As Whitman car accident lawyers, we at The Law Offices of Gerald J. Noonan have seen firsthand the devastating results car accidents have had on our clients.
Massachusetts has complex multiple-lane roadways, bike lanes, congested intersections, roundabouts, and pedestrian traffic. Couple this with road construction, inpatient drivers, and people who are spending more time looking at their devices than paying attention to the road, and it’s understandable why car accidents happen so frequently.
Even if you are a cautious driver, you can still find yourself the victim of a car crash and need help from a Whitman car accident attorney. At The Law Offices of Gerald J. Noonan, we bring an unparalleled commitment to representing our clients involved in car accidents. We aggressively fight for the fair treatment of car accident victims based on Massachusetts law. When we accept a wrongful death case, serious car accident case, or motorcycle accident, we are committed to ensuring that our clients get fair compensation when their accident results in serious injury, disability, or death.
By holding negligent drivers responsible for traffic violations that lead to accidents, we show our commitment to safety and our clients. If you are the victim of a car crash, contact our team of Whitman car accident attorneys today.
Common Causes of Car Wrecks in Massachusetts
Crashes happen because someone, be it one of the drivers, a pedestrian, or the institution responsible for maintaining the roads and traffic signage, was negligent to some degree. Some of the most common causes of car wrecks include:
- Speeding
- Distracted driving
- Driving under the influence
- Defective car parts
- Reckless driving
- Poor signage or road maintenance
Using the cell phone to send emails, messages, phone calls, or a smartphone application is one of the most common distractions drivers face. Since 2020, Massachusetts has banned drivers from holding their cell phones while operating a motor vehicle. One study by the University of Utah showed that people who drive and talk on their cell phones are as impaired as those who drive under the influence.
Common Car Accident Injuries
Passengers, drivers, and pedestrians can sustain various types of accident-related injuries in car accidents. These injuries fall into two broad categories. They are impact injuries and penetrating injuries. An impact injury occurs when a vehicle occupant strikes the interior of the vehicle or is thrown from the vehicle, impacting the ground or other objects. For instance, if the driver’s head hits the side window during an accident, it is classified as an impact injury.
Penetrating injuries involve loose objects flying in or around the vehicle and striking the passengers. For example, when a window shatters and cuts the car’s occupant, it is considered a penetrating injury.
Impact and penetrating injuries can be severe and require diagnosis by medical professionals. The documentation these professionals provide can assist accident victims in pursuing compensation for damages resulting from the crash.
Head and Back Injuries
Head and back injuries are some of the most serious car accident-related injuries. Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is an injury to the brain that happens when the brain is jolted. In a car accident, this happens when the next snaps forward or the person’s head hits a side window or the vehicle’s frame. In some instances, TBIs are mild and require minimum treatment. In other cases, TBIs can have long-term, lasting effects.
A concussion is a particular type of TBI. Even though a concussion could be a mild brain injury, it still requires a person to get medical treatment.
Spinal cord injuries can either be complete in that there is no feeling below the injured area, or they can be incomplete, meaning that there is some feeling below the location of the injury. Some spinal cord injuries are immediately apparent, and others may not manifest themselves until sometime after the accident.
Soft Tissue Injuries
Soft tissue injuries can include sprains and strains, as well as bruising. A sprain happens when the soft tissue between two bones is damaged. Bruising is one of the most common injuries after an accident. A bruise can heal on its own, but it is also possible to receive severe bruising that threatens your health.
Arm and Leg Injuries
Motor vehicle accidents can cause broken bones and damage your limbs. Because of shock, a person might not discover they have a broken bone until they’ve left the accident scene. Dislocated joints and loss of limbs are other examples of arm and leg trauma that a car accident victim can experience.
Getting Compensation For Your Car Accident Injury
You can either negotiate with the at-fault driver’s insurance or take the case to court to obtain compensation for your car accident injury. Keep in mind the statute of limitations, which varies by state and determines the time limit for filing a lawsuit. Notify your insurance company immediately after the accident and consider hiring an attorney if the injuries are serious. Settlements and verdicts are the two ways car accident claims are resolved.
If you or someone you love is a motor vehicle accident victim, contact our team of Whitman personal injury attorneys at The Law Offices of Gerald J. Noonan today. We understand the law and will vigorously fight to ensure that you or your loved one gets the compensation they deserve. Contact us today for a free case review.
