If you’ve been in a car accident, you might wonder when to hire an auto accident lawyer in Boston. Learn when the right time is and what to do after a crash.
The aftermath can be confusing and overwhelming if you’ve been in a car accident. According to a Massachusetts Department of Transportation report, road accidents are common in Boston.
Most of these accidents are quite serious, and accident victims have many expenses to deal with right after. Although an auto accident lawyer in Boston may be able to help you get the compensation you’re entitled to, it’s essential to know when to hire one.
Between dealing with insurance companies, repairing your vehicle, and recovering from injuries, you might not know the ideal time to hire an experienced car accident lawyer. In this article, we’ll explain when you should hire an auto accident lawyer in Boston.
When You Should Contact an Auto Accident Lawyer in Boston
After an auto accident, injured victims are usually wondering when they need to hire a personal injury lawyer. Most times, it is dependent on the severity of your injury and damages. However, below are some pointers on when you should hire an auto accident lawyer in Boston.
You Suffered Severe Injuries
According to Massachusetts law, you can file a personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault party if you suffer a fractured bone, loss of body parts, permanent or severe disfigurement, loss of hearing or sight, or other injuries in an auto crash. Therefore, you might not need an experienced attorney if no one suffered injuries. However, we suggest getting checked out by a doctor to confirm you didn’t suffer any injury.
You should speak to an experienced car accident attorney if you sustained any injury, no matter how minor it looks. Most victims underestimate car accident injuries, but most tend to get worse over time, like a traumatic brain injury. When you contact an auto accident lawyer in Boston, they’ll help you estimate your medical costs and include them in your legal claim. Even if they can’t take your case, many injury attorneys will still provide some legal advice.
Although your personal injury protection insurance covers your medical expenses, it might not be enough to cover all your medical bills. A skilled lawyer can recommend the best way to document your injuries to ensure you meet the requirements for filing a legal claim.
You Don’t Understand Your Rights
You might be entitled to more compensation from the liable parties depending on the injuries suffered in the accident. Accident victims are entitled to damages for:
- Lost wages
- Medical expenses
- Pain and suffering
- Vehicle damage
- Loss of companionship
- Loss of limbs
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Emotional damages, etc
In addition, if the accident caused a loss of life, you could also receive compensation for your loved one’s funeral and burial expenses. Most times, there are parts of personal injury law that a regular person does not understand. Therefore, working with a personal injury attorney is best to ensure you receive maximum compensation.
You Require Expensive Treatment
Although catastrophic injuries like spinal cord damage don’t release you from the no-fault system, you can file a car accident claim against the negligent driver if your medical expenses exceed $2,000. This would be the case where you sustain soft tissue injuries and other minor injuries.
An auto accident attorney in Boston can help you prepare an insurance claim against the at-fault party. The law firm can also negotiate a fair settlement that will effectively cover these costs.
Your Claim is Denied
The at-fault driver’s insurance adjuster could deny your claim for several reasons. For example, they could blame you for the accident or claim that your medical record doesn’t show that the accident caused your injuries. They could also claim that you didn’t prove your damages.
When the insurance adjuster denies your claim, you can choose to fight the denial or drop the personal injury claim. An experienced lawyer can help you evaluate the case and find ways to help you get a fair settlement. Your auto accident lawyer in Boston could also assemble evidence to support your claim.
Liability Isn’t Clear
If it isn’t clear who the parties responsible for an accident are, it could be a very difficult path for you when you file a personal injury claim. When liability isn’t clear, you should hire a personal injury attorney. It’s even more difficult to prove liability when no witnesses are at the accident scene.
In such situations, it could be your word against the at-fault driver. Therefore, contact an auto accident lawyer in Boston with decades of experience to ensure fair compensation for your injuries.
Your Car Accident Claim Is Taking Too Long
The insurance company is always trying to slow down compensation claims. This is to frustrate and make you desperate enough to accept a low settlement. A personal injury attorney ensures your claim moves forward quickly and gets you adequate compensation.
You Received a Low Settlement Offer
The less an insurance company pays a victim after a motor vehicle accident, the more profit they make. Therefore, they start with a low offer. This is because they assume accident victims don’t understand the value of their car accident case.
Insurers also know that most accident victims take the first offer they receive. But on the other hand, an auto accident lawyer in Boston can assess damages and negotiate better financial compensation for you based on your compensation goals.
