Victims of car accidents in Shrewsbury endure physical injuries, reduced quality of life, and financial hardship. The aftermath can feel overwhelming, especially when you are trying to heal while worrying about your future.
You have a right to pursue compensation if injured in a car crash caused by someone else’s negligence. Even so, you must demonstrate how the negligent party’s actions contributed to your losses.
Insurance companies may also deny claims or attempt to shift blame. You should, therefore, work closely with a legal professional after the crash to understand your options and protect your legal rights.
Our Shrewsbury car accident attorneys at Shebell & Shebell are here to guide you through every step of the process. We can investigate the car crash, gather evidence, negotiate with insurers, and, if necessary, fight for you in court.
Shrewsbury Car Accidents: Key Takeaways
- Car accidents in Shrewsbury, often involving busy corridors like Route 9 or Route 20, cause injuries, financial strain, and emotional hardship, making recovery overwhelming for victims.
- Massachusetts is a no-fault state, meaning your Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage initially pays for your medical bills up to $8,000.
- Our seasoned Shrewsbury car accident lawyer at Shebell & Shebell can investigate crashes, gather evidence, and represent clients in various accident types and injuries.
- Our car accident lawyers fight insurers’ lowball tactics, negotiate settlements, and go to court when necessary.
- After a crash, seek immediate medical attention and consult a lawyer to protect your right to file a lawsuit within Massachusetts’ three-year deadline.
- A skilled attorney determines when your injuries meet the threshold to file a claim against the negligent driver for pain and suffering.
- Call our car accident lawyer for legal support after the crash.
Why Choose Our Shrewsbury Car Accident Lawyers?
The compensation you receive after a car accident can significantly impact your financial stability while you heal. Working with a dedicated legal professional can contribute to a positive outcome in your claim or lawsuit.
Our car accident lawyers recovered $1.62 million for a victim of a crash who sustained a spinal cord injury. Our success in recovering huge settlement values indicates our willingness to pursue maximum settlement value for our clients.
Compensation for a Car Accident
You can initiate a personal injury claim or lawsuit to obtain compensation for your injury-related losses. Some of the damages you can pursue in a car accident include:
Medical Expenses - You may incur medical expenses as you recover from an injury. These damages cover all healthcare costs, including emergency room visits, hospital stays, surgeries, diagnostic tests, medications, physical therapy, and ongoing rehabilitation.
You can also recover future medical expenses when injuries require continued treatment, surgeries, or long-term care. Our personal injury lawyers work with medical experts to calculate these projected costs.
Lost Income - Lost income covers income missed due to your inability to work during recovery. Elements of lost income include salary, overtime, bonuses, commissions, and benefits lost while recovering from injuries.
You can also recover compensation for diminished future earnings if your injuries prevent you from returning to your previous employment or reduce your earning capacity.
Out-of-Pocket Expenses - You can recover various out-of-pocket costs directly resulting from your accident, such as prescription medications, medical equipment, transportation to medical appointments, home modifications for disabilities, and assistance with daily activities.
Pain and Suffering - Pain and suffering represent compensation for discomfort, pain, trauma, and inconvenience caused by injuries. It is a non-economic damage that acknowledges that accidents inflict genuine suffering that deserves monetary recognition.
For example, you may recover pain and suffering damages if a back injury due to a car crash has caused chronic pain for months, years, or the rest of your life.
Emotional Anguish - A car accident can worsen your mental health, causing anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and other mental health conditions. For example, you may suffer post-traumatic stress disorder if the events leading to the crash were traumatic.
Our car accident lawyer can prove emotional distress using medical records, psychological evaluations, testimony from mental health professionals, and personal statements that demonstrate how the accident has affected your daily life.
Loss of Enjoyment of Life - Loss of enjoyment of life damages compensate you for your inability to participate in activities, hobbies, and experiences you previously enjoyed. Whether you can no longer play sports, travel, or engage in family activities, you can pursue compensation for these losses.
Loss of Consortium - Loss of consortium provides compensation to your spouse for the loss of companionship, affection, and intimacy resulting from your injuries. These damages acknowledge that serious injuries affect a victim’s ability to maintain healthy relationships.
Permanent Disability/Disfigurement - Permanent disability or disfigurement damages address lasting impairments that permanently alter your appearance or physical capabilities. Scarring, limb loss, paralysis, and other permanent conditions warrant substantial compensation reflecting their lifelong impact on your personal and work life.
Punitive Damages - Massachusetts law rarely permits punitive damages in car accident cases, reserving them for situations involving willful, reckless, or malicious misconduct by the at-fault party. Their primary purpose is to punish the wrongdoer and deter similar conduct.
Dangerous Roads and Intersections in Shrewsbury
Although car accidents can occur in any part of Shrewsbury, road users are vulnerable in specific zones. Here are the specific roads where car accidents are likely to occur:
- Route 9 (Boston Turnpike): As the primary east-west corridor, Route 9 sees tremendous traffic volume, especially near the Worcester line and commercial zones, leading to frequent rear-end and merging accidents.
- Route 20: This major truck route and artery often experiences serious collisions, especially at intersections and on-ramps where speed and visibility become factors.
- Grafton Street (Route 140/122A Intersection): The area where Grafton Street meets multiple other routes is complex, creating a challenging environment for drivers and leading to T-bone and failure-to-yield crashes.
- Main Street (Near Town Common/Dean Park): Heavy local traffic, pedestrian activity, and proximity to the Town Common create frequent, lower-speed collisions and pedestrian-involved crashes.
Shrewsbury Car Accident Lawyer
When you suffered an injury in a car accident in Shrewsbury, you need seasoned legal representation who understands local traffic patterns and accident causes.
