Middleton, MA Car Accident Lawyer
Many people are injured each year in Middleton because of car accidents. Such accidents are often caused by drivers’ careless and reckless actions. For example, crashes occur because motorists drive distracted, disobey traffic signals, and travel at illegal speeds.
Those who suffer car accidents can pursue payment for their injuries. However, the path to compensation can vary depending on several factors. The support of our experienced attorneys can be valuable when determining the proper course of action in your case.
If you were hurt because of a car crash in Middleton, MA, get help obtaining the monetary damages available to you. Get in touch with our Middleton car accident lawyers by calling The Law Office of John J. Sheehan at (617) 925-6407. Our experienced attorneys can provide a free case assessment.
What to Do After a Car Accident in Middleton, MA
There are certain steps you can take that will protect your interests when seeking compensation for your car accident injuries. Accordingly, you should take the following actions after suffering a crash in Middleton, MA:
Remain at the Scene
First, you should find a safe place to remain at the scene of your accident until police arrive. Those who flee the scenes of their collisions can be charged with hit-and-runs and may be prohibited from recovering financial compensation.
Call 911
Next, you should call 911 immediately after suffering a harmful accident. Accordingly, the dispatcher may send an ambulance for anyone who requires immediate medical attention.
Furthermore, after any accident that causes an injury, a police officer should visit the scene to draft an official accident report. Accident reports can contain a wide array of information that points to accidents’ causes. For example, your accident report may offer statements from drivers, statements from witnesses, or a crash diagram. Therefore, accident reports are among the first items evaluated by lawyers and insurance companies when assessing fault for a crash. Our Middleton car accident lawyers can help recover and review a copy of your official accident report.
Exchange Information
You should also exchange information with other parties to your accident. This includes contact information and insurance information for all other drivers involved. Additionally, you should attempt to retrieve contact information for any eyewitnesses to your crash. Witnesses can provide oral and written statements that explain how or why your collision happened. Accordingly, witness testimony can be highly valuable to our attorneys when building your case.
Document the Scene
Also, you should document the scene of your accident with photos if possible. Photos from the scene of your accident can help demonstrate factors that contributed to your crash. For instance, photos showing a badly damaged car can be used to show that defendant was travelling at high speeds when their crash happened.
Furthermore, photos from the scene can be used to disprove defendants’ arguments. For example, a defendant may state that their crash was caused by poor weather conditions. In that cases, photos from the scene showing clear weather could be used to discredit the defendant’s assertion. Our Middleton car accident lawyers can help review any photos taken at the scene of your accident during your free case review.
Seek Medical Attention
Furthermore, you should seek medical attention as soon as possible for your car accident injuries. Waiting to let your injuries heal on their own could inhibit your ability to recover financial compensation. For instance, a defendant may use a gap in medical treatment to argue that you were not truly hurt. If you were injured because of a car crash, our attorneys can help find the right doctors for you.
Call Our Lawyers
Lastly, you should call our Middleton car accident lawyers for help building your case and negotiating for fair compensation. Our attorneys can offer guidance and support throughout each step of the legal process. Accordingly, you may recover the full range of monetary damages available to you.
Time Limit to File a Car Accident Lawsuit in Middleton, MA
The deadline to file your car accident case in Middleton, MA is governed by Mass. Gen. Laws Ch. 260, § 2A. Accordingly, you will usually have three years from the date of your accident to file your lawsuit. Failure to file your case on time could cause you to miss out on important compensation. Therefore, you should contact our attorneys as soon as possible after your crash. Our Middleton car accident lawyers can help file your lawsuit on time.
Additionally, crucial evidence needed to support your case can become hard to gather and preserve as time goes on. For example, witnesses can forget details surrounding your crash, and physical evidence can deteriorate. The sooner you get in touch with our attorneys, the more easily we can collect the information needed to recover financial compensation in your case.
Still, there are exceptions to the standard, three-year deadline. For example, parents may file car accident cases on behalf of their injured children at any point until the children turn 18. After turning 18, under Mass. Gen. Laws Ch. 260, § 7, injured parties will then have three years to file cases stemming from crashes they suffered as minors. During your free case assessment, our experienced Middleton car accident lawyers can explain how the statute of limitations will be applied in your case.
Elements of a Car Accident Lawsuit in Middleton, MA
Car accident lawsuits can come in many forms. The process for recovering compensation in your case can vary depending on multiple factors. However, in every case, the plaintiff must show that each of the following elements have been satisfied:
- The defendant driver was under a duty of care, such as the duty to exercise reasonable care or obey traffic laws
- The defendant did not act in accordance with their duty of care
- You suffered a car accident because of the defendant’s breach of duty
- You sustained damages because of the injuries you suffered
During your free case review, our Middleton car accident lawyers can help determine if the necessary elements have been established.
If You Were Hurt Because of a Car Crash in Middleton, MA, Our Attorneys Can Help
If you suffered a car accident, seek support from our experienced Middleton car accident lawyers by calling The Law Office of John J. Sheehan at (617) 925-6407 to review your case for free.