Boston car accident attorney

August 18, 2024

The Importance of Gathering Evidence After an Auto Accident

In the aftermath of an auto accident, the steps you take can significantly impact the outcome of your insurance claim or legal case. At Jeffrey Glassman Injury Lawyers, we understand the critical importance of gathering evidence immediately following an auto accident. This evidence is pivotal in establishing the facts of the case, determining liability, and ensuring you receive the compensation you deserve for any damages, injuries, or losses incurred.

Understanding Evidence in Auto Accidents

Evidence in auto accidents comprises any material that can prove the elements of the case, such as who was at fault, the extent of damages, and the impact of the accident on the victims’ lives. This can include photographs, witness statements, official reports, and more. Properly collected and presented evidence can be the difference between a successful claim and one that falls short.

July 21, 2023

Steps to Take Immediately After a Hit-and-Run Incident

by Jeffrey S. Glassman

Experiencing a hit-and-run accident is a deeply traumatic and disorienting event. The abruptness of the incident, the unexpected jolt of shock, and the immediate aftermath can all contribute to a sense of chaos and confusion. This feeling is often intensified when the offender, rather than stopping and taking responsibility as required by law, has chosen to flee the scene. This act of evasion can leave victims feeling physically and emotionally hurt, causing feelings of helplessness, anger, and uncertainty about the future.

When these cases happen, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and unsure of the correct course of action. You may find yourself asking these questions: What should I do now? Who should I call? What are my rights in this situation? It’s important to remember that even in the face of such a distressing event, you are not powerless. You have rights and options available to you, and there are clear steps you can take to protect yourself and your interests.

There are appropriate measures you must take during the aftermath of a hit-and-run incident. At Jeffrey Glassman Injury Lawyers are here to guide our clients through each step you should take, ensuring your immediate safety, protecting your legal rights, and preparing for any potential legal proceedings that may follow. Our goal is to equip you with the knowledge and resources you need to navigate this challenging situation with confidence and ensure that you are fully prepared to seek the justice and compensation you deserve.

July 20, 2023

Preventing Rear-End Collisions: Tips for Drivers to Avoid or Minimize the Impact of Rear-End Accidents

by Jeffrey S. Glassman

Rear-end collisions are a frequent sight on our roads and highways. They can lead to severe injuries, substantial property damage, and, tragically, even fatalities. However, the likelihood of such incidents can be significantly reduced with the right knowledge, a proactive approach to driving, and a few simple precautions.

At Jeffrey Glassman Injury Lawyers, we are not only committed to providing legal assistance to those affected by car accidents but also to helping our clients and the community at large prevent these incidents from happening in the first place. This serves as a comprehensive guide, offering valuable insights and practical tips on how to avoid or minimize the impact of rear-end collisions. Our goal is to empower you with the knowledge to make our roads safer for everyone.

Understanding the Importance of Safe Following Distance

May 14, 2023

Stuck in the Car During a Snowstorm? Here’s What to Do

by Jeffrey S. Glassman

Bostonians have grown accustomed to the harsh New England winters. However, it’s important to be prepared for potential blizzards that can not only snow you in but leave you stranded in your car without any means of mobility. This could cause immense panic and severe harm if you’re unprepared. Fortunately, knowing what to do in this situation could get you through this emergency and even save your life.

Here’s what you need to know if you ever find yourself trapped in your car during a snowstorm.

Preparation is Key

April 2, 2018

Update: City of Boston Allows Self-Driving Cars Once Again

by Jeffrey S. Glassman

Driverless cars have returned to Boston, following a brief stoppage following a fatal crash in Arizona.

After that incident, the City of Boston asked companies testing self-driving passenger car services to suspend all tests and pilot programs until a safety evaluation could be performed and various concerns addressed. The action stemmed from an accident involving a woman who was killed by a purportedly self-driving ride-sharing app vehicle while she was walking her bike across the street.

In that case, police have said she was allegedly not at a crosswalk, and was walking alongside her bike in while crossing the middle of a roadway when she was struck by a self-driving vehicle. This particular vehicle was supposedly programmed to stop for pedestrians in the crosswalk, but it was unable to avoid hitting a person who was crossing in the middle of the street.

