Worcester Motor Vehicle Accident Attorneys With 100-Plus Years Of Experience

Motor Vehicle Accident Claims In Worcester, Massachusetts

Massachusetts operates under a no-fault auto insurance system. Personal Injury Protection (PIP) covers up to $8,000 total per person for medical expenses, replacement services and up to 75% of lost wages combined. You can bypass the no-fault tort threshold and sue for pain and suffering if your necessary medical expenses exceed $2,000 or if your injury involves a bone fracture, permanent and serious disfigurement, loss of sight or hearing, or loss of a body member. Most personal injury claims must be filed within three years. Claims against government or municipal vehicles may have shorter notice deadlines. Worcester County Superior Court at 225 Main Street in Worcester hears civil actions where the amount in controversy realistically exceeds $50,000.

Motor vehicle accidents cause thousands of injuries and deaths every year. Many of these accidents are caused by negligence. Distracted driving, speeding, reckless driving, driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, dangerous roads and vehicle defects can all cause accidents, injuries and fatal crashes.

Since 1961, our attorneys at The Law Offices of Joseph J. Cariglia, P.C., have fought to recover financial compensation for people injured in motor vehicle accidents. With over 100 years of combined experience, our Worcester car accident lawyers have pursued compensation for tens of thousands of clients and secured several multimillion-dollar settlements.

We are here for you after an accident. Call our firm now at 508-762-4327 to schedule your free initial consultation.

Where Crashes Happen In Worcester

Worcester has many busy roads and intersections. These include I-290, Route 146, Route 9 along Belmont Street and Lincoln Street. Kelley Square is another busy area.

After a crash, the Worcester Police Department or the Massachusetts State Police may respond. If you need emergency care, you may be taken to a local trauma center, such as UMass Memorial Medical Center, including its University and Memorial campuses or Saint Vincent Hospital in downtown Worcester. The crash report can also provide useful details about what happened.

You may also need medical care after a crash. Keep records from emergency rooms, urgent care visits and follow-up appointments. These records can show when your symptoms began and what care you received.

How Massachusetts Fault And Insurance Rules Work

Massachusetts uses modified comparative fault rules for personal injury claims. You may recover damages if your fault is 50% or less. Your award may be reduced based on your share of fault. If you are 51% or more at fault, you cannot recover damages. Determining fault requires insurance carriers to carefully assess the evidence collected from the crash scene.

State law mandates that Massachusetts vehicle owners carry no less than $20,000 in bodily injury protection for one person and $40,000 total per collision. Uninsured and underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage may provide added protection. This coverage may help if the at-fault driver has no insurance or not enough coverage.

Property damage follows a separate process. PIP does not pay to repair your vehicle. Depending on the situation, the at-fault driver’s property damage coverage or your own collision coverage may pay for repairs.

Get Compensation For Your Injuries

Injuries caused by auto accidents vary from soft tissue injuries like herniated disks or pinched nerves to catastrophic injuries such as back injury and spinal cord injury. These injuries can appear in all manner of auto accidents, including:

• Car accidents: Car crashes, rear-end crashes on I-290, impaired-driving crashes and crashes caused by distracted driving or texting.
• Truck and commercial vehicle accidents: Delivery truck crashes on Route 9, jackknife crashes on I-90 and crashes involving possible federal safety violations.
• Motorcycle accidents: Motorcycle crashes near Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI), Clark University and nearby roads. These may involve drivers who fail to yield or do not see a motorcyclist.
• Bicycle accidents: Bicycle crashes near campus areas and downtown streets. These may involve vehicles turning across bike paths.
• Pedestrian accidents: Pedestrian accidents in downtown Worcester and nearby neighborhoods. These may involve vehicles striking people in marked crosswalks.
• Bus accidents: Crashes involving Worcester Regional Transit Authority (WRTA) buses and municipal transportation vehicles in Worcester and nearby areas.

Serious injury also comes from vehicle defects and dangerous and defective roadways. We have a long track record of standing up against insurance companies and advocating for fair compensation for our clients. Reach out to our law firm to set up a free initial consultation to discuss your accident and get the help you need.

Addressing Commonly Asked Questions About Vehicle Accident Claims

It’s normal to feel lost about key legal timelines and processes, especially while you are still recovering from a traumatic accident. To provide some clarity, below are answers to some of the questions we often receive from our clients.

How long do I have to report a crash in Worcester?

If a crash causes an injury or death or more than $1,000 in property damage, Massachusetts generally requires you to file an Operator’s Report of Motor Vehicle Crash within five calendar days. Send copies to the Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV), the local police department where the crash occurred and your insurance company.

Can I sue if my medical bills are under $2,000?

You may still seek pain and suffering damages if your medical costs are under $2,000 and your injury meets an exception to the state’s threshold. Exceptions may include a bone fracture, permanent and serious disfigurement, loss of sight or hearing or loss of a vital bodily function. PIP may also cover eligible medical costs and other losses.

What should I do if the other driver’s insurer calls me?

Consider speaking with our attorney before giving a recorded statement to the other driver’s insurance company. Adjusters may use your early statements when reviewing the crash, your injuries and each driver’s share of fault. We can help you decide what information to provide and protect your interests during the claims process.

What is the statute of limitations for motor vehicle accident lawsuits in Massachusetts?

The statute of limitations refers to the deadline for filing a personal injury claim in court. For most motor vehicle accident lawsuits, it is usually three years from the date of the accident. Although this may seem like plenty of time, delaying legal action can compromise the evidence in your case. We strongly advise that one seek professional legal counsel as soon as possible after an accident.

How does no-fault insurance work in Massachusetts motor vehicle accidents?

After a car accident, drivers must first file a claim with their own insurer for Personal Injury Protection (PIP) benefits before taking any legal action, regardless of who was at fault. PIP covers medical expenses and lost wages up to $8,000. You may only pursue a claim against the at-fault driver if your injuries meet a certain severity threshold. This includes any permanent and serious disfigurement, fracture or death.

What is “modified comparative negligence” and how does it affect your motor vehicle accident claim?

Massachusetts’ modified comparative negligence law allows you to recover compensation even if you were partly at fault for the accident, as long as you are found to be less than 51% responsible. If you are 51% or more at fault, you cannot recover any damages. If you are less than 51% at fault, courts will reduce your total award by your percentage of fault. For example, if they find you to be 20% at fault, they will deduct 20% from the compensation you would’ve received.

Let Us Help You Fight For Your Rights

When injured in a car accident, it is important to discuss your case with an experienced personal injury lawyer before you speak to an insurance adjuster. Insurance companies will try to convince you to settle your claim quickly and cheaply before you understand the full extent of your injuries or know what you are legally entitled to receive from them.

Our lawyers are some of the most respected personal injury attorneys in Massachusetts. We have served clients in Worcester and throughout Central Massachusetts since 1961. Our attorneys have more than 60 years of trial experience in personal injury cases, including the largest liquor liability case in state history – more than $26 million. Contact our Worcester law firm for real help that can secure full compensation for what you have been through. Call us now at 508-762-4327 to schedule a free initial consultation.