25 Kenoza Avenue Haverhill, MA 01830

Phillips, Gerstein & Channen, LLP

Call Today

978-374-1131

  • Welcome
  • Firm Overview
  • Attorney Profiles
    • Michael A. Gerstein
    • Russell S. Channen
    • Jane M. Owens Triano
    • Lora M. McSherry
  • Practice Areas
    • Business Law
    • Civil Litigation
    • Estate Planning
    • Family Law
    • Personal Injury
    • Real Estate Law
    • Tax Law
  • Legal Blog
    • Articles
    • Case Results
  • Contact Us
  • Welcome
  • Firm Overview
  • Attorney Profiles
    • Michael A. Gerstein
    • Russell S. Channen
    • Jane M. Owens Triano
    • Lora M. McSherry
  • Practice Areas
    • Business Law
    • Civil Litigation
    • Estate Planning
    • Family Law
    • Personal Injury
    • Real Estate Law
    • Tax Law
  • Legal Blog
    • Articles
    • Case Results
  • Contact Us

Follow These 5 Steps if You’re Involved in a Serious Automobile Accident

Homepage > Personal Injury > Follow These 5 Steps if You’re Involved in a Serious Automobile Accident
young-woman-in-the-damaged-car-after-a-car-acciden-Y2JUQS4 (1)
Follow These 5 Steps if You’re Involved in a Serious Automobile Accident

Despite advancing technology in auto safety, millions of car accidents still result in injury. If you’re involved in an automobile accident in Massachusetts, there are several steps to protect your rights and maximize your payout.

Knowing how to navigate an experience resulting in a personal injury or property damage can go a long way in helping you recoup medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering damages. To help you prepare, here are five tips to guide you through the post-car-accident process.

Step 1: Dial 911
If you are able to do so, the first thing you want to do when you’re involved in an auto accident is to pull over safely and dial 911. The dispatcher will need information on the location of the accident, known injuries, and who is needed for help, such as paramedics and firemen.

When police arrive on the scene, you are required to cooperate in their investigation of the accident. Law enforcement is not required to hear your version of transpired events and will most likely only obtain basic information. In the event an officer feels you have violated Massachusetts traffic law, you may be issued a traffic citation. Keep in mind this is not an admission of guilt. Signing a traffic citation is not admissible in court as conclusive evidence of fault.

Step 2: Obtain Evidence
If you can safely do so, you’ll want to gather evidence to support future demands for compensation in the minutes following an accident. This involves obtaining vehicle and driver details, witness information, as well as photographing the accident scene.

Step 3: File a Report
Accidents resulting in injuries or property damage exceeding $1,000 require the filing of a crash report. You have five days to file the report, which can be obtained from the police or directly from the Massachusetts Department of Transportation website.

Step 4: Contact Your Insurance
Massachusetts is a no-fault insurance state, which means injured parties must first file claims through their own insurance company for victims to seek compensation for medical costs and related damages.

Step 5: Retain an Attorney
While some personal injury claims can be handled without legal representation, it’s essential to understand the extent of injuries for filing long-term claims. Sometimes serious injuries do not reveal themselves until weeks and even months after a serious accident. Typical automobile accident injuries, such as head trauma, fractures, burns, deep gashes requiring stitches, and other injuries requiring extensive medical care or testing, may require an experienced personal injury attorney. Compensation for such claims can be substantial. Attempting negotiations on your own can result in far less payout for your injuries and or damages.

If you have been in a serious automobile accident, an experienced Massachusetts personal injury attorney can help you understand your options and help you obtain significantly more compensation for your injuries. Contact our office today for assistance with your case.

Share this:

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
Auto Accident Car Accidents injury Personal Injury
Previous Story10 Questions To Help You Create Your Will
Next Story5 Key Questions to Answer When Creating Your Will
Call (978) 374-1131

Categories

  • Articles
  • Business Law
  • Estate Planning
  • Family Law
  • Personal Injury
  • Real Estate Law

Tags

adoption Adverse Possession alimony annulment asset division Auto Accident Business Law buying a home Car Accidents child custody Child Support Co-Parenting Coronavirus COVID-19 Divorce dog bite elder care estate planning Family Law homestead incorporating injury irrevocable trusts Landlord landlord tenant Last Will and Testament LLC Lyft Marijuana Law Massachusetts homestead law Noncompete Agreements Personal Injury premisis liability prenup prenuptial real estate Real Estate Law Revocable trusts security deposit Slip and fall The Homestead Act Uber Workers' compensation Wrongful Death Wrongful Death Claim

Contact Us

    (978) 374-1131

    (978) 372-3086

    25 Kenoza Avenue
    Haverhill, MA 01830

    Phillips, Gerstein & Channen, LLP is a law firm in Haverhill, Massachusetts. Our firm represents clients from Massachusetts cities throughout Merrimack Valley including Andover, North Andover, Boston, Methuen, Newburyport, Lawrence, Gloucester, Merrimac, Amesbury, Lowell, Groveland, West Newbury, Georgetown, and Rowley, and New Hampshire cities including Salem and Plaistow. We represent clients in Essex County, Middlesex County, and Suffolk County in Massachusetts and Rockingham County and Hillsborough County in New Hampshire.

    © 2018 by Phillips, Gerstein & Channen, L.L.P. All rights reserved. Disclaimer | Site Map | Privacy Policy | Marketing by Bardorf Legal Marketing

    Call Now Button
    Email Us
    close slider

    Get A Case Evaluation

    We are happy to provide a consultation to all first time clients.

    Please complete the form below and we will contact you.