Find The Best Car Accident Lawyer in Boston, Massachusetts

Driving in Boston presents a wide range of hazards. Extreme weather, near-constant construction and narrow, crowded streets make driving especially challenging. If you've been involved in a collision, you need a Boston car accident lawyer that knows the roads as well as they know the courts.

ConsumerShield focuses on helping you protect your rights if you've been injured and need legal assistance. This article will summarize the laws that apply to Boston drivers, help you understand what to do if you’re injured in a car accident and discuss when you might need to contact an attorney. If you're ready to find an attorney, we can connect you with one of the best lawyers in the greater Boston area.

How Much Does a Car Accident Lawyer Cost in Boston, Massachusetts?

Most Boston personal injury attorneys take car accident cases on a "contingency" agreement. Instead of charging an hourly rate for their services, they delay their compensation until they recover a settlement or verdict on your behalf. If they are successful, they keep a percentage of what you recover. You will not owe them any fees if they do not recover anything.

The Massachusetts Rules of Professional Conduct set out numerous requirements for contingency fee contracts, including that they be in writing signed by both the attorney and client. Review an attorney's proposed fee agreement carefully. Ensure you understand who is responsible for paying the costs associated with pursuing your case and whether you will be responsible for those costs if the attorney cannot recover on your behalf.

How to Hire a Boston Car Accident Attorney

Massachusetts requires all drivers to carry four types of insurance coverage on their registered vehicles, including "personal injury protection" coverage. If you are injured in a minor car accident, your insurer will cover your medical bills and expenses regardless of who is at fault for the accident. This "no fault" insurance situation reduces or eliminates the need to hire an attorney in the majority of accident situations.

However, you may want to hire a car accident lawyer if an insurer improperly challenges or refuses to pay the full value of your claims, if you suffer severe and debilitating injuries or if you have a claim against a third party (for example, if a vehicle defect contributed to causing the accident). If your injuries exceed your own personal injury coverage, you will need to notify the at-fault driver's insurer and make a claim for your damages.

If you need to hire a lawyer to pursue your claim, find someone with experience pursuing cases similar to yours. The right attorney to pursue a high-profile fatal pedestrian hit-and-run would likely have experience pursuing pedestrian-car accident litigation and negotiating settlements in pedestrian accidents. If you are involved in an accident with a semi-truck, find an attorney with that type of experience.

Further, make sure the lawyer you choose has the resources to pursue a claim like yours. A small firm or solo practitioner may be all you need for smaller claims involving soft-tissue injuries. If you have a larger or more complex situation, a larger firm may be better able to pursue your case.

Once you have a few leads on attorneys with the necessary experience and resources, set up consultations to get a feel for each attorney's approach and personality. Find one that you have a good rapport with who offers communication options that work for you. Ultimately, trust your instincts—choosing an attorney is as much about comfort and confidence as it is about expertise.

Average Car Accident Settlement in Boston

Because many settlements are confidential, it's hard to estimate an accurate "average" car accident settlement value. Each case presents its own unique set of circumstances that influence the amount of a settlement. The severity of your injuries, the extent of the property damage and many other factors contribute to how much your case is worth.

In fact, a survey of four large national law firms revealed that their settlements for “minor” car accidents ranged from $3,000 to $25,000, with a median of $12,500 and an average of $12,875. The unique facts of each case made some much more valuable than others.

If your injuries impact your ability to work or make it necessary to modify your home, it's especially important to retain an attorney who can help you understand the full value of your case. An experienced attorney will use their past settlement and litigation success, knowledge of insurance company practices and understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of your case to help ensure you recover what your case is worth.

Filing a Car Accident Lawsuit in Boston

Most personal injury cases, including car accident cases, settle without a trial. Many are resolved without ever filing a lawsuit. If you have been injured in an accident, you can negotiate directly with the at-fault driver's insurer if you prefer to do so. However, retaining an attorney can increase the amount of your recovery (and reduce the stress, hassle and inconvenience of working out a settlement).

Experienced attorneys understand the strategies insurers use to minimize payouts. They can counter these tactics by using detailed medical records, expert opinions and accident reports to demonstrate the true extent of your injuries and the impact on your life. These persuasive arguments can help them recover a settlement that compensates you for the actual value of your losses.

If your medical expenses are more than $2,000, you can file a car accident lawsuit in Massachusetts District Court or Massachusetts Superior Court against the responsible person or parties. In addition to recovering any out-of-pocket medical costs, you may also seek compensation for pain and suffering. There are also some exceptions that automatically allow you to pursue a lawsuit, including loss of sight or hearing, disfigurement and loss of a limb.

How Does a Car Accident Lawsuit Work in Boston?

You can file a civil lawsuit to recover damages if someone else is legally responsible for the accident that caused your harm. "Damages" includes economic losses (such as medical bills, vehicle damage and lost wages) and non-economic losses (such as pain and suffering or emotional trauma). A Boston car accident lawyer can help you understand the value of your claim and the best way to pursue fair compensation for your damages.

In Massachusetts, the statute of limitations for most personal injury claims is three years from the date of the injury. If you don't file a lawsuit within the allowable time, you lose the right to do so. However, certain situations can allow more time for an injured victim to file a claim. An experienced attorney can help you understand your legal options and how to pursue a case if one of these exceptions applies.

Types of Car Accident Cases in Boston

Boston's Vision Zero plan aspires to eliminate traffic fatalities and reduce accidents by improving infrastructure systems. Unfortunately, there are still many different types of car accidents in the Boston metro area. These include:

• Rideshare accidents. If you're involved in an accident as a passenger in an Uber or Lyft, or if you were in an accident with a rideshare vehicle, recovering compensation can get complicated. Rideshare companies require their drivers to carry individual insurance policies, but you may be able to pursue a claim with them directly. A rideshare accident lawyer can help you sort out the responsible parties and hold them accountable.

• Escooter and Ebike accidents. Many Bostonians commute on personal Escooters, while others use the city's Bluebikes. If you've been in an Ebike or Escooter accident, contact an attorney to discuss your options.

• Pedestrian accidents. Pedestrians hit by cars and other motor vehicles often suffer catastrophic damages. An attorney can help you negotiate a fair settlement or pursue a lawsuit to ensure you recover the compensation you deserve.

If you've been in any type of vehicle accident in the Boston area, contact a Boston car accident attorney. They will help you understand your options, discuss the value of your case and help you pursue compensation for your damages.