The show is a high-end motorcycle retail event with bike manufacturers, builders, and retailers, providing not only the ultimate shopping opportunity for riders of all experience levels, but also an exciting bike competition with such categories as: chopper-old school, bobber, chopper-special construction, dresser, custom-manufactured, most unique, modern custom, radical show, pro street, sportster, street sport, street cruiser, vintage, trike, best display, best chrome, best paint, best upholstery, and oldest motorcycle.

Whether you are looking to buy a bike, riding gear, parts, or other accessories or just want to “window shop” while enjoying the special appearances, live music, and other fun activities that the event has to offer, make your way to West Springfield this weekend. Here is the basic information you need:

• When: January 20-22, 2012
• Hours: Friday 5-9 pm, Saturday, 10 am-7 pm, Sunday 10 am-5 pm
• Where: Eastern States Exposition, 1305 Memorial Ave., West Springfield
• Tickets: Adults- $15, Kids 6-12- $5, Kids 5 and under- FREE

You can also visit the show’s website for additional information: http://www.osegmotorcycle.com/

Brought to you by the Boston motorcycle lawyers and bike enthusiasts at the Kiley Law Group.

• Dress appropriately! What you wear while riding in super cold weather is the first line of defense from the winter chill. Layer-up to give your body a nice warm pocket against the bitter cold. Synthetics on the inside, fleece and/or wool or other insulating layers on the outside. But don’t forget that final impermeable layer, for which denim does not work. Leather does and so do various nylon choices.
• Don’t neglect your hands and face. Wear gloves that cover the wrist enough to seal the jacket-glove gap and go for a pair that has a waterproof breathable liner inside. It may be obvious, but a full-face helmet keeps the warmth in much better than no helmet or an open-face helmet, so wear that full-face helmet and seal the area around your neck with a bandana, neck warmer, or even balaclava.
• Get a windshield. If your motorcycle does not have one, mount a windshield onto the handlebars to block the wind.
• Splurge for heated gear for long rides. Motorcyclists that are on the road for long periods of time will lose body heat regardless of the number of layers they have on. If stopping to get warm is not an option, go for electrically-heated gear, which uses the bike’s electrical system. Just make sure your charging system can handle the load.
• Stay hydrated. You can still dehydrate in winter weather.

When to Contact a Massachusetts Motorcycle Attorney

There are other dangers on the road during winter other than the weather. Motorists who do not practice the proper safety on icy roads or inclement weather put motorcyclists and others on the road in danger. If you have been injured in a Massachusetts motorcycle crash due to the negligence of another driver, the dedicated Boston motorcycle accident lawyers with the Kiley Law Group can help you obtain the compensation you need to make a full recovery.

Contact us today for a free legal evaluation of your accident claim at (888) 208-1695. The call may be free, but the information is priceless.

In this 2-part blog series on not letting winter win over your passion to ride, we will be providing some helpful tips and advice from the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) for staying healthy, safe, and ultimately alive while riding this winter.

Winter Riding Tips

A large number of motorcyclists keep their riding season going through the frost-bitten winter by following certain strategies. If you don’t want the weather to dictate when you can ride, these tips can help you have a year-round riding season:

• Add an air-temperature thermometer. Black ice is very dangerous and forms when the temperature has reached the near freezing point. If you know the temperature, you can be extra cautious.
• Watch out for bridges. Because bridges are completely disconnected from the actual ground, they cool faster, making them more susceptible to icing.
• Don’t make sudden moves on ice. Do not touch the brakes, do not accelerate, just pull the clutch and coast until you’re clear of the ice patch.
• When in doubt, pull over. Hypothermia is a reality when riding in winter weather. If you’re feeling cold, always pull over. A warm restaurant or café and a piping hot cup of coffee or tea will set you right to continue your ride. Uncontrolled teeth chattering and shivering is a real sign of danger. If you have gotten to that point, you have to pull over and get warm.

The Boston motorcycle attorneys and avid motorcycle enthusiasts at the Kiley Law Group are committed to helping fellow motorcyclists stay safe while riding this winter.

Please check back later this week for Part 2 of our winter riding blog series for more AMA cold weather riding tips and strategies.

Potential Crash Causes

The Waltham Police Accident Reconstruction Team is still investigating the accident, and, as such, the cause of the crash is yet unknown. According to witnesses, the motorcyclist lost control of his bike before crashing into the utility pole. Why he lost control has yet to be determined. There are various potential conditions that could cause a rider to lose control of his or her motorcycle, including:

• Medical emergency;
• Avoiding an accident (with a pedestrian, bicyclist, or even an animal);
• Road debris or other dangerous roadway condition; and
• Defective motorcycle part.

When to Call a Boston Motorcycle Lawyer

Depending on the cause of the crash, an injured motorcyclist may be entitled to pursue civil action against the at-fault party for the losses suffered as a result of his or her injuries. If you have been injured in a MA motorcycle accident as the result of negligence on the part of another, the dedicated Massachusetts motorcycle accident attorneys with the Kiley Law Group can help.

