Anyone who has ever been involved in a Massachusetts car accident knows how frightening the experience can be, regardless of the severity. Things become even more complicated and concerning when the legal process starts, especially if the crash resulted in severe injuries and extensive property damage.
Just when you thought everything would be simple and straightforward, a lot of questions and uncertainty set in, adding significant stress and discomfort to your life. Suddenly, you need to figure out how to handle your claim, what legal rights you are entitled to, if any, and whether you are at fault for the accident or not.
Receiving proper guidance and assistance on how to navigate the legal process can bring tremendous relief and security to your life. This is why you need an experienced Massachusetts car accident attorney on your side the entire time.
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), car accidents are a public health concern in the United States, and a serious issue in the state of Massachusetts. Car crashes are among the leading causes of severe injuries and death in Massachusetts. Below are some key statistics you should know.
Massachusetts ranks No. 2 among the 10 most accident-prone states.
At least 11.9 percent of Bay State drivers have an at-fault accident on their record.
Massachusetts records approximately 19,500 car accidents every year.
At least 2,000 of these accidents lead to severe or life-threatening injuries to involved parties.
Most of the car accidents in Massachusetts occur as a result of speeding and drunk driving.
Most car accidents in Massachusetts happen on weekends.
Massachusetts is a “no-fault” state, meaning if you are involved in a crash, you will file an insurance claim with your insurance company and not the insurance provider of the motorist who was at fault.
Since your own insurance company will be paying your claim, what they cover generally depends on the type of policy you have purchased. The state requires all motorists to carry minimum liability coverage, but you need to remember that this won’t cover all of your costs if you are involved in an accident.
According to Massachusetts car accident law, the minimum required coverage will only help pay for lost wages and medical bills up to a certain limit. The policy won’t cover repairs to your car or get you another car if you suffer a total loss.
However, if you are injured and the collision was the other motorist’s fault, you can still file a claim against them. Furthermore, if your injuries include substantial loss of sight or hearing, fractured bone, or permanent disfigurement, you can still file a lawsuit against the other party.
Filing a lawsuit against the negligent party will make you eligible for more compensation for lost income, medical expenses, pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and even loss of earning capacity. Your own insurance company may never pay for such damages.
Here are the top 4 most dangerous roads in Massachusetts:
| Roadways |
| 1. I-95 N from South Main Street to Exit 21 in Norwood |
| 2. Interstate 290 |
| 3. Route 24 |
| 4. Interstate 495 |
Here are the most dangerous cities to drive through in Massachusetts:
| Cities |
| 1. Worcester |
| 2. North Adams |
| 3. Chicopee |
| 4. Fall River |
| 5. Springfield |
| 6. Holyoke |
When you are involved in a car accident in Massachusetts, you count on your auto insurance provider to handle your claim properly, fairly, and swiftly. But did you know that you have a crucial part to play in the claims process as a policyholder?
You need to provide your insurance company with accurate information when purchasing the policy and collect as much information about the accident as possible. If you don’t provide the required information, the insurance company may be forced to deny your claim.
So, to begin your Massachusetts auto insurance claim process, check whether any of the persons involved in the accident requires immediate medical attention and, if so, summon it.
If you have suffered any injuries (whether minor or major), ensure you get treated. Get a medical check-up within 24 hours if you think you have not been injured. That way, you will have the medical records you might need as the legal process unfolds.
The next thing you need to do is call the police and ask them how you can obtain a copy of the accident report. Once you have the police report, make several copies.
Make sure you exchange essential information with the other motorist. This includes their names, license numbers, address, telephone number, and insurance policy number. Verify the information as soon as possible because some people may give you the wrong information.
Take clear photographs of the accident scene and the damage to your car. If you have suffered any physical injuries, request someone at the accident scene to photograph your injuries as well.
Once you have collected all the information required, contact your Massachusetts auto insurance provider to launch your claim. Depending on which driver is deemed to be at fault for the accident, either motorist’s insurer might be responsible for damages suffered.
Have you been involved in a car accident in Massachusetts? If so, you probably have questions. Here are some answer to frequently asked questions about car accidents in Massachusetts:
If you have been involved in a Massachusetts car accident, the first thing you need to do is pull over and move to a safe location to assess the damage to your car and check for any injuries. Moving to a safe location is crucial because it will put you out of harm’s way and ensure no further damage to you or your car.
If you had passengers in the car, check on them to see if they have suffered any injuries. It is crucial to seek medical attention even if you think you have not been injured because some injuries take time before they manifest.
Call the police even if the accident is minor and let them make a report. In most cases, you will need the impartial analysis of the accident outlined in the police report to prove that you were not at fault for the accident.
Exchange contact information with the other driver and take clear photos of the accident scene. Ensure you capture the exact position of each vehicle involved in the accident, including yours.
Finally, be sure to seek legal advice from an experienced Massachusetts car accident attorney after the crash. The other driver’s insurance company and even your own insurer will always try to capitalize on the situation and contact you immediately with a proposal to settle the claim with the lowest possible payment.
Some of the common injuries in Massachusetts car accidents include:
Even if you feel fine after a car accident, it is important to seek medical attention. Some injuries may not be immediately apparent and can worsen over time if left untreated. You will need a comprehensive medical evaluation to rule out any potential injuries.
The statute of limitations for filing a car accident claim in Massachusetts is three years from the date of the accident. However, it is best to consult with an attorney as soon as possible to ensure you do not miss any important deadlines.
Massachusetts uses the comparative fault system when determining liability in car accident cases. It means that even if you were partially at fault for the accident, you could still recover compensation for damages suffered as long as you weren’t more than 50% at fault.
For example, if you were involved in an accident that was caused by both you and the other driver, and the court finds that you were 40% at fault while the other driver was 60% at fault, then you can recover 60% of the damages suffered from the other driver.
However, if you are found to be more than 50% at fault for the accident, you will not be able to recover any compensation from the other driver regardless of the extent of damages suffered.
It is important to note that insurance companies will also use the comparative fault system when determining how much they will pay out for an accident claim.
Therefore, if you are found to be partially at fault for the accident, your compensation could be reduced by the percentage of fault attributed to you.
When you use our service, we ask you to provide details about your case. Our team then uses this information to match you with an attorney in our network who has the necessary expertise and experience for your specific case. We strive to match you with a local attorney near you.
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Having an experienced Massachusetts car accident attorney advocating for your rights and fighting for the rightful compensation you deserve offers you the best chance to focus on healing and regaining full control of your life.
At Legal Giant, we understand what you are going through, and we shall move swiftly to connect you with a local attorney who will investigate your car accident, gather evidence, and file a claim with your insurance company.
So, if you or your loved one has been involved in a Massachusetts car accident, call us today for a FREE, no-obligation case review.
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