Motorcycle accident laws are highly specific, and they may vary by jurisdiction. Although motorcyclists must abide by the same road rules as other motorists must follow, they often must fulfill additional licensing, procedural, and safety requirements. Motorcycle accident attorneys can explain these laws to clients in detail, and they can protect the client’s rights during an injury suit.
Motorcycle Licensing Requirements
Most areas require riders to have an endorsement on their driver’s license. Some motorcyclists are unaware of the requirement, and they illegally ride on a regular basis. When such a rider is in an accident, they are often held partially to blame because of licensing issues even if the other motorist was at fault. Many jurisdictions have safety courses for riders seeking a motorcycle endorsement. These courses teach proper technique, raise safety awareness, and educate riders on motorcycle laws.
Safety Equipment
Almost all jurisdictions require motorcyclists to wear safety equipment such as a helmet and eye protection. Other areas might require riders to wear certain footwear, armored clothing, or a reflective vest. Federal and state laws require road-ridden motorcycles to have brake lights, turn signals, and a constantly-on headlight. Failure to comply with these requirements can leave a rider vulnerable to physical injury, but it can also leave a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Boston MA, unable to help them sue for damages after an accident.
Liability
Some legislation has been passed to hand down harsher penalties to motorists who have accidents involving motorcycles. The idea behind such laws is to increase motorcycle awareness and prevent accidents. However, these rules are rare and of limited effectiveness. Most accidents are shown to result from the motorcyclist’s error rather than that of the other driver.
In other cases, some jurisdictions have enacted laws that limit an injured motorcyclist’s economic recovery. These laws have arisen from a belief that motorcyclists assume the risk of operating a dangerous vehicle and they shouldn’t be able to hold others wholly liable for their injuries. If an injured rider has questions or needs legal help, they should visit us to consult a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Boston MA.
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