Articles Posted in Car Accidents

Being involved in a car accident can be a traumatic and overwhelming experience. In the chaos that follows, it’s easy to make mistakes that can negatively impact your ability to recover compensation for your injuries. Fortunately, by familiarizing yourself with the most common mistakes people make following a car accident, you can avoid making the same costly errors.

If you’ve been injured in a car accident, it’s in your best interest to seek immediate medical attention and legal counsel. At Altman & Altman, LLP, our skilled and compassionate car accident team will review your case, determine fault, calculate damages, and negotiate for the maximum settlement available to you.

Mistake #1 — Failing to Seek Medical Attention Immediately

Car accidents are a leading cause of accidental injury and death in the United States.  In 2020 alone, injuries occurred in 1,593,390 crashes and 35,766 crashes resulted in fatalities. These accidents can occur for a variety of reasons, but speeding and drunk driving rank high on the list of causes.

Motor vehicle accidents can lead to a range of injuries that vary in severity, having a significant impact on the lives of those involved. Serious and chronic injuries often lead to physical pain, costly medical bills, a decrease in the enjoyment of life, and emotional trauma.

Understanding the potential long-term effects of common car accident injuries emphasizes the importance of obtaining comprehensive medical care and legal assistance. Read on to explore some of the most common injuries in car accidents and their long-term effects, and if you’ve been injured, seek immediate legal counsel to ensure that your medical and financial needs are met.

If you’ve been injured in an accident in Massachusetts, you may be entitled to substantial compensation for any resulting damages. Understanding the types of compensation available in a personal injury claim can help you navigate the legal process and ensure that you receive the full amount you deserve.

Medical Expenses

One of the primary types of compensation available in a Massachusetts personal injury claim is reimbursement for medical expenses. This includes current medical bills, as well as future medical costs such as ongoing treatment, physical therapy, and rehabilitation. It’s important to keep detailed records of all medical expenses related to your injury, including hospital visits, surgeries, medication, and any assistive devices or modifications to your home that may be necessary for your recovery.

A new regulation proposed in May by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) would require new vehicles to come equipped with automatic emergency braking (AEB) systems. These systems detect potential collisions and automatically apply the brakes to lessen the impact of a crash — or avoid it altogether. NHTSA estimates that the new regulation could prevent at least 360 deaths and 24,000 injuries annually.

This technology has been available on many automotive models for years, but it hasn’t yet been mandated. If the new regulation is adopted as proposed, it would require almost all US passenger vehicles and light trucks to have AEB systems three years after the publication of a final rule. In addition, NHTSA and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) announced in June that they plan to require AEB technology on heavy vehicles as well.

What Exactly is AEB Technology?

Navigating the streets of the Bay State can be treacherous for even the most seasoned of drivers. According to recent studies, Massachusetts has the fourth-worst roads in the country and Boston has the fourth-worst traffic in the world. A new Forbes Advisor report sheds more light on the issue by pinpointing the most dangerous times to drive in the state.

As it turns out, you may want to start driving more cautiously during your evening commute. According to the report, the most deadly time to drive in Massachusetts is between 5 and 6 pm. Using National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) data for 2016 to 2020, Forbes Advisor found that more fatal car accidents happened in the state during this hour than during any other. The same was true for Maine and New Hampshire.

This time was slightly earlier than the country as a whole. Nationwide, the report found that 6 to 7 pm is the most dangerous hour to drive. The next most deadly time is 8 to 9 pm, followed by 9 to 10 pm. Overall, the most dangerous driving hour in the majority of states falls between 3 and 10 p.m., especially after sunset.

In a hit and run accident, the driver leaves the scene without stopping to assess damage or injury, call the police, or provide his or her contact information. While leaving the scene of an accident is illegal almost everywhere, it still happens all too often. In fact, over 2,500 people died in hit and run crashes in the U.S. in 2020. In Massachusetts, nearly 10% of fatal pedestrian accidents in 2022 involved hit and run drivers.

