Bridgewater Car Accident Lawyer

While no one really ever wants to intentionally cause an accident, some negligent actions ultimately lead to some serious accidents leaving people suffering devastating and fatal injuries. Regardless of how careful you might be, you are bound to meet drunk, distracted, aggressive, speeding, and reckless drivers.

If you have been injured or lost a loved one as a result of a negligent driver, you might be entitled to financial compensation. Car accidents often lead to serious injuries which require lengthy and extensive treatments and rehabilitation periods. This can have a significant impact on your finances leaving you in a precarious situation. You need an experienced Bridgewater car accident lawyer to get the full compensation you’re owed.

At the Law Office of Robert C. Shea, our team of personal injury lawyers serving Bridgewater, MA have more than 2 decades of experience representing car accident victims and helping them get the financial compensation that they deserve, we can do the same for you. Contact us today at 508.510.5107 to schedule your free consultation.

Car Accident Statistics

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the state of Massachusetts reported more than 76,000 car accidents in 2020, of which 400 hundred people lost their lives as a result. The CDC also reports that drunk driving was one of the biggest contributors to fatal accidents in the state.

Car accidents are a major cause of preventable injuries and death in the state of Massachusetts. According to the United States Department of Transportation, more than 300 people lost their lives in Massachusetts as a result of traffic accidents each year, which is quite a substantial loss of lives.

According to the most recent reports, there were a total of 2 fatal accidents in Bridgewater, Massachusetts in 2018. While 4 vehicles were involved in these fatal accidents only two people lost their lives. It is important to note that alcohol wasn’t involved in any of these accidents.

How Much Does a Bridgewater Car Accident Lawyer Cost?

If it is your first time filing a car accident injury claim, you might be, understandably worried about the cost of hiring a lawyer for your case. What most victims don’t realize is that most car accident lawyers, including our team at Robert C. Shea, offer their services on a contingency basis.

This means that you don’t have to worry about making any upfront payments to retain our expert legal services. Once we determine that your case has merit, we will take on your case at no cost at all. You only pay after we have secured a favorable settlement agreement or verdict in a court of law.

We will only deduct a small previously agreed-upon percentage to cover our fees. Thus, you got nothing to lose by hiring a Bridgewater car accident lawyer.

What Should I Do After a Car Accident?

There are some important things you need to do immediately after being involved in an accident to protect your rights and wellbeing:

• Call the police
• Assess your surroundings and check on other involved parties (don’t leave the scene until allowed by law enforcement)
• Exchange info with the other driver(s) involved
• Document the scene
• Never admit fault or apologize for the accident
• Get medical treatment
• Call a car accident lawyer!

What Is the Average Settlement for a Car Accident?

When filing a claim, most car accident victims want to know how much they should expect to get from the claim. However, this isn’t as straightforward as you might think given that each case is unique.

How much you can get from your claim will depend on a number of factors including your level of injuries, medical expenses, amount of loss of income, ability to get back to work, etc.

This is why it is important that you retain the services of an experienced car accident attorney who will help you determine how much your case is worth.

When Should I Get a Lawyer for my Auto Accident?

You should contact an attorney as soon as possible after a car accident. By involving an attorney early enough, you will help ensure that all the necessary evidence is collected and preserved while still fresh, and it will also give your attorney ample time to prepare a solid case for you.

Why Do I Need a Lawyer?

Here are a few of the ways our Bridgewater car accident lawyers can help you:

Case Preparation / Filing a Lawsuit

An experienced attorney will leave no stone unturned when preparing your case. We will get started obtaining all the necessary evidence to build a solid case for you. This involves collecting and analyzing witness statements, video surveillance, police reports, and more.

We will also work with forensic experts and accident reconstruction specialists to understand how the accident happened and determine the exact party at fault. We will handle all the necessary paperwork to ensure that your claim is filed correctly and effectively.

Settlement Negotiation

It is important to note that insurance companies are rarely looking to solve claims in court. They want to pay out and incur the least amount possible so as to protect their bottom line. They will often try to pressure car accident victims, especially those without the representation of an attorney, to accept low ball offers.

However, an attorney understands how much your claim is worth and will fight hard to ensure that the insurance company doesn’t infringe on your rights. They will deal with the insurance company and ensure that your rights aren’t infringed upon.

Trial Preparation & Representation

If a favorable settlement agreement can’t be reached upon during the negotiations phase or the insurance company refuses to put forward a favorable settlement, then the last option is to file a lawsuit against the defendant. Your attorney will ensure that you all the relevant evidence to present a convincing case before a judge and jury. We will ensure that you have the best legal representation and fight for your rights to the end.

Hiring a lawyer offers you the best chances of success in your case. If you are looking to file a car accident lawsuit, it is in your best interest that you hire an experienced attorney.

What Type of Damages Can I Recover?

There are three types of damages that car accident victims can recover in Massachusetts.

Economic Damages

Economic damages are awarded to compensate accident victims for financial losses as a result of the injuries. These include medical bills, lost income, loss of earning capacity, etc.

Non-Economic Damages

Non-economic damages are designed to compensate accident victims for unquantifiable non-monetary losses incurred as a result of injuries.

Punitive Damages

Punitive damages are usually awarded in cases where the other driver is found to have acted in a grossly negligent, reckless, or malicious manner.

How Is Fault Determined?

Fault in Massachusetts car accident claims is governed by the law of negligence. To hold a defendant liable for your injuries, you have to prove the following elements of negligence:

• The other driver owed you a duty of care: all drivers have a duty of care to ensure safe driving.
• The other driver breached their duty of care.
• The defendant’s breach of duty of care caused your injuries and not something else.
• You suffered actual compensable damages as a result of their negligence.

Massachusetts is a modified comparative negligence state. This means that as long as the defendant was 51% or more at fault for the accident, they can be held liable for injuries caused. It is important to note that the plaintiff’s compensation will be reduced by their percentage of fault.

How Long Do I Have to File a Claim?

The state of Massachusetts gives victims of car accidents three years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit against the culpable party. Thus, you need to act as quickly as possible to ensure the best outcome.

What Can I Do if Insurance Denied My Claim?

There are many reasons why an insurance company may deny your claim. While some are legitimate, the company may also act out of bad faith. Depending on your situation, an attorney may choose to appeal the denial or file a lawsuit against the insurance company.

Do I Have a Case?

If you have been injured as a result of the negligence of another driver, then you might have a valid car accident claim. However, it is crucial that you call in the services of an experienced car accident attorney who will carefully evaluate your case and determine whether you have a case.

What if the Other Driver Doesn’t Have Insurance?

In case you get into an accident with an uninsured driver, you can seek compensation through your uninsured motorist insurance coverage. However, if you don’t have one in place, you can file a lawsuit against the defendant, but this option rarely results in success or proper financial compensation.

How Can I Obtain an Accident Report?

To obtain your official accident report, you will need to order it online through myRMV. You will be required to provide your details, information about the accident, and also a $20 fee. It typically takes 4 weeks to process your request.

Get Professional Legal Help Today

Suffering serious injuries after an accident caused by the negligence of another driver can be one of the most distressing life experiences. It is only right that the negligent driver is held accountable for their cons. You don’t need to suffer alone. We can help you get justice and the financial compensation that you deserve. Call Robert C. Shea today at 508.510.5107 for effective legal representation. We have your best interests at your heart.