Motor Vehicle Accidents
Car crashes happen so fast that you’re lucky if you have a second or two to slam on the brakes, turn to avoid the worst of it, or even brace yourself for the impact. In the blink of an eye, your world is turned upside down, and everything that seemed to matter so much yesterday now seems insignificant compared to thoughts about your family and your future. We get that. We also understand the essential role that monetary compensation plays in putting your life back in order. Whether a car accident, tractor-trailer or commercial vehicle, bicycle, motorcycle or pedestrian claim we can help with medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more. Call Scalli Murphy Law after any type of motor vehicle or motor vehicle related accident in Massachusetts or anywhere in the United States. We will guide and assist in your recovery, your day to day needs and ultimately getting the maximum compensation available after a serious crash caused by the negligence of another.
No-Fault Insurance Coverage
As with many states, Massachusetts drivers carry both no-fault and liability insurance coverage. After most accidents, you can file a claim under your no-fault insurance, known as Personal Injury Protection, or PIP. This coverage provides up to $8,000 to cover many initial expenses including your medical bills, lost wages, out of pocket costs/co-pays and even transportation to/from medical appointments. PIP benefits are paid regardless of who was at fault, so even if you caused the accident through your own negligence, you could still get your medical expenses covered to the extent of your policy limit.
Liability Coverage for “Serious” Injuries
In addition to PIP coverage, drivers in most states and in Massachusetts are also required to carry liability insurance in the event they are at fault in causing the accident or injury to another. The required minimums in Massachusetts are $20,000 per person and $40,000 per accident for bodily injury liability. Obviously, in any serious accident those “minimum” amounts are inadequate. Fortunately, in many circumstances, additional recovery and compensation can be obtained by locating other insurance policies and holding responsible parties liable.
To obtain recovery, we need to prove someone else was at fault and document your loss, harm and damage.
Before you can pursue a liability claim in Massachusetts, however, you must have suffered a “serious injury” as defined in the law. To have a claim in Massachusetts, you must have incurred one of the following:
- Reasonable and related medical expenses in excess of $2,000
- Permanent and serious disfigurement
- Fracture/broken bone
- Loss of a part of the body
- Substantial loss or damage to sight or hearing
- Death
What if I’m Hit by an Uninsured Driver?
A little over 6% of Massachusetts drivers do not carry liability insurance despite the legal requirement that they do so. Massachusetts has one of the lowest rates of uninsured drivers in the country, but this percentage still means that more than one in 20 drivers on the road are uninsured. Additionally, New Hampshire drivers who own their vehicle are not required to have insurance. As a boarder state, many uninsured NH drivers travel Massachusetts roadways and increase the percentage of uninsured vehicles in Massachusetts.
If you get hit by a driver without insurance, you can file a claim under your Uninsured Motorist (UM) coverage. You have this coverage because you obeyed the law and purchased required insurance.
A UM claim is similar to a negligence claim against an at-fault driver, in that in both instances, you’ll be going up against an insurance company on the other side that is often committed to paying out as little as possible on your claim. We can help you with these aspects of your case. It’s what we do. Fortunately, often UM cases resolve quicker and with higher settlement and judgment amounts then when pursuing a claim through an at-fault party’s insurance policy.
The skilled and experienced personal injury lawyers at Scalli Murphy Law are prepared to handle any type of motor vehicle injury claim in Massachusetts. Our firm’s attorneys are ready to help with any of the following:
- Car Accidents
- Motorcycle Crashes
- Tractor-Trailer or Commercial Vehicle Collisions
- Motor Vehicle versus Pedestrian or Bicycle Impacts
- Railroad and Subway Accidents
Scalli Murphy Is Here for You After a Motor Vehicle Injury
After a motor vehicle crash, you may find yourself incapacitated or debilitated for an extended period of time. You will not only be facing physical pain and discomfort and the challenges of physical recovery; you will also be dealing with medical bills and insurance paperwork, car repair, and the stress and disruption to your life severe injury brings. Let us help by taking on the task of recovering money damages on your behalf to pay for your medical bills, make up for your lost income, and help compensate you for the pain and suffering you are experiencing. We do this every day for folks throughout Massachusetts, New England and the United States, and we welcome the opportunity to put our knowledge, skill, experience and resources to work for you. Call Scalli Murphy Law at 617-387-7000 for a free consultation. There’s no fee until after we recover for you.
