Canton Car Accident Lawyer
Those who sustain serious car accident injuries in Massachusetts may be able to file lawsuits against the motorists who struck them. There are several types of damages that may be sought in car crash cases. For example, plaintiffs may obtain payment for medical bills, lost wages, property damage, physical pain, and emotional suffering.
After suffering a crash, you should seek medical treatment for your injuries as soon as you can. Afterwards, our legal team can help you gather the evidence needed to win your case. We will also negotiate with defendants and fight for the full range of payment you deserve.
Those injured because of car crashes in Canton can seek help from our experienced car accident lawyers by calling the Law Office of John J. Sheehan at (617) 925-6407.
Examples of Evidence Used to Prove Fault for Car Crashes in Canton, MA
You must gather evidence that proves your car accident happened because of another driver’s careless conduct. The following are all examples of evidence that can be used to establish fault in your case:
Evidence from the Scene
Evidence from the scene of your crash can be highly valuable when establishing that the other driver is to blame. First, physical evidence may be utilized. For example, broken car parts found at the scene may be matched with a defendant’s vehicle to identify them as the at-fault party. Furthermore, open alcohol bottles or drug paraphernalia found at the scene may show that the defendant was intoxicated when your collision occurred.
Additionally, photos from the scene of your accident can be valuable. Photos can help identify factors that contributed to your crash. For instance, pictures of your totaled car may demonstrate that the other driver was travelling at excessive speeds when your collision happened.
Also, photos from the scene can help discredit the defendant’s alternative arguments as to how the accident happened. For instance, the other driver may assert that your collision stems from poor road conditions. In that case, photos from the scene depicting adequate road conditions could disprove their theory of fault.
Witness Testimony
Another valuable form of evidence used to establish fault for motor vehicle collisions is witness testimony. Eyewitnesses can provide both written and oral testimony that explains how or why accidents occurred. For example, a witness may state that they saw the defendant swerve outside of their lane before running into you. Further, a witness statement may help establish that the defendant caused your collision by running a red light.
Therefore, you should attempt to exchange contact information with potential witnesses to your collision if you can. Afterwards, our car accident attorneys will help reach out for their cooperation.
Accident Reports
After any car accident that results in an injury, a police officer should visit the scene to create an official accident report. These reports are often some of the first documents evaluated by insurance companies and lawyers when assessing fault for accidents. They can provide a great deal of information that helps point to who is to blame. For instance, your accident report may contain statements from drivers, a drawn crash diagram, or an officer’s personal notes regarding who they believe is to blame. Accordingly, after suffering a crash, it is crucial that you recover and review a copy of your official accident report.
Expert Witness Statements
Expert witnesses are deemed experts because they have finished they necessary education, training, and experience in their specific fields. They are regularly summoned to help explain complex theories of fault. For instance, an accident reconstruction expert may help identify which driver is to blame for a collision that happened on a highway. Furthermore, an engineering expert may help the jury understand how a crash was caused by a defective car part.
Personal Recollections
Your personal recollection of your accident can also help establish who is at fault. It may be difficult to know which details surrounding your collision will become important during later stages of your case. Therefore, you should write down the details you remember while your memory is fresh.
Private Security Camera Footage
Finally, private security camera footage can also help prove fault for your crash. There are several types of security cameras that can provide relevant footage. For example, many motorists equip their vehicles with dashboard cameras that surveil the areas around them as they drive. If motorist has dashboard camera footage that depicts the events leading up to your crash, then that footage may be used to establish fault.
Furthermore, private security cameras often film accidents that occur in business’s parking lots. Meanwhile, doorbell cameras and home security cameras regularly capture accidents that happen in residential areas. Therefore, after suffering a collision, it is important to begin searching for relevant security camera footage right away.
How Long Do You Have to File a Car Accident Lawsuit in Canton, MA?
The time limit to file a car accident case in Canton is established by Mass. Gen. Laws Ch. 260, § 2A. Usually, you will have three years from when your crash happened to bring your claim against another driver. If you miss this deadline, then you may miss your chance to recover payment for your injuries.
Even though you may have three years to file your case, you should still reach out to our law firm as soon as you can after your crash. As time goes on, important evidence may become harder to collect. For instance, important documents can become lost and physical evidence may begin to deteriorate.
Furthermore, there are several other requirements that must be adhered to when filing your lawsuit. As an example, you must file in the correct jurisdiction, pay necessary filing fees, attach supporting documents, serve all named defendants, and ensure you are filing a complete claim. Noncompliance with any of these requirements could force you to re-file your case. By attempting to bring your case to court early, you may give yourself time to file again if required.
If You Need to File a Car Accident Lawsuit in Canton, MA, Our Attorneys Can Help
Seek guidance and support from our car accident attorneys by calling the Law Office of John J. Sheehan at (617) 925-6407 to review your lawsuit for free.
