CAR ACCIDENT in New England?

Prevent further accidents by setting up flares and turning on your hazard lights. It’s a good idea to keep a flashlight in your vehicle to keep you safe (ask for a flashlight the next time you’re in the office), in case it’s dark and your vehicle’s lights are damaged in the accident.

This might be the furthest thing from your mind after an accident, but photographs can be invaluable in establishing who was at fault and how much damage was inflicted on the vehicles. Take pictures of the vehicles involved in the accident, your injuries, as well as weather and road conditions.

Obtain the names, email addresses, phone numbers, addresses, and license plate numbers of all parties involved in the accident. Ask to see their registration and note which company each party has coverage with.

Witnesses can help determine how the accident occurred. If possible, speak to anyone who saw what happened and exchange phone numbers and email addresses. We may need to contact them later on to provide a statement as evidence in support of your case.

If police respond to the scene of the accident, take down the officer’s full name and identification number. All parties should be provided with a police report number. Make sure to record this number, as it will allow us or you to obtain a copy of the report.

Don’t talk to them, talk to us. After the accident, you can contact your insurance company yourself to inform them of the accident, or you can contact us to do it for you.

Remember that insurance companies are not on your side. They will try to deny payment or try to pay the least amount possible for your accident and injuries. Conversations are often recorded, so whatever you say can and will be used against you.

At Jason Stone Injury Lawyers, our Massachusetts car accident lawyers will handle all communication with the insurance companies so that you can go about living your life. This helps us ensure that you receive proper compensation.

What Damages Can I Collect for a Car Accident?

As you navigate your busy day, the last thing you expect is to have your life disrupted by a car accident. Sadly though, this can happen at any unexpected moment. Whether the collision was minor or severe, you will face new complications and challenges.

You may have to cope with unexpected pain. You may lose wages by missing work when you recuperate. A mountain of medical bills and having to replace or repair damaged property can create enormous financial anxiety.

Financial compensation is key to you getting your life back on track. With the help of a skillful legal team, you can collect damages for your accident. These damages could include expensive medical bills including surgery, rehabilitation, and therapy.

However, it is not only your immediate costs that you can get back.

Your future circumstances may have been significantly altered because of the accident. There may be lost future wages if your injuries require you to change your work. Perhaps you cannot return to work at all. It is possible to receive compensation for this as well.

Assistance is available and affordable for you to get the compensation your unique situation requires. Hiring a knowledgeable and capable lawyer who works on a contingency fee basis can help you receive compensation for lost income as well as pain and suffering.

What Happens If I Am At Fault for a Car Accident?

Experiencing any type of car accident can be upsetting and stressful. Yet, your anxiety can be even greater when you believe you may be at fault. Whether the collision was entirely or partially your fault, you rightly worry about what happens next.

A study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on this topic indicates that car accident injuries are responsible for hundreds of thousands of visits to the hospital each year. Some measure of negligence is usually connected to these injury crashes.

You may realize that you were distracted, inattentive, or careless when your accident occurred. Or it may be that something else affected you, causing you to contribute to the accident yourself. Knowing how to handle your feelings of guilt can be difficult, especially as you try to take responsible legal action.

Even if you may be partially to blame for the accident, you don’t have to feel as if you are alone against the world. Experienced personal injury lawyers can tell you what legal action you should take. You have challenging legal waters to navigate, and you shouldn’t attempt doing so by yourself.

Getting legal help is vital to ensure the fair and correct measure of accountability. Skillful and communicative attorneys have the knowledge and experience to best assist you. With the right help, the challenges and problems of being at fault in a car accident can be resolved smoothly.

Do You Have to Go to Court for a Car Accident?

A car accident can be a harrowing experience at the very least. Even a very minor accident can be a time-consuming annoyance. Whether the car accident was minor or severe, the thought of having to go to court can seem anywhere from irritating and troublesome to overwhelming.

All of which begs the question: Is going to court a requirement after a car accident? The answer is no. In fact, according to research, some 95 percent of car accident claims settle without going to court.

Often, the decision to take a car accident case to court is a last resort. Generally, it takes around 12 months for a case involving a car accident to reach court. Going to trial is a time-consuming process that the parties involved would almost always prefer to avoid.

In reality, the reasons that a case might go to court are usually few. For example, if the compensation amount cannot be agreed upon, or if the guilty party and his or her insurer refuse to acknowledge accountability.

It is true that guilty parties and their insurance providers are often not rushing to be helpful. Nonetheless, with skillful lawyers on your side, it is possible to reach a settlement even with the most obstinate parties. Going to court can be avoided.

Do You Always Get a Settlement From a Car Accident?

If you are the victim of a car accident, it may seem obvious to you that you deserve some amount of compensation for your pain and injuries. With significant medical bills and car repair costs piling up, among other issues, your life may be disrupted, leaving you feeling frustrated and stressed. You need compensation for peace of mind.

It can be less time-consuming and less complicated to agree on a settlement and get the money you need, compared to going to trial. And while not everyone is guaranteed a settlement from a car accident, you always have the right to file a legal claim to compensation.

