In Massachusetts, you must have at least $5,000 in property damage liability coverage for your motorcycle. As long as you have this and your bodily injury coverage, that is all you are legally required to have, but you may want to add additional coverage to your motorcycle to protect yourself financially. As indicated above, you only need property damage liability coverage in New Hampshire, if you’ve been ordered to obtain an SR-22 policy.

Collision Coverage

Keep in mind that liability coverage only covers damage sustained by the other driver. If you just have liability coverage and you get into an accident that’s your fault, your insurance won’t cover any of your expenses. To prevent that from happening, you need collision coverage. That helps to pay for your motorcycle repair and replacement costs.

Coverage for Custom Parts

Do you have any custom parts on your motorcycle? If so, those parts may increase the value of your motorcycle beyond the average value for that make and model of bike. To ensure everything is covered, talk with your agent about extra coverage for specific custom parts.

Medical Payments

Unfortunately, collision coverage usually only extends to costs related directly to the motorcycle. If you’re injured in the accident, you have to use your health insurance to cover your bodily injuries or you have to pay out of pocket. Alternatively, medical payments coverage can step in to help with these bills. Note that if you tend to ride with a passenger on your bike, you should get medical payments coverage for at least two people. This coverage is usually calculated on a per-person basis.

Towing Coverage

Towing coverage is very specific, and it tends to be quite affordable. If you get in an accident, this covers the cost of towing your motorcycle to the repair shop.

Rental Car Coverage

People often forget to even consider rental car coverage on their motorcycle policies, and if your motorcycle is just for weekend drives, you probably don’t need this type of coverage. However, if your motorcycle is your main vehicle, you should consider adding this coverage to your policy. If you’re in a motorcycle accident and you can’t drive your motorcycle, this covers the cost of renting a vehicle to get around.

Uninsured/Underinsured Coverage

Unfortunately, not all drivers are responsible enough to insure themselves adequately, and still others don’t have insurance at all. Usually, when another driver causes an accident, their insurance covers the damage, but if they have too little coverage or no insurance at all, their policy won’t cover your damages. In this situation, you need under or uninsured motorist coverage. Generally, there are two types of coverage to protect yourself from un and underinsured motorists in a motorcycle accident: bodily injury and property damage coverage.

Uninsured/Underinsured Bodily Injury Coverage

Uninsured/underinsured bodily injury coverage covers your medical bills, physical therapy, and similar costs related to your accident in situations where the other driver doesn’t have enough insurance. If you don’t have comprehensive health insurance, you may want to get this type of coverage to be on the safe side.

Uninsured/Underinsured Property Damage Coverage

This coverage helps with any property damage that occurs as the result of an accident with an un or underinsured driver. For instance, if an uninsured driver runs over your motorcycle and completely destroys it, this type of coverage kicks in. Arguably, if you already have health insurance, this type of coverage is even more essential than bodily injury coverage.

If you have been in a motorcycle accident caused by another driver, you can’t always rely on motorcycle insurance to cover the damages, and that’s where we come in. At Mazow | McCullough, P.C., we can help you get the compensation you deserve after a motorcycle accident. For a free case evaluation, contact us today at (978) 744-8000.

Why PTSD Is a Real Issue After a Motorcycle Wreck

Posted September 17, 2018 by Kevin McCullough & filed under Motorcycle Accidents.

After experiencing trauma, people may develop Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). PTSD involves intense psychological and emotional distress, physical pain, depression, and anxiety. And after a motorcycle accident, PTSD can be a very real and serious issue.

Who Gets PTSD After A Motorcycle Wreck?

About 25% of people or more involved in motorcycle accidents develop PTSD. No one is immune. You can develop the condition regardless of your age, education, or marital status. PTSD can occur after both severe or minor injuries, and it can also occur in cases where someone died as well as in accidents where everyone survived.

Your risk of PTSD increases in the following situations:

You had a violent injury in the past
You feel some guilt regarding the accident
A person died in the crash
You are female
You have a history of depression

Even if you weren’t directly involved in the motorcycle accident, you may develop PTSD if you were:

A passenger on the motorcycle that crashed, even if you had no physical injuries
The occupant of a vehicle involved in the wreck
A witness to the accident
A person who saw severely or fatally injured people
A bystander who gave assistance to people hurt or killed
A loved one dealing with the aftermath of a family member’s motorcycle crash

How PTSD Affects Your Life

The American Psychiatric Association states that the disturbing feelings and thoughts associated with PTSD can linger for a long time, potentially for the rest of your life. This can contribute to the possibility of depression, job loss, divorce, substance abuse, and a whole host of other mental health challenges.

