Look, dealing with a car crash in Mass is complicated – here’s what you need to know, legally speaking and otherwise.
First up: Massachusetts uses this thing called “no-fault” insurance. What it means is pretty straightforward – if you get hurt, your insurance company pays for your medical bills and lost wages through PIP (Personal Injury Protection), usually up to $8,000. However, and this is important: if you get messed up – we’re talking over $2,000 in medical bills, permanent scarring, or God forbid, death – you can sue the other driver.
Required by law: Every driver must have insurance with these minimums:
- $20,000 for injuries (per person)
- $40,000 for injuries (per accident)
- $5,000 for property damage
- Coverage for uninsured drivers ($20,000/$40,000)
When things go wrong, timing matters. You’ve got exactly three years from crash day to file a lawsuit. Miss that deadline, and you’re out of luck – no exceptions.
In the event of injury, death, or damage exceeding USD 1,000, the operator of any motor vehicle involved in said collision shall:
- Notify law enforcement immediately
- File written documentation with the Registry of Motor Vehicles within five (5) business days
Most people don’t know that Massachusetts uses this “modified comparative fault” rule. Translation? You get nothing from the other driver’s insurance if you’re more than 50% at fault. Less than 50%? You can collect, but they’ll reduce your money based on how much it was your fault.
Drunk driving? Don’t even think about it. Besides criminal charges, getting in an accident while under the influence hands the other person’s lawyer a gift-wrapped lawsuit against you.
Even if it seems minor, get a lawyer who knows Massachusetts accident law. Insurance companies have their lawyers – you should have yours.
