Peabody Car Accident Lawyer
Car crashes can occur for a number of reasons. For example, an accident may happen because a driver travelled at excessive speeds, drove drunk, or attempted an illegal lane change. These collisions can cause victims to incur debilitating and painful injuries.
Crash victims may pursue financial compensation for the harm they suffered. However, the road to recovery can vary depending on the circumstances of an accident. The guidance and support of a car accident lawyer can be highly beneficial to injured motorists when pursuing monetary damages.
If you were hurt because of a car crash in Peabody, get help obtaining payment for your injuries. Reach out to our experienced Peabody car accident lawyers by calling the Law Office of John J. Sheehan at (617) 925-6407 to review your case for free.
Who Can File a Car Accident Lawsuit in Peabody?
Massachusetts follows no-fault car insurance laws. Accordingly, many accident victims in Peabody must seek benefits through their own insurance companies, regardless of who was at fault. In such cases, claimants may only recover damages for medical expenses and lost income related to their injuries.
Car accident lawsuits can only be brought against at-fault motorists under certain conditions. In order to bring a case against the driver who caused your crash, you must have suffered at least $2,000 in reasonable medical expenses or one of the following types of injuries:
- Permanent and significant disfigurement
- Broken bone
- Significant loss of sight or hearing
Plaintiffs in car accident lawsuits can recover multiple categories of monetary damages that are not available to those seeking benefits through their own insurers. Crash victims should contact our experienced Peabody car accident lawyers for help determining the legal options available to them.
Elements of a Peabody Car Accident Lawsuit
There are several different strategies that can be employed when seeking compensation through a car accident lawsuit. However, in every case, plaintiffs must show that the following elements are true:
- The defendant driver was under a duty of care
- The defendant driver failed to adhere to their duty of care
- You were injured because of the defendant’s breach of duty
- You incurred damages as a result of your injuries
Our experienced Peabody car accident lawyers can help determine whether these elements have been established in your case during your free case review.
Proving Fault in a Peabody Car Accident Lawsuit
In order for your car accident lawsuit to succeed, you must show that your accident was caused by the defendant’s negligent actions. There are many different types of evidence that can be used to prove fault for a car accident:
Witness Testimony
Witness testimony can be very helpful when explaining how or why a crash happened. Witnesses can offer either written or oral statements that explain the events that unfolded before, during, and after a collision. Accordingly, you should always try to retrieve contact information for any witnesses to your crash if possible. Afterwards, our Peabody car accident lawyers can help when asking for their cooperation.
Accident Reports
After any accident that causes an injury in Peabody, a police officer should visit the scene to create an accident report. These reports can contain a wide range of information concerning the circumstances of an accident. For example, the following may be included in your accident report:
- The names of the drivers involved in the accident
- A description of the property damaged by the crash
- Statements from eyewitnesses
- Statements from drivers involved in the accident
- A drawn crash diagram
- An officer’s personal notes regarding the accident’s cause
Accordingly, accident reports are often one of the first pieces of evidence analyzed by attorneys and insurance adjusters when assigning fault for a collision. Our Peabody car accident lawyers can help obtain a copy of the official accident report in your case.
Physical Evidence from the Scene
Physical evidence from the scene of a car crash can also be used to prove who is at fault. First, such evidence can be used to identify an at-fault motorist. For instance, pieces of broken glass found at the scene of an accident can be matched with a defendant’s headlight to show they are the person who struck the plaintiff.
Second, physical evidence can also be used to show that a defendant acted carelessly. For example, open liquor bottles found at the scene of a crash may be used to show that a defendant was drunk when the accident happened. Our team can help obtain and preserve any important physical evidence from the scene in your case.
However, some evidence found at the scene of an accident may be difficult to preserve or present in court. In such cases, other forms of documentation are allowed.
Photos from the Scene
Photos from the scene of a crash are another common form of evidence used to prove fault in Peabody car accident lawsuits. For example, photos of a badly damaged car may be used to show that a defendant was speeding when a collision occurred.
Furthermore, photos from the scene can be used to disprove a defendant’s alternative theories of fault. For instance, a defendant may state that he ran a red light because he could not see the traffic signal through heavy fog. In that case, photos from the scene that show clear weather could be used to disprove the defendant’s assertion.
Therefore, you should always attempt to take photos at the scene of your car accident if possible. Afterwards, our attorneys can help review any photos you took during your free case review.
Expert Witness Testimony
Lastly, expert witness testimony can be a valuable tool when proving fault for a car accident. Expert witnesses are considered experts because they have the necessary education, training, and experience in certain fields. These witnesses can be helpful when explaining complex theories of fault. For instance, an accident reconstruction expert may be summoned to explain which driver is at fault for a collision at an intersection. Further, an engineering expert may be called to demonstrate how a faulty engine component led to a crash. Our experienced Peabody car accident lawyers can help find the right expert witnesses to support your case.
If You Suffered a Car Crash in Peabody, Our Attorneys Can Help
If you were hurt because of a car accident in Peabody, seek assistance from our experienced Peabody car accident lawyers by calling the Law Office of John J. Sheehan at (617) 925-6407 to review your case for free.