After an accident, the PTSD symptoms that survivors are most likely to experience include the following:

Loss of self-esteem
Nightmares
A feeling of numbness
Avoidance of places, people, and/or situations that remind you of the accident
Panic attacks
Depression
Anxiety over and fear of riding a motorcycle
Questioning your ability to make effective decisions

Occasionally, you may have several PTSD symptoms after an accident, but your symptoms may not be severe enough to get a PTSD diagnosis. In these cases, you may still benefit from psychological treatment or medical help. If you have been in an accident, you should visit with a mental health professional to determine if you might have PTSD or even just a few symptoms.

PTSD Can Affect Your Legal Settlement

Medical experts agree that PTSD is a real issue that can completely change a person’s life, and not for the better. PTSD damages can be a mix of economic and non-economic losses. Economic damages can include the cost of PTSD treatment, lost wages, and a drop in earning potential. Non-economic damages may include mental anguish and emotional distress. In fact, if PTSD prevents you from riding a motorcycle again, you may even be able to collect damages for your loss of enjoyment of life.

Linking PTSD to Your Accident Can Be Difficult

Usually, the symptoms of PTSD become evident within three to six months after the accident. But in some cases, PTSD symptoms can take longer to develop, and that can make it hard to prove that the PTSD was linked to the accident. However, a motorcycle accident attorney can work with your treatment team, and together, they can find the most effective records and expert testimony to establish your case.

A motorcycle accident attorney can also help to assess the value of your injury based on direct economic costs as well as indirect costs. If you believe that you may be suffering from PTSD due to a motorcycle accident, we can help. To learn more, contact us for a free case evaluation. At Mazow | McCullough, PC, we have helped many motorcycle accident victims get the justice they deserve, and we can help you too.

Most Common Types of Motorcycle Injuries

Posted August 15, 2018 by Robert Mazow & filed under Motorcycle Accidents.

When you’re in a motorcycle accident, injuries are fairly inevitable. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, less than 5% of motorcyclists walk away unscathed after an accident. About 75% suffer minor or moderate injuries, while 20% face serious, severe, or critical injuries. Here’s a look at the most common injuries after an accident.

Injuries to Extremities

When the NHTSA examined the medical records of 43,423 motorcyclists, they found that the most common injuries were in the upper and lower extremities. Injuries in this category included everything from bruises and scrapes to broken bones and amputated limbs.

Road Rash

External injuries, such as road rash, happen in about 25% of accidents. Road rash occurs when your skin rubs against the road during a motorcycle accident. This causes large scrapes, abrasions, and the loss of skin. Although there may not be excessive bleeding with road rash, the injuries can look very severe, and if not treated properly, there can be a risk of infection.

Road rash treatment typically involves applying antiseptic creams and bandaging the wounds. As the skin starts to heal, you need to apply moisturizers, and if no complications arise, these motorcycle accident injuries can heal within two weeks. However, you need to watch the wounds for signs of infection, such as swelling, pus, or flu-like symptoms.

Burns

Burns can happen if you contact a hot part of your bike or if you are exposed to chemicals during the accident. In some cases, severe road rash can even lead to third degree burns. In one situation, a motorcyclist suffered burns due to a driver flicking a cigarette out of their car.

With burns, the treatment process is roughly the same as you receive for road rash, but in severe cases, you may need skin grafts. The healing also takes a lot longer.

Facial Injuries and Fractures

Facial injuries can also be common after a motorcycle accident. Approximately 20% of riders received minor or moderate facial injuries after their motorcycle accidents. Another 6.4% of motorcyclists faced serious, severe, or critical injuries in this area. This includes bruises, scrapes, fractures, and even facial disfigurement. The treatment process and the healing time varies based on the type of injury.

Traumatic Brain Injuries

In the majority of cases, traumatic brain injuries are not diagnosed, but 4.1% of victims suffer potential or mild TBI. Another 7.4% of riders experience moderate TBI, and 5.8% have severe brain injuries. With riders don’t wear a helmet, the risks of TBI are much higher. Overall, 15.3% of riders without helmets suffered from mild to severe TBI, while only 11.7% of helmeted riders faced those issues.

Immediately after the accident, you may feel confused or disoriented if you have a brain injury. However, even if there are no symptoms, you should still seek medical treatment. They can help you rule out any issues. If you have a brain injury and you go home without treatment, the results can be disastrous. If you fall asleep, you may never wake up.

With severe TBI, motorcyclists experience cognitive and behavioral impairments, and they often go into comas. Depending on the extent of the injury, the victim may experience loss of basic functions, seizures, and mental health issues. A TBI may require surgery to reduce pressure and make sure the brain is receiving oxygen. Then, you may need monitoring and testing to keep tabs on the condition. As you recover, you may need physical and/or occupational therapy.