Missed Payment and Damages
After a motor vehicle accident, you would have medical bills and property damages to deal with. Unfortunately, the longer crash victims delay hiring a personal injury law firm, the longer it would take to get the funds they need. That’s why it’s essential to act quickly so that your auto accident lawyer in Boston can get you the maximum financial compensation.
Poor Tracking of Damages
Apart from your medical reports and lost wages, an injured party can also receive non-economic damages. Working with Boston car accident lawyers can ensure all expenses and additional losses are coordinated. If you don’t speak with a lawyer, you might be unable to track evidence early on in the case.
Statute of Limitation Problems
The Massachusetts Statute of Limitations on personal injury claims is three years. Therefore, your claim could be ruled invalid if you wait longer than three years. Your experienced auto accident lawyer in Boston will need time to build a case and file an auto accident lawsuit.
Building an auto accident claim could take months. Therefore, you will need to call experienced auto accident attorneys in Boston before the three years are over. Otherwise, your lawyer might not have ample time to prepare a solid auto accident claim.
What to Do When You Get in a Car Accident in Massachusetts
Accidents can occur for many reasons; it could be due to distracted driving or drunk driving. However, proving liability is vital to receive compensatory damages. That’s why you must follow the simple steps below to protect your rights throughout the legal process.
Pull Over
Massachusetts law states you must pull over immediately after an auto accident. So whether it’s a pedestrian accident, your vehicle hit someone’s property, or a rear-end collision, pull over and park in a safe space.
Dial 911
You should dial 911 after a crash. This would ensure medical professionals and the police get to the accident scene.
Receive Medical Treatment
Receive emergency medical treatment when it is offered. It doesn’t matter the type of injury you suffered; it could prove severe if not treated. Injuries like spinal cord damage, neck injuries, internal bleeding, and traumatic brain injuries tend to worsen over time if treatment is not received immediately.
Do Not Admit to Anything
While you should speak with the police officers, do not admit to guilt. Likewise, do not make promises to other drivers or passengers involved in the crash, except you’re exchanging contact information. Just state the facts.
Document the Evidence
You’ll need evidence to prove the driver’s negligent behavior. Therefore, you should collect as much evidence as you can. For example, take photos of the accident scene and collect the contact information of witnesses at the scene. Also, take pictures of the property damage.
It’s also crucial to track records of your medical treatments. Take photos of physical injuries, medications, and treatments received. When an auto insurance company, attorney, or any other person contacts you regarding the accident, record it and when it happened.
Contact Your Insurance Carrier
You should speak to your insurer to inform them of the accident. An early notification might be required if you have property damage coverage. Provide them with a statement about injuries suffered and the circumstances surrounding the crash.
How Long Do Most Car Accident Settlements Take?
There is no average time for auto accident settlements because many factors come into play. Every car accident claim is different, and the time it takes to settle a case depends on the details.
It could take a couple of weeks to months or years before a car accident case can settle. Both sides have plenty to investigate, especially regarding proving liability.
You might also require time to recover from your injuries to determine your medical bills and the future medical care you might need. The insurance company might also try to slow the entire process down as they look for evidence to devalue your claim. Therefore, it’s not always clear how long your claim might take.
However, working with an auto accident lawyer in Boston can help speed up the settlement process. A legal professional understands insurance adjusters’ antics and will handle all communications with them.
How Long Do You Have to File an Accident Report?
The days after a car accident can be difficult to navigate. Victims usually report their injuries to the police and the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV). Reporting to the police should happen immediately after the accident, even if it’s minor. The police report could be instrumental in proving your rights to compensation.
Massachusetts law states that you have five days to file an accident report if there’s an injury or over $1,000 worth of damage or death. Therefore, filing a motor vehicle crash operator report is crucial even if the police are at the crash scene.
Contact an Auto Accident Lawyer in Boston Today
Car accidents can be traumatic, and victims usually need compensation to deal with the aftermath. If you’re unsure when to hire an auto accident lawyer in Boston, you should do so right after the accident. Although Massachusetts is a no-fault state, you can still sue the negligent party in some situations.
Our Boston auto accident lawyers are here to help. We’ll help you seek compensation for damages and fight for maximum compensation. Our experienced attorneys will not only handle all communications with insurers, but we’ll also work to get your claim resolved quickly and fairly. Initial consultations are entirely free, so contact us today to discuss how we can help you.
