Massachusetts Personal Injury and Workers' Compensation Law Blog
Although the actual crash may have only happened for a split second, the consequences might last a lifetime. You require payment for your medical expenses, as well as reimbursement for any lost wages, property damage, pain and suffering, and other expenses brought on by your car accident. Massachusetts law gives you rights, but navigating the auto insurance system is challenging. This is why it’s important for you to understand how the system functions and how a car accident lawyer can support your damage claim and payment.
For auto accidents, Massachusetts has a “no-fault” policy. This means that personal injury protection (PIP), which covers some accident-related costs including medical bills on a no-fault basis, is a requirement for everyone.
Each state has its own standards for auto insurance. The following requirements are established by Massachusetts law for all state-registered vehicles:
Every state has its own car insurance requirements. Massachusetts law sets the following requirements for all vehicles registered in the state:
A minimum of $8,000 in Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage. Up to the insurance maximum, PIP will cover your medical costs as well as 75% of any missed wages or replacement services (like child care). You, members of your household, anyone you let to operate or ride in your vehicle, and pedestrians struck by your vehicle are all covered by your PIP insurance.
Coverage for bodily injury (BI), which offers protection for other people hurt or killed in an accident you cause. Massachusetts requires a minimum of $20,000 per person and $40,000 per accident in bodily injury insurance, with the opportunity to buy more.
If you are struck by a car that does not have liability insurance, your Uninsured Motorist (UM) insurance will “stand in” for the other driver’s coverage. UM also covers injuries brought on by an unknown motorist (hit-and-runs or “phantom vehicles” that are never located). Like to PIP, UM protects you, your home, and anybody you permit to operate or ride in your vehicle.
When you cause an accident, property damage insurance kicks in to cover any damage to the other party’s car or other personal property. The required property damage liability insurance per accident is $5,000.
There are two main types of damages (financial compensation) in car accident cases: economic and non-economic.
Economic damages are losses that can be quantified objectively and linked to a precise financial amount. Economic damages frequently take the following forms:
The cost of fair and required medical care, including ambulance fees, hospital bills, surgery, medication, medical equipment, physical therapy, and other charges. If your injuries have harmed or will impair your capacity to work and earn a living, you may also be entitled to lost wages and lost future income.
If your injuries prevent you from handling some activities, replacement services like childcare, yard work, and cleaning may be provided.
Making house or vehicle accessibility adjustments to accommodate a personal injury. Your car or other personal item suffering property damage.
Non-economic damages are more subjective but no less real. The non-economic portion of your claim may include:
Pain and Suffering: mental agony, emotional sorrow,loss of life’s fun and quality.
Loss of consortium, which refers to diminished intimacy and damage to familial ties as a result of your injury.
If you’ve been in an auto accident, it’s important to contact an attorney as soon as possible to evaluate the circumstances of your case. For more information, and a free consultation call our office at 617-444-7777.