As experienced motorcycle lawyers who also ride, we have the necessary skills and resources to obtain maximum compensation for our clients. To learn more about your legal rights and options, contact Tom Kiley, the Million Dollar Man, today at (888) 208-1695 for a free legal consultation.

DISCLAIMER: The Kiley Law Group is not representing any of the parties mentioned in this article at the time the article was posted. Our information source is cited within the article. If you were involved in this accident or a similar incident and have questions about your rights and legal options, call us or another reputable law firm. Do not act solely upon the information provided herein. Get a legal evaluation. We provide a free, confidential consultation to all not-at-fault persons named in this article and to their family members as well.

1. Be legal, get licensed. Unlicensed drivers are more likely to be involved in a motorcycle accident than licensed riders. Although the license itself does not necessarily increase the skills of the rider, it does help the rider take motorcycling more seriously. Attitude is very important to a long and safe riding career.
2. Get training, but not from your friends. It’s great when someone close to you is a skilled rider, but that doesn’t mean that the person is a good teacher. It is best to stick with professional and objective instructors when learning to ride.
3. Don’t go for the Ducati for your first bike. While it is very tempting to just go for the motorcycle of your dreams for your first bike, it is never the best choice. Your first bike, which you will probably drop quite a few times while learning to ride, should be inexpensive and less powerful.
4. Get the proper gear. Regardless of your state’s motorcycle helmet law, it is important to protect yourself with a well-fitted helmet. Other important pieces of safety gear are gloves, boots, riding jacket, and riding pants.
5. Ride with others. At least when you start out, riding with other experienced motorcyclists can help you develop your own skills.

When to Call a Massachusetts Motorcycle Attorney
At the Kiley Law Group, our experienced Boston motorcycle crash attorneys, who are also motorcycle enthusiasts and riders, understand the importance of riding legally and safely, but that is usually not the problem. Most motorcycle accidents in Massachusetts are caused by motorists who do not know how to share the road with motorcyclists. If you or a loved one has suffered injury in an MA motorcycle crash due to the negligent or reckless actions of another driver, you have the right to pursue compensation from the at-fault party.

Call us today at (888) 208-1695 for a free legal consultation. We can help you understand your legal rights and options.

According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), Massachusetts currently requires all motorcycle riders, whether on low-power or high-power bikes, to wear a helmet.

Should the proposed bill, referred to as Brewer’s bill, be passed, only riders and passengers under 21 years of age would be required to wear a motorcycle helmet. IIHS, which supports helmet laws, claims that when helmet laws are repealed or weakened, helmet-use declines approximately 50 percent.

Brewer’s Bill Supporters

According to the news report, supporters of the bill do not deny the benefits of wearing a helmet, but consider the state’s imposition of a strict helmet law to violate a “personal choice.” Furthermore, they believe the key to preventing motorcycle accident injuries and fatalities is in addressing crash causes, not necessarily the rider’s safety gear. While focusing on motorcycle crash causes to prevent accidents in the first place is important in decreasing accident injuries and deaths overall, it does not necessarily protect a motorcyclist who is involved in a crash. This is where helmets come in.

Helmets Save Lives

Motorcycle helmets are designed to protect and cushion the rider’s head from the impact of an accident. The IIHS affirms that helmets decrease the severity of head injuries, the probability of death, and overall cost of medical care. Additionally, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) claims that wearing motorcycle helmets reduces the probability of death by about 37 percent.

How a Skilled Massachusetts Motorcycle Lawyer Can Help

Until all motorists learn to share the road safely with motorcyclists, it is important for all riders to practice road safety, including wearing a Department of Transportation-approved helmet, even if it is not mandated by the state. Even so, a motorcyclist can suffer serious injuries in a Massachusetts motorcycle accident.

If you have been injured in an MA motorcycle crash as the result of another motorist’s negligent or reckless actions, contact the experienced Boston motorcycle crash lawyers with the Kiley Law Group to learn more about your legal rights and options. We are committed to achieving justice for our injured clients and have successfully obtained substantial financial settlements and verdicts. Call us today at (888) 208-1695 for your free legal consultation.

DISCLAIMER: The Kiley Law Group is not representing any of the parties mentioned in this article at the time the article was posted. Our information source is cited within the article. If you were involved in this accident or a similar incident and have questions about your rights and legal options, call us or another reputable law firm. Do not act solely upon the information provided herein. Get a legal evaluation. We provide a free, confidential consultation to all not-at-fault persons named in this article and to their family members as well.

What Beginning Riders Must Learn
The standards set the basic skills and content that all novice motorcycle riders must be taught. Various experts in research, operator licensing, traffic safety, curriculum development, and rider training contributed to the standards, which are split into six categories:

1. Motorcycle Pre-Ride Tasks
2. Street Strategies
3. Vehicle Control Skills
4. Tasks Related to Carrying Passengers, Cargo, Group Riding, and Touring
5. Roadway Management Skills
6. Factors Adversely Affecting Rider Performance
7. Model Standards in the Works

Currently, the NHTSA is developing the Model Standards for Motorcycle Rider Training Programs which focus on administrative standards for implementing motorcycle training programs.

