Motor Vehicle Accidents

We handle a wide range of car accident cases

Our attorneys provide representation for all types of motor vehicle accident cases, including those involving:

• Uninsured and underinsured drivers — If the negligent driver does not have enough insurance to cover your expenses, we fight to recover the compensation you deserve.
• Rear-end accidents — Injuries from a rear-end collision may not be immediately apparent, but their effects can linger for years. We help you develop a full picture of the extent of your injuries.
• Hit-and-run accidents — Victims may still recover damages from their own insurance provider. We help you negotiate a fair settlement.
• Pedestrian accidents — Distracted and negligent drivers often fail to yield the right of way, resulting in catastrophic injuries. We hold reckless drivers accountable.
• SUV rollovers — Some SUV models are more likely to roll over in a crash. We thoroughly investigate the circumstances to ensure all negligent parties are held accountable.
• Texting while driving — Cellphone use has led to a rise in accidents. This behavior is dangerous and illegal under Massachusetts law.
• Bicycle accidents — A bicyclist is no match for a moving vehicle. We investigate these accidents as thoroughly as any other.
• Bar and restaurant liability — A business that knowingly serves alcohol to a person who subsequently drives drunk may be legally and financially responsible for resulting injuries.
• Car accidents and the elderly — Older adults are particularly vulnerable to serious injuries from a crash. We help accident victims get the medical care they need.
• Car accidents and medical conditions — A crash can worsen a pre-existing injury, a fact insurers often overlook. We help you recover compensation when an existing injury is exacerbated.
• Taxi and rideshare accidents — Multiple companies and insurers can complicate these claims. We cut through the confusion.
• Highway accidents — Crowded conditions, high speeds, and construction zones make highway driving dangerous. We handle claims on the Mass Turnpike, 128, 95, 93, and other freeways.
• Fatal car accidents — Tragically, some crashes prove fatal. We help families pursue a wrongful death claim on behalf of a loved one.
• Truck and tractor-trailer crashes — We investigate the causes and hold all negligent parties accountable, from the driver to the trucking company to the manufacturer of a defective part.
• Motorcycle collisions — These often result in severe head, back, and spinal cord injuries. We understand the specific challenges involved and the stigma attached to riders.
• Public transportation accidents — Whether your child was injured on a school bus or you were hurt on public transit or in a collision with an emergency vehicle, we help hold public entities accountable.
• Drunk driving accidents — We hold drunk drivers accountable through claims for compensatory and punitive damages, as well as dram shop claims against establishments that overserve.

What to do after a car accident

Car accidents happen in the blink of an eye, but the injuries that result can be long-lasting. What you do in the hours and days afterward can significantly affect your claim.

Do:

• Report the accident to the police and to your insurance company.
• Take pictures of the accident scene, the vehicles, and any visible injuries.
• Obtain contact information for all involved parties and any witnesses.
• Seek a medical evaluation even if you do not think you are injured. Many injuries, including closed head injuries, may take weeks or months to identify and diagnose.
• Call an experienced car accident attorney as soon as possible to protect your right to full financial recovery.

Don’t:

• Don’t talk to the insurance company without talking to a lawyer first (except to report the accident).
• Don’t accept blame or fault for the accident.
• Don’t tell the insurance company that you’re fine — injuries may take weeks or months to manifest.
• Don’t let the insurance company record any statements.
• Don’t sign any releases until the full scope of your injuries is known.
• Don’t assume the insurance company will offer the full and fair value of what you are entitled to.

Remember: neither your insurance company nor the other driver’s insurance company is on your side. Anything you say to an insurance representative may later be used to deny or minimize payment on your claim.

What makes us so effective?

We have the legal, technical, and professional resources necessary to:

• Investigate your case — We thoroughly investigate the causes of your accident using state-of-the-art technology and experts in forensic investigation.
• Coordinate your medical bills — We handle all dealings with insurance companies and medical billing departments so you can focus on your recovery.
• Determine the extent of injury — From broken bones to permanent disability, with assistance from leading medical specialists.
• Understand the law — We understand the legal nuances in valuing personal injury cases, and we show clearly how the accident affects every aspect of your life.

As a no-fault state, Massachusetts requires personal injury protection (PIP) coverage for medical bills, lost wages, and other expenses. Our coordination department is dedicated to maximizing your financial recovery from all sources, including public assistance, private health insurance, and no-fault insurance. We are tough negotiators who diligently protect your rights and interests.

Who pays your medical bills?

One of the first concerns accident victims raise is how they will pay for the treatment they need. Accident victims are often overwhelmed by the blizzard of bills, insurance claim forms, and paperwork a claim generates.

Dane Shulman Associates has a department specifically tasked with coordinating medical payments. When we handle your case, we keep track of all your medical bills, arrange for payment, and make sure your rights and interests are protected.

There may be multiple sources of compensation, including:

• Personal injury protection (PIP) coverage
• MedPay
• Private health insurance
• Medicare or Medicaid
• Workers’ compensation insurance

Massachusetts has no-fault car insurance, and because drivers are required to carry PIP, nearly every serious car accident case involves a PIP claim. No-fault insurance law is complex. The collateral source rule, for example, means compensation owed by an at-fault driver can be reduced by the PIP compensation the victim receives. If your case is not handled properly, it may reduce what you recover from the at-fault driver and their insurer.

What your claim is worth

Clients often do not know what kinds of compensation — and how much — they can expect to recover. In Massachusetts, auto claims can include:

• Medical bills
• Lost wage replacement through personal injury protection (PIP)
• Lost earning capacity
• Pain and suffering
• Special damages
• Liquidated damages
• Out-of-pocket expenses

In most cases, no one can tell you up front exactly what your claim will be worth. It requires a thorough investigation by an attorney with extensive experience valuing claims. We take nothing for granted: we photograph the scene, identify and interview eyewitnesses, analyze medical reports, and work with forensic accident experts.

Clients also ask about the effects of “fault” versus “no-fault” compensation. This area of the law is complex, and it is usually a mistake to leave it to insurance claims adjusters to disclose all the compensation you are entitled to.

Why choose Dane Shulman Associates

No recovery, no fee
We accept all motor vehicle accident claims on a contingency fee basis. That means we advance the cost of investigating your accident, developing your claim, and negotiating or trying your case to get a fair settlement or judgment.

If you don’t recover money for your claim, you will not pay attorney fees or costs. We don’t even charge for your initial consultation. If you are unsure whether you have a legitimate claim, you have nothing to lose by talking to us first. If you are unable to visit our office, we will come to you.

FAQ