Worcester Massachusetts Car Accident Lawyer - Personal Injury Attorneys

120 Stafford St. Unit 5 Worcester, MA 01603 | (508) 490-5955

What Should I Do After a Car Accident?

Activate your vehicle’s hazard lights to warn other drivers.
Get to a safe place. Move your vehicle only if it is in a dangerous location.
Call 911 and request police and an ambulance if necessary.
Photograph and/or document details of the accident, especially:
- What time the accident happened
- Where the accident occurred, including the vehicles’ positions after the accident
- Weather and road conditions at the time of the accident
- Any damage to your vehicle
- Any visible bodily injuries
- Any noticeable traffic violations
- Other important facts of the accident
File a police report and make sure you get a copy.
Get the other driver’s information, including their name, contact details, and insurance information.
Get examined by a medical professional to determine whether you sustained any accident-related injuries. Although you might not think you were injured, pain sometimes takes a few hours or days to become noticeable. It is better to be safe than sorry!
Save all paperwork related to your car accident claim, like medical bills, vehicle repair receipts, and any other accident-related expenses.
Following the accident, contact your insurance company.
- Look at your insurance policy to see what claim(s) you can file. A knowledgeable car accident lawyer can assist you in this process.
- Communicate all accident details to your insurance agent.
- Give the other driver’s insurance information to your agent.
We recommend that you do not talk to the other driver’s insurance company without speaking to a car accident lawyer first. Often, insurance companies try to offer you less money than you are entitled to, so they can settle the case quicker. However, if you choose to communicate with the other party’s insurance company, we suggest not sharing specifics of the accident. For example:
- Do not disclose how the accident occurred.
- Do not admit fault.
- Do not approve any settlement offers or insurance waivers until a medical professional has dismissed you from treatment and you are pain-free.

How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Worcester Car Accident Lawyer?

d’Oliveira & Associates uses a contingency fee arrangement, so our firm does not get paid unless and until you receive an award or settlement of your car accident claim.

How Much Is My Worcester Car Accident Case Worth?

If you have been involved in a car accident in Worcester, MA for which you were not at-fault, you may be able to recover for your medical expenses, vehicle damage, lost income, and pain and suffering, among other related expenses. The total amount you will be able to recover depends on the specific facts of your case, like the nature and severity of your injuries, amount of medical care needed, and how your injuries affect your daily life. You should speak with an experienced car accident attorney to determine what your case may be worth.

Can I Get Compensated for Property Damage to My Vehicle?

You may be able to get compensated for your property damage as well as your personal injuries. We recommend going to a car repair shop that you trust. Typically, it is in your best interests to choose an independent repair shop instead of one recommended by the insurance company.

Once you select a reliable auto repair shop, your insurance claims adjuster should meet with the mechanic. The mechanic will accurately assess your vehicle’s property damage and communicate this to your insurance adjuster, which prevents the insurance company from underpaying for your property damage. To learn more about getting your vehicle fixed, click here.

How Long Do I Have to File a Worcester Car Accident Claim?

According to Massachusetts law, you have three (3) years from the date of your injury to file a personal injury claim in MA.

You should not wait until this deadline to file a claim! It is best to give your car accident lawyer as much time as possible to review the evidence, build a strong case, and maximize your compensation.

Do I Need to Hire a Car Accident Lawyer?

Lawyer sitting at her desk doing paperwork.

Hiring an experienced car accident lawyer to advocate for you may lead to a larger settlement. Because insurance companies are for-profit businesses, they often offer quick settlements that undercompensate you for your losses. A knowledgeable car accident attorney can negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf to ensure you get the settlement you are entitled to.

If you choose not to hire a lawyer, we suggest that you contact your insurance claims adjuster and send them your medical records. You should not accept any settlement offers until a medical professional has examined your injuries and discharged you from treatment. If you do not have a lawyer, click here to learn more about the insurance steps you should take after a car accident.

How Long Does It Take to Settle My Car Accident Case?

The length of time it takes to receive a settlement differs for each case. There are many factors that affect how long it takes to settle a car accident case, such as the severity of your injuries, disagreements about who is at fault, and difficulty of obtaining medical records. Our attorneys are prepared to support you throughout the process and ensure you receive a favorable settlement as soon as possible.

Insurance Coverage in Massachusetts

There are various types of insurance coverage available to Massachusetts drivers. Massachusetts law requires that all drivers carry certain types of insurance.

