Salem, MA Car Accident Lawyer
Drivers who cause car accidents in Salem, MA can be held liable for the damages they cause. Negligent behavior behind the wheel can lead to serious injuries. Victims of car accidents can face physical pain, emotional distress, and economic hardship.
Victims of car accidents in Salem will generally have to file a claim with their own insurance policy after a crash. However, in some cases, claims may be brought against at-fault drivers. An experienced car accident lawyer can help determine the route to compensation in your case.
If you were injured because of another driver’s negligent behavior, get help recovering the compensation you deserve. Contact experienced Salem car accident lawyers today by calling the Law Office of John J. Sheehan at (617) 925-6407 for a free case review.
Common Injuries Caused by Car Accidents in Salem, MA
Any car accident can cause serious injuries. Whether cars were speeding down a highway or slowly pulling out of a parking spot, severe damages can happen when crashes occur. Our experienced Salem car accident lawyers can help recover compensation for those who have suffered any of the following injuries:
Head Injuries
Head injuries caused by car accidents can be devastating. Traumatic brain injuries such as concussions can occur when victims sustain blows to the head during a crash. Such injuries can cause a wide array of life-altering symptoms. Those who suffered head injuries because of other driver’s negligent behavior may be entitled to several forms of compensation.
Neck Injuries
Neck injuries are another serious injury that can stem from car accidents. In some cases, victims may sustain soft tissue injuries to the muscles in their neck. Damage to neck muscles can cause severe pain and immobility. Victims with strained or sprained neck muscles are often unable to return to work for some time after an accident.
In more severe accidents, neck injuries can involve damage to a victim’s spinal cord. The effects of spinal cord injuries can be catastrophic. Our Salem car accident lawyers can help cover the full range of damages available to you after suffering a life-altering spinal cord injury.
Fractures and Broken Bones
Furthermore, car crashes also cause fractures and broken bones. Broken bones can occur in any part of the body during an accident. However, fractures frequently occur in hands, wrists, legs, ribs, and hips. In some situations, serious breaks or compound fractures may require surgery to repair.
Crush Injuries
Crush injuries refer to injuries that occur when body parts are crushed between two objects. Crush injuries are common in car accidents that occur at high speeds or involve larger vehicles. Such injuries can cause serious damage to tissue, organs, muscles, and bones.
Burns
Vehicles can catch on fire or leak hot fluids during a crash. When accident victims come into contact with fire, hot fluids, steam, or chemicals, burn injuries can occur. In more severe cases, burn victims may require surgical treatment and skin grafting. Our Salem car accident lawyers can help guide burn victims on their road to recovery after a car accident.
Internal Injuries
Car accident victims can also suffer internal bleeding or damage to internal organs during a crash. Internal injuries may be difficult to initially detect but can develop life-threatening symptoms. Accordingly, car accident victims should be medically assessed by a doctor as soon as possible if they suspect they could have suffered internal injuries.
Lacerations and Bruises
Lacerations and bruises can occur when victims make impact with an object inside their vehicle or are struck by flying objects during the course of a crash. Broken class and torn sheet metal are common items that can cause lacerations and bruises in an accident. Deeper cuts can also cause internal injuries.
Soft Tissue Injuries
Another common type of injury caused by car accidents is soft tissue injuries. Soft tissue injuries refer to sprains, strains, bruising, or other damage to muscles, tendons and ligaments. Soft tissue injuries can occur anywhere in the body and are often very painful.
Can I Sue After a Car Accident in Salem, MA?
In most cases, you will have to file a claim with your own insurance company to recover damages related to a car crash. Our Salem car accident lawyers can help sue your own insurance company if a claim was improperly denied. However, many cases result in higher compensation when you file them against the other driver.
You may only bring a claim against an at-fault driver after a car accident if you suffered serious injuries or incurred at least $2,000 in medical expenses because of a crash and med certain “serious injury” requirements. Injuries that cause permanent and serious disfigurement, fractured bone, or substantial loss of hearing or sight can constitute serious injuries in Salem. In such cases, you should be able to sue another driver for your injuries, but you must prove they were at fault for your claim to succeed.
Proving Fault in a Salem, MA Car Accident Case
When you may bring a claim against an at-fault driver, there are various forms of evidence used to establish fault. Many accidents occur because drivers were acting carelessly or recklessly in the operation of their vehicle. The following are examples of evidence that can be used to prove fault in a car accident lawsuit:
- Accident reports
- Witness statements
- Photos from the scene
- Physical evidence from the scene
- Surveillance footage
- Dashboard camera footage
- Crash diagrams
- Personal recollections
The process of gathering evidence in a car accident lawsuit can be difficult. Important information can be lost or forgotten. Our Salem car accident lawyers can help gather evidence to support your case.
Filing a Car Accident Lawsuit in Salem, MA
Most car accident victims in Salem will have three years from the date of a crash to file a lawsuit against a negligent driver. However, there are many other requirements for filing a case. Plaintiffs must attach supporting documents to their complaints, pay required court fees, choose the correct courts, and serve defendants when filing car accident lawsuits. Our Salem car accident lawyers can help injured parties handle the numerous requirements for filing a case.
Elements of a Car Accident Lawsuit in Salem, MA
The process for recovering compensation after a car accident can differ depending on the circumstances surrounding a crash. However, all car accident lawsuits must satisfy four general elements to proceed:
- The other driver owed you a duty of care.
- The other driver failed to meet that duty of care.
- You suffered injuries because of the other driver’s actions.
- You suffered damages because of your injuries.
While these elements may be easy to understand, proving them can be complicated. Our Salem car accident lawyers can help establish all of the elements required in your case.
If You Were Injured in a Car Accident in Salem, MA, Our Lawyers Can Help
If you were injured because of another driver’s careless or reckless conduct, seek assistance from our experienced Salem car accident lawyers by calling the Law Office of John J. Sheehan at (617) 925-6407 for a free case review.
