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Scooter Accidents Attorneys Serving New Bedford Residents
If a car hit you on a motorized scooter in New Bedford, you can claim PIP from the at-fault driver's policy (M.G.L. c. 90, sec. 34A) and pain and suffering once the tort threshold is met (c. 231, sec. 6D); the scooter rules in c. 90, sec. 1E require a helmet, no riding between sunset and sunrise and a top speed of twenty miles per hour.
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New Bedford: the short answer
Massachusetts defines a motorized scooter at M.G.L. c. 90 sec. 1 and sets its operating rules at c. 90 sec. 1E: every operator must wear a helmet regardless of age, the scooter may not be operated between sunset and sunrise, its speed is capped at twenty miles per hour, and the rider must follow the rules that apply to bicycles. A rider struck by a motor vehicle may claim Personal Injury Protection benefits from the at-fault driver's auto policy under M.G.L. c. 90 sec. 34A and pursue the at-fault driver for pain and suffering once the tort threshold under c. 231 sec. 6D is met. Where a brake, throttle, or battery defect contributed, a product-liability claim against the manufacturer or share operator may run in parallel. The three-year limitations period under c. 260 sec. 2A applies. Jim Glaser Law evaluates Massachusetts scooter cases at no cost. Scooter matters are accepted on contingency, meaning no attorney's fee unless and until the matter resolves with a recovery to the client; case-related costs and expenses are addressed in the written fee agreement.
The full Massachusetts rules, statutes and typical timeline are on the scooter accidents page; this page covers what is specific to New Bedford.
Courts that serve New Bedford for scooter accidents matters
Under M.G.L. c. 218, sec. 1, New Bedford is in the judicial district of the Third District Court of Bristol, which also covers Fairhaven, Acushnet, Dartmouth, Freetown and Westport. New Bedford is in Bristol County, so a Superior Court case brought by a New Bedford resident goes to the Bristol Superior Court.
A District Court civil case can be filed in the district where any party lives or has a usual place of business, or in an adjoining district (M.G.L. c. 223, sec. 2). Where the event happened does not decide it.
| Court | What it hears | District or address |
|---|---|---|
| Third District Court of Bristol | Civil claims up to $50,000 | New Bedford, Fairhaven, Acushnet, Dartmouth, Freetown and Westport |
| Bristol Superior Court | Civil claims over $50,000 | 9 Court Street, Taunton, MA 02780 |
First steps
- Get medical care and keep every record. St. Luke's Hospital (Southcoast) is among the hospitals listed for New Bedford, and the firm requests the records itself once you sign an authorization.
- If a vehicle was involved, file the operator's crash report within five days when anyone was hurt or damage passed $1,000 (M.G.L. c. 90, sec. 26), and keep the police report number.
- Know the court: the Third District Court of Bristol hears claims up to $50,000 and the Bristol Superior Court hears larger ones.
- Call (617) JIM-WINS before you file or appear, so the deadline and the right court are checked against your facts.
Key terms
- Judicial district
- The towns one District Court division serves, as listed in M.G.L. c. 218, sec. 1. The Third District Court of Bristol serves New Bedford, Fairhaven, Acushnet, Dartmouth, Freetown and Westport.
- Venue
- The county or district where a case may be filed. Massachusetts sets it by where the parties live or work (M.G.L. c. 223, secs. 1 and 2).
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Frequently asked from New Bedford
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Which District Court covers New Bedford?
Under M.G.L. c. 218, sec. 1, New Bedford is in the judicial district of the Third District Court of Bristol, which also covers Fairhaven, Acushnet, Dartmouth, Freetown and Westport.
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Where does a Superior Court case go from here?
A Superior Court case is filed in the county where one of the parties lives or has a usual place of business (M.G.L. c. 223, sec. 1). For someone who lives in New Bedford, that is Bristol County, and the Bristol Superior Court sits at 9 Court Street, Taunton, MA 02780.
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This page is legal information for $New Bedford, Massachusetts readers, not legal advice for any particular matter. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. Attorney advertising under Mass. R. Prof. C. 7.1 to 7.5. Responsible attorney: Jim Glaser, Massachusetts.