Jocelyn Mackie is a former civil litigator with content published on Findlaw, LifeHacker, and Marketwatch. She became a legal content writer to demystify the law and support informed decision-making by consumers. Jocelyn graduated from Lewis and Clark Law School in Portland, Oregon, and enjoys dutifully serving her cats and horses.
Jocelyn Mackie, J.D.
Jocelyn Mackie is a former civil litigator with content published on Findlaw, LifeHacker, and Marketwatch. She became a legal content writer to demystify the law and support informed decision-making by consumers. Jocelyn graduated from Lewis and Clark Law School in Portland, Oregon, and enjoys dutifully serving her cats and horses.
Jeffrey Johnson has written novels and movies in addition to legal analyses of eminent domain and immigration law. His experience in writing engaging fiction makes him uniquely capable of making the most dry and academic legal topics interesting (or as interesting as possible).
Reviewed
Jeffrey Johnson, J.D.
Jeffrey Johnson has written novels and movies in addition to legal analyses of eminent domain and immigration law. His experience in writing engaging fiction makes him uniquely capable of making the most dry and academic legal topics interesting (or as interesting as possible).
Editorial Note: We earn a commission from partner links on Forbes Advisor. Commissions do not affect our editors' opinions or evaluations.
Boston has a long list of firsts, including the first Dunkin Donuts and first national park. But it, unfortunately, has a high car accident rate, too. After 26 traffic fatalities in 2022, Boston now focuses on “Vision Zero” policies to reduce deadly car accidents.
Whether you sustained injuries or lost a loved one, managing a car crash is never easy. That is why finding a car accident attorney can make this ordeal easier. Here are Forbes Advisor’s best car accident lawyers in Boston, MA.
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Best Car Accident Attorneys in Bost, MA
Compare Top Car Accident Attorneys
Filing a Car Accident Lawsuit in Massachusetts
There are important laws that affect your car accident claim in Massachusetts. Here are some most likely to have the most significant impact on your case.
Massachusetts Statute of Limitations
The statute of limitations refers to the time limit for filing a lawsuit. In Massachusetts, that limit is three years from the accident date. So, if someone rear-ended your car on August 1, 2023, you have until August 1, 2026, to file a lawsuit.
Do not confuse the statute of limitations with the deadline for filing an insurance claim. Most companies require you to file a claim within 48 hours to seven days of the accident. The best practice is to file your claim immediately while the details remain fresh in your memory.
If your child sustained injuries in a car crash, they have until three years from their 18th birthday to file their own claim.
Massachusetts Driver Laws
The laws place requirements on all registered drivers in Massachusetts. If you violate any of these statutes, it may affect your claim progress or recovery amount. They include:
- Insurance requirements. Auto insurance is compulsory in Massachusetts. A driver must carry at least $20,000 coverage for bodily injury to others, $40,000 coverage for bodily injury per accident and $5,000 coverage for property damage to other people. Massachusetts also requires uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage of at least $20,000 per person or $40,000 total for all injured individuals.
- No-fault. Massachusetts is a no-fault car insurance state, meaning each party must cover their damages. Personal injury protection (PIP) must be carried by each driver for $8,000 to cover their own medical bills, lost wages and other accident expenses.
- Headlights. All drivers must use headlights in snowy, rainy, icy or foggy weather conditions and when driving through a tunnel. Also, drivers must activate headlights from 30 minutes after sunset to 30 minutes before sunrise.
- Mobile devices. Drivers over 18 can use hands-free devices while driving. They can only use handheld devices if the car is stationary, and that doesn’t include time spent at a red light. Failure to follow this law results in a $100 fine for the first offense, $250 for the second and $500 for the third and subsequent offenses.
- Drivers under 18. Young drivers cannot use any mobile devices while driving, even those with hands-free operation.
Identifying Fault for a Massachusetts Car Crash
Car accident plaintiffs can recover damages if most of the fault lies with the defendant. This standard is called modified comparative negligence. So, if the court determines a plaintiff is 45% at fault for an accident, but the defendant contributed 55% of the fault, the plaintiff can recover damages. But that amount is reduced by 45%—their part of the fault.
However, if a court concludes a plaintiff was 51% at fault, they cannot recover money damages at all. That is because they are more at fault than the defiant, even though it is only for a slight amount.
How Can an Attorney Help You?