At Shebell & Shebell, our Shrewsbury car accident attorneys have successfully represented countless clients throughout the area, securing maximum compensation to recover from injuries after vehicle collisions.
We can represent you if injured in any of the following accidents:
- Rear-End Collisions: These accidents occur when one vehicle crashes into the back of another. Our car accident lawyer can help determine liability and seek compensation from the negligent party.
- T-Bone Collisions: Also known as side-impact crashes, T-bone accidents happen when the front of one vehicle collides with the side of another. Our car accident attorneys can investigate the circumstances of the crash to build a strong case on your behalf.
- Head-On Collisions: Head-on collisions can result in catastrophic injuries or fatalities. Our car accident lawyers will use medical records to prove the extent of your injuries and support your claim for a higher settlement value.
- Sideswipe Accidents: Sideswipe collisions occur when two vehicles traveling parallel to each other make contact. Our car accident attorney can use traffic camera footage and other evidence sources to prove the other party’s negligence.
- Rollover Accidents: Rollover crashes can cause devastating consequences for the vehicle’s occupants. Our car accident lawyers can investigate the crash and pursue compensation for your losses.
Our car accident attorneys can also represent you if you sustain any of the following injuries:
- Whiplash
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Broken bones or fractures
- Internal injuries
- Burns
- Lacerations or cuts
Fighting the Insurance Company
You are likely to face resistance from an adjuster who works hard to minimize the financial obligation of an insurer. However, you can level the playing field against the insurer with the support of our car accident lawyers.
Here is how our car accident attorneys can fight the insurer:
Establishing the Value of Your Losses - Insurance companies routinely undervalue claims to protect their profits. However, our car accident attorneys conduct thorough damage assessments that capture the actual cost of your injuries.
We work with medical experts, economists, and vocational specialists to document all current and future expenses, including medical treatment, lost income, diminished earning capacity, and intangible losses. The comprehensive evaluation of the losses allows you to receive a maximum settlement value.
Negotiating with Insurers - Our seasoned car accident attorneys understand insurance company tactics and counter their strategies effectively. We handle all communications, preventing you from making statements that can harm your case.
We use compelling evidence and accurate damage calculations to negotiate fair settlements. Insurance adjusters respect our reputation and know we will not accept lowball offers.
Representation in Court - When insurance companies refuse reasonable settlements, our car accident lawyers are prepared to take your case to trial. We present compelling evidence to juries, cross-examine defense witnesses, and argue persuasively for maximum compensation.
Shebell & Shebell’s courtroom success record motivates insurance companies to offer fair settlements rather than a costly and lengthy trial.
What to Do After a Car Accident
After a car crash, your actions can enhance your wellness and protect your legal rights. For example, you should seek immediate medical attention even if you feel fine or after a minor car accident.
A healthcare provider can diagnose hidden injuries and initiate a treatment plan. They will also document the injury and treatment plan, enhancing your legal right to compensation. An insurer can question the severity of your injury if you delay seeking medical attention.
Speak with our car accident lawyers after sustaining an injury in a crash. An attorney can provide crucial legal advice about how Massachusetts’s complex auto insurance laws apply to your case, allowing you to make appropriate decisions that protect your right to compensation.
For example, the Massachusetts personal injury statute of limitations requires injured victims to initiate a personal injury lawsuit within three years. You can lose your right to compensation if you initiate a lawsuit beyond this deadline.
Our car accident attorney understands the applicable deadlines in your case and will initiate a timely claim to preserve your legal right to compensation.
Let Our Car Accident Lawyers Pursue Maximum Compensation
A serious car accident can leave you drowning in medical expenses and lost income. When you turn to the insurer for help, you may face delays, low settlement offers, or outright denial of your claim.
Taking an insurer to court is challenging due to their vast legal resources, aggressive defense tactics, and delay strategies. You must also make compelling arguments before a judge, hindering your quest for fair and just compensation.
At Shebell & Shebell, our car accident lawyers understand these challenges and are prepared to fight aggressively on your behalf. We will use relevant evidence to negotiate with insurers or demonstrate to a judge why you deserve a higher settlement value.
Contact us online or at (732) 663-1122 for your initial consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will my Shrewsbury car accident case go to court in Worcester?
If your car accident case involves damages exceeding the limit of the District Court, your attorney will likely file the lawsuit in the Massachusetts Superior Court in Worcester, as Shrewsbury is in Worcester County. For smaller claims, the case might go to the District Court in Westborough. A knowledgeable attorney determines the proper venue to pursue your claim.
How does Massachusetts's no-fault system affect my right to sue the at-fault driver?
Massachusetts is a no-fault state, meaning your own Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance pays your medical bills and lost wages up to $8,000, regardless of fault. You only gain the right to sue the negligent driver for pain and suffering if your injuries meet a certain legal threshold. This threshold is met if your medical expenses exceed $2,000 or if you sustained a specific type of serious injury, such as a fractured bone, significant disfigurement, or substantial loss of a bodily function.
What should I do if my car was hit by a driver who fled the scene near Lake Quinsigamond?
If your car was hit by a driver who leaves the scene (a "hit and run"), you must notify the Shrewsbury Police immediately and file an official report. Your next step is to contact an attorney to explore filing a claim under your Uninsured Motorist (UM) coverage. This part of your policy is designed to cover damages, including medical bills and pain and suffering, when the at-fault driver cannot be identified.
Does a police report establish fault in my car accident claim?
The police report provides a strong basis for your claim, detailing the scene, damage, and witness statements, and it may include the officer's opinion on fault. However, the police report is not definitive proof in a civil court. Your attorney must conduct an independent investigation, collect photos, examine black box data, and depose witnesses to prove the other driver's negligence and secure the maximum compensation you deserve.