Why These Standards Fall Short
Although both sets of Model Standards will be very helpful in preparing motorcyclists individually to hit the road, it does not prevent motorcycle accidents caused by other motorists who do not know how to share the road with motorcycles. Most Massachusetts motorcycle accidents are caused by drivers of other motor vehicles who fail to yield the right-of-way or don’t watch for motorcyclists. A publication for other motorists on safe driving around motorcycles would be beneficial.

When to Contact a Boston Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
At the Kiley Law Group, our experienced Massachusetts motorcycle accident attorneys are committed to obtaining just compensation for motorcyclists who have been injured as the result of another’s negligence. We can explain your legal rights and help you file a successful personal injury claim.

Before you make any statements or submit any documents to the insurance company, call (888) 208-1695 for your free legal consultation. Tom Kiley is an avid rider and motorcycle enthusiast who has successfully represented injured bikers for 30 years.

However, improper winter motorcycle storage can cause damage to the bike that may lead to injuries.

The following tips highlight some ways that you can store your motorcycle properly to improve safety and get back on the road faster come spring:

• First, put the bike on its center stand. Then, clean it thoroughly. Leftover dirt or salt can cause rust or other damage. Run the bike until it is completely dried.
• Next, add fuel stabilizer as recommended by the motorcycle’s manufacturer. Then, change the oil and take out the old oil filter, but wait until spring to install the new one. When adding fresh oil, fill the crank case all the way up to the filling hole. Refill the fuel tank as much as possible to push out any air space and help prevent contaminants from getting into the fuel tank.
• Remove the battery, remembering to remove the negative terminals first. Clean any corrosion off the battery terminals and the wiring connections, and store the battery off the floor in a space that will stay above freezing.
• Finally, apply rust preventative to the motorcycle’s unpainted metal, vinyl, and rubber parts. Store the bike with its tires off the ground to prevent them from developing flat spots. You can deflate the tires a bit to get them off the ground, if necessary.

Storing your motorcycle safely can help prevent a crash once you hit the road again. Unfortunately, however, properly storing your bike can’t stop other drivers from acting negligently.

If you’re injured in a motorcycle accident in Massachusetts, the Boston motorcycle crash lawyers at the Kiley Law Group can inform you of your legal rights and options. With over 30 years of experience and a successful track record of winning for our clients, you can rely on our attorneys to protect your rights and help you obtain the compensation you deserve. For a free legal consultation, call (888) 208-1695 today.

How Do You Prove Negligence in Your Motorcycle Accident?
You or your attorney will need to prove that the driver who caused your injuries failed to use due care while behind the wheel or was determined to be completely at fault for the accident. If the other driver was found to be at fault, you will need to determine why the other driver may have caused the accident. Was he or she intoxicated or fatigued? Was the other driver distracted by eating or texting at the wheel? These are critical questions that must be answered in order to establish liability in your accident case.

Compensation from Your Motorcycle Collision
If your injuries were the result of someone else’s negligence, you could be legally entitled to recover damages for the following:

• Medical expenses, including any future billing, such as if your injuries will require long-term or even permanent care
• Physical therapy/chiropractor expenses
• Lost wages from missing work due to your injuries
• Property damage to your motorcycle from the accident
• Pain and suffering

When Should You Contact a Motorcycle Accident Attorney?
Consulting with an experienced attorney will significantly help in determining if you have a personal injury claim against the other driver. Your attorney will help you understand your legal options and ensure that you understand your insurance coverage in the aftermath of your accident. A skilled motorcycle accident lawyer will be able to request necessary reports, records, and experts to help prove your case and recover damages on your behalf.

The claims process can very easily become overwhelming if you don’t have someone on your side representing your interests. For over 30 years, the personal injury law firm of Kiley Law Group has been helping individuals who have been seriously injured in accidents receive the compensation that they deserve.

Call us today at 1-800-410-2769 for a free legal evaluation of your motorcycle accident case.

The latest insurance companies who quoted and sold inflated motorcycle premiums to their customers are Travelers Insurance, Fireman’s Fund, and Electric Insurance. The total settlement was reportedly $5.6 million among the three insurance companies. The three insurance carriers are expected to send out the refund checks to the overcharged customers by the end of October.

The settlement from last week will result in an average refund check of $400, with the refund amounts to motorcycle owners ranging anywhere from $100 to just over $1,000. According to the Attorney General, the investigation into insurance carriers overcharging motorcycle owners began with just one customer complaint about his premium.

In 2010, the Attorney General reached settlements with 12 other insurance carriers who were found to also have overcharged Massachusetts motorcyclists. The settlements last year resulted in reimbursements totaling roughly $40 million.

Brought to you by the Boston motorcycle attorneys and avid motorcycle enthusiasts at the Kiley Law Group.

Call 1-800-410-2769 for a free legal evaluation of your motorcycle accident case.