What Types of Vehicle Accidents Should Be Reported in Massachusetts?

Numerous accidents occur each day on the streets of Massachusetts. Accident victims may question whether they must file an accident report after a crash. An accident report can help explain the circumstances surrounding an accident.

The types of vehicle accidents that should be reported in Massachusetts are any accidents that result in injury, property damage in excess of $1,000, or death. There are several different types of accidents that may meet these criteria. Often, such accidents are caused by drivers’ careless and reckless actions.

If you suffered a motor vehicle accident in Massachusetts, get help ensuring that you have complied with reporting requirements. Contact our experienced Massachusetts personal injury lawyers by calling the Law Office of John J. Sheehan at (617) 925-6407 for a free case review.

When to Report a Motor Vehicle Accident in Massachusetts

According to M.G.L. Chapter 90 § 26, an accident report must be filed after any crash that causes an injury, property damage in excess of $1,000, or death. Massachusetts drivers involved in such accidents can file their report by completing the Motor Vehicle Crash Operator Report form.

You must file your accident report with the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) and also the local police department in the town or city where the crash occurred. You will typically have five days after an accident to complete your report. Reports must include the following information:

Your name, driver’s license number, and address
Your car’s registration number and general information about the car
Names and addresses for any non-drivers involved in the crash
Your current insurance information
A comprehensive explanation of what happened during the crash
The light, weather, or road conditions at the time of the accident
A drawing diagramming how the accident occurred
Contact information for any eyewitnesses who were not involved in the accident

Crash victims should also mail a copy of their accident report to their car insurance company. Failing to send the report to your insurer could hurt your ability to recover compensation. Victims can contact our Boston car accident lawyers for guidance and support when filling out their accident report.

Common Types of Accidents that Should Be Reported in Massachusetts

There are several types of accidents that may cause injury, property damage in excess of $1,000, or death. Any of the following types of accidents that satisfy the aforementioned conditions should be reported:

Intersection Accidents

Intersection accidents are one of the most common types of motor vehicle crashes. There are several forms of negligent conduct that can lead to intersection accidents. For example, the following are common causes of intersection accidents in Massachusetts:

Running red lights
Failing to yield the right of way
Failing to use turn signals
Tailgating

Intersection accidents can cause serious injuries and property damage. Our experienced Beverly car accident lawyers can help file your accident report after suffering a crash at an intersection.

High Speed Accidents

Accidents that occur at high speeds are also a common type of accident that must be reported in Massachusetts. These types of accidents are more likely to cause serious injuries and property damage. Such accidents frequently occur on interstate highways, where vehicles may travel at a high rate of speed.

Furthermore, drivers who exceed the speed limit will have difficulty reacting to potential hazards on the roadway. For example, a motorist traveling at excessive speeds will have trouble slowing down on time if the car in front of them has to brake. Accordingly, many accidents are caused by drivers traveling at high speeds. By detailing the circumstances surrounding an accident, an accident report can help our Cambridge car accident lawyers prove that a crash was caused by a speeding driver.

Distracted Driving Accidents

Distracted driving accidents are one of the most common types of accidents that occur in Massachusetts. Distracted driving can occur any time a motorist takes their eyes off the road, hands off the wheel, or mind off the task of driving. The following are common activities that distract drivers in Massachusetts:

Talking on the phone
Talking to other passengers
Texting
Scrolling through social media
Interacting with a GPS
Choosing a song on the stereo
Eating or drinking

However, there are many other forms of distraction that may occur. Whether they occur on busy highways or quiet streets, distracted driving accidents can cause serious injuries. Accordingly, distracted driving accidents are a common type of crash that must be reported in Massachusetts.

Drunk Driving Accidents

Furthermore, drunk driving accidents are also a common type of accident that must be reported in Massachusetts. Drunk drivers will exhibit impaired vision, slow reaction times, and poor decision-making abilities behind the wheel. Therefore, drunk driving is an inherently dangerous activity. Drunk drivers are prone to causing accidents that produce serious injuries. Our Wakefield car accident lawyers can help file accident reports after crashes caused by drunk drivers.

Reckless Driving Accidents

Massachusetts defines reckless driving as the act of operating a motor vehicle in a way that engenders the lives and safety of the public. For example, the following practices may be considered examples of reckless driving:

Drag racing on public streets
Wrong-way driving
Speeding at an extremely high rate
Excessive lane changing on the highway
Passing other vehicles on the road’s shoulder

There are many other forms of conduct exhibited by motorists that may be considered reckless driving. Reckless driving accidents can cause serious damage. Therefore, reckless driving accidents are also a common type of accident that must be reported in Massachusetts.

Parking Lot Accidents

Lastly, parking lot accidents are another common type of accident that must be reported. Parking lots are locations where many vehicles and pedestrians are entering and exiting the premises. Accordingly, many accidents occur in parking lots because drivers are not observant of their surroundings. Drivers who act carelessly in parking lots can strike moving vehicles, parked cars, or pedestrians. These collisions can cause serious injuries or property damage.

If You Suffered a Motor Vehicle Accident in Massachusetts, Our Lawyers Can Help

If you suffered a motor vehicle accident in Massachusetts, seek assistance from our experienced Stoughton car accident lawyers by calling the Law Office of John J. Sheehan at (617) 925-6407 for a free case review.