What to Do After a Car Accident in Massachusetts: A Step-by-Step Guide

The steps you take immediately after a Massachusetts car accident determine the strength of your injury claim. Attorney Jeffrey C. Lavey explains exactly what to do and what not to do, to protect your rights and your health. Free consultation.

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After a car accident in Massachusetts, the decisions you make in the first hours and days are critical to your health and your ability to recover fair compensation. Attorney Jeffrey C. Lavey has guided accident victims through this process for over 37 years and shares the most important steps to take, and the most important mistakes to avoid.

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Step-by-Step: What to Do After a Car Accident in Massachusetts

Call 911: even if injuries seem minor. A police report is critical evidence.
Seek immediate medical attention: many serious injuries, including whiplash and traumatic brain injury, do not show immediate symptoms. Get evaluated right away.
Document the scene: photograph all vehicles, road conditions, traffic signals, and any visible injuries.
Exchange information: get the other driver’s name, license plate, insurance company, and policy number.
Get witness contacts: names and phone numbers of any bystanders who saw the crash.
Do NOT admit fault: even saying “I am sorry” can be used against you.
Notify your own insurance company, but do not give a recorded statement.
Do NOT speak to the other driver’s insurance company without an attorney.
Follow all medical treatment recommendations. Gaps in treatment are used by insurers to minimize your claim.
Call Attorney Jeffrey C. Lavey. A free consultation costs you nothing and protects your rights from day one.

The Most Common Mistake After an Accident

The single most common mistake accident victims make is speaking with the other driver’s insurance company before consulting an attorney. Insurance adjusters are trained to obtain statements that minimize your claim. Never give a recorded statement without legal counsel.

Call Attorney Jeffrey C. Lavey at (781) 938-1400 or Text (781) 938-1400 for a free consultation. There is never a fee unless we win your case. We serve clients throughout Woburn, Winchester, Burlington, Lexington, Medford, Malden, Billerica, Stoneham, Reading, Wakefield, and all of Massachusetts.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I do immediately at the scene of a Massachusetts car accident?

Call 911 even if injuries seem minor. A police report is critical documentation. Move vehicles out of traffic if safe to do so. Check for injuries and assist others if you can do so safely. Exchange information with the other driver: name, address, license number, plate number, and insurance information. Photograph the scene, vehicle damage, road conditions, and any visible injuries. Get the names and contact information of witnesses. Do not apologize or admit fault.

Should I seek medical attention even if I feel fine?

Yes, and promptly. Many serious injuries, including whiplash, herniated discs, concussion, and internal injuries do not cause immediate pain due to adrenaline and shock. Symptoms may appear 24 to 72 hours after the accident. A gap between the accident and your first medical visit gives insurers ammunition to argue your injuries were not caused by the crash. Seeing a physician the same day or the next day protects both your health and your claim.

What should I not do after a Massachusetts car accident?

Do not give a recorded statement to the other driver's insurance company without consulting Attorney Lavey. Do not sign any documents from an insurer or the other driver. Do not post about the accident on social media. Do not accept an initial settlement offer without legal review. Do not assume your injuries are not serious enough to involve an attorney. Many significant injuries present subtly at first.

When should I contact a car accident attorney in Massachusetts?

As soon as possible. The evidence that supports your claim is strongest immediately after the accident and can deteriorate quickly. Witness memories fade, surveillance footage is overwritten, and accident scene conditions change. Attorney Lavey offers a free consultation and handles everything from this point forward. There is no downside to calling early, and significant upside to having experienced guidance from the start.

Attorney Jeffrey C. Lavey — Massachusetts Personal Injury Attorney

Attorney Jeffrey C. Lavey has practiced personal injury law in Massachusetts for over 37 years. He is licensed to practice law in Massachusetts and handles every client’s case personally, no associates, no handoffs. Call (781) 938-1400 or Text (781) 938-1400 for a free consultation.

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