How Much Is My Car Accident Worth?

• Medical expenses covered?
• What about car repairs?
• Vehicle replacement?
• What if I can't work?
• Who pays my bills?

Get The Facts From A Car Accident Lawyer Who Knows How To Get Results In Massachusetts & Connecticut

The financial toll of a serious car accident in Massachusetts or Connecticut can add up fast. Medical expenses. Car repairs. Lost income. And if you don't act fast, you could end up having to pay for many of your accident-related expenses yourself - even if the other driver clearly caused your crash.

That's why it's critical that you understand how the legal system works in your state when it comes to compensating car accident victims. Every state in the country has its own unique system. And here in New England, accident victims turn to the car accident attorneys at the Law Offices of Mark E. Salomone in Massachusetts and the Law Offices of Mark E. Salomone & Morelli in Connecticut when they need results.

"What can I be paid for?"

Many people only think short-term when they consider their accident-related expenses. The reality is you can be financially compensated for almost any loss if it was due to your car accident, no matter how big or small.

And such expenses aren't just for the first few weeks or months after your accident. If your recovery from your injuries lasts several years or affects you for the rest of your life, the money you receive for your accident should reflect that.

As a result, the true cost of a car accident can often add up to hundreds of thousands or even millions of dollars. That's why it's critical that you have an experienced attorney on your side who knows how to handle such complex cases.

Common car accident expenses

• Your medical bills
• Your car repairs
• Your new car
• Your lost income

If you can't work because of your accident, you deserve to get paid what you would have made if you could have done so. And even if you don't have a job, it's important to factor in what you could have made in the future if you were not injured in a car crash caused by another driver.

So, what should you do to make sure you get the money you deserve after your accident? It depends if your accident took place in Massachusetts or Connecticut, which have very different car insurance systems.

Does auto insurance cover everything?

Many people assume that their car insurance will take care of everything after an accident. But that's not always true. Often, your insurance policy will cover many things immediately after your accident, including emergency medical bills.

But such expenses are only the beginning. And if you agree to accept a settlement offer from an insurance company immediately after an accident, you could forfeit your right to demand more money months or years later.

Insurance companies know this. That's why they often push accident victims to agree to accept an offer right after an accident. That way, they don't have to pay for accident-related expenses years from now. Instead, you may be stuck paying those bills yourself. And such bills can add up to tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Minimum car insurance requirements

Massachusetts and Connecticut both require drivers to have car insurance. However, the requirements of each state are different. The minimum amount of insurance coverage for drivers in each state includes:

Why are there such differences between Massachusetts and Connecticut? Primarily, it's because one state has a "fault"-based insurance system and the other state has a "no-fault"-based insurance system.

'Fault' vs. 'No Fault'

In order to understand how much your auto accident could be worth, it's important to understand the differences between insurance systems in Massachusetts and Connecticut:

• Massachusetts has a "no fault" car insurance system
• Connecticut has a "fault" car insurance system

What's the difference? Learn more by reading below. Or simply contact our law firm and schedule an appointment with us.

Massachusetts 'No Fault' Car Insurance

Under this system, your auto insurance provider pays up to $8,000 for your accident-related medical bills, regardless of who's at fault. These benefits are known as first-party benefits. If your medical expenses exceed $8,000, you will likely need to take legal action against the at-fault driver to obtain the money you rightfully deserve.

You can also seek additional compensation beyond your "no fault" auto insurance policy under the following circumstances:

• Your injury is permanent
• Your injury resulted in serious disfigurement
• You permanently lost your ability to see or hear

Other circumstances sometimes apply. That's why it's important to talk to a lawyer as soon as possible about who pays for car accident compensation in Massachusetts.

Connecticut 'Fault' Car Insurance

Connecticut has a completely different system. Like many states, the at-fault driver in Connecticut is responsible for compensating everyone injured in an accident. Under this system, you have three choices for seeking compensation for your crash:

• File a "first party" accident claim
• File a "third party" accident claim
• File a lawsuit against the at-fault driver

Not sure what all these terms mean? We'll explain.

'First party' vs. 'Third party' claims

• "First party" accident claim - These are accident claims (applications for financial compensation) with your own insurance company. Your insurance company will then pursue compensation on your behalf from the at-fault driver's insurance.
• "Third party" accident claim - These are request for compensation filed with the at-fault driver's insurance company.

Not sure which type of claim you should file? Or if you should file a lawsuit? That all depends on the circumstances surrounding your car accident.

Should I file a lawsuit?

The answer to this seemingly simple question depends on many different factors. Whether you live in Massachusetts or Connecticut could also influence your decision. Such factors can include:

• Total cost of accident
• Severity of injuries
• Your insurance coverage
• Your ability to work

It's also important to take into account the specific circumstances for your car accident.

Did your car accident involve . . .

• Drunk driver?
• Texting driver?
• Unlicensed driver?
• Speeding driver?

If the answer is "yes" to any of these questions, odds are you could have a strong legal case against the other driver and the driver's insurance company.

Why You Need A Car Accident Lawyer

You only have one opportunity to get all the money you will need to cover all your accident-related expenses for the rest of your life. That's why it's so important to have an experienced car accident attorney working for you. That's why you need the Law Offices of Mark E. Salomone in Massachusetts or the Law Offices of Mark E. Salomone & Morelli in Connecticut.

Without an attorney, you could end up having to pay for many accident-related expenses out of your own pocket. That's because many insurance companies will do everything they can to reduce or deny your accident claim. For them, it's all about the money. For us, it's about justice!

Hold reckless drivers accountable for their actions. Get the money you deserve. Contact our law firms right now. We know how the legal system works and how to get results. Schedule your free case evaluation with the Law Offices of Mark E. Salomone in Massachusetts or the Law Offices of Mark E. Salomone & Morelli in Connecticut right now.