Car accident lawyers make these claims easier. Many plaintiffs struggle with the claims process, especially if they face a long recovery or the defendant alleges contributory negligence. It is often reassuring and stress-relieving for a plaintiff to delegate these issues to a lawyer while they focus on feeling better.
When you hire a car accident lawyer in Boston, MA, you can expect assistance with:
- Case management. Your attorney can file the claim and provide all needed documentation, including medical reports, proof of lost wages or records. If the claim fails to settle, they can also file a lawsuit on your behalf.
- Investigation. It is often strenuous to find records, gather police reports or hunt down witnesses to find support for your claim. While injury victims rarely have the will or energy to complete these tasks, a car accident attorney has the skills and time to investigate and find the most robust evidence for your case.
- Accurately assess fault. Contributory negligence encourages defendants to find fault in a plaintiff’s driving. Your attorney’s investigation can reveal facts that clear or reduce your fault in an accident.
- Trial representation. Your case will likely settle, but some car accident cases may go to trial. If it reaches that point, you can rest assured that your lawyer is prepared to create the best case possible to sway a jury in your favor.
Consider hiring an attorney early in your claim. It allows more time to settle your case and find evidence in your favor.
How to Find the Best Car Accident Lawyer in Boston, MA
Finding a car accident lawyer in Boston, MA is often like finding a therapist. Someone who is perfect for another person may not match your needs. Here are some tips for finding a great car accident attorney:
- Request or seek referrals. Friends, relatives and coworkers are a great place to start if any of those people recently hired a car accident lawyer. But, lacking these resources, start with lists like this that discuss top attorneys or check Google reviews.
- Use state resources. Massachusetts offers attorney referral services. The Boston Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service (BBA LRS) is an attorney network that can send you the names of local personal injury lawyers. Another option is the Massachusetts Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service (LRS).
- Look for trial experience. Your case is unlikely to go to trial, but you want your lawyer ready for that possibility. Find attorneys with courtroom experience and consistent success. Million and multi-million dollar wins are not frequent, but they are a highlight reel that can show your attorney’s capabilities in challenging cases.
- Follow your gut. Car accident attorneys must know all the details to handle your case effectively. That often means sharing embarrassing medical information or symptoms of your injuries. If you are uncomfortable sharing all facts of your accident with an attorney, seek another match.
Methodology
Forbes Advisor considered many factors to develop the Best Car Accident Lawyers in Boston in 2024. Our mathematical module considers and weighs the information collected to calculate a specific rating and reviews these results to find the best attorneys in a given practice area.
Within the model, we review factors that legal professionals and consumers value in an attorney’s qualifications. After assigning weighted scores to hundreds of data points, we narrowed the field down to our top choices based on the following:
- Legal experience
- Special licenses and certifications
- Ethics and bar disciplinary measures
- Legal thought leadership
- Education and employment background
- Scholarly lectures and writings
- Awards and Honors
Forbes Advisor collects public data from various sources, including state bar associations, court records and other published sources on the internet. However, this information is not necessarily comprehensive. It might not include additional relevant information on an attorney’s legal skills and experience.
Each lawyer listed here has their own merits. Remember that our list relates to these lawyers’ legal backgrounds but does not evaluate their personalities or knowledge of the law. One attorney may be more suitable than another for your specific legal situation.
One thing we can’t quantify, though, is the rapport you establish with your attorney. Personality goes a long way when teaming up with an attorney, especially when facing a potentially difficult legal situation. These rankings should serve as a reference and potential starting point in your search for the right lawyer for you and your legal concerns.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Who pays medical bills after a car accident in Boston, MA?
Massachusetts is a no-fault state, so the injured party’s personal injury protection (PIP) or health insurance pays medical bills. However, if your medical expenses exceed $2,000 or your injuries significantly compromise your quality of life, you can pursue the at-fault driver for damages.
How long do I have to report a car accident to the state?
You must report the car accident within five days after it happened if there was an injury, death or over $1,000 of damage. Use the Motor Vehicle Crash Operator Report form to make the report.
How long does an insurance company have to settle a car accident claim?
Statutes do not specify a time limit for claim settlement. But they must pay the claim within a “prompt and reasonable” timeframe. That standard differs between accidents; some claims take longer to process, e.g., an accident involving multiple vehicles and injuries.
