Boston Distracted Driving Lawyer
Have you been injured in a car accident caused by a distracted driver in Boston, MA? You may be entitled to compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and more.
The results-driven Boston distracted driving accident lawyers at Sweeney Merrigan Law, LLP, can help you in seeking full compensation for your injuries and suffering.
We’re ready to put 100+ years of legal experience to work for you.
Contact our Boston law office at (617)-391-9001 to schedule a free consultation to learn more about your legal rights and options. Our team is always available when you need us most, so reach out online or give us a call to get started now.
How Our Boston Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help If You’re Injured Because of a Distracted Driver
Distracted driving is a growing problem – across the nation and right here in Boston.
Our personal injury lawyers are committed to helping you secure financial justice if you or a loved one has been injured because someone else simply couldn’t be bothered to pay attention behind the wheel.
At Sweeney Merrigan, LLP, our attorneys have over 100 collective years devoted to the practice of personal injury law in trial and appellate courts.
We know how important financial compensation can be to injury victims on their way to recovery. We fight hard for the compensation our clients deserve.
After hiring our legal team, here’s what you can expect:
- Full-Service Representation. We handle all aspects of your personal injury case, from phone calls with the insurance company to scheduling court hearings.
- Prompt Investigation. After an accident, it can be more difficult to gather evidence as each day passes. We get started right away investigating your car crash to get the evidence needed to hold the distracted driver accountable.
- Expert Evaluation. From crash reconstructionists to orthopedic surgeons, we work with Massachusetts’ leading experts to support our client’s case.
- Shrewd Negotiation. Before or after our attorneys file a personal injury case on behalf of a client, there may be one or more rounds of negotiation. We do what it takes to properly value our client’s claims and keep insurance companies in line.
- Dedicated Litigation. Our litigation attorneys are regularly awarded the honor of “Super Lawyer,” putting them among the top trial lawyers in Massachusetts and across the United States. When a settlement cannot be negotiated, we are excited and prepared to litigate the matter before the court.
- Results-Driven Representation. We are proud of the awards we achieve for our clients. We will fight to negotiate a favorable settlement for you. If no settlement is reached, our trial lawyers will be fully prepared to argue passionately for you in front of a Boston jury.
If you’ve been injured because of a distracted driver, our Boston car accident attorneys are here to help. Contact our law office today to get started working with us on your case.
How Common Are Distracted Driving Accidents in Boston, MA?
Data from the Massachusetts Department of Transportation shows that from 2017 to 2020, the overall rate of distracted driving accidents across Massachusetts declined. Of course, one goal of the MA Safe Driving Law, passed in 2010 was to reduce the rate.
Data compiled by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration from 2014-2018 showed:
- Massachusetts ranked 11th in the nation for distracted-driver involved fatalities
- Massachusetts had 53% of distracted-driving fatalities on principal or minor “arterial roads”
- Distraction-related crashes were more likely at the beginning and end of weeks, as crashes on Sunday/Monday and Friday/Saturday made up 65%
In an attempt to improve these numbers, in February 2020, Massachusetts passed even more strict limitations for drivers with the Hands-Free Law.
What is My Distracted Driving Accident Case Worth?
The value of a personal injury claim varies based on the facts of the case and the injury involved. Other factors unrelated to the circumstances of the injury can also influence the value of a claim.
How Does the Severity of An Injury Impact My Claim?
More severe injuries are likely to lead to higher settlement values because of the pain and suffering involved. Injuries like broken bones and spinal cord injuries are considered to be more painful than soft-tissue injuries like whiplash.
Permanent injuries, like brain trauma, are considered more severe than those from which a person can fully recover.
Injuries that cause significant disruptions in a person’s daily life will likely produce a larger personal injury settlement.
If a person can no longer perform everyday activities, like bathing, or unable to play sports or work certain jobs, they are more likely to receive a larger settlement. The more disruptive the injury, the more likely the injured person will get a higher settlement.