MA requires the following auto insurance coverage:

Bodily Injury to Others (Liability Insurance)
- Covers accident-related medical expenses, lost income, and pain and suffering.
- Protects you (or anyone you let drive your car) from legal responsibility for accidental injuries or death resulting from a car accident.
- Only covers accidents that occur in MA.
- Does not cover injuries or death to passengers in your own car.
- Minimum coverage: $20,000 per person
- Maximum coverage: $40,000 per accident
Personal Injury Protection (PIP / “No-Fault” Insurance)
- Covers accident-related medical expenses, up to 75% of lost wages, and funeral expenses.
- Covers you, anyone you let drive your car, household residents, vehicle passengers, and pedestrians, regardless of who caused the accident.
- Minimum/Maximum coverage: $8,000 per person, per accident
Bodily Injury Caused by Uninsured Auto (Uninsured Motorist Insurance)
- Used when the at-fault driver has no insurance or cannot be identified (like during a hit-and-run).
- Covers you, anyone you let drive your car, household residents, and vehicle passengers.
- Minimum coverage: $20,000 per person
- Maximum coverage: $40,000 per accident
Damage to Someone Else’s Property (Property Damage Insurance)
- Pays for accidental damage to another person’s property.
- Covers you, anyone you let drive your car, and household residents.
- Minimum coverage: $5,000 per accident

Common Causes of Car Accidents

Driving above the speed limit
Driving while intoxicated
Distracted driving
Automobile defects or breakdowns
Driver mistake

Is Medical Treatment Required After a Car Accident?

Being in a car accident can be overwhelming and traumatic in many ways. However, the most important thing to worry about after a car crash is the health and safety of everyone involved in the accident.

Seeking medical attention after a car crash should be the main priority. Delaying or avoiding medical care could worsen your condition, which may have negative and long-lasting consequences for your health.

Even if you feel fine after an accident, a medical professional should still evaluate you to ensure that you do not have overlooked or internal injuries. A healthcare professional has the training, expertise, and experience to assess your condition and order diagnostic tests.

Aside from your health and safety, getting medical treatment after a car accident helps strengthen your lawsuit. First, your medical provider will document your symptoms, diagnoses, and treatments related to the accident. If you choose to pursue a car accident lawsuit, these medical records show that you were injured in the crash, which may increase the amount of compensation you receive. Additionally, all actions you take after a car accident will be scrutinized by the opposing driver and their insurance company. Declining medical treatment after a car crash allows the insurance company to argue that you were not injured in the accident, which can lead to much lower compensation than you deserve.

We strongly recommend seeking medical attention as soon as possible after a car accident. You should also obey your healthcare professional’s recommendations and treatment plans to protect your health and legal rights.

How Do I Deal with My Insurance Company?

Following a car accident, you should contact your insurance company to report the accident. Navigating the insurance world can be stressful, so below are some tips on how to deal with your own insurance company after a car crash.

Obtain a copy of your police accident report. You can access a copy of your accident report online for twenty dollars ($20). You can also get the report via U.S. mail by filling out a request form with a copy of your identification and a twenty dollar ($20) check or money order payable to “MassDOT” and addressed to Registry of Motor Vehicles Crash Records, P.O. Box 55889, Boston, MA 02205.
Get in touch with your insurance company as soon as possible after the accident so you can file a claim.
Describe key details from the car accident, including any other parties’ contact and insurance information. Be truthful when speaking to your insurance agent so they can accurately assess the situation.
Review your auto insurance policy to determine what coverage you have and what claims you can file. A Worcester car accident lawyer can assist you through this process.
Save all documents associated with the car crash. This includes medical expenses, car repair costs, and other bills.

Should I Speak with the Other Driver’s Insurance Company?

Until you have consulted with a seasoned Worcester car accident lawyer, we suggest that you do not speak with the other driver’s insurance company. Since insurance providers are for-profit companies, they often try to undermine your claim to avoid paying you what you deserve.

If you choose to speak with the other driver’s insurance company, be careful about what you say. Insurance companies can use anything you say to minimize your compensation. We recommend not disclosing details of the crash or signing any insurance waivers. Do not accept settlement offers until your treating medical provider has cleared you.

How Do I Deal with a Hit-and-Run Car Accident?

