Massachusetts Hit and Run Accidents

The Massachusetts Hit and Run Accident lawyers at Rightful Legal understand that a hit and run accident is a very traumatic occurrence for a victim. These incidents can become even more traumatic because victims are often left without essential details about the at-fault party, making it difficult to pursue legal action or seek compensation. That’s where a trusted legal advisor steps in. Engaging with a proficient Massachusetts Personal Injury Attorney from Rightful Legal can provide you with the legal support needed to secure adequate compensation for your injuries.

WHAT IS CONSIDERED A HIT AND RUN IN MASSACHUSETTS?

Under Massachusetts’ hit-and-run law, if a driver knowingly gets into an accident that causes injuries or property damages without stopping and giving the other driver his or her name, address, and vehicle registration number, that driver has committed the crime of hit-and-run. ​​Failure to adhere to these legal obligations can lead to criminal charges and civil liability.

WHAT ARE DAMAGES THAT A VICTIM OR THEIR FAMILY CAN CLAIM  IN A HIT AND RUN OCURRANCE?

Damages that a victim can claim in a hit and run may include the following:

• Lost income from inability to work
• Medical expenses
• Emotional distress, including PTSD
• Physical pain and suffering
• Vehicle damages

Damages that a victim’s family can claim in a hit and run, if the victim dies may include the following:

• Emotional pain and suffering
• Loss of financial support
• Medical expenses, if any
• Loss of consortium
• Funeral and burial expenses
• Punitive damages

THE IMPORTANCE OF PROMPT REPORTING OF A HIT AND RUN IN MASSACHUSETTS:

If you were the victim of a hit and run accident in Massachusetts, you must prove an accident took place before you can claim compensation from the responsible driver, if the driver can be identified. This is why it is important to immediately report the incident to local law enforcement authorities. Prompt reporting helps document the accident, allows evidence from the scene to be gathered, and aids in launching an investigation to identify the responsible party.

You may be lucky if you or a witness were able to get a license number or description of the person or vehicle or if the accidents occurred in an area that may have been recorded by cameras. However, this is unfortunately not always the case. Prompt reporting can optimize the police officer’s odds of finding the hit and run driver and allow you to claim compensation under the driver’s auto insurance provider and file a personal injury lawsuit for the recovery of the full amount of your damages.

If you were unable to identify the driver, or the driver lacked the necessary auto insurance coverage, you can still make a claim under your own auto insurance policy, using uninsured motorist coverage. You will need to show that a hit run occurred, that they were at fault and provide evidence of your injuries. It is essential to contact a Massachusetts Car Accident Attorney as quickly as feasible after a hit and run accident to understand your legal rights and options.

STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS FOR A HIT AND RUN:

In Massachusetts, the statute of limitations (which establishes a time period after a wrongdoing, that you have to file a lawsuit) is typically three years. A victim normally cannot get any damages if the event occurred more than three years ago, however, occasionally there can be exceptions to that rule. If you have been involved in a hit and run it is important to speak with a Massachusetts Hit and Run Accident Attorney immediately, to make sure you are aware of your legal rights and the time period to bring forth any claims.

CONTACT OUR ACCIDENT LAWYERS AT RIGHTFUL LEGAL:

It is a very serious situation when a driver hits a person or a car and leaves the site of the accident in Massachusetts. There are numerous issues in a hit and run accident in Massachusetts that only experienced and knowledgeable attorneys like Attorney Paulsen and her team at Rightful Legal can handle. Engaging with Rightful Legal can provide you with the legal support needed to secure adequate compensation for your injuries. Rightful Legal has the expertise and resources to assist in recovering the damages to which you are entitled after suffering hit and run accidents in a Massachusetts. Rightful Legal will be your trusted ally through this difficult process, protecting your rights and getting you the compensation you deserve.

Tell us your story here or Call Rightful Legal directly at 617-821-5856 for a free consultation.