Types of Car Accident Cases We Handle
Attorney John J. Sheehan and The Law Office of John J. Sheehan represent victims of passenger vehicle collisions throughout Boston and Massachusetts:
- Rear-End Car Collisions - Boston's most common car accident, especially in stop-and-go traffic on I-93 and Route 1.
- Side-Impact Car Crashes - T-bone collisions at Boston's complex intersections and rotaries.
- Head-On Car Collisions - Devastating crashes often occurring on Massachusetts Avenue and other divided roadways.
- Multi-Car Pile-Ups - Complex crashes involving multiple passenger vehicles on I-95 and Mass Pike.
- Car Rollover Accidents - Though less common in passenger cars, Attorney John J. Sheehan handles these serious crashes.
- Sideswipe Car Accidents - Frequent on Boston's narrow colonial-era streets and during lane changes.
- Parking Lot Car Accidents - Backing collisions, pedestrian strikes, and right-of-way disputes in shopping centers and garages.
- Parallel Parking Car Crashes - Unique to Boston's tight street parking, involving property damage and injury claims.
- Valet Parking Car Accidents - Crashes involving professional parking services and bailment law liability.
- One-Way Street Car Accidents - Wrong-way collisions on Boston's confusing downtown street grid.
- School Zone Car Accidents - Crashes near Boston's numerous schools involving child pedestrian safety.
- Tourist Driver Car Accidents - Collisions caused by unfamiliar drivers navigating Boston's challenging road system.
- Distracted Driving Car Crashes - Cell phone use, texting while driving, and navigation device distractions in city traffic.
- Boston Left Car Accidents - Aggressive left turns before oncoming traffic, a notorious Boston driving habit.
- Tailgating Car Crashes - Following too closely in Boston's heavy congestion leading to rear-end collisions.
- Failure to Signal Car Accidents - Lane changes without warning on busy Boston streets and highways.
- Road Rage Car Incidents - Aggressive driving escalating to collisions and assault charges.
- Weather-Related Car Crashes - Snow, ice, and rain accidents during New England's harsh winters.
- Uninsured Driver Car Accidents - When the at-fault driver lacks insurance coverage.
- Hit-and-Run Car Accidents - Attorney John J. Sheehan pursues your uninsured motorist claim when drivers flee the scene of the accident.
- Rental Car Accidents - Complex insurance scenarios involving rental companies and tourist drivers.
- Company Car Accidents - Corporate vehicle crashes requiring investigation of employer liability.
- Teen Driver Car Accidents - Crashes involving inexperienced drivers and parental responsibility laws.
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What Makes Car Accidents Different in Boston
Boston presents unique challenges for passenger vehicle drivers that require advanced legal knowledge:
The intersection of Massachusetts Avenue and Melnea Cass Boulevard alone saw 124 car crashes between 2014 and 2024, making it Boston's most dangerous location for passenger vehicles. The colonial-era street layout, originally designed for horse-drawn carriages, creates narrow lanes that force cars dangerously close together.
Attorney John J. Sheehan understands Boston's specific car accident patterns: aggressive "Boston Left" turns before oncoming traffic, minimal use of turn signals during lane changes, and the notorious difficulty of parallel parking on streets barely wide enough for two cars to pass.
The "Storrow Drive Problem" affects car drivers as well as trucks. The confusing exit patterns and low clearances create anxiety for drivers, leading to sudden stops and rear-end collisions. Attorney John J. Sheehan has handled numerous car accidents involving tourists and newcomers who are struggling with Boston's unique roadway design.
Winter driving in Boston transforms car accident risks entirely. The combination of 48 inches of annual snowfall, narrow streets, and aggressive Boston driving culture creates perfect conditions for car crashes. Salt trucks and snow removal equipment force cars into even tighter spaces, while ice makes stopping distances unpredictable.
Construction zones throughout Boston create additional car accident hazards. Major infrastructure projects like the ongoing Green Line Extension and constant utility work mean Boston drivers face ever-changing traffic patterns, sudden lane closures, and distracted driving as they navigate unfamiliar routes.
Massachusetts No-Fault Insurance and Your Car Accident
Understanding your rights after a Boston car accident requires knowledge of Massachusetts' unique insurance system:
Massachusetts operates under a no-fault insurance system that provides immediate benefits through your Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage. Every car owner must carry a minimum of $8,000 in PIP benefits, which covers medical expenses and 75% of lost wages regardless of who caused your accident.