In the case of your accident, it may seem clear as a bell to you who is at fault. But sadly, even in these situations, guilty parties may try to hide the facts, and insurance companies usually attempt to avoid accountability.

Filing a car accident claim does not guarantee that you will receive a settlement. Car accident settlements will depend on various factors, which include your injuries and the damaged property.

Still, just because a settlement isn’t guaranteed doesn’t mean there isn’t value in pursuing a claim and seeking compensation.

Can You Represent Yourself in a Car Accident Case?

If you have been in a car accident, it seems reasonable to conclude that you know the circumstances of your accident better than anyone. You were literally there. Is there anyone who can prove who was at fault better than you? Aren’t you the best person to defend yourself?

Please consider: After an accident, your attention is bound to be divided, and with good reason. You need to focus on healing. Additionally, you may have to keep your financial status from getting out of control in view of medical bills or lost work because of the accident.

This situation can be difficult even when everyone involved is as cooperative as possible. The truth is, though, that in these circumstances, the parties involved can be anything but cooperative.

Car accidents are nerve-racking, causing intense physical pain and making you feel completely overwhelmed at times. However, for insurance companies, your accident is a commercial transaction, and they have the goal of reaching a settlement that involves paying you as little as possible.

Having to fight an intense legal battle is the last thing you need in your life, but your welfare and well-being depend on the outcome of your legal claim. That’s why you need a lawyer on your side when the insurance companies and the guilty parties try to sidestep blame. Their lawyers may even blame the accident on you to minimize accountability.

Trying to take on all these challenges and prove the truth as you defend yourself can feel paralyzing. However, our fierce and determined legal team can be just what you need to overcome these challenges.

Can I Sue After a Car Accident If I Was Not Hurt?

Although it may seem surprising, yes, you can sue after a car accident even if you were uninjured. While the majority of auto accident cases are settled out of court, there are some situations when filing a lawsuit could be your best option for recovering compensation.

Property damage lawsuits

You might choose to file a lawsuit if you sustained significant property damage that is not being fully covered by the insurance company. Property damage from an accident could include a vehicle, fence, building, or personal items (phone, laptop, sunglasses, etc.) inside the vehicle.  If the insurance adjuster refuses to pay out what you are entitled to or denies your claim without a reasonable basis, you may have grounds for a lawsuit.

What if you suffered emotional distress but no physical injuries?

A person may sue for the mental and emotional trauma suffered as a result of the auto accident. Even if no physical injuries were sustained, our minds can still process a car accident as trauma. This occurs so frequently that motor vehicle accidents are the leading cause of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in the US.  Emotional distress suffered after a car accident may include:

• Anxiety
• Fear
• Depression
• Mental anguish
• Nightmares
• Flashbacks
• Insomnia

Emotional trauma can be debilitating and leave a car accident victim with a fear of getting behind the wheel or even riding in a vehicle.  If you have suffered mental distress after being involved in a motor vehicle crash, a car accident lawyer can review your case and help you determine whether you have a claim to compensation.

What Happens If the At-Fault Party Doesn’t Have Car Insurance?

All states require drivers to have at least a minimum amount of liability coverage. Unfortunately, many motorists drive without car insurance coverage, despite it being illegal. So what happens if you are hit by an uninsured driver?

What to do after an accident with an uninsured motorist

Even if the other driver doesn’t have insurance, you should still try to gather as much information as possible from them. This could include their name, contact information, and license plate number. You should also contact the police, even if the other driver immediately left the scene.

Who pays for damages if the at-fault party does not have insurance

If you were hit by a driver without insurance, generally, your best option to recover compensation will be to file a claim with your own insurance company. Some insurance companies offer uninsured/underinsured (UM) coverage, which can pay for medical expenses and property damage up to your policy limits.

The uninsured driver may try to offer you money at the scene to avoid being caught without insurance, but you should not accept it. You do not know what the total of your losses will be, and it’s best to just go through your insurance company.

Another way to recover compensation is to file a lawsuit against the at-fault driver. However, if a driver does not have car insurance, it is likely that he or she will not have the resources to pay for damages.

Should I See a Doctor After a Car Accident Even If I Am Not Hurt?

It is definitely in your best interests to see a doctor immediately following a car accident, even if you feel fine for now. Many make the mistake of avoiding or putting off medical attention, only for injuries to eventually manifest themselves.

Our bodies react to stressful events like car accidents by releasing hormones such as adrenaline which can dull or mask pain temporarily. What feels like a minor ache immediately following your crash can progress into serious pain hours or even days later.

A doctor will be able to thoroughly assess your condition and provide a diagnosis. A thorough examination may identify skeletal, soft tissue, or internal injuries before they worsen. In addition, the longer you wait to see a physician, the more difficult it becomes to attribute your injuries to the car accident.

Even if you did not sustain an obvious injury, your doctor can tell you what to look for in the weeks ahead. If you begin to present symptoms, you can go back for a follow-up appointment, receive medical care, and have a solid basis for connecting your injuries to the accident.