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ChatDid you know that if a driver that causes your personal injuries does not have insurance – or enough insurance coverage – to pay for your damages, you may be able to recover from your own insurance company? As a personal injury law firm, we handle Massachusetts uninsured motorist settlement negotiations often.
At Bottaro Injury Lawyers, we investigate, negotiate, and litigate motor vehicle accidents nearly every day. We often work with at-fault parties’ insurance companies. However, we see to it that our clients’ own insurance companies “step into” at-fault parties’ place, should the need arise. Are you unsure about where your car accident settlement should come from? Call us anytime to discuss your options.
To help educate and support our Massachusetts and Rhode Island communities, today’s case highlight discusses a recent Massachusetts client’s uninsured motorist settlement!
Bad Turn at an Intersection Leads to Driver-Client’s Persistent Knee Pain, Among Other Injuries
On a clear and sunny day in Fall River, Massachusetts, our clients were driving east on Cove Street. As our driver client sat stopped at an intersection, the uninsured, at-fault driver traveled west on Main River. Upon reaching the intersection where our clients sat, the uninsured driver misjudged their turn. That is, instead of properly turning onto Cove Street, the uninsured driver clipped the front driver’s side of our client’s vehicle!
Photo of our client’s vehicle at the scene.
Another view of our client’s car after the accident.
Our clients went from sitting still to sudden impact, so needless to say, they sustained personal injuries. In particular, our driver client hit the dashboard and sustained head, neck, left shoulder, and right knee injuries. He was first admitted to the emergency room and he quickly followed up with his primary care physician to address his persistent upper and middle back pain, spasms, and knee and shoulder pain.
Our driver client’s physical ailments were not quickly resolved. His primary care physician referred him to an Orthopedic specialist and chiropractor. There, our client worked with medical professionals to address his reoccurring stiffness, weakness, and tightness, especially in his right knee. Months after the accident, our client was finally discharged from physical therapy.
Do I have Uninsured Motorist Coverage? If Not, Should I?
Yes! You should absolutely maintain uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage when you purchase/renew your Massachusetts car insurance policy. Doing so protects you in situations like our client’s, where the at-fault driver had no car insurance to pay for our client’s property damage and medical costs.
In Massachusetts, you are required to carry UM coverage, so you likely have the state minimum UM coverage (at least!). In our client’s case, he had the minimum “Bodily Injury Caused by an Uninsured Auto” coverage, so we were able to negotiate the maximum settlement for him! We at Bottaro Injury Lawyers recommend opting for coverage above the minimum required by law.
UM coverage covers many economic (ex: lost wages) and non-economic (ex: pain and suffering) damages associated with motor vehicle accidents. If you or a loved one are injured in any type of motor vehicle accident in Rhode Island or Massachusetts, call us to discuss the specifics of your case.
What Do I Do if Someone Causes Me Personal Injuries After a Car Accident?
Like our client in today’s case highlight, be sure to make sure you are safe and seek immediate medical assistance. Your safety and health care plan come first. Once you are in stable condition, then call a skilled personal injury attorney to discuss your options.
In cases like our client’s case, your attorney will likely review your case details to determine who the at-fault driver is and if they maintain any insurance coverage. If the at-fault person does not have insurance, your attorney will begin the settlement process with your own insurance company, so long as you have uninsured motorist coverage (In Massachusetts, “Bodily Injury Caused by an Uninsured Auto”).
Uninsured coverage basically makes it so your insurance company takes the place of the at-fault driver. But, like any insurance company, your insurance company does not want to pay you top dollar (or anything!) for your injuries. Therefore, insurance companies tend to lowball unrepresented clients because they can… it’s not your job to know everything about auto accident litigation! Instead, call a skilled personal injury law firm, like Bottaro Injury Lawyers, to act on your behalf.
We are so happy that our client recovered and returned to his daily activities. Our work on his Massachusetts uninsured motorist settlement made it so he could focus on healing. Call us if you think we can help you in a similar situation!
It’s Good to Know Mike Bottaro – 24/7 Top-Rated Personal Injury Help
At Bottaro Injury Lawyers, we care for people. Attorney Mike Bottaro and his award-winning legal team handle all types of personal injury cases throughout Rhode Island and Massachusetts. We can even help on cases in other states as well. We pride ourselves on our honesty, integrity, and results. Contact us 24/7 in any method you prefer for a fast, free, and confidential consultation about your case. Text or call us at 401-777-7777, or fill out our free and confidential online form. We are here to serve and help you!
