Salem, MA Car Accident Attorney
Click for Free case evaluationAutomobile accidents can change the lives of those involved in minutes. If you or a loved one has been in an accident, you may be entitled to compensation for the injuries the losses that you have incurred. Contact a Salem personal injury lawyer with The Cashman Law Firm to ensure you receive the maximum compensation you are due.
Why Choose The Cashman Law Firm When I Have Been Hurt in a Car Accident in Salem, MA?
- Our winning track record speaks to the kind of practice we have. We are selective about the cases we commit to, so we can genuinely focus on meeting the needs of our clients.
- Our goals are our client’s goals. Our personal injury attorneys in Salem, MA ensure they feel safe and protected through the legal process as we negotiate or even go to trial to claim the maximum settlement to which our clients are entitled.
- Communication is something we do better than the rest. We pride ourselves on answering any questions our clients may have within twenty-four hours of hearing from them.
What Types of Car Accidents Do We Handle?
Car accidents happen for many reasons, but they often come down to someone failing to abide by the law and putting others at risk. When this happens to you, know you can trust our Salem, MA car accident attorney to investigate your case. Some of the types of car accidents we handle include:
- Distracted driving accidents: These often occur when a driver is using a phone, eating or drinking, or otherwise not paying attention to changing road conditions.
- Multi-car accidents: When more than two vehicles are involved, recovering damages becomes more challenging. Our extensive experience allows us to prove fault.
- Drunk driving accidents: Drivers under the influence of alcohol or drugs are unlikely to be able to navigate roadways safely and put others at risk of serious and life-threatening accidents.
- T-bone accidents: This type of accident often occurs at an intersection where one driver fails to yield the right of way to others, sometimes due to running a red light.
- Road rage car accidents: Aggressive tailgating, reckless speeding, failing to allow the other party to merge, and intentionally causing fear in other drivers are all examples of road rage we handle.
- Rear-end car accidents: Even at a slower rate of speed, these accidents can cause serious injuries and losses to victims, including whiplash and traumatic brain injuries.
- Head-on collision accidents: When one driver crosses the center lane of traffic, resulting in a head-on collision, the risk of life-threatening and complex injuries is very high.
If you were in an accident like these or others, reach out to our Salem, MA car accident attorney to review your rights. We fight for fair treatment, whether one person or numerous parties are at fault.
What Should I Do Immediately Following a Car Accident in Salem, Massachusetts?
Car accidents can be very frightening. If you have been in an accident, the following steps are recommended to protect yourself:
- Call 911
- Seek medical care, even if you feel you are uninjured
- Check on the welfare of others involved
- Keep communication to a minimum
- Do not admit fault or apologize
- Take down the information of those at the scene, contact info, and tag numbers.
- Note any witnesses and their accounts.
- Jot down all the details you can remember about the accident, as memories sometimes fade over time.
- Photographs or videos of the scene may be helpful later
- Document road conditions, weather, and any other information that may be pertinent
How Much Is My Car Accident Claim Worth?
The value of your car accident claim can vary widely depending on the type and extent of your injuries and whether you will recover from them. Our attorney works diligently to maximize your claim value. However, every case is vastly different. Some types of compensation you may be owed include:
- Recovery of all medical costs, including long-term health care needs and support
- Losses related to missing time at work, including missing earnings or losing benefits
- Property damage to cover the cost to repair or replace your damaged vehicle
- Pain and suffering to compensate you for all you are going through due to no fault of your own
- Emotional trauma, including the onset of post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, and anxiety
Your rights to compensation may seem clear. Insurance companies do not view it that way. They want to reduce anything paid to you. Let our Salem, MA, car accident attorney become your advocate.
Common Causes of Car Accidents
Car accidents happen every day in Salem, and many of them involve serious injury and risk to the victims ‘ lives. Accidents at dangerous intersections, such as Loring Avenue and Canal Street or Highland Avenue and Proctor Street, can change the life of an unsuspecting individual in a moment. As these common causes of car accidents show, most of them are fully preventable:
- Distracted driving: Drivers distracted behind the wheel put others at risk. These accidents are very common and often occur while using phones, adjusting the GPS, or eating behind the wheel.
- Reckless driving: Drivers who speed, tailgate others, or try to merge aggressively into backed-up traffic along Washington Street cause accidents. Reckless driving can also include weaving in and out of traffic or failing to stop at red lights.