Sometimes drivers flee the scene because they are intoxicated, don’t have a license or insurance, or simply panic and keep driving. Even if the driver is never identified, victims of hit and run accidents in Massachusetts can still make a claim with their insurance company. If the driver is later identified, he or she may face criminal charges or a lawsuit in civil court.

Recent MA Hit and Run Accidents

Massachusetts residents had higher rates of traumatic brain injury-related emergency department (ED) visits than residents of any other state studied, according to a 2021 report in the Journal of Head Trauma Rehabilitation. Over 998 per 100,000 MA residents went to an emergency room for a traumatic brain injury (TBI) in a single year, topping the list of the 25 states reporting that data. While the Commonwealth fared better on TBI-related deaths and hospitalizations, one thing is clear: brain injuries affect a substantial number of Massachusetts residents every year.

TBIs occur when a bump, blow, jolt, or penetration to the head disrupts normal brain function. Although many TBIs result in mild concussions, serious brain injury is a major cause of death and disability. In fact, a 2018 special report by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH)  indicated that TBIs contributed to 68,260 emergency room visits, 5,062 hospitalizations, and 820 deaths of MA residents in one year.

Causes of Brain Injuries in Massachusetts

American roads have become increasingly dangerous for walkers. According to Governors Highway Safety Association estimates, drivers killed nearly 7,500 pedestrians in 2021 — the highest number in 40 years. And in Massachusetts, MassDOT crash portal data indicate that pedestrian deaths rose 40% between 2020 and 2021, rebounding even higher than pre-pandemic normals.

Pedestrian Fatalities in Massachusetts

While pedestrian accidents can happen anywhere at any time, a WalkBoston report identified several key factors regarding Massachusetts pedestrian deaths in 2021.

It is your right to hire a competent lawyer that you trust with whatever matter you are dealing with. Sometimes you may choose one at the outset of your case only to discover that they are not a good match. No matter the reason, you should know that you can change your lawyer at any time, including in the middle of your case.

The most common complaint about lawyers are that they are difficult to get ahold of. All too frequently, we hear of clients that hire a lawyer that they can never get in contact with. Calls and emails go unreturned and communication gets pushed off over and over again. Maybe they have an unusually large caseload and are being overworked. No matter the excuse, when you hire a lawyer, you have a right to be a priority. You have the biggest interest in the progress of the case and your lawyer should frequently update you on his or her work. At Altman & Altman LLP we pride ourselves on being highly available to our clients. You can contact us any hour of the day on any day of the week. This includes weekends and holidays. Lawsuits can be stressful. The job of your lawyer is to usher you through this process as seamlessly as possible, and certainly not to add even more stress.

Many clients hire the first lawyer they speak to. You should keep in mind that the lawyer your hire could actually be the difference between winning or losing your case. It is usually a good idea to meet with a lawyer at their office before you hire them to represent you. Altman & Altman offers free initial consultations so you can meet with our attorneys and decide if we would be a good fit.  You can get a feel for the culture of our office. Some people recommend paying attention to how the receptionist talks to clients calling in to see if they are actually put through to their attorney. Many firms also have testimonials from previous clients on their websites which can help you determine how they treated past clients.

Here are some questions you should ask a lawyer you are prospecting:

  • Have you handled cases similar to mine?
  • Have you been successful with these cases?
  • How long will the process take?
  • What are my options?
  • How long will it take for me to reach someone at this office?

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Soft tissue injuries are one of the most common types of injuries, and can occur from immeasurable amounts of different causes. They can also range in severity from minor bruises to more serious, lingering injuries such as torn ligaments. If you suffered a soft tissue injury due to the negligence of another person, property owner or other third party, contact a personal injury attorney from the Cambridge firm of Altman & Altman LLP today.

What kind of soft tissue injury did you suffer?

Soft tissue injuries can be caused by many different means, including trips, slip and falls, car accidents, being struck by an object or person, falls from various heights and other work-related types of incidents, such as falling debris. These injuries can greatly vary in severity and in the longevity of their occurrence.

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