Boston Car Accident Lawyer - Personal Injury Attorneys

76 Canal St #302, Boston, MA 02114 | (617) 544-3399

Our Boston staff pictures — (L-R) D. Robin Gouveia (Attorney), Paul d’Oliveira (Attorney), Cara Gallucci (Attorney), Heather Spellman (Attorney), Kristen DiChiaro (Office Manager / Paralegal), Jill Johnson (Paralegal), Mary Lou Mancini (Paralegal)

What Should I Do After a Car Accident in Boston?

Alert other drivers of the accident by turning on your hazard lights.
Move to a safe location. Only move your car if it is in a dangerous area.
Call 911 and request police and an ambulance.
Photograph and/or document accident details, including:
- Time of the accident
- Place where the accident occurred
- Visible damage to vehicle
- Noticeable injuries
- Obvious traffic violations
Fill out a police report and get a copy.
Obtain the other driver’s information—name, contact information, and insurance details.
Get checked out by a medical professional. You may not experience pain immediately after the collision, but it is best to get examined just in case.
Save all accident-related documents, such as receipts for medical expenses or vehicle repairs.
Contact your insurance company so they are aware of the accident.
- Determine what insurance claim(s) you can file by looking at your insurance policy. An experienced MA car accident lawyer can help you with this.
- Give your insurance agent the other driver’s insurance information.
Do not speak to the other driver’s insurance company without talking to a car accident lawyer first. This is because insurance companies attempt to swiftly settle claims for less compensation than you deserve. Nevertheless, if you decide to speak with the other driver’s insurance company, we recommend not disclosing specific details of the accident. For instance:
- Do not share how the accident occurred.
- Do not admit that you are at fault.
- Do not accept any settlement offers or insurance waivers until you have been dismissed from treatment and no longer have pain.

Things To Avoid After Filing a Car Accident Claim

Being involved in a car accident is stressful, traumatic, and overwhelming. That said, you should still be mindful that anything you do after filing a lawsuit may be used against you by the opposing party. For example:

Abstain from posting photos or other content on social media that may affect your case.
Avoid being dishonest with your lawyers—this can seriously harm your case.
Do not speak with insurance companies without first talking to a lawyer.
Refrain from admitting responsibility for the car accident.

How Much Time Do I Have to File a Car Accident Claim in Boston?

In Massachusetts, injured car accident victims have three (3) years from when the car accident occurred to file a lawsuit for their injuries.

However, do not wait to file your claim! You should give your car accident lawyer as much time as possible to investigate your case, review documentation, negotiate with the parties, and secure the maximum amount of compensation you are entitled to.

How Much Does Hiring a Boston Car Accident Lawyer Cost?

We do not charge any legal fees unless and until we obtain a settlement or award on your behalf. This payment structure is called a “contingency fee” because the attorneys’ fees are contingent upon you getting a favorable outcome of your case.

Why Hire a Boston Car Accident Lawyer?

Hiring a lawyer can make a big difference in your car accident case. Foremost, people with car accident lawyers receive much larger settlements than those who did not have a lawyer.

Additionally, hiring a car accident attorney means that you always have someone looking out for your best interests, unlike an insurance company. Your lawyer will negotiate with insurance companies on your behalf so you can get the maximum compensation available.

Further, car accident lawyers provide personalized guidance and advice, explain your legal options and rights, and answer your questions, which can reduce the stress associated with lawsuits. Experienced car accident attorneys also offer clear-headedness, support, and peace of mind during these difficult times. Ultimately, we want you to concentrate on getting better while we handle your case.

Some of Our Largest Car Accident Settlements

$3.5 Million Settlement – A juvenile pedestrian was struck by a car and killed. We maintained joint responsibility with another experienced attorney, who settled the case before trial.
$1.0 Million Settlement – A tractor trailer truck rear-ended our client’s vehicle, which then burst into flames. As a result, our client suffered spinal fractures, lacerations, and burns. Our firm remained jointly responsible with another trial lawyer, who settled the case at mediation.
$964,000 Settlement – Our client was involved in an automobile accident which caused her to suffer a brain injury.
$950,000 Settlement – Our pedestrian client was hit by a truck when they were lawfully using a crosswalk. Resultingly, our client suffered severe life-threatening injuries and is lucky to be alive today. Our firm’s attorney, D. Robin Gouveia, worked with co-counsel to obtain this settlement.

What Kinds of Compensation Can I Recover from a Boston Car Accident Lawsuit?

If you were injured in a car accident in Boston for which you were not at-fault, you may be eligible for compensation for your medical expenses, lost income, property damage, as well as other potential damages.

How Much Can I Recover from a Boston Car Accident Lawsuit?

