Gloucester, MA Car Accident Lawyer
Dealing with the aftermath of a car accident can be a daunting task. Victims often undergo intense physical pain and emotional suffering. Furthermore, injured parties often bear a significant financial burden because of their accidents.
A car accident lawyer can help determine the proper course of action after a crash. You may seek compensation by filing a claim with your insurer or by bringing a lawsuit against the at-fault driver. The process for recovering damages will depend on the extent of harm caused by your accident.
If you were injured because of a car accident in Gloucester, MA, get help recovering the financial compensation available to you. Contact our experienced Gloucester car accident lawyers by calling the Law Office of John J. Sheehan at (617) 925-6407 for a free case review.
Time Limit to File a Car Accident Lawsuit in Gloucester, MA
Time limits to file certain types of lawsuits are set by states’ statutes of limitations. According to Mass. Gen. Laws Ch. 260, § 2A, you will usually have three years from the date of your crash to bring a car accident lawsuit to court. Failure to file within three years could force you to forfeit your claim.
However, you should attempt to file your car accident lawsuit as soon as possible. Key evidence may become difficult to collect over time. For example, eyewitnesses can forget important details surrounding your accident and relevant physical evidence can be misplaced. You should contact our Gloucester car accident lawyers as soon as possible after your crash, so we can begin building your case right away.
Common Causes of Car Accidents in Gloucester, MA
Drivers are required to exercise reasonable care in the operation of their motor vehicles. When motorists act carelessly, devastating crashes can happen. The injuries caused by such accidents can be severe or even fatal.
Car crashes can be caused by numerous forms of negligent behavior. The following are common causes of car accidents in Gloucester:
Speeding
Speeding is one of the most common causes of car accidents in Gloucester, MA. Motorists travelling at excessive speeds will have difficulty reacting to cars and other hazardous objects on the roadway. Accordingly, many accidents are caused by speeding drivers.
Furthermore, accidents that occur at high speeds are more likely to cause serious harm. Our Gloucester car accident lawyers can help recover compensation after an accident caused by a speeding driver.
Improper Lane Changes
Improper lane changes are another very common cause of car accidents. Improper lane changes occur when a driver changes lanes without using their turn signals or changes lanes in an illegal zone. Such accidents frequently occur on highways during periods of high traffic congestion. If you were injured because another motorist committed an improper lane change, you may be entitled to financial compensation.
Drunk Driving
Furthermore, drunk driving is a common cause of car accidents in Gloucester. Drunk motorists will experience blurry vision and slow reaction times in addition to exhibiting poor decision-making abilities. Accordingly, drunk driving is an extremely dangerous activity.
Accidents caused by drunk drivers typically occur at night but can happen at any time. Our Gloucester car accident lawyers can help prove that a drunk driver was responsible for your crash.
Tailgating
Many car accidents in Gloucester are also caused by tailgating. Tailgating describes the practice of driving too closely behind the car in front of you. Tailgating motorists will be unable to brake in time if the car in front of them stops or slows down.
Accordingly, many rear-end collisions are caused by tailgating drivers. These accidents are particularly common on busy highways and crowded urban streets.
Distracted Driving
Distracted driving is another very common cause of car accidents in Gloucester. There are three forms of distracted driving:
- Visual distraction
- Manual distraction
- Cognitive distraction
Visual distraction involves taking your eyes off the road. Manual distraction occurs when you take your hands off the wheel. Finally, cognitive distraction refers to circumstances where you take your mind off the task of driving.
There are several different activities that can distract drivers. Some activities, like texting, can involve all three forms of distraction. Distracted drivers may be held liable for crashes they cause. If you were injured because of an accident caused by a distracted driver, our experienced Gloucester car accident lawyers can help build your case.
Running Red Lights
Several accidents are caused by drivers who run red lights. Motorists who fail to obey red lights can cause devastating collisions with other drivers. Such accidents are particularly common during rush hour, when traffic congestion can cause drivers to become impatient.
Drivers are expected to obey all traffic laws. Therefore, drivers who run red lights can also be held accountable for accidents they cause.
Reckless Driving
Lastly, reckless driving is a cause of many car accidents in Gloucester. Mass. Gen. Laws Ch. 90, § 24(2)(a) defines reckless driving as any activity that endangers the lives or safety of the public. For example, drivers who engage in drag racing on public highways or travel the wrong way down one-way streets may be found guilty of reckless driving. Our Gloucester car accident lawyers can help pursue monetary damages after a crash caused by a reckless driver.
Elements of a Gloucester, MA Car Accident Lawsuit
Car accident lawsuits can come in many forms. The legal analyses that apply to your case may differ depending on the cause of your accident. However, in each car accident lawsuit, the following four elements must be established:
- The defendant driver owed you a duty of care
- The defendant driver breached their duty of care
- You were injured because of the defendant’s breach of duty
- You sustained damages because of your injuries
Applying these elements to your case is not always a straightforward process. You may contact our experienced Gloucester car accident lawyers for help assessing the validity of your case during a free case review.
If You Were Injured Because of a Car Accident in Gloucester, MA, Our Lawyers Can Help
If you were injured because of a car accident, seek support from our experienced Gloucester car accident lawyers by calling the Law Office of John J. Sheehan at (617) 925-6407 for a free case review.