The general rule provides that you must meet the Massachusetts tort threshold to be eligible to recover damages for pain and suffering in a bodily injury claim filed with the at-fault driver's car insurer. That means that your total medical bills for your injuries related to the car accident must be more than $2,000 for you to be able to file a bodily injury claim. There are exceptions to that general rule. You are eligible to recover damages for pain and suffering if the injuries caused by the car accident result in death or include permanent or serious disfigurement, fractured bone or tooth, or substantial hearing or sight loss.
However, serious car accidents allow you to "step outside" the no-fault system and sue for additional compensation. You can pursue a claim against the at-fault driver if your medical expenses exceed $2,000 OR if your injuries include permanent or serious disfigurement, fractured bone, or substantial hearing or sight loss.
New for 2025:
Massachusetts increased minimum bodily injury coverage from $20,000/$40,000 to $25,000/$50,000 per person/accident effective July 1, 2025. This means more insurance money is potentially available for your car accident injuries.
The comparative fault rule
Massachusetts allows you to recover compensation even if you were partially responsible for the car accident, as long as you were not more than 50% at fault. Attorney John J. Sheehan fights to minimize your percentage of fault and maximize the amount of money you receive for your injuries and damages.
Spanish-speaking car accident victims should know:
Cuando hable conmigo, nada se pierde en la comunicación. The Law Office of John J. Sheehan handles all insurance communications in Spanish, ensuring nothing is lost in translation during your car accident claim.
What to Do Immediately After a Car Accident in Boston
Attorney John J. Sheehan recommends these specific steps for car accident victims:
- Move your car to safety if possible - Boston's narrow streets make disabled vehicles extremely dangerous to other drivers.
- Call 911 for any injury or significant damage - Massachusetts law requires police reports for car accidents involving injury or property damage over $1,000.
- Document the car accident scene thoroughly - Take photos from multiple angles showing vehicle damage, street signs, traffic signals, and road conditions.
- Exchange information with all drivers - Get names, phone numbers, insurance details, license numbers, and vehicle information.
- Look for witnesses - Boston pedestrians often see car accidents clearly; collect their contact information.
- Note specific Boston details - Record street names, intersection details, nearby landmarks, and any construction zones.
- Be aware of one-way streets and traffic patterns - This information helps Attorney John J. Sheehan reconstruct your accident.
- Don't discuss fault at the scene - Boston drivers often argue about who caused the accident; let insurance companies and attorneys determine responsibility.
- Seek medical attention immediately - Car accident injuries often don't appear for hours or days after the crash.
- Report the car accident to your auto insurer right away - Contact The Law Office of John J. Sheehan before giving recorded statements. Insurance companies use these statements against you later.
Important for Spanish speakers: If language barriers exist at the accident scene, request a Spanish-speaking officer or translator. Never sign documents you don't fully understand.
Compensation Available in Boston Car Accidents
The Law Office of John J. Sheehan fights for every dollar you deserve:
Economic Damages (Your Actual Financial Losses)
- Medical expenses - Emergency room visits, surgery costs, physical therapy, and future medical care related to your car accident.
- Lost wages - Income missed while recovering from your car accident injuries.
- Lost earning capacity - Reduced future income if your car accident injuries affect your ability to work.
- Car repair or replacement - Property damage to your vehicle from the collision.
- Transportation costs - Rental cars, ride-sharing, and public transportation while your vehicle is being repaired.
- Household services - Help with cleaning, childcare, and daily activities you can't perform due to car accident injuries.
Non-Economic Damages (Pain and Suffering)
- Physical pain and suffering - Compensation for the pain caused by your car accident injuries.
- Emotional distress - Anxiety, depression, and PTSD following your car accident.
- Loss of enjoyment of life - Inability to participate in activities you enjoyed before your car accident.
- Permanent disability or scarring - Long-term physical limitations or disfigurement from your car accident.
- Loss of consortium - Impact on your relationships with spouse and family members due to your car accident injuries.
Massachusetts car insurance minimum requirements often aren't enough to fully compensate for serious car accident injuries. The Law Office of John J. Sheehan investigates all available insurance coverage, including underinsured motorist benefits from your own policy.
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