Spinal Cord Injuries

These injuries occur in about 11.2% of motorcycle accidents. When your spinal cord is injured, you may lose feeling in your limbs or be completely paralyzed. In this situation, it can be essential to bring a case against the at-fault driver because your long-term care and inability to work can be extremely expensive.

Death

Approximately 4% of motorcyclists die after a crash. About 56% of these deaths involve a motorcycle and another vehicle, and often, the other driver is at fault. The majority of the time (78%), the driver hits the motorcycle from behind; rear-end accidents only account for about 5% of these accidents. If a loved one has died in a motor cycle accident, and the other driver was at fault, you may be entitled to compensation through a wrongful death suit.

If you have been injured in a motorcycle accident or if you have lost a loved one in an accident, we may be able to help. To learn more, contact us at (855) 693-9084 today. At Mazow | McCullough, PC, we have extensive experience helping people who’ve been in motorcycle accidents or faced other personal injury issues.

Top Safety Necessities for Motorcycle Riders

Posted December 6, 2017 by Robert Mazow & filed under Motorcycle Accidents.

Ride a motorcycle long enough and one thing comes to mind with each ride – you are vulnerable. Part of the thrill of motorcycle riding is not being encased in a steel cage and instead, coexisting with the speed and elements of the road.

However, motorcycles are harder to see than cars and trucks and not every motorist is careful to look out for you. One motorcycle accident could mean months of recovery and time away from your beloved bike. While the hope is to never be hit by a careless motorist, it is best to be prepared just in case. Here’s the safety equipment you should wear with each ride and a pre-ride checklist to ensure your motorcycle is safe.

Safety Equipment

Start with making good decisions regarding the clothing you wear on every ride. Conventional jeans and flip-flops are just asking for fractures and road rash should the worst-case scenario occur. Instead, make the investment for good-fitting protective gear,

Your most essential safety items include:

Helmet. You only have one head, so protect it. Try on several DOT approved helmets and find the right fit for you. A helmet greatly decreases your chance of death in the event of a collision.
Jacket. A good motorcycle jacket protects you from road rash and can even reduce the chance of fractures. Thick leather is often enough, but you can also add extra protection with long sleeves underneath.
Gloves. Inclement weather and insects can affect your grip, making gloves essential. Gloves also protect your hands should you take a tumble and need to catch yourself.
Boots. Motorcycle boots do not normally have laces, but if you wear heavy laced boots, be sure you tuck the laces in to prevent them from getting caught in the chassis as you ride. Thick soles help you balance your bike at stops and protect your feet in case of an accident.
Chaps or Pants. Thick riding jeans may be adequate in most collisions, but specialized motorcycle pants or chaps offer better protection. You will enjoy being shielded from the elements as well as the road if anything unfortunate occurs.
Eye Protection. Many riders find the visor on their helmets adequate. If you want more protection from debris and UV rays, or your helmet does not have a visor, look into a good pair of motorcycle goggles.

Other items you may consider include ear plugs, safety vests, chest armor, and extra knee and elbow padding. Ear plugs and other hearing protection is becoming a bigger priority among riders, especially those who like loud engine models. If you decide to invest in extra armor and padding beyond your jacket, buy for a good fit so you can still maneuver your motorcycle effectively.

Before Your Ride

Motorcycle accidents can often occur due to issues with the bike itself. A bike malfunction can easily cause an accident, or you may be hit by another vehicle while you are broken down on the side of the road.

One way to avoid these types of crashes is to check your bike thoroughly before every ride. You should check:

Tire inflation;
Fluid levels;
Fuel system;
Electrical systems;
Valves; and
Bulbs, especially your head and taillights.

If anything seems off with your motorcycle, it is likely a good day to avoid a ride. Finish any needed service instead so you can take a safer ride at another time.

However, even the most conscientious and experienced riders may overlook something important. If despite your best efforts, you still face a breakdown, you reduce your chances of accidents and injuries if you do not stay immobile for too long.

In addition to wearing the right gear, you should also carry emergency equipment. A tire-plug kit can resolve tire issues in the short term and a mobile device with GPS can help roadside assistance find you faster. Headlamps, flashlights, hazard lights, and even duct tape can also prove to be vital if you face a dangerous situation.

If you perform your own mechanical work, do not forget your tools. A quick repair can be a lifesaver if it gets you off the shoulder of a highway in a timely manner.

Motorcycle accidents frequently result in severe injuries and to make matters worse, insurance coverage often does not handle these instances the same way as auto accidents. Mazow | McCullough, PC understands these differences and is ready to help you secure compensation for motorcycle accident injuries or wrongful death.

