Call Earley Before It’s Too Late!Boston schoolchildren have the right to be safe when walking to and from school. Protecting young people in the vicinity of their schools, where they face unique vulnerability to traffic, is a responsibility that falls on all area drivers. When traffic accidents happen in school zones and someone gets hurt, the effects can be catastrophic and traumatizing for school communities.
If you or your child suffered injuries in a school zone accident, Earley Law Group can help. We understand how Massachusetts law applies to car accidents in school zones, and we are ready to support your family in pursuing full and fair compensation for your medical expenses and other losses. You can call 24/7 to get started with a free, no-obligation consultation.
How a Boston Car Accident Lawyer Can Help
Dealing with insurance companies, medical bills, and legal paperwork after a school zone accident can be overwhelming. It’s easy to make costly mistakes or accept less compensation than you deserve if you try to handle the claim yourself. Insurance adjusters may seem helpful, but their primary goal isn’t to protect your rights; rather, it is to limit payouts and safeguard the company’s profits. Having a Boston school zone accident lawyer on your side levels the playing field and allows you to focus on recovery while your attorney handles the legal details.
Christopher Earley and the team at Earley Law can get to work right away investigating the accident. We can gather police reports, school zone camera footage, witness statements, and other evidence, and collaborate with accident reconstruction experts when needed. Our Boston personal injury lawyers can assess the full scope of your losses to prepare a comprehensive claim on your behalf. If insurance negotiations don’t yield the result you deserve, we’ll be prepared to file a lawsuit and fight in court for you or your injured child.
Common Causes of School Zone Accidents
School zones pose unique dangers due to heavy pedestrian traffic, distracted drivers, and frequent stops and turns during busy pickup and drop-off times. Even a brief lapse in attention can have serious consequences when children are nearby.
Some common causes of school zone accidents include the following:
- Speeding through posted school zones
- Distracted driving, including phone use
- Failure to yield to pedestrians or crossing guards
- Illegal passing of stopped school buses
- Unsafe turns near crosswalks
- Poorly marked or obstructed crosswalks
- Driver inexperience or negligence
- Parking lot congestion and improper drop-off or pickup behavior
What Should I Do After a School Zone Accident in Boston?
Your child’s health and safety must be your first priority if your child is hit by a car in a school zone. Get them to the doctor right away for an evaluation and arrange for any necessary treatment. Keep detailed records of all medical treatment, therapy appointments, and out-of-pocket expenses your family incurs. Report the accident to your child’s school, but avoid discussing the accident with anyone — including and especially insurance representatives — without first consulting a school crossing accident attorney in Boston.
Who May Be Liable for a School Zone Accident?
Determining who bears legal and financial responsibility for a school zone accident requires a detailed investigation. Depending on how the crash occurred and what safety measures were in place, several parties may share fault, including the following:
- Negligent drivers who speed, text while driving, or fail to yield to children and crossing guards
- School bus drivers who operate unsafely or fail to follow traffic laws
- Schools or school districts, if poor traffic management, inadequate supervision, or unsafe pickup procedures contribute to an accident
- Municipalities for failing to maintain crosswalks, signage, or traffic signals
- Vehicle manufacturers, when a mechanical defect or recall issue leads to a crash
- Construction companies, if nearby work zones create unsafe driving conditions around schools
Can I Sue If My Child Was Injured in a School Zone Accident?
If your child was injured in a school zone accident, Massachusetts law entitles you to take legal action on their behalf. Claims involving children require careful handling to account for their future needs and the emotional impact of the injury. A Boston car accident attorney with experience in looking out for the interests of injured children can help you document these losses and pursue compensation through settlement negotiations or, if necessary, litigation.
Compensation for Victims
Victims of school zone accidents in Boston may be entitled to compensation for their accident-related losses, including the following:
- Medical expenses and rehabilitation costs
- Lost wages or diminished future earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment
- Diminished quality of life
- Long-term care or disability-related expenses
When you meet with an attorney, they can assess your school zone car accident claim to determine the compensation you may pursue.
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How Long Do I Have to File a Claim in Massachusetts?
Most car accident victims in Massachusetts have three years (3) from the date of the crash to file a personal injury claim. However, in cases involving minors, the clock doesn’t start ticking until they turn 18. In addition, claims against government entities, including school districts and municipalities, may have different rules or shorter notice requirements.
Reach out to a Boston school zone accident lawyer as soon as possible to ensure you meet all filing deadlines and procedural requirements.
Get Help After a School Zone Accident
Securing skilled legal representation after a school zone accident can make a significant difference in the outcome of your case and help get the results your child deserves. Earley Law has 20 years of legal experience, and we’re committed to securing positive outcomes for injured individuals, including multiple confidential settlements for children who have been hit by cars. We’re proud of our clients’ high rate of satisfaction with our legal services. As one client with an injured child wrote:
“After my daughter was bit by a dog I researched lawyers to call for help. The reviews of Chris were spot on. He was diligent and caring in his response to my questions and very consoling with my daughter and taking her injuries seriously. He is a great person to have in your corner and I highly recommend him because of his professional manner and smarts. Chris is definitely a great lawyer and person.” – Mike N.
When you contact Earley Law to manage your Boston school zone injury claim, you benefit from what we call “The Earley Experience.” It’s our highly responsive, individualized legal support marked by frequent communication and maximum effort, all at no upfront cost to you. Additionally, you pay nothing unless we recover compensation on your behalf. Call us today at (617) 338-7400 or contact us online for a free consultation with a Boston school zone accident lawyer to discuss your next steps.