Uninsured Motorist Accidents in Massachusetts
Dedicated Lawyers Assisting Injured Boston Residents
Suffering injuries in a collision caused by another driver’s recklessness is difficult enough. Finding out that the negligent driver has no insurance can be even more stressful. Even though Massachusetts law requires every motor vehicle to have a minimum amount of insurance coverage, there are still many individuals and companies that fail to carry any insurance at all.
If you have been injured by an uninsured driver, your right to recover does not end there. If you or a household member owns a car, you will be able to make a claim with the assistance of a Boston car accident lawyer against your own insurance company for the damages you sustained. Every Massachusetts policy provides for a minimum of $20,000 in underinsured coverage, but you can get much more than that to protect yourself and your family.
There are countless ways that you can be involved in an uninsured motorist crash, including highway accidents that leave you suffering from serious injuries. Although Massachusetts is among the state with the lowest rate of uninsured motorists, one in every fifteen vehicles on the road is likely to be completely uninsured. The financial impact, including hospital care, outpatient care, other medical bills, and loss of income, can be severe. The injuries you suffer sometimes may result in permanent disability.
At Breakstone, White & Gluck, we have substantial experience handling claims involving uninsured motorists for severely injured clients. We are familiar with the claims procedures, the requirements for arbitration, and the methods to ensure that we get you the best recovery we can.
Know Your Rights Following an Uninsured Motorist Accident
Whereas most motor vehicle accidents start with a claim against the negligent operator, it is usually the case the defendant will be insolvent and unable to satisfy a judgment after a trial. It is usually fruitless to chase the negligent driver in those cases. Therefore, the attention is turned to your own, or your household’s own, uninsured coverage.
Our firm will thoroughly document the other driver’s negligence, gather physical evidence, interview witness, and gather relevant reports from the police and possibly reports from accident reconstruction experts. All of those steps relate to proving liability, or the failure of the other driver to use proper care. Common examples of substandard care include failing to yield or texting behind the wheel. We will also endeavor to prove that you do not share responsibility for the accident, which would diminish the amount of money you can recover.
Our firm will also document your damages. These include bills for the ambulance, the emergency room, any hospital admissions, out-patient care such as physical therapy, and any other care you receive from specialists. In some cases, psychologists, psychiatrists, and neuropsychologists will be asked to give opinions, especially in cases involving brain injuries.
If the case cannot be settled, then the matter will proceed to arbitration. Arbitration is like a miniature trial, without the formality of the courtroom. Arbitrations are usually conducted by experienced trial attorneys or retired judges and take place in an office. The arbitrator will render a written opinion and award the damages.
In some cases, the insurance company will be slow to make reasonable offers of settlement. In those cases, our lawyers may make additional claims under the Consumer Protection Act, which can lead to additional damages against the insurance company.
Protect Yourself with Adequate Uninsured Motorist Coverage!
As mentioned above, there are a lot of uninsured motorists on our streets and highways. Fortunately, you can protect yourself with adequate uninsured motorist coverage. Just as with underinsured coverage, you can buy up to $500,000 in coverage, provided you have that amount of coverage for bodily injury claims also. All three coverages should be the same. You will be surprised how little this insurance costs once you satisfy the basic requirements on your policy.
Meet with a Resourceful Accident Lawyer in Massachusetts
If you were involved in a Massachusetts car accident with an uninsured motorist, it is critical that you speak with a legal professional as soon as possible. Your ability to recover compensation from your own insurer or from the at-fault driver may be subject to important time limits that are not flexible. Representing clients in Boston, Cambridge, Waltham, Lowell, Newton, Somerville, Quincy, Dedham, Norwood, Brookline, Attleboro, Barnstable, Brockton, Plymouth, Worcester, Lawrence, and Springfield, we have the depth of experience that it takes to represent victims as they deserve. Call us now at 1-800-379-1244 or contact us online if you have been hit by a distracted driver or another motorist who was acting carelessly.