When a vehicle collides with a pedestrian or another car and then drives away without leaving any contact information, a hit-and-run accident occurs. Hit-and-run incidents can result in serious auto damage or personal injuries to the victim. Due to the frequency of hit-and-runs, it is important to know what steps to take if you are involved in one.

Call 911 immediately and request an ambulance if anyone is injured. If no one is injured, request police presence so they can create an accident report.
Record as much information as possible about the fleeing vehicle if you see the other car driving away. Take note of the car’s license plate, the car’s make, model, and color, which direction the car fled towards, and the date, time, and location of the crash.
If you did not observe the accident, take pictures and document the crash site and any damage to your car or person.
Determine whether any witnesses saw the accident take place. If so, get the witnesses’ names and contact information.
If the accident occurred near a business, store, or other building, consider asking the owner or manager if they have security cameras that may have caught the crash on tape.

Massachusetts law requires that drivers have uninsured motorist insurance coverage, which covers hit-and-run accidents. This means that, even if you cannot locate the at-fault driver, your own insurance may compensate you for the damage caused by a hit-and-run. We recommend speaking with an experienced Worcester car accident lawyer to help you navigate the complexities of a hit-and-run case.

I Was Injured in a Rideshare Car Accident – What Do I Do?

Rideshare vehicles—like Uber or Lyft—are convenient and cost-effective methods of transportation for many people. Unfortunately, rideshare vehicles are not immune from car crashes, so it is important to know your rights if you have been involved in a rideshare accident.

All people involved in a rideshare car accident—including rideshare passengers and drivers as well as occupants of the other non-rideshare vehicle—have the right to file a lawsuit and collect compensation for their injuries. Likewise, you can continue to use rideshare vehicles even if you file a lawsuit or retain a lawyer. The rideshare company cannot retaliate against you for exercising your legal rights.

In addition, the law requires rideshare companies carry insurance for bodily injuries caused by their drivers and uninsured or underinsured drivers. While this requirement helps injured victims pay for their accident-related expenses, the victim will not always get the maximum insurance payout under the policy. To ensure you are adequately compensated for your rideshare car accident, it is beneficial to hire an experienced lawyer to negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf.

Keeping in mind the above information, it is recommended that you follow the steps below:

Call 911 immediately and ensure the health and safety of everyone involved.
Photograph and document all accident specifics, including the location, vehicles involved, weather and road conditions, and the date and time of the crash. Screenshot the rideshare app to confirm that the accident occurred during your ride.
Obtain the names and contact information of the rideshare vehicle driver, the other driver, and any witnesses.
Review the rideshare app’s reporting procedures. Report the accident as soon as possible.
Seek medical treatment as soon as you can after the accident, even if you do not feel injured at first.

Do I Really Need a Lawyer for My Car Accident Case?

Although you can settle a car accident case with an insurance company directly without a lawyer, it is recommended that injured victims hire an attorney. Studies demonstrate that, on average, injured claimants who retain a lawyer receive two (2) to three (3) times more compensation from their lawsuit than without hiring a lawyer.

This stark difference in compensation occurs because for-profit insurance companies frequently make low settlement offers to injured car accident victims, who often take what they can get to pay for their expenses. Likewise, insurance companies have much stronger bargaining power than an individual person, so insurance companies may pressure the individual to accept unfair compensation. Hiring a lawyer ensures that your right to reasonable compensation is protected. Our Worcester car accident attorneys expertly negotiate with insurance companies to make sure that you receive a fair settlement.

Will I Have to Go to Court for My Worcester Car Accident Lawsuit?

Most likely, you will not have to go to court for your car accident lawsuit. The majority of car accident cases are settled out of court. In fact, our firm settles approximately ninety-five percent (95%) of our clients’ car accident lawsuits without going to court.

If your case does go to court, our skilled attorneys are prepared to zealously advocate for you and your rights in court if necessary.

Why Hire d’Oliveira & Associates for Your Car Accident Case?

Car accident claims are our specialty. We have been successfully representing injured clients in car accident cases for over three (3) decades.
All d’Oliveira & Associates attorneys have more than twenty (20) years of experience in winning car accident cases.
Our experienced lawyers know the games that insurance companies play. Our attorneys have much success in negotiating with them, so that we can obtain a fair settlement for you.
95% of our clients’ cases settle without going to court.
We have secured more than $250 million in awards or settlements for our clients.
We offer free case evaluations and are available by telephone 24/7.
We only get paid if we win your case.