Law Offices of
Robert h. astor
SPRINGFIELD,
MA 01144
413-781-1144
AMHERST,
MA 01002
413-253-0111
NORTHAMPTION,
MA 01060
413-584-4348
Car Accidents in Springfield, MA
Experienced Car Accident Lawyer in Springfield, Massachusetts
A car accident can change your life in a matter of seconds.
One moment you’re on your way to pick up the kids from school or head into the office, the next you’re injured and potentially facing both physical and emotional pain. Now, your medical bills are growing, your car needs repair and you require some relief.
The Law Office of Robert H. Astor exists to help people recover much-needed compensation and a sense of justice after car crashes. Our founding attorney, Robert Astor, is a Springfield car accident lawyer who has successfully represented thousands of injured clients since 1980.
What Types of Injuries Did You Suffer in Your Car Crash?
Injuries sustained in car crashes can take years to recover from, and in some cases, they leave the victim permanently disabled. Our team at the Law Offices of Robert H. Astor has fought on behalf of clients throughout western Massachusetts who suffered serious trauma in car accidents, such as:
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
- Spinal cord injuries, neck injuries and paralysis
- Burns and scarring
- Loss of limbs
- Broken bones
- Soft tissue damage, such as whiplash
- Emotional trauma and pain and suffering
are vehicular
No-Fault Insurance
and What It Means for You
Massachusetts is a “no-fault” insurance state. This means your insurance company will pay for a portion of the damages you suffer in an auto accident, up to your policy limits, no matter who was at fault for the crash. Even if you were 100% responsible for the wreck, your insurance company will need to pay.
Through your insurance company, you possess Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage—your no-fault insurance. In Massachusetts, all drivers usually carry at least $8,000 in PIP coverage.
PIP covers each person in your vehicle during the accident. For example, if you had two passengers in your car and all three of you were hurt, your insurance would provide PIP coverage for each of the passengers. In some cases, that PIP coverage provides up to $8,000 per passenger.
It’s important to know that PIP coverage only
covers certain specific damages, such as:
Medical
expenses
The amount of medical expenses paid by your auto insurance varies depending on what type of health insurance you have.
Lost
wages
You’ll receive compensation for the wages you can’t earn because you’re out of work due to your injuries.
LOSS
There’s also compensation available for the expenses incurred for childcare or hiring someone to help with household chores during your recovery.
Getting your insurance company to pay on your claim may not be as straightforward as you would like, however. It is always advisable to speak with a knowledgeable car accident lawyer before negotiating any type of settlement with your insurer.
What Happens When My Damages Exceed PIP Coverage?
If you reach the limits of your car insurance coverage, it becomes necessary to establish the other driver’s liability for the accident. If established, you can file a claim with the other party’s insurer. You should expect a fight here, as insurance companies do everything they can to minimize how much they pay out. That’s why you need an experienced car accident lawyer on your side.
If both insurance companies pay their required amounts but your total damages amount to more, filing a personal injury claim against the other driver is a possibility.
Determining Your Eligibility to File
a Personal Injury Lawsuit
To file a personal injury claim after a car accident, you’ll need to show that you qualify to do so. There are several ways to qualify; our Springfield car accident attorney will assess your situation and advise you accordingly. For example, you may be eligible to file a personal injury claim if:
more than $2,000
permanently disfigured
broken bones
The potential for a personal injury lawsuit works greatly in your favor, When the insurance company realizes you have retained a car accident lawyer.
Talk to an accident Lawyer
there is no cost to speak to an attorney about your case
SPRINGFIELD, MA 01144
413-781-1144
AMHERST, MA 01002
413-253-0111
NORTHAMPTON, MA 01060
413-584-4348
Comparative Negligence:
What Role Did You Play in Your Car Accident?
In a personal injury lawsuit, you may find a percentage of fault assigned to you. In other words, how much responsibility do you, the injured person, bear for the accident?
Massachusetts follows a comparative negligence rule. This means, in a personal injury lawsuit, the court may,if the facts warrant, attribute a certain percentage of fault to you for your accident. If you’re more than 50 percent at fault, you cannot recover damages.
Comparative negligence also affects the amount you may recover. For example:
Let’s say we win your case
and you’re awarded
$100,000
in damages
But you’re also found to be 30 % at fault.
your damage award will be reduced
$70,000
- 30%
Handling All Types of Auto Accidents
Since 1980
- Head-on collisions
- Rear-end collisions
- Accidents caused by defective
auto parts and equipment
- Side-impact collisions (also known as
T-bone collisions or broadsides) - Crashes caused by drunk drivers
- Hit-and-run accidents
- Multi-vehicle pileups