Now, officials have cleared the vehicles to continue operation on city streets. Continue reading

March 27, 2018

Who Would be Liable in Crashes Involving Self-Driving Vehicles?

by Jeffrey S. Glassman

Self-driving cars may well be the future of automotive travel in the U.S. – and it may happen sooner rather than later. Some cars like Tesla already have an advanced form of cruise control, but the truth is it’s a rudimentary form of a self-driving car. Google is working on another far more advanced self-driving car system it could sell to other car makers, one that would be fully autonomous, and other self-driving technologies are being tested.

But no matter how soon these vehicles get on the road, the legal system may need some time to catch up. For instance, what happens when (not if) one of these fully autonomous vehicles crashes and is deemed at-fault? If there is no human behind the wheel, who is liable in a Boston car accident lawsuit? Even if a human is behind the wheel, could he or she still be responsible?

In the case of a self-driving vehicle for hire such as a taxi, there is no human driver and the only humans in the vehicle are sitting in the rear with no access to the controls. In such a case, who would be to blame? The manufacturer of the technology? The owner of the vehicle? The person sitting in the driver’s seat?

There are all valid questions that will need to be ironed out as these technologies are unveiled. Continue reading

March 5, 2018

Auto Rates Soar, Making Need for Higher UM/UIM Coverage in Massachusetts Imperative

by Jeffrey S. Glassman

Auto insurance in Massachusetts is not getting cheaper, so it may not be a great time to tell you to increase your UM/UIM coverage – but it’s important.

Here’s why: Auto insurance premiums have recently hit a national average of $1,427, according to The Washington Post. This is for a few different reasons, including catastrophic weather (which increases the number of crashes). However, as the Post reported, one’s college degree or credit score may actually have more bearing on how much your car insurance costs than your actual driving record, given the complex and often opaque formulas used by auto insurers. What this boils down to is that people who might really need insurance are going to either skimp on coverage, buying only the bare minimum required by law, or they aren’t going to buy any at all and take their chances getting caught.

The Insurance Information Institute reports that from 1992 to 2015, the estimated percentage of uninsured motorists nationally ranged somewhere between 16 percent and 13 percent. Florida had the highest rate of uninsured motorists (27 percent), while Massachusetts had one of the lowest (6.2 percent). Here, state law requires motorists carry a minimum:

$20,000 per individual in bodily injury liability and property damage
$40,000 per crash for bodily injury liability and property damage
$5,000 in personal injury protection (PIP) benefits

December 19, 2017

A Mistake Can Still Be Negligence in Boston Car Accidents

by Jeffrey S. Glassman

Although many car accidents do not involve any malicious intent by the at-fault driver, and may indeed by “honest mistakes,” that’s still not necessarily the accurate legal conclusion. That’s because each and every time a motorist gets behind the wheel of a vehicle in Massachusetts, he or she owes a duty of care to use reasonable and prudent caution.

Failure to do so – even in the event it was not intentional – is negligence, and grounds for compensation if injuries resulted.

So for instance, accidentally stepping on the gas when you mean to hit the break could be failure to use reasonable care, even if you didn’t mean to take the action you did.

November 29, 2017

Using Expert Witnesses in Boston Car Accident Lawsuits

by Jeffrey S. Glassman

Most Boston car accident cases will settle prior to even being filed in the Suffolk Superior Court. In some cases, when a settlement offer by the at-fault driver’s insurance company is insufficient, the case will be filed in court, and then often settled prior to trial. A small number of claims will end up going to trial. In these situations, there may be the need for expert witnesses to be consulted and even to testify at trial.

The need for an expert witnesses is determined by the subject matter of the evidence being offered. Many things presented as evidence in the form of witness testimony or exhibits is considered to within the purview of the layperson on the jury. Anyone who is not an exert in a certain field relevant to the evidence is a layperson under the law. Continue reading

November 14, 2017

Proving Liability in Car Accidents

by Jeffrey S. Glassman

In many Boston car accidents, there is often no question as to fault. These are called clear liability cases by attorneys and insurance company claims adjusters. For example, if a car is stopped at a red light and the driver behind that person is not paying attention and slams into the back of the plaintiff’s car, there is a presumption of liability. Some accidents such as ones that occur in an intersection may require more investigation to learn who had the right of way to enter the intersection. In some cases, it may seem like it was simply an accident that was not either driver’s fault, yet this may not always be a correct assumption and one of the drivers will have a valid personal injury claim.

Under the law in Massachusetts, a tort is defined as civil wrong for which the law provides a remedy. There are essentially two types of tortiuous conduct including negligent conduct and intentional conduct. Continue reading