Boston Bicycle Accident Lawyer: What to Do After Being Hit by a Car

Published on

July 15, 2026

Getting hit by a car while riding your bicycle can change your life in seconds. You may face serious injuries, medical bills, and uncertainty about what comes next. Knowing what to do after a Boston bicycle accident protects both your health and your legal rights. Taking appropriate steps immediately after the crash can help you pursue compensation and move forward with your life.

Why Choose Peck Trial Attorneys for Your Bicycle Accident Claim

Peck Trial Attorneys handles bicycle accident cases throughout Boston and Massachusetts. The team understands the challenges cyclists face when hit by cars, including physical injuries, lost income, and emotional distress. Our firm has extensive experience with catastrophic injuries resulting from vehicle collisions.

The firm takes cases on a contingency fee basis, which means you do not pay attorney's fees unless compensation is recovered for you. The attorneys investigate the facts of your accident, gather evidence, speak with witnesses, and prepare claims against insurance companies. They handle communication and negotiations with insurers so you can focus on medical treatment and recovery. The goal is to seek the full compensation available under Massachusetts law based on the specifics of your case.

Immediate Steps to Take After a Bicycle Accident

Your safety comes first after a bicycle accident. If you can move safely, get out of traffic. Call 911 if you or anyone else is injured or if there is significant damage. Even if you feel okay, seek medical attention as soon as possible because some injuries, such as internal injuries or concussions, may not show symptoms right away.

Call the police and request that an officer respond and prepare a report. Obtain the report number from the officer. This official record can become important evidence for your claim. If it is safe, document the accident scene with photos and video. Photograph the vehicle, damage to your bicycle, road conditions, traffic signals, and any visible injuries.

Collect the driver's name, phone number, address, and insurance information. Get the names and contact information of any witnesses who saw the accident. Ask witnesses what they observed and make notes while the details are fresh. Write down the date, time, and location of the accident, as well as weather and lighting conditions. All of this information can help support your case when working with a Boston personal injury lawyer.

Gathering Evidence at the Accident Scene

Evidence preservation is time-sensitive after a bicycle accident. Take photographs of vehicle damage from multiple angles. Photograph the road surface, potholes, debris, or other conditions that may have contributed to the collision. Take photos of traffic signals, street signs, and lane markings. Document your injuries with photographs that show visible wounds, bruises, or road rash.

Collect witness statements while memories are fresh. Ask witnesses if they are willing to write down what they saw or allow you to record a brief statement on your phone. Be sure to obtain their full names, phone numbers, and email addresses.

Preserve all medical records and treatment documentation related to the accident. Keep receipts for medical bills, medications, transportation to appointments, and other accident-related expenses. Retain your damaged bicycle and gear if possible, or at least take detailed photos before any repairs or disposal. Document damage to clothing and personal items. This evidence strengthens your claim significantly.

Understanding Liability in Boston Bicycle Accidents

Negligence generally determines liability in bicycle accident cases. To establish negligence, you must show that the driver owed you a duty of care, breached that duty, and caused your injuries. Drivers have a legal duty to operate their vehicles safely and to watch for cyclists.

More than one party may be responsible for your accident. The driver who hit you is often the primary party. If the driver was working at the time of the crash, an employer might share liability. A city or state entity may have responsibility if a dangerous road condition contributed to the accident. In some situations, a vehicle or component manufacturer may bear responsibility if a mechanical failure played a role.

Massachusetts uses a comparative negligence rule. You can recover damages even if you were partially at fault, as long as you were less than 51 percent responsible. If you were 30 percent at fault and the driver was 70 percent at fault, your compensation may be reduced by your share of fault. This framework allows cyclists who bear some responsibility, but not the majority, to still pursue damages.

Road conditions and defects can be important in liability analysis. Potholes, debris, or poor maintenance can contribute to bicycle accidents. "Dooring" accidents occur when a person in a parked car opens a door into a cyclist's path. Drivers and passengers must check for cyclists before opening doors. Cyclists are entitled to use appropriate road space and should not be forced into moving traffic or hazards.

Types of Compensation Available

Several categories of damages may be available after a bicycle accident.

