Barnstable, MA Car Accident Lawyer

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Every day, we hop into our cars and go about our business, hoping to avoid any accidents. However, accidents can happen due to someone else’s carelessness, potentially leaving us with injuries that require significant compensation.

If you have been injured because of another driver’s negligence, our car accident lawyers are here to assist you in obtaining the compensation you are entitled to. Sadly, there are more careless drivers on the road than we would like to believe, and they can cause accidents in a variety of ways. If you find yourself in this situation, you have the option of filing a lawsuit and seeking justice for the harm that has been inflicted upon you.

Call the Law Office of John J. Sheehan at (617) 925-6407 for a free case review with our car accident lawyers.

Steps to Take After Getting Injured in a Barnstable, MA Car Accident

If you find yourself in a car accident, it is important to know how to protect your legal rights. It is normal to feel scared and overwhelmed after such an incident, but there are steps you can take to improve your chances of getting compensation down the line. Our car accident lawyers can take over once you have taken care of these initial steps and work to get you the compensation you are entitled to. To increase your chances of recovering damages, follow these guidelines if you are ever in a car accident in Barnstable:

Call 911

In the event of a car accident, it is important to promptly notify the authorities. Despite the severity of the damage or injuries sustained, law enforcement will come to the scene to investigate and speak with those involved. Once all relevant details have been collected by the investigating officers, an official report will be produced that outlines the specifics of the accident and any legal measures that might ensue. Our team can assist you in obtaining this report from the appropriate police department.

Gather Information

In the event of a car accident, it is crucial to gather information from the other driver, such as their insurance details, name, address, and phone number, if possible. This information might come in handy if legal action is required. If the other driver is uncooperative, do not fret, as the police report usually contains such details. Additionally, it is advisable to speak with any witnesses who might have witnessed the accident, as they might have valuable information that could be useful in court. Do not forget to collect their contact information to avoid losing it later. Though winning a case without witnesses is possible, having others provide statements about the other party’s carelessness greatly increases the chances of success.

Obtain Evidence

Consider using your cell phone to take pictures before leaving the scene of an accident. This will help you capture important details such as damages to the vehicles, debris on the road, the position of the vehicles after the accident, and any skid marks. In addition, taking photos can help you demonstrate where you were injured and preserve important information like the time of day and weather conditions. It is also important to document any injuries sustained since they might heal by the time of your court appearance, making them less visible. Taking pictures of your injuries will help you demonstrate their severity.

Seek Medical Treatment

After a car accident, it is crucial to seek medical attention immediately, even if you do not feel any pain or discomfort. Hidden injuries might surface later, and consulting medical professionals is necessary for your body’s healing process and to determine if you need additional treatment. Although visiting the emergency room might seem like an unnecessary expense and time-consuming, it is vital to have a record of your injuries if you plan to pursue compensation through legal action. Your medical records will serve as evidence that your current injuries were caused by the car accident you reported.

Speak with Our Attorneys

We will work closely with you throughout the legal process to ensure that you receive fair compensation for the damages you have suffered. Our top priority is to help you secure payment for your medical expenses and lost wages while also safeguarding your legal rights. We can assist you in drafting important documents, such as your complaint, and communicate with other parties on your behalf. If negotiations fail to settle your case, we are fully prepared to present it to a judge or jury.

Who Can Be Held Responsible for a Car Accident in Barnstable, MA

When it comes to car accidents, it is not always clear who is at fault. There might be multiple parties responsible for the damages. For example, if it is a two-car accident, you might sue the driver who hit you. But if multiple drivers contributed to the accident, you might need to sue all of them. The owner of the vehicle could also be held liable if they let a dangerous or careless driver use their car. We are here to help you navigate these complicated legal matters and make sure you get the compensation you are entitled to.

If you were in an accident involving a commercial driver, their employer could be held responsible under a legal principle called respondeat superior. This means employers can be held accountable for their employee’s negligence if the accident happened while they were doing their job. So if a commercial driver hurt you while they were working, you can usually sue the driver and their employer, even if the employer was not directly involved in the accident.

If you were injured while using a rideshare service like Uber or Lyft, the company might share some responsibility. However, it is usually not possible to sue these companies because their drivers are independent contractors, not employees. But even if you cannot sue the rideshare company, you can still sue the driver who caused the accident. And in most cases, rideshare companies and their drivers have higher insurance limits, which can help cover your expenses.

In rare cases, your injuries might be caused by a flaw in your car’s design or manufacturing. If that is the case, the manufacturer or designer can be held responsible for the defective part that caused the accident. And if your accident was caused by the negligence of a government agency, such as a city or state agency, they could also be held accountable. But there are usually additional steps you need to take before you can file a lawsuit against a government agency, and we are here to help you through that process.