Boston Car Accident Lawyer

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Car accidents are very common in Boston, Massachusetts, leading to hundreds of injuries every year. Because Massachusetts is a no-fault state, recovering compensation following these collisions can be a challenge. In these situations, you need an attorney from the Cashman Law Firm on your side.

For years, our Boston car accident lawyer has fought for the rights of injured drivers and passengers. With over $7.5 million recovered for our clients, we will carefully evaluate your legal options so that you can recover the compensation that you deserve. Contact an experienced personal injury attorney in Boston today if you or a loved one have been injured in a motor vehicle accident.

Why Choose Our Boston Car Accident Attorney

  • Cashman Law Firm understands the complexities of Massachusetts’s car accident laws. We will leverage our skills and experience to fight for your right to maximum recovery.
  • The aftermath of a Boston car crash can be painful. Our firm will handle all aspects of your case so that you can focus on treatment and recovery.
  • Our attorney, Mark A. Cashman, has a strong reputation in the Boston legal community. He has maintained a 5 out of 5 Avvo rating and was repeatedly named as a Rising Star by Super Lawyers Magazine.

Common Causes of Auto Accidents in Boston

Car accidents can happen at any time, in any place. There are many factors that contribute to these collisions, from road hazards and poor weather to defective products and driver negligence.

The following are some of the most common causes of car accidents.

  • Failure to yield the right of way
  • Reckless or aggressive driving
  • Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
  • Fatigued or drowsy driving
  • Accidents involving pedestrians
  • Vehicle defects, such as faulty brakes or tires
  • Poor weather and low visibility
  • Failure to use turn signals
  • Unsafe lane changes
  • Accidents involving a motorcyclist
  • Failure to drive under the speed limit
  • Failure to obey traffic signs and signals
  • Loose gravel, potholes, and other road hazards

Common Injuries Associated with Car Accidents

Car accident injuries can range in severity from very minor to catastrophic. Some injuries are more common than others and are seen routinely. Listed below are some of the most commonly seen car accident injuries:

Bruising

Bruising is probably the most commonly sustained injury from a car accident. They heal quickly and, though uncomfortable, are typically not dangerous. However, if you or a loved one is badly bruised, keep an eye on it as some can be very severe and can go as deep as a bone bruise or could signal internal bleeding.

Scarring and Disfigurement

The possibility of disfigurement and scarring is always possible following a car accident. Some require extensive surgeries to repair and reconstruct the portions of the body that are affected if it is even possible to repair it adequately. Scarring and disfigurement can long-term impact the automobile accident’s mental health, future job opportunities, and personal relationships.

Scarring can affect the range of movement, run the risk of infection, and some become keloids. Seek medical attention if you notice inflammation while healing.

Fractures

When serious accidents occur, broken bones often come with the territory. When an accident occurs, the victim may not notice that they have suffered a fracture. Sometimes, the pain does not begin until later, when it alerts you that there is a problem.

Getting checked out following an accident is essential, even if you do not believe you were injured.

Facial Injuries

Facial injuries can be among the most complicated injuries to treat. Brain trauma is a possibility, and the eyes, mouth, and nose are delicate sensory organs susceptible to critical injuries. Scarring, facial disfigurement, broken teeth, and blindness are all possibilities.

Neck Injuries

Our heads are heavier, at an average of 11 pounds, and rest on the thinner necks that are subject to injury. Whiplash and other back-and-forth motions can cause damage to the muscles, tendons, soft tissue, and cartilage in the area. It can take months, or even a lifetime to heal from a traumatic injury to the neck.

Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI)

Automobile accidents often cause traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). They do not always appear immediately and can show up later as memory problems, disconnects between the brain and body, and mood swings. TBIs can be caused by impact to the head and can cause minor damage like concussions, which still should be taken seriously.

Penetrating injuries can also occur, which can be fatal or lead to unfortunate, enduring issues. Alert your healthcare team of any issues you may have following your accident and contact a Boston wrongful death lawyer if a loved one has suffered fatal consequences from a car accident.

Burn Injuries

One of the most painful and dangerous injuries that happen in car accidents is burns. Engines are hot, and liquids are sometimes spewed, which can cause burns if there are no actual flames from an explosion. These threaten the lives of the people involved and can cause painful, disfiguring injuries that are difficult and excruciating to treat.

Those treated for car accident injuries face many other injuries as well. Crush injuries, paralysis, amputations, and back injuries, among other injuries, are often present following a collision. Seeking medical help after a car accident is crucial to promote the best possible outcome, even if you do not believe you are badly injured at the time of the crash.

Boston, MA Is a No-Fault Car Accident State

Unlike most states, Massachusetts follows a no-fault system for car accidents. If you are injured in a collision, you can recover compensation by filing a car accident claim with your state-required personal injury protection (PIP) coverage. You can pursue a PIP claim regardless of fault or negligence.

