Bicyclists are considered vehicles under Massachusetts law, and have the right to use most roadways along with other vehicles. The law contains provisions that are specifically intended to prevent collisions between bicycles and the vehicles with which they share the road.

But having a legal right doesn’t always mean you can exercise that right safely. Every year in the U.S., there are over a thousand fatal bicycle accidents, and the National Safety Council says that bicyclist deaths increased by 37% between 2015 and 2024. While bicyclists make up about 1% of vehicle operators on the road, they constitute 2.9% of traffic fatalities. In addition, there are hundreds of thousands of non-fatal injuries.

If one of those injuries happened to you or a loved one, you know exactly how devastating bicycle accidents can be. If your injury was caused by the negligence of another vehicle’s driver, bicycle accident attorney Asaf J. Sarno will aggressively pursue the compensation you deserve, so that you can focus on recovering your health and getting your life back.

Common Bicycle Accident Injuries

Accidents involving bicycles are different from collisions between other vehicles, because unlike a car, a bicycle doesn’t have an external frame to absorb the force of the collision. A rider who is hit by a car often experiences an initial impact around the legs or torso. There may also be a secondary impact when the cyclist is launched from their bicycle and strikes the pavement or another stationary object. This second impact may be even more severe than the first.

The nature of these impacts often leads to severe and specific injuries, including:

  • Painful collarbone fractures due to cyclists’ natural impulse to extend their arms during a fall
  • Traumatic brain injuries (TBI), even when wearing a helmet
  • Severe skin damage (“road rash”) which may require multiple skin grafts and can cause nerve damage and permanent scarring
  • Maxillofacial and dental trauma
  • Internal organ damage from blunt force trauma
  • Pelvic and hip injuries
  • Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

These injuries can cause disfigurement, significant pain and suffering, and affect an injured cyclist’s quality of life for years, sometimes permanently.

How a Massachusetts Bicycle Accident Attorney Helps

An attorney can also protect you from “victim blaming” by the insurance company for the driver who struck you. Massachusetts has “modified comparative negligence,” which means that your recovery in a personal injury lawsuit is reduced by the percentage of your fault in the case. If your damages are estimated at $100,000 and you are found to be 25% at fault, the most you could recover would be $75,000. If you are found to be more than 50% at fault under modified comparative negligence, you recover nothing.

Your bicycle accident attorney may use accident reconstruction experts to show that you were riding lawfully and obeying the rules of the road, so that any payout you receive from the insurance company will not be reduced by unfair allegations that you were at fault. Your attorney will also communicate with the insurer on your behalf so that the other side cannot use any of your statements against you.

In some cases, a municipality is responsible for conditions that cause a bicycle accident. If the city shares liability in your case, your attorney will ensure that the strict procedural rules that allow you to sue the government are followed. Many Massachusetts bicycle accident claims are resolved by settlement. If yours is one of the minority that must go to trial, your accident attorney will advocate for you every step of the way, holding all responsible parties accountable.

Why Work with Sarno Legal, PLLC?

Bicycle accident attorneys are not all the same. It’s important to understand an attorney’s approach to cases before agreeing to work with them. Some promise a quick settlement, but “quick” doesn’t always equal “favorable.” Big-name law firms that you see advertised on billboards often make money by settling a lot of cases quickly, rather than pushing for the maximum possible recovery all the way to trial if necessary. Because those lawyers rarely try cases, they may not have much courtroom experience.

Sarno Legal, PLLC is different. Personal injury attorney Asaf J. Sarno has tried numerous cases to verdict, and is at home in the courtroom. His extensive experience not only makes him an effective litigator, but gives him the leverage to negotiate better settlement offers for his clients. Insurance companies know that when a skilled lawyer is willing to take a case to trial, they may be better off making a reasonable settlement offer in order to avoid having to pay more at trial.

Clients don’t just appreciate the results Asaf achieves for them; they value the way he treats them throughout the process, with the responsive personal service he would want for his own family.

Work with an Experienced Bicycle Accident Attorney

A bicycle accident can change your life in an instant. Work with an experienced attorney who can help you put your life back together. Contact Sarno Legal, PLLC to schedule a free consultation.