At Morgan & Morgan, our attorneys know how much an automobile accident can upend a person’s life. They have witnessed first hand how the injuries and bills that arise from a car accident can complicate people’s lives, and understand how difficult it can be to recover the compensation you deserve from the insurance company.
This is especially true in Boston. Our city’s tight roads, assertive drivers, and thick traffic — like the kind you might find on Interstate 93 approaching the O’Neill Tunnel — make for some of the most dangerous driving conditions in the country.
Our Morgan & Morgan car accident attorneys have handled tens of thousands of cases, and may be able to help you recover the compensation you require to get your life back on track. If you have been in a car accident and are unsure about the next step or have received what you believe to be an unfair settlement offer from your insurance company, you may want to consider hiring an attorney.
Fill out a free, no-obligation case evaluation to find out exactly how our attorneys may be able to help.
Massachusetts Auto Insurance Laws
Massachusetts is a “no-fault” state, meaning if you get into a car accident, you file a claim with your insurance company, not the insurance provider for the driver who was at fault for the accident. This type of insurance is known as personal injury protection (PIP).
Because your own insurance company will be paying out your claim, what they will cover depends on the type of policy you have. Massachusetts calls for a minimum policy each driver is required to have, but it will not cover all of your costs. PIP may help with medical bills and lost wages, but only up to a certain amount, and a basic policy in Massachusetts will not cover the cost of repairs or to get a new vehicle.
However, if you were injured and the accident was the fault of another driver, you may be able to file a claim against the negligent party. If you sustain at least $2,000 in medical expenses and your injuries from the accident include a permanent and serious disfigurement, a fractured bone, or a substantial loss of hearing or sight, you are able to file a lawsuit against the negligent party.
Filing a liability claim will make you eligible for more compensation for medical expenses and lost wages, but also opens up the possibility of pain and suffering damages, something the insurance company will never pay.
If you have concerns about the payout from your insurance company or would like to file a liability claim against the driver who caused the accident, our car accident attorneys in Boston have experience with no-fault insurance cases and may be able to help with your claim.
How Can a Morgan & Morgan Boston Car Accident Attorney Help Me?
While not every car accident victim requires a lawyer to get the compensation they deserve, many do. If you are thinking about hiring an attorney to help with your auto accident claim, but are not sure how they may be able to help, let’s review how our attorneys help their clients.
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Gather Evidence: The first thing one our attorneys will do is evaluate the strength of your potential lawsuit by gathering and reviewing all available evidence concerning the accident. This entails interviewing witnesses of the accident, taking photographs of the accident site, and reviewing any video surveillance footage that is available. Additionally, our attorney’s will obtain and review any police reports filed after the accident. In cases where the accident was caused by the negligence of another driver, our attorneys will attempt to gather whatever information is needed to win your case. For example, in a case where the negligent driver was texting while driving, our attorneys will subpoena mobile phone records to confirm the they were using a mobile device behind the wheel of their motor vehicle.
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Work with Medical Experts: In car accident lawsuits, our attorneys often work with medical experts to determine the severity of a victim’s injuries. This entails preparing a report detailing the medical treatments – and related costs – that may you may have required to recover fully. If your case ends up going to trial, the medical expert may be called upon to explain to a judge and jury exactly how the car accident caused your injuries.
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Communicate and Negotiate with Insurance Companies: In states without no-fault insurance it is not recommended that you give a statement to the other person’s insurance company. However, states with PIP often require people to cooperate with the insurance company or risk having their benefits denied. Massachusetts is such a state, so make sure to cooperate with your insurance company so you get the maximum amount of benefits you are eligible for. If you exceed your PIP benefits, and still can’t pay for all the expenses related to the accident, it may be time to reach out to an attorney to find out what your legal options are.
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Prepare for Trial: If the negotiations in your case do not produce an acceptable settlement, our attorney are more than willing to prepare for trial. Unlike other firms who try and get their lawyers to avoid going to trial, our attorneys relish the opportunity. They have vast amounts of experience in the courtroom, and are more than happy to prepare for trial if that’s what it takes to get you the compensation they deserve.
What Kind of Compensation Might You Be Eligible For?
Unless you are filing a liability claim, PIP insurance will only cover medical expenses and in some cases, lost wages but only up to a certain point. In Massachusetts, if you would like compensation for vehicle repairs and more, there are more comprehensive insurance plans you can purchase.
If you meet the requirements to file a liability claim against the at-fault driver, you may eligible for PIP benefits on top of what has already been paid, as well as for pain and suffering and other general damages.
No Fee Unless We Win Your Case
At Morgan & Morgan, we believe every person should be eligible for top-notch legal services, regardless of income. Therefore, our attorney’s work on a contingency fee system, which means they don’t get paid unless they win your case.
When you retain one of our attorneys, you’re getting someone who is willing to fight for you all the way to the end. Our attorney’s don’t just settle because it’s the easy thing to do, so even if it means going to trial, they are willing to go because it’s in your best interest.
To learn more about how exactly our attorneys may be able to help you, contact us today for a free, no-obligation case review.