Reading, MA Car Accident Lawyer
The road to recovery after a car accident can be long and painful. Many victims endure great financial distress, physical pain, and emotional trauma. Fortunately, those who suffer car accidents can recover monetary damages related to the injuries they sustained.
In some cases, at-fault drivers can be sued for car accidents they cause. However, some car accident victims will have to seek payment from their own insurance companies. The path to compensation in your case will likely depend on the extent of harm caused by your crash.
If you suffered a harmful car accident in Reading, MA, get help evaluating the legal options available to you. Contact our experienced Reading car accident lawyers today by calling the Law Office of John J. Sheehan at (617) 925-6407. Our experienced attorneys can provide a free case review.
Who Can File a Car Accident Lawsuit in Reading, MA?
Plaintiffs in car accident lawsuits can recover several categories of monetary damages that are unavailable to those seeking benefits from their own insurers. However, cases can only be filed against at-fault drivers under certain circumstances. In order to file a car accident lawsuit in Reading, you must have incurred at least $2,000 in medical expenses, or one of the following injuries:
- Broken or fractured bone
- Serious and permanent disfigurement
- Significant loss of sight or hearing
If you were hurt because of a car accident, you should contact our attorneys right away. Our Reading car accident lawyers can help determine if your injury falls into one of the aforementioned categories. Afterwards, our team can help identify the proper path to compensation.
Types of Damages Available to Plaintiffs in Car Accident Lawsuits in Reading, MA
There are multiple categories of monetary damages available to plaintiffs in car accident lawsuits. During your free case assessment, our Reading car accident lawyers can help identify which of the following damages may be sought:
Medical Expenses
You can recover payment for any medical expenses related to your car accident injuries. This includes the cost of all past, current, and future medical care. Such damages are usually established using medical records and bills. Therefore, it is important that you seek medical treatment quickly after suffering an accident. Waiting for your injuries to heal on their own could hurt your chances at recovering payment. Our attorneys can help find the right doctors for you.
Lost Wages
Many car accident victims are forced to spend time away from work while their injuries heal. Fortunately, plaintiffs in car accident cases can also pursue payment for any lost income they suffered because of their injuries. Damages for lost wages will usually be calculated using your average weekly wage.
In some cases, plaintiffs are permanently unable to perform the same tasks that they tended to before their collisions. In such cases, victims can seek payment for their lost earning capacity in the future. Still, claims for lost future income can be complicated. The assistance of our Reading car accident lawyers can be very valuable when seeking a claim for your lost earning capacity in the future.
Property Damage
Plaintiffs in car accident cases can also recover compensation for the property damage they incurred. For instance, many car accident victims suffer severe damage to their vehicles. In these cases, our attorneys can help plaintiffs recover payment for the cost of repair or replacement of their damaged cars.
Pain and Suffering
In addition to suffering great physical pain, car accident victims often endure severe emotional anguish. For instance, a plaintiff with a traumatic brain injury may have difficulty engaging in the same activities that they enjoyed before their crash. Furthermore, a victim who sustained a spinal cord injury may have trouble engaging in meaningful relationships with family members. Fortunately, our attorneys can help plaintiffs fight for compensation related to their physical pain and emotional suffering.
Out-of-Pocket Expenses
Furthermore, damages for out-if-pocket expenses may also be pursued by plaintiffs in car accident cases. There are many types of expenses that can be compensated. For example, an injured parent may have to pay for assistance with child care while their injuries heal. Furthermore, a victim may have to pay for expensive transportation to and from their court proceedings and medical appointments. In such cases, our Reading car accident lawyers can help plaintiffs pursue damages for the out-of-pocket expenses they sustained.
Damages for out-of-pocket expenses are usually proven using financial documents like receipts. Therefore, you should save the receipts for any out-of-pocket expenses you incur because of your car accident injuries.
Considering Settlement Offers in Reading, MA Car Accident Lawsuits
In most car accident cases, the plaintiff will face the difficult decision of either settling early or taking their case to trial. When parties to a case reach a settlement agreement, the defendant pays an agreed-upon amount of damages to the plaintiff in exchange for their case being dismissed. There are a few advantages to settling early. For example, parties who settle early can save on several costs associated with going to trial. Furthermore, plaintiffs who settle early can receive compensation sooner.
Still, settling early is not always the best decision. Defendants and their insurers can employ various strategies that entice plaintiffs to accept low settlement agreements. By going to trial, you will have the opportunity to recover additional payment. Our experienced Reading car accident lawyers can help evaluate any settlement offers made in your case, so that you can confidently decide if going to trial is the right choice for you.
Common Injuries Caused by Car Accidents in Reading, MA
There are several types of injuries that can result from car accidents. The type of harm you suffered can influence the process for recovering damages in your case. The following are common injuries caused by car accidents in Reading, MA:
- Broken bones
- Spinal cord damage
- Soft tissue injuries
- Internal injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Burns
- Contusions
- Lacerations
If you suffered one of the aforementioned injuries because of a car crash, then you may be entitled to financial compensation.
If You Suffered a Car Accident in Reading, MA, Our Attorneys Can Help
If you were injured because of a car crash, seek support from our experienced Reading car accident lawyers by calling the Law Office of John J. Sheehan at (617) 925-6407 to review your case for free.
