I’m sorry that I haven’t posted to this blog in a while; the combination of too much work, and a little too much travel.
So, what are you thankful for this Thanksgiving holiday? You must have a list, and for many, the short list probably includes being thankful that some kind of family argument didn’t erupt with a relative during Thanksgiving dinner. That, or you’re grateful you probably don’t have to work on Friday.
If you get to where you’re going and back without being in a Massachusetts car accident this weekend, you should definitely add that one to the list. Why? Because Thanksgiving is traditionally the busiest travel holiday of the year, with an unbelievably high number of vehicles on the road all over the country. In Massachusetts, all the major highways will be jam-packed over the weekend – especially Thursday and Sunday. Those highways include the Mass. Pike, Route 128, Routes 3 & 92, and Interstate 95. Thank God I’ll be nowhere near them!
But what do you do if you’re one of the unlucky ones, and are injured in a car accident? As a veteran Boston Massachusetts car accident lawyer, I’ve put together a list of what you should do if this happens to you: Here’s a brief list:
1) Pull Over, Immediately. Assuming your vehicle is still drivable, under Massachusetts law, you must stop at once if your vehicle hits another motor vehicle, including a motorcycle or bicycle, or a pedestrian. Note: The same law applies if you hit an animal, or if your vehicle hits another person’s property. Don’t even think of driving away, or you’ll expose yourself to a Massachusetts criminal charge of leaving the scene of an accident.
2) Dial “911.” Call the police at once on your cell phone. If you don’t, your insurance company might deny coverage, and in the worst case you could be prosecuted if you do not report a collision.
3) Accept Medical Treatment. Even if you don’t feel immediately injured – be sure to accept any medical evaluation that EMT’s offer. Far too often, car accident victims discover a few days later, that they in fact suffered serious injuries. These are called “soft tissue injuries, because no fractures or lacerations may be immediately involved. These injuries typically worsen over time.
4) Cooperate With Law Enforcement. As a Quincy, Massachusetts car accident law firm, we strongly recommend that you refrain from admitting any guilt in connection with your collision. Do not talk to the other drivers or passengers involved in the crash, except to exchange contact information.
5) Take Notes. If you can, jot down notes about the accident as soon as possible. By doing so, you will be prepared with as much evidence and documentation as possible, without later forgetting this critical information when it will be needed by your attorney.
6) Take Photos With Your Camera Or Smartphone. If you can’t take photos immediately, return to the scene as soon as possible to do so, or ask a friend to do so. Photograph any obstacles, obstructions, adverse road conditions, signs, trees, vegetation, and any other relevant information.
7) Call A Family Member or Friend. You should call someone as soon as possible to let them know what has happened to you, and to inform them of your whereabouts.
8) Contact Your Insurance Carrier and Your Attorney. As soon as you can, call your insurance carrier – but only to report that the accident occurred. Do not answer any other questions about the accident other than the date, time, and location of the accident. Do not speak with anyone else involved in the accident or their insurance company, without first obtaining legal advice from an experienced Massachusetts car accident law firm.
And remember – don’t drive until the tryptophan wears off. Doing otherwise is being a real turkey.