Brookline, MA Car Accident Lawyer

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Car accidents are a very common source of personal injuries in Brookline, MA. Whether motorists are driving on busy highways or quiet residential streets, harmful collisions can occur. In many cases, these accidents happen as the result of drivers’ negligence.

There are multiple types of careless and reckless conduct that can lead to crashes. For instance, accidents regularly occur because motorists drive distracted, disobey traffic signals, and travel at illegal speeds. Thankfully, car accident victims may be entitled to financial compensation for the damages they sustained.

After suffering a harmful car accident in Brookline, get support from our experienced car accident attorneys at the Law Office of John J. Sheehan by dialing (617) 925-6407.

Can You Sue Another Driver After Suffering a Car Accident in Brookline, MA?

Massachusetts courts have implemented no-fault car insurance laws. This means that car accident lawsuits can only be filed against other drivers under specific circumstances. In all other cases, victims will be limited to seeking benefits under their own insurance policies.

You may be able to step outside of no-fault laws and sue another driver in Massachusetts if you incurred a minimum of $2,000 in medical expenses because of your injuries. Alternatively, you may file a lawsuit against an at-fault driver if you suffered an injury that caused permanent and substantial disfigurement, fractured or broken bone, or a significant loss of visual or auditory acuity.

Assessing whether you have grounds to file a car accident lawsuit can be a complicated task. During a free review of your case, our car accident lawyers will evaluate the strength of your potential claim.

What to Do After a Car Accident in Brookline, MA

There are steps you may take after suffering a car accident that can improve your chances at recovering payment from another party. You should take the following actions after suffering a collision in Brookline:

Wait at the Scene and Call 911

You should not flee the scene of your accident. If you leave the scene of an accident that causes an injury, you may be charged with a hit-and-run. Furthermore, you should call 911 as quickly as you can. If anyone at the scene requires medical care immediately, the dispatcher can send an ambulance to administer emergency treatment. Also, an officer must travel to the scene of any harmful accident to create their accident report. This report may be among the first information analyzed by insurers and attorneys when investigating your crash.

Exchange Information with Others

Next, you should exchange insurance and contact information with the other driver involved in your accident. If multiple drivers were involved, then all of their information should be obtained. This information can be very helpful when building your case and determining who you should sue.

Also, if there are any eyewitnesses at the scene of your crash, their contact information should be obtained. Witnesses can offer both oral and written statements that explain why your collision happened. You can ask our legal team for help when reaching out to witnesses for their potential cooperation.

Document the Scene of Your Crash

Furthermore, you should document the scene of your crash with photos if possible. Photos can demonstrate factors that may have contributed to the accident. Also, they may be used to disprove another party’s alternative theory of blame. For example, if the defendant in your case asserts that your crash happened as the result of poor weather conditions, photos from your accident’s scene depicting clear weather would discredit that argument.

You should also take clear photos of any property damage your vehicle incurred. The defendant in your case may argue that certain damage was caused by some other, subsequent collision. In that case, photos from your crash scene depicting your vehicle would help establish the damage caused by the accident at issue.

Seek Medical Treatment if You Have Not Already

If you did not receive emergency medical treatment in the immediate aftermath of your car accident, you should see a doctor as soon as you can. You will need to obtain medical documentation of your injuries in order to recover financial compensation. Accordingly, letting your injuries heal on their own can significantly complicated the settlement process.

Also, you continue with any prescribed medications and attend any necessary follow-up appointments related to your car accident injuries. If you discontinue medical treatment, then the defendant in your case may assert that you are no longer injured.

Call Our Law Firm

Finally, you should call our attorneys as soon as possible after suffering a car accident in Brookline. Our team will analyze your case and explain the appropriate course of action.

Considering Settlement Offers in Brookline Car Accident Lawsuits

After filing a car accident lawsuit, you will likely be presented with a settlement offer before going to trial. If you enter into a settlement agreement, then you will receive a specific sum of compensation from the defendant in exchange for your case being voluntarily dismissed. There are potential advantages to settling early. For instance, plaintiffs who reach settlement agreements may obtain payment more quickly. Furthermore, those who settle early may save on some of the costs associated with going to trial like administrative costs and witness fees.

Still, settling early is not always the right decision. Many defendants try to settle their car accident claims cheaply and quickly. There is a strong likelihood that the initial offers you are presented with will not reflect the true value of your case. If you go to trial, you will have the chance to recover monetary damages that were not offered during settlement negotiations. The risk being that if your case does not succeed, then you may receive nothing from the other party. Guidance from our legal team can be highly beneficial when deciding whether to settle early or take your case to trial.