A car accident is disorienting, and the choices you make immediately afterward can have a lasting effect on your health and any injury claim. In Massachusetts, where a no-fault insurance system governs the early stages of most auto claims, knowing the right steps matters even more.
First, check for injuries and move to safety if you can. Call 911 for any injury or significant property damage. A police report creates an official record that insurers and attorneys rely on later, and Massachusetts requires reporting crashes that cause injury, death, or more than $1,000 in property damage.
Exchange license, registration, and insurance information with the other driver, and photograph the scene thoroughly — vehicle positions, damage, skid marks, traffic signals, and road conditions. Get names and numbers of any witnesses. This evidence disappears quickly once vehicles are moved.
Seek medical attention promptly even if you feel fine. Adrenaline masks injuries, and gaps in treatment give insurers an excuse to argue your injuries weren't serious. Massachusetts Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage pays your initial medical bills regardless of fault, so there is no reason to delay care.
Finally, be careful what you say. Don't admit fault at the scene or in recorded statements to insurers. Massachusetts uses modified comparative negligence, so an offhand apology can be twisted into an admission that reduces your recovery.
If you've been injured in Massachusetts, Injury Claim Team can connect you with an experienced personal injury attorney at no cost. Call 973-566-5599 any time for a free, confidential case review — there's no fee unless you win.
Injured in Massachusetts? Your free case review is one call away. Reach us at 973-566-5599 — available 24/7, no fee unless you win.