If your injuries meet serious injury thresholds, however, you may be eligible for a third-party insurance claim or a personal injury lawsuit. To secure compensation in these types of claims, you will need to show that another driver is responsible for your injuries. A Boston car accident lawyer can help you navigate the legal process as you file a claim.

Massachusetts’s serious injury thresholds are as follows.

  • The injury results in at least $2,000 in reasonable medical expenses, and/or
  • The injury resulted in permanent and serious disfigurement, bone fractures, or a substantial loss of hearing or sight

Your car accident attorney from the Cashman Law Firm can help you identify whether you qualify for a third-party claim. Then, he can prepare your claim for the insurance or litigation process, gathering all evidence necessary to establish your right to damages.

Are There Benefits to Being a No-Fault State?

Although it isn’t as easy to sue other drivers for compensation in a no-fault car accident state like Massachusetts, and insurance premiums are typically higher in these states, there are some benefits to being a no-fault state. Advantages of the system including the following:

  • Faster pay-outs because there’s no need for accident investigations to determine fault before paying claims
  • Reliance on your own coverage instead of the coverage of an at-fault driver so you know you’re covered
  • There’s no need to pursue any action against another driver
  • It reduces litigation procedures and doesn’t burden the courts
  • Personal Injury Protection (PIP) benefits typically include payouts for reasonable medical expenses, funeral expenses in the event of a death, lost wages, and any necessary household services

If your insurance provider denies your claim for any reason, or you have grounds to pursue action beyond Massachusett’s no-fault system, you need the Boston’s Cashman Law Firm to intervene on your behalf.

Common Reasons Insurance Companies Deny Claims

Insurance companies have profits as their common goal. They hire insurance adjusters specifically to find reasons to deny or undervalue claims even when liability seems clear. Their bottom line depends on taking in more money in premiums than they pay out in claims. Some common reasons insurance companies attempt to deny claims include:

  • You were at fault in the accident
  • You gave insufficient evidence of your damages
  • You delayed medical treatment
  • They say your claim exceeds your policy limit
  • You were breaking the law when the accident occurred
  • You didn’t report the accident immediately
  • You gave them false information when you took out the policy
  • You were driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs or purposely tried to harm yourself

When an insurance company denies your claim, the law requires they explain their reason for the denial and a deadline for you to file an appeal or ask for a review. An attorney with years of experience navigating the insurance system can help gather the evidence you need to resolve the company’s denial or help you file a complaint or a lawsuit to demand fair compensation.

In Massachusetts, you can pursue litigation if your medical expenses exceed $2,000, if the accident caused broken bones, or if it caused disfigurement or substantial hearing or vision loss. A lawyer can help you pursue the following claims:

  • Personal injury
  • Property damage
  • Wrongful death
  • Product liability

Massachusetts has a 3-year statute of limitations for filing a lawsuit.

What You Should Do After a Car Accident in Massachusetts

During the chaotic aftermath of an accident, it’s difficult to think clearly but by taking specific steps you can protect your health, safety, and chances of a payout or settlement from your insurance company. After an accident, you should always:

  • Move your vehicle to the shoulder of the road if you are physically well enough and your car is still operational
  • Call 911 to report the accident
  • Render any reasonable first aid or give comfort to any other injured parties.
  • Get medical treatment from first responders and seek treatment at a hospital
  • Ask your medical professionals to take detailed notes
  • If you’re well enough, take photos of the involved vehicles and the area where the accident occurred
  • Write down witness’s contact information and record any statements they make about what they saw during the accident
  • File a crash report with Massachusett’s registry of motor vehicles and send a copy to the police department in your region
  • Contact your insurance provider and your lawyer

Keeping a cool head and following these pertinent steps after an accident can help you with your claim.

Who Can File a Car Accident Lawsuit in Boston, Massachusetts?

In Boston, several parties may file a lawsuit following a car accident, depending on the circumstances surrounding the incident. Generally, the individuals directly involved in the accident, such as drivers and passengers, have the right to seek compensation for their injuries and damages. This includes the driver of a vehicle that was struck, who can pursue a claim against the at-fault driver.

Passengers in either vehicle can also file claims against the responsible party, regardless of whether they were in a car owned by the at-fault driver or not. Additionally, pedestrians injured in a car accident have the right to file a lawsuit against the driver who caused the accident. In some cases, family members of deceased victims may file a wrongful death lawsuit, seeking compensation for their loss and related expenses.

Legal representation, like a Boston car or motorcycle accident lawyer, is often recommended to navigate the complexities of these cases, ensuring that all potential claims are addressed to help receive a favorable outcome.

Contact a Boston Car Accident Attorney Today

An automobile accident can lead to serious damages. To protect your right to recovery, you need a Boston personal injury attorney from the Cashman Law Firm on your side.

Our firm can help you identify your optimal path to compensation and secure the settlement you deserve. Contact us today at (978) 595-0601 to schedule your free case consultation with our Boston car crash attorney.