Call us today for an appointment learn more about motorcycle accident compensation at (855) 693-9084.

Coping with Wrongful Death After a Motorcycle Accident

Posted November 27, 2017 by Mazow McCullough & filed under Motorcycle Accidents.

An accident with a motorcycle. traffic accidents with skid marks on road. photo icon.

Losing a loved one unexpectedly takes its toll. Grief is a mixture of shock, anger, and a host of other complex emotions that seem to occur all at once. These feelings often intensify if the death occurred due to the negligence of another.

If you lost a spouse, child, friend or family member in a motorcycle accident, it is essential that you take care of yourself and allow yourself to process the grief. Many times, this is not a journey to take on your own and you need support. Here are national and local resources that can help you cope with this tremendous loss.

The Compassionate Friends Program

If you lost a child in a motorcycle accident, Compassionate Friends is there for you. This support group exists for parents who lost a child. It does not matter if your child was a minor or adult, the resources will help you all the same.

You can visit their website to order a bereavement packet and check for a chapter near you so you can spend time with others who are similarly situated. Sometimes just knowing you are not alone is enough.

The Good Grief Program

If you lost a spouse in a motorcycle accident and you have children, you may find yourself in the unenviable position of managing your own grief as well as that of your children.

This is a case where help and guidance can be highly beneficial. The Good Grief Program through Boston Medical Center offers resources to help children, and the adults in their lives, deal with grief. You can also find counseling services and additional support.

While not directly affiliated with the Good Grief Program, there are also bereavement camps available for children. That gives them the chance to meet other children in the same situation and feel less alone.

Local Support Groups

Grief can be overwhelming and it is often a good idea to hire a counselor–especially if you decide to file a wrongful death case. Sometimes, in addition to a one-on-one relationship with a mental health professional, people also like support groups.

Often, local support programs are run by clinics and not managed by national groups. Some of them are general and accept people from many types of situations, including losing a loved one due to wrongful death.

Mazow | McCullough P.C. represents those who lost loved ones in motorcycle accidents. While money in no way replaces the loved one you are missing, it can help you cover unexpected current and future expenses, as well as ensure that justice is served to the person(s) responsible for the collision. Contact us today for a free case evaluation by calling toll free at (855) 693-9084.

Why Motorcycle Accidents Are Almost Always More Serious Than Car Accidents

Posted October 23, 2017 by Mazow McCullough & filed under Motorcycle Accidents.

Motorcycle accidents often result in critical injury or death, both in single-motorcycle accidents and motorcycle-vehicle accidents. While some car accidents can be equally devastating, motorcycle accidents are generally more serious than car accidents. Here’s why.

Motorcycle Riders Are Less Protected

Wearing a helmet is crucial to protecting yourself against traumatic brain injury when involved in a motorcycle accident. However, even with a helmet, a motorcycle rider is much more exposed to the force of a crash than a person driving or riding in a passenger vehicle. A motorcycle rider’s body is directly subjected to a crash, while a vehicle absorbs some or even all of the impact of a collision before reaching the driver. This means that apart from TBI’s, motorcycle accidents result in more bodily injury, including broken bones, loss of limb, and soft tissue injuries.

Speeding

Speeding is a significant factor in both passenger vehicle crashes and motorcycle collisions. However, speeding tends to be more of an issue for motorcyclists, either because they are speeding around vehicles, or vehicles are speeding around them. Drivers of passenger cars often refuse to acknowledge the rights to the road that a motorcyclist has and treats them as a nuisance versus treating them like drivers who have equal share of the road. Unfortunately, speeding is known to result in more serious injuries than collisions where speeding isn’t a factor.

Drunk Driving

Drunk driving is a concern for anyone who gets behind the wheel of a motorized vehicle, be it a motorcycle or a traditional passenger car, or even a truck. However, alcohol is a factor in more deadly motorcycle accidents than car accidents. Nearly half of all fatal motorcycle accidents involve alcohol, while in 2015, only a third of deadly car crashes could be attributed to alcohol. These statistics include accidents where the motorcycle rider was found to have been driving while intoxicated, so it’s absolutely critical that motorcycle riders avoid drinking before getting on their bike.

Injured in a Motorcycle Accident? Contact Mazow | McCullough, PC Today

If you or a loved one were hurt in a motorcycle accident, or you’ve unfortunately lost a loved one to a motorcycle crash, it’s important that you obtain legal representation. There’s a strong chance that negligence of some form attributed to the collision that injured you or killed your loved one, and you may be able to obtain justice and fair compensation for the damages you and your family have incurred.

