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Massachusetts Car Accidents Questions & Answers
1 Answer | Asked in Car Accidents for Massachusetts on
Q: I have full coverage insurance my son was riding my car and had an accident can they deny my claim

He has a valid mass drivers license but not on policy because he’s goes to college out of state

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Aug 23, 2020

A Massachusetts attorney could advise best, but your question remains open for two weeks. As a general principle nationwide, an insurance carrier could deny claims involving drivers not named in a policy. It could also depend on the insurance carrier, as some are more lenient than others on this... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Car Accidents for Massachusetts on
Q: Hello , I was driving down a state street in Massachusetts and a street light fell onto my car and totaled it (windy)

My insurance company said it was totaled so I had to purchase a new car . I was not hurt but wondering if there’s anything I could sue for ?

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Jun 17, 2020

A Massachusetts attorney could best advise, but your post remains open for two weeks. As a general premise of insurance law, if a claimant is indemnified for a loss by the carrier, they aren't generally able to seek money for those very same damages elsewhere. But that is a simplified... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law, Traffic Tickets and Car Accidents for Massachusetts on
Q: Is it illegal to keep a license plate that isn't yours? My friend found one. (They aren't going to use it to drive.)

They found a license plate on the side of the road and they want to display it in their room. Again, my friend isn't going to drive with it, they just want to use it as a decoration. I'm in Massachusetts if that's any help. (02191 is my zip)

Dakota Martin
Dakota Martin
answered on May 15, 2020

Finder's keepers, loser's weepers. The law is clear from Missouri to Massachusetts, Texas to Tennessee,

No, your "friend" has no duty to turn it in.

1 Answer | Asked in Car Accidents for Massachusetts on
Q: I was in a car accident in WI and it was not my fault (truck driver was cited). My insurance and license is in MA.

I alerted my insurer, Geico, about the accident but filed claim with Secura, the insurer for the truck driver, because Geico said I would have to pay deductible if I filed with them. Secura has been dragging their feet on doing anything. They have not yet had the adjuster look at car and it has... View More

Michael O. Smith
Michael O. Smith
answered on Feb 18, 2020

It sounds like you need an experienced personal injury attorney to help you. It is unclear from your question on which state the accident occurred in. You will most likely be covered by the laws of the state where the accident occurred. I strongly suggest you speak with an experienced personal... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Car Accidents, Collections and Small Claims for Massachusetts on
Q: Received a "over-pay notice" for insurance check cashed

Good morning,

I was in a vehicle crash in July, 2019. I was not at fault so my damage was paid for by the person at fault. My insurance though sent me a check for damage as well, So i cashed it after they sent me a letter saying it does NOT have to be used for my vehicle. I am now receiving... View More

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Nov 5, 2019

It sounds like your insurance carrier, either in the course of its investigation or in an audit, discovered the double payment - both from themselves and from the other driver. Either on your own or through a Massachusetts attorney, you could ask the carrier if they would be willing to consider... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Car Accidents for Massachusetts on
Q: I was in a car accident & now have osteonecrosis. I now realize it was from the accident what do I do?

I have sickle cell anemia but I had no complications until after the accident. The side of the impact is the side where my osteonecrosis ended up in my shoulder and knee. This left me in a ton of pain and now I have to change my way of life. I want to know what a good amount of money is to settle... View More

Michael O. Smith
Michael O. Smith
answered on Sep 29, 2019

There are a number of factors to consider when evaluating a motor vehicle injury claim. First, you will need to establish the operator of the second motor vehicle caused the accident and is 100% liable for the accident. You will also need to know the amount of insurance coverage there is... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Car Accidents for Massachusetts on
Q: i was wondering if someone i know we’re to almost get hit by the car of a drunken, underage female with a motive to

vandalize property, and has the incidents on video, would the driver of the car face severe consequences?

Peter N. Munsing
Peter N. Munsing
answered on Jun 19, 2019

They could be charged if it could be proven by the police they were drunk at the time. If they were injured in avoiding a crash they would have a claim.

2 Answers | Asked in Insurance Bad Faith, Insurance Defense and Car Accidents for Massachusetts on
Q: Can an insurance company deny coverage if the driver was unauthorized?

My parked car was involved in a hit and run accident. I do not have collision coverage so my insurance won't cover the damages. The police witnessed the accident and was able to get the license plate. The woman whose car hit mine was not driving at the time, but her son was driving. Her... View More

Peter N. Munsing
Peter N. Munsing
answered on Feb 7, 2019

Unless her son stole it he would be authorized. Its baloney. Suggest you provide estimates for repair, file a complaint with the insurance commissioner. Depending on the nature of the denial you may have claims under

Sec. 93 A of the MGL.

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3 Answers | Asked in Car Accidents for Massachusetts on
Q: If my husband was driving on a suspended license, but got injured and wasn't at fault can he sue the other driver?
David Tapalian
PREMIUM
David Tapalian
answered on Dec 14, 2018

Yes he may be able to. It all depends upon the total facts. I am here now if you wish to speak.

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1 Answer | Asked in Car Accidents for Massachusetts on
Q: I had a car and sold it to a friend of a friend. However, I did not destroy the plates so this person was driving the

Car with unregistered plates and got into an accident that the insurance is now trying to have me pay out of pocket what do I do?

Peter N. Munsing
Peter N. Munsing
answered on Oct 8, 2018

As long as your friend agrees they had purchased the car, your car was not a registered but uninsured motor vehicle.

It's not clear who "the insurance" is--your friends? Yours? Another person or the Commonwealth's?