- Impairment: Drug or alcohol use makes it difficult for drivers to stop, yield, and make wise decisions behind the wheel.
- Fatigue: Fatigue often occurs late at night or, increasingly, is due to truck drivers being on the road for long hours.
- Poor road conditions: Ice, snow, or high winds can create dangerous situations for drivers. That is no excuse for poor driving, though.
As a victim, you deserve legal insight and support. Our Salem, MA car accident attorney is the advocate you can rely on in these situations. Set up some time to tell us what happened in your case.
Is Massachusetts a Fault or No-Fault State?
Massachusetts is a no-fault state. This makes the process of recovering damages after an accident a bit different from that in a fault state. In a no-fault state, you will pursue financial recovery of your losses from your own insurance company. The state requires drivers to maintain Personal Injury Protection, or PIP, coverage. It can cover many of your losses, including medical bills, lost wages, and additional out-of-pocket costs associated with your accident.
However, there are situations where your injuries may be significant, and as a result, you may need to seek additional compensation against the driver who caused your accident. The state has a tort threshold of $2,000, meaning if your medical costs exceed that value, or you have serious injuries resulting in loss of limb, death, loss of sight, hearing, or other disfigurement, you can seek additional compensation against the at-fault driver.
Because of these complexities, working with a Salem, MA car accident lawyer is a valuable investment. Our legal team will pursue comprehensive action for you, aiding you in recovering losses from all resources possible. Do not settle your case until you speak to our legal team.
Dealing with Insurance Companies After a Car Accident
Allow our Salem car accident lawyer to handle the insurance company for you. Insurers want to eliminate or reduce the amount of compensation paid to you, and they will do all they can to achieve that.
Our experience enables our attorneys to build a strong case on your behalf. We fight back when insurance companies offer too-low settlements or outright deny valid claims. Before you settle your case, make sure you ask us what we believe your claim is really worth.
What Damages Can I Receive Due to a Car Accident?
You may be wondering what damages you are entitled to if you have been involved in a car accident. Speak with a Salem car accident lawyer to pinpoint the exact damage package you should expect. The damages you may be owed can come in the form of economic or non-economic damages.
Massachusetts is a no-fault state, and this can make it more difficult to sue the responsible party, but at The Cashman Law Firm, we understand how to navigate these laws to ensure care is taken of our clients. Depending upon the circumstances and the outcome of the collision, you may be able to file a personal injury lawsuit.
Economic Damages Caused by a Car Accident
These are the damages that directly impact you or your loved one financially. They can pile up quickly and accumulate over time. Seeking the medical intervention, you need while bills mount can be tremendously stressful.
Economic damages may include bills associated with ambulance trips, emergency room visits, medical tests, hospital stays, pain management, follow-up visits, prescriptions, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and psychotherapy. These bills can be overwhelming when paired with lost wages. A car accident lawyer in Salem, Massachusetts, can help you calculate the damages you may be entitled to. If you or a loved one is injured outside of Salem, you can call a car accident attorney in Boston for legal assistance.
Noneconomic Damages for Car Accident Victims in Salem, MA
Noneconomic damages are often harder to calculate. They concern pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, loss of consortium, scarring, disfigurement, career opportunities and potential earnings, educational opportunities, and permanent impairment. Your car accident attorney in Salem, MA, understands these losses.
Though these damages have long-lasting impacts, your attorney can determine a monetary value that may be of some assistance.
How Long Do I Have to File a Car Accident Claim in Massachusetts?
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts imposes a three-year statute of limitations for victims of most personal injuries. This typically includes personal injuries from car accidents. This gives you a long period of time for seeking legal action in situations where it is warranted.
However, the longer the case takes, the harder it can be to seek evidence and build a robust claim. When you work with our car accident attorney in Salem, we will take every step possible to navigate your case as quickly and as thoroughly as we can. We do not settle your case early for less than you are owed.
Call Our Salem, MA Car Accident Attorneys Today
The legal team at The Cashman Law Firm is waiting to discuss your case. Our attorneys have the experience, insight, and skill to fight for our clients. Client satisfaction is our ultimate goal.
We understand how to negotiate with insurance companies to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve. Reach out to us today for a free case evaluation. We are not paid unless you are.