The type of treatment required and the length of the recovery can impact the total settlement value. When a doctor or surgeon is needed for treatment, the settlement is probably going to be higher than when a physician’s assistant, chiropractor, or nurse practitioner can handle it. Longer periods of recovery, as well as the number of medical appointments and medications prescribed, can influence a larger settlement.
What Other Factors Influence the Claim Value?
The value of distracted driving accidents can also be influenced by outside forces, too. Especially for controversial issues like distracted driving, media coverage matters. If a quick settlement will minimize bad press, an insurance company may offer more for injuries.
Insurance companies will also consider the certainty of liability and potential litigation costs. When an insurance company knows they will be on the hook for compensation and a trial will be costly, they may offer higher settlement amounts as a way to minimize financial loss.
What Compensation Can I Get For My Distracted Driving Crash Injuries in Massachusetts?
After an accident, an injured victim can be compensated for both economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages include:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages and income
- Disability
- Vehicle repair costs
- Funeral and burial costs, if the traffic accident results in wrongful death
These are damages that can be easily calculated from documents. Non-economic damages are more difficult to value.
They include compensation for:
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Disfigurement and scarring
- Loss of consortium
Although these damages are more difficult to quantify, they are no less valuable than economic damages.
Rest assured, our Boston car accident lawyers will work hard to ensure that all of your damages are (a) identified and (b) valued properly. We’ll enlist the help of experts, when necessary, as we investigate, build, and value your car accident injury case. By taking the time and investing the appropriate resources, we can be confident that we can maximize your recovery.
Can I Recover Compensation if I am Getting Blamed for a Distracted Driving Accident in Massachusetts?
If you are getting blamed by the other driver, another party, or an insurance company for the accident, you may still be able to recover compensation.
Massachusetts law follows a “modified comparative negligence” system, which allows compensation if a party is less than 51% at fault for the accident.
You cannot recover compensation from the other at-fault parties if you were more than 51% at fault.
Our lawyers will help you fight to defend yourself if and when you’re blamed. In our investigation, we’ll search for evidence to establish that someone else – not you – caused the crash. If your own negligence was a contributing factor, we will do our best to minimize how much fault is ultimately apportioned to you.
The less fault you share, the more money you can ultimately recover when your case is resolved.
We’ll Fight to Get Compensation For All of Your Crash Injuries
When you have been injured by a distracted driver, you need a personal injury attorney who will fight for compensation for all of your injuries.
Some common injuries sustained in distracted driving accidents include:
- Bone and Ligament Injuries: Broken bones, torn ligaments
- Spinal Cord Injury: whiplash, herniated discs
- Brain Injuries
The severity of injuries after a distracted driving accident ranges from mild to debilitating. Our dedicated distracted driving lawyers at Sweeney Merrigan Law, LLP, will do everything possible to get full compensation for your injuries.
What Causes Most Distracted Driving Accidents in Boston, Massachusetts?
What things distract drivers from the road? Anything that takes a driver’s attention away from driving can be the cause of a distracted driving accident.
Some common causes include:
- Texting while driving
- Reading or responding to electronic messages
- Talking on cell phones while driving
Massachusetts’ hands-free law prohibits the use of any hand-held electronic devices while driving, but unfortunately, these behaviors still occur.
How Long Do I Have to File a Lawsuit After a Distracted Driving Accident in Massachusetts?
In Massachusetts, the statute of limitations is three years. This means that an injured victim has up to three years from the date of the accident or injury to file a personal injury lawsuit.
Of course, after most car accidents, the process begins with an insurance claim shortly after the injury. However, the time to investigate, negotiate, and, if necessary, file a lawsuit, means that an injured victim should try to establish an attorney-client relationship as soon as possible after their accident.
Contact Our Boston Distracted Driving Lawyers for a Free Consultation
If you have been injured in a distracted driving accident in Boston, Massachusetts, it is recommended that you reach out to an attorney promptly after your injury. When choosing a personal injury attorney to represent you in your distracted driving claim, it is important to choose an established firm with experienced attorneys, like Sweeney Merrigan Law, LLP.
Reach out to our passionate personal injury lawyers today for a free consultation.