Immediate Steps at the Scene
Being involved in a car accident in Boston is a disorienting, stressful experience. What you do in the minutes and hours immediately following a crash can have a significant impact on your health, your legal rights, and your ability to recover compensation. This guide walks you through exactly what to do, step by step.
Step 1: Check for injuries and call 911. Before anything else, check yourself and your passengers for injuries. Call 911 immediately if anyone is injured, if vehicles are blocking traffic, or if there is significant property damage. In Massachusetts, you are legally required to stop at the scene of any accident resulting in injury or property damage under MGL Chapter 90, Section 24.
Step 2: Move to safety if possible. If the vehicles are drivable and no one is seriously injured, move them to the shoulder or a nearby parking lot to clear the road. Turn on hazard lights and use flares or emergency triangles if available. Never leave the scene entirely until police arrive and you have exchanged information.
Step 3: Call the police. Even for minor accidents in Boston, a police report creates an official record of the incident. The officer will document statements from drivers and witnesses, note traffic conditions, and potentially issue citations. This report is valuable evidence in your insurance claim and any potential lawsuit.
Exchanging Information and Documenting the Scene
Step 4: Exchange information with the other driver. Collect the following from every driver involved: full name and contact information, driver’s license number, vehicle registration, insurance company name and policy number, vehicle make, model, year, and license plate number. Be polite but cautious – do not admit fault or apologize, even if you think you may have contributed to the accident.
Step 5: Talk to witnesses. If bystanders witnessed the accident, get their names and contact information before they leave. Independent witness accounts are among the most persuasive pieces of evidence in disputed liability cases.
Step 6: Document everything with your phone. Take photos and videos of: all vehicles involved from multiple angles, visible damage to all vehicles, the position of vehicles before they are moved, skid marks, traffic signals or signs, road conditions, your injuries, and the surrounding area. Photos taken immediately after an accident capture details that memories and even police reports may miss.
Medical Care After a Boston Car Accident
Step 7: Seek medical attention immediately. Even if you feel fine at the scene, you should be evaluated by a medical professional as soon as possible. Many serious injuries – including concussions, internal bleeding, soft tissue injuries, and herniated discs – have delayed symptoms. Adrenaline at the scene often masks pain. Insurance companies will argue that a gap in medical treatment means your injuries aren’t serious. Protect your health and your legal rights by getting checked out the same day.
Step 8: Follow up on all recommended treatment. Attend every appointment, follow your doctor’s recommendations, and document your symptoms and how your injuries affect your daily life in a journal. Consistent medical treatment creates a documented record that connects your injuries to the accident.
Dealing with Insurance After a Boston Car Accident
Massachusetts is a no-fault state for auto insurance, which means your own Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage pays your medical bills and a portion of your lost wages up to $8,000 regardless of who caused the accident. This applies immediately without waiting to establish fault.
However, Massachusetts law also allows you to step outside the no-fault system and bring a tort claim against the at-fault driver if your medical bills exceed $2,000 or your injuries include a broken bone, loss of hearing or sight, substantial disfigurement, or other serious conditions as defined in MGL Chapter 231, Section 6D.
Step 9: Report the accident to your insurance company. You are required to notify your insurer promptly. Provide factual information but be careful – do not give a recorded statement to the other driver’s insurance company without first consulting an attorney. Adjusters are trained to use your words to minimize your claim.
Step 10: Do not accept a quick settlement. Insurance companies often contact accident victims quickly with settlement offers before they understand the full extent of their injuries. Once you sign a release, you cannot seek additional compensation. Do not accept any settlement without understanding whether it fully covers your medical costs, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
When to Call a Boston Car Accident Lawyer
You should contact a personal injury attorney as soon as possible if: your injuries are serious or require ongoing treatment; you missed work or anticipate future lost income; liability is disputed; you were hit by an uninsured or underinsured driver; you are unsure what your claim is worth; or the insurance company is pressuring you to settle quickly.
At Larson Law, our Boston car accident attorneys offer free consultations and handle all personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis – you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you. We investigate your accident, deal with the insurance companies, and fight for the full compensation you deserve under Massachusetts law.
Results Disclaimer: Past case results, settlements, and verdicts mentioned on this website do not guarantee or predict a similar outcome in any future case. Every case is unique and depends on its own facts and legal issues.