The amount you can recover depends on the particular facts of your case. There are many factors used to determine how much your case is worth, such as:

Your injury’s severity
Your injury’s effect on your life, including your finances, earning capacity, hobbies, and quality of life
Extent of your physical and mental agony
Your insurance policy

In some cases, experts may need to be consulted to establish how much compensation you are able to recover. Contact our experienced Boston car accident attorneys today to see what your case may be worth.

Car Insurance Coverage in Boston

Massachusetts law requires that drivers have the following insurance coverage:

Bodily Injury to Others (Liability Insurance)
- Compensates injured parties for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
- Does not pay for your own (or your passengers’) injuries or death.
- Only applicable to MA car accidents.
- Minimum coverage: $20,000 per person
- Maximum coverage: $40,000 per accident
Personal Injury Protection (PIP or “No-Fault” Insurance)
- Pays for medical costs, 75% of lost income, and funeral expenses.
- Does not matter who was at-fault—PIP covers anyone involved in the accident.
- Minimum/Maximum coverage: $8,000 per person, per accident
Bodily Injury Caused by Uninsured Auto (Uninsured Driver Insurance)
- Covers your expenses when the at-fault motorist does not have insurance or cannot be located (such as a hit-and-run).
- Minimum coverage: $20,000 per person
- Maximum coverage: $40,000 per accident
Damage to Someone Else’s Property (Property Damage Insurance)
- Covers accidental damage to another’s property.
- Minimum coverage: $5,000 per accident

What If I Am Partially At-Fault for Causing a Car Accident in Boston?

Massachusetts uses a “modified comparative negligence” structure. This means that your compensation can be reduced proportionately by the amount you were responsible for your injuries. However, if you were more than fifty-one percent (51%) responsible for your injuries, then you cannot collect any compensation.

Example 1:

Suppose your car accident damages are worth $100,000.
You were deemed 20% at-fault for the car crash, and the other driver was 80% at-fault.
You can receive $80,000 in compensation.

Example 2:

Suppose your auto accident injuries are worth $100,000.
You were 55% at-fault for the accident, and the other driver was 45% at-fault.
You cannot be compensated for your injuries because you were more than 51% responsible for the accident.

Can I Get Compensated for Property Damage?

The at-fault driver’s insurance company usually pays for damage to your car from an auto accident. You should go to a reliable automobile repair shop to determine how much your property damage is worth. After choosing a trustworthy repair shop, you should request that your insurance agent meet with the mechanic so that the insurance company does not try to undercompensate you. Click here to learn more about getting your car repaired.

Can Injured Passengers Sue the At-Fault Driver in Boston?

Yes, injured passengers can sue the at-fault driver for injuries they sustained from a car crash in Boston. However, there is a particular financial threshold that passengers’ injuries must meet to file a claim. If you were injured as a passenger in a Boston car accident, then you should speak with one of our experienced car accident attorneys to determine if you have a valid claim.

What If I Was Injured in a Rideshare Vehicle in Boston?

Rideshare vehicles, like Uber and Lyft, have grown in popularity over the past few years, especially in big cities like Boston. Many people use rideshare vehicles for their daily transportation needs. Unfortunately, rideshare vehicles are not immune from being in car accidents. If you were involved in a rideshare car accident in Boston, there are a few things you should know.

First, you can still use rideshare vehicles even if you file a lawsuit or hire an auto accident lawyer. Just because you were in a rideshare accident does not mean that you forfeit your rights to file a claim and get compensated for your injuries.

Further, you should follow these steps after being involved in a rideshare vehicle accident:

Contact 911 for police and medical help.
Document and photograph accident details. Make sure to screenshot your rideshare app so you can verify that you were involved in the accident.
If anyone saw the accident, get their contact information.
Refer to the rideshare app’s accident reporting procedure.
Get medical attention after the accident to ensure that you are safe.

Learn more about rideshare vehicle crashes by clicking here.

Do I Need to Go to Court for My Boston Car Accident Case?

You will most likely never have to go to court for your car accident case, as our firm settles ninety-five percent (95%) of our client’s claims without going to court. However, if your case does go to court, our car accident lawyers are eager to advocate in the courtroom for you and the compensation you are entitled to.

Why Should I Hire d’Oliveira & Associates for My Boston Car Accident Case?

Our firm’s attorneys are car accident specialists. For over three (3) decades, we have been obtaining compensation for our clients’ car accident injuries in Boston and nearby areas.
We are experts in negotiating with insurance companies, so you can focus on getting better while we secure fair compensation on your behalf.
About ninety-five percent (95%) of our clients’ cases are resolved without ever going to court.
We have secured more than $250 million for our clients’ injuries.
We offer no-cost case consultations.
You can contact us anytime.
Our firm is not paid unless we win your case.
Our Boston office is conveniently located in downtown Boston on Canal Street.