Medical expenses can include emergency care, hospital stays, surgery, physical therapy, rehabilitation, and ongoing treatment. This may include both current medical bills and reasonably anticipated future medical costs.
Lost wages relate to the income you miss while you recover from your injuries. If your injuries affect your ability to work in the future, you may also seek compensation for reduced earning capacity.
Pain and suffering damages address physical pain and emotional distress associated with the accident and injuries. Other possible damages include compensation for scarring, disfigurement, and loss of enjoyment of activities you can no longer perform.
Property damage includes repair or replacement costs for your bicycle, helmet, and other damaged gear. Economic damages refer to measurable financial losses like medical bills and lost wages, while non-economic damages cover more subjective harms such as pain and emotional impact.
Massachusetts provides personal injury protection (PIP) benefits, often up to $8,000, which can help pay for medical expenses and a portion of lost wages regardless of fault. Your own auto insurance or a household policy may provide PIP coverage. You can pursue PIP benefits while also bringing a claim against the driver who caused the accident.

Common Bicycle Injuries from Car Accidents

Car-versus-bicycle collisions can cause serious injuries. Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) and concussions can occur if your head strikes the vehicle, the ground, or other objects. Symptoms may be delayed, making prompt evaluation important.

Spinal cord injuries and related conditions can result from impact to the neck or back and may lead to long-term limitations or disability. Broken bones and fractures are common, affecting arms, legs, ribs, and the pelvis.

Internal injuries and bleeding can occur when the force of the collision injures organs. These injuries can be life-threatening and may require emergency surgery. Road rash and lacerations occur when skin scrapes against the pavement, sometimes leading to infection or scarring.

Soft tissue injuries involve muscles, tendons, and ligaments. Whiplash, sprains, and strains can cause lasting pain and reduced mobility. Some people experience long-term complications, including chronic pain, psychological trauma, and decreased quality of life.

Why You May Need a Bicycle Accident Lawyer

Insurance companies often seek to limit payouts on bicycle accident claims. Adjusters may argue that cyclists share significant fault or that injuries are less serious than claimed. An attorney can evaluate settlement offers, gather supporting evidence, and advocate for compensation that reflects the full scope of your losses.

Determining liability can be complex. It may require analysis of traffic laws, roadway design, vehicle positioning, and witness accounts. Insurance companies rely on their own investigators and experts. Having your own legal representative helps balance this process and can strengthen your claim.

Evidence can disappear quickly. Video footage may be overwritten, road conditions can change, and witnesses may become difficult to locate. A lawyer can act promptly to secure important evidence, request records, and coordinate expert evaluations.

Massachusetts law includes specific rules related to cyclists and motor vehicles. An attorney familiar with these rules can use them to support your claim and highlight any violations by a driver. Your lawyer can also manage communications and negotiations with insurance companies and, when necessary, file a lawsuit and prepare your case for litigation. Contingency fee arrangements mean you typically do not pay attorney's fees unless there is a financial recovery.

Frequently Asked Questions About Boston Bicycle Accidents

What should I do immediately after a bicycle accident?

Call 911 if anyone is injured. Move to a safe location if you can do so without risking further harm. Seek medical attention even if you feel okay. Call the police and request a report, and obtain the report number. Document the scene with photos, collect driver and witness information, and avoid admitting fault or apologizing for the accident.

How long do I have to file a bicycle accident claim in Massachusetts?

In many Massachusetts personal injury cases, you generally have three years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit. This deadline is known as the statute of limitations. Because evidence can be lost and witnesses may be harder to reach over time, it is advisable to speak with a Boston bicycle accident lawyer as soon as reasonably possible.

Can I recover damages if I was partially at fault?

Yes, you may still recover damages if you were partially at fault, as long as your share of fault is less than 51 percent. Your compensation may be reduced in proportion to your percentage of responsibility. An attorney can help present evidence supporting your account of the crash and work to limit any claimed fault on your part.

Contact Peck Trial Attorneys for Your Free Consultation

You do not have to handle a bicycle accident claim on your own. Peck Trial Attorneys represents cyclists injured by motorists in Boston and across Massachusetts. The firm investigates accidents, gathers evidence, and pursues claims through negotiation or litigation when appropriate.

Contact Peck Trial Attorneys today for a free consultation. Call 857-557-7325 to speak with an attorney about your bicycle accident. The firm serves clients throughout Boston and Massachusetts and typically works on a contingency fee basis, meaning you do not pay attorney's fees unless compensation is recovered on your behalf.