Start by asking them in writing to state the...
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1 Answer | Asked in Car Accidents and Insurance Defense for Massachusetts on
Q: In Massachusetts, do i have to be pressent if my insurance company wants to tow my totalled car from my driveway?
Christopher Tolley
Christopher Tolley
answered on May 31, 2018

I know of no law requiring you to be present but your insurance policy may require it, or your insurance company may ask you to be present so they are sure they have the correct vehicle.

1 Answer | Asked in Car Accidents for Massachusetts on
Q: Reserved a uhaul online.My fiance picked it up, contract in my name.he hit parked car. Will safeplus insurance cover us?

They never asked about additional drivers and contract doesn't mention it. He was the one who picked it up so they knew hevwas a driver. I paid extra for the liability insurance. Just need to know if he is covered even though not listed anywhere on contract

Peter N. Munsing
Peter N. Munsing
answered on Apr 16, 2018

Your position is he picked it up, probably gave his license, he is the person they allowed to drive, they cover. To cover all bases, you and he should notify your companies as secondarily liable.

1 Answer | Asked in Car Accidents for Massachusetts on
Q: Hit a car in a hotel parking lot. Told the front desk the owner contacted me I never gave them my insurance info

They live in Maine I live in Massachusetts I don't even think they have my full name. I told them I would pay out of pocket to fix

The damage to their car and their is no police report on file I really dont want to go through insurance my

Rate is high enough already. I was just... View More

Peter N. Munsing
Peter N. Munsing
answered on Mar 21, 2018

Are you going to pay, in full, now or are you going to make them file a complaint with the registry to get your license suspended? You can bite the bullet and pay the guy or get your insurance involved. Or you can lose you license. You seem to want it to go away. You hit the guy. Be a person!

1 Answer | Asked in Car Accidents and Personal Injury for Massachusetts on
Q: Can filling out a PIP claim potentially get me in trouble?

I was recently in an accident which was my fault, and taken to the hospital after as a precaution. Since the accident occurred in a rental car my insurance turned it over to the rental company's insurance for medical expenses. They have asked me to fill out a PIP claim.

Prior to the... View More

Peter N. Munsing
Peter N. Munsing
answered on Mar 5, 2018

No.

1 Answer | Asked in Car Accidents and Insurance Bad Faith for Massachusetts on
Q: I use my personal car to provide UBER rideshare. Can my insurance denie my claim for an accident while offline.
Peter N. Munsing
Peter N. Munsing
answered on Feb 26, 2018

Don't see why they should. You need to contact a member of the Mass Academy of Trial Lawyers, they give free consults. If it's property damage only, get an estimate, get a full statement of reasons for denial from your company, get a copy of your policy, consider complaining to the insurance commr.

1 Answer | Asked in Car Accidents and Personal Injury for Massachusetts on
Q: I got into a car accident due to the the negligence of the apartment owners. The parking lot was an ice sheet.

I hurt my back, and I hit another car.

Peter N. Munsing
Peter N. Munsing
answered on Dec 19, 2017

Assuming you were a tenant you also have a contractual claim. However, ice cases are trickier than you may think. Contact a member of the Mass Academy of Trial Lawyers(if the fall was in Mass)--they give free consults. If your claim was in Ct. give me a call and I can recommend some people. If you... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Car Accidents for Massachusetts on
Q: I was in a cab on my way to work and the cab driver got into a accident with another car. I have minor injuries.

Do I have a case

Peter N. Munsing
Peter N. Munsing
answered on Dec 4, 2017

Yes, Contact a member of the Mass Academy of Lawyers. They give free consults.

1 Answer | Asked in Car Accidents and Personal Injury for Massachusetts on
Q: Who pays our medical bills in this situation if we did not have insurance at the time of the accident?

My gf and I reside in MA and we're hit in NH. Other driver struck us from behind and pushed us into another truck. He admitted all fault. Our insurance company apparently cancelled our insurance without our knowledge about ten to fifteen days before. Now we cannot get proper medical attention... View More

Peter N. Munsing
Peter N. Munsing
answered on Oct 20, 2017

Apply for MA. Lobby to get ACA to cover people like you (sorry but I get a little tired of hearing people didnt have coverage but never wrote or phoned their legislators to get it for everyone--that's why it has to be everyone, so people like you in your situation get covered). So the problem... View More

Q: Are you able to provide examples of cases related to faulty vehicle software? Ideally, open source software. Thank you!

Looking for examples of regulatory violations, recalls, class action, civil, or other cases related to software in vehicles. This could also include intellectual property cases associated with open source software. I'm keen to discover how much influence open source software has had, so far,... View More

Griffin Klema
Griffin Klema
answered on Sep 21, 2017

Google Scholar is a great resource for finding case law and scholarly articles that may give you the insight you are seeking. Otherwise find a local library (or law library) and seek assistance with at reference desk. A reference librarian can point you in the right direction to come up with... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Car Accidents for Massachusetts on
Q: I swerved to avoid a collision with a car, but crashed into guardrail. Why is my insurance company saying I'm at fault?

I have a witness to the incident, who also took a photo of the other car. How can I be at fault? The insurance company is focusing on damage to the guardrail (I have no clue what damage there was - and how can THEY even guess at that?). Should I have just let the other car hit me and put more lives... View More

Peter N. Munsing
Peter N. Munsing
answered on Sep 19, 2017

You need a member of the Mass Academy of Trial Lawyers like Tim Lynch to straighten them out, get you some uninsured motorist coverage if you have it, as well as medpay. Tell him I told you to call. They're full of it (and likely violating MGLC93a).

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