Should You Lay Your Bike Down to Avoid an Accident?

Posted July 19, 2017 by Mazow McCullough & filed under Blog, Motorcycle Accidents.

Many motorcyclists believe that the best course of action is to lay down their bike — and themselves — when an accident is imminent. The theory is that this action helps to avoid a full-on collision with another vehicle. While laying a bike down used to be taught as a safety measure in the early days of motorcycle enthusiasm, it’s no longer a wise choice. In fact, it may result in more serious injuries. Here’s what you need to know.

Injuries Caused by Laying Your Bike Down

If you lay your bike down to try to avoid an accident, you may avoid one collision, but face an equally significant problem. You could be left with a totaled motorcycle and serious or critical injuries like:

Broken bones
Amputated limbs
Road rash or severe friction burns
Traumatic brain injuries, especially if the rider wasn’t wearing a helmet
Neck injuries

If such serious injuries can occur from laying a bike down before an accident, why was it recommended as a safety measure and still encouraged by many motorcyclists today?

Improved Motorcycle Technology

Over the years, motorcycle technology has improved exponentially. Today’s motorcycles have safety features that make swerving to avoid a collision possible, as well as:

Anti-lock braking systems
Improved tires with increased traction
Improved mirror technology that allows for motorcyclists to see to the side and back of them
Better steering and maneuverability

This technology allows motorcyclists to avoid accidents more easily, and when coupled with motorcycle safety techniques like always wearing a DOT approved helmet, it’s no longer necessary – or advised – to lay your bike down to avoid a collision.

When to Contact a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

If you or a family member were hurt in a motorcycle accident, or if your loved one died in a crash, don’t wait to get the help of an experienced motorcycle accident attorney. The insurance company’s job is to save as much money as they can on the claim, and they’ll often attempt to offer you a settlement much lower than you deserve for the damages you incurred. With the help of a lawyer, you can put pressure on the insurance company and pursue litigation if necessary in order to ensure that medical bills, lost wages, emotional suffering and other damages related to the accident are covered.

At Mazow | McCullough, PC, we are committed to providing victims of motorcycle accidents and their families with zealous legal representation. We will examine every facet of the incident to determine who may be held legally liable for injuries to you or a loved one. Call us now for an appointment to learn more about your legal rights after a motorcycle crash at (855) 693-9084.

3 Top Causes of Motorcycle Deaths

Posted May 24, 2017 by Mazow McCullough & filed under Motorcycle Accidents.

Motorcycle accidents occur often on the roads of New Hampshire and Massachusetts, especially when the weather is warm and conducive to riding. However, motorcycles can be dangerous vehicles and riders are far more at risk for fatalities if an accident occurs than the driver of a car. Here are three top causes of motorcycle deaths and what you can do if you’ve lost a loved one due to a wrongful death caused by a motorcycle accident.

Traumatic Brain Injury

Traumatic brain injury is the number one cause of motorcycle accident deaths. While a motorcycle helmet greatly decreases the chances of a fatal TBI, those who get into a wreck without a helmet are at a much higher risk for a brain injury that leads to death.

Helmet laws differ from state to state, and Massachusetts and New Hampshire both have different helmet laws. In Massachusetts, you must wear a helmet at all times if you are riding a motorcycle or are in a sidecar. In New Hampshire, however, you are only required to wear a helmet if you are under the age of 18. Regardless of the law, wearing a helmet while riding a motorcycle can save lives.

Crush Injuries

Motorcycle accidents often involve a rider and potentially his or her motorcycle to be crushed in between two objects, e.g. the vehicle that hit the rider and another stationary object, such as a tree. Even at low speeds, crush injuries such as this have a high probability of ending in a fatality.

Blood Loss

Whether due to internal injuries sustained in the accident or a severe open wound, blood loss can account for many motorcycle accident deaths. If the bleeding is internal, the motorcyclist or even physicians at the hospital may not know until it is too late.

Understanding how a motorcycle accident victim came to pass away as a result of a collision is crucial in proving fault, so it’s important to establish not only the cause of the accident itself, but the cause of death as well. Medical records are an especially important part of a motorcycle case that ended in a fatality.

At Mazow | McCullough, PC, we understand how devastating it is to lose a loved one after a motorcycle crash. We know that life will never be the same for you and your family, and we’re committed to providing you with comprehensive, compassionate legal help during this difficult time. We can help you not only to recover compensation for the financial burdens you’ve had to face after your loved one’s passing, but also help hold responsible the person whose negligence or carelessness caused the accident. Contact us today for a consultation by calling 855-693-9084 or 978-744-8000.