Boston Hit & Run Accident Lawyers
Compassionate advocacy for car accident victims
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A car accident is bad enough, but a hit-and-run adds insult to injury. If you are involved in a hit-and-run crash, you understandably have concerns about claiming the compensation you need to recover from your injuries. You need a dedicated law firm in your corner.
That’s where the Boston personal injury attorneys of Santoro & Gray come in. We help victims of hit-and-run accidents take advantage of all available options as we work for justice. Learn more about how we can serve your legal needs today.
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How Santoro & Gray can help you
- Why choose Santoro & Gray?
- What to do after a Boston hit-and-run crash
- Massachusetts auto insurance requirements
- Your coverage options after a Boston hit-and-run
- When can Boston accident victims sue?
- Potential third-party liability claims
- Is there a Boston hit-and-run accident attorney near me?
- Frequently asked questions
- Contact our Boston hit-and-run accident lawyers
Being involved in a hit-and-run can cause confusion and anxiety, but the decisions you make in the immediate aftermath will affect your rights and interests. For that reason, it’s important to select a law firm that knows how to make the strongest case for the damages you deserve.
When you retain Santoro & Gray, you aren’t just hiring a law firm. You’re working closely with a legal ally who understands the implications of what you’re experiencing. Major medical bills, lost time from work, and pain and suffering are unfortunate realities for you now.
Fortunately, we have the experience it takes to seek justice and compensation for your personal and financial losses. Our firm brings the following to the table for Boston hit-and-run victims:
- Investigating how your accident occurred and working to identify the hit-and-run driver
- Identifying other parties who could also be liable for your injuries
- Determining the value of your losses, including reasonably estimated future damages
- Gathering the evidence necessary to make a personal injury case against known at-fault parties
- Assisting you with uninsured motorist coverage and other options
- Working to settle any insurance claims you may have out of court
- Litigating your case if a fair settlement cannot be reached
We understand the emotions you are facing, which is why we get to work immediately to seek all available forms of compensation and to help identify the driver who caused your accident.
A hit-and-run can be disheartening, even infuriating. At a time like this, it’s vital that you remain calm, take care of your medical needs, and document as much about the accident as you can. Our attorneys suggest taking these steps immediately:
- Call 911 and report the accident: Even if you think you were not hurt, this step allows police to respond and document the crash. Any resulting report may provide useful evidence later.
- Tell the police what happened: When the police come to the scene, tell them everything you can remember about the hit-and-run driver and their vehicle. Stick to the basic facts and don’t speculate about your injuries.
- Limit what you say: Some accident victims instinctively apologize for the crash, even if they didn’t cause it. This can hurt you.
- See a doctor: Not all car accident injuries are readily apparent. If you don’t see a doctor, it could jeopardize your health and your medical claim. Let a doctor evaluate you right away.
- Document the accident scene: Take photos and record videos of the accident scene, including your injuries and vehicle damage. Get the names and contact information of any eyewitnesses. Write down what you can remember about the accident as well.
- Notify your insurance company: It’s imperative that you report the accident immediately to comply with your insurance company's requirements. Follow the instructions in your insurance policy. As with all communications to insurers, stick to the objective and known facts like the time, date, and location of the crash.
- Talk to a Boston car accident attorney: The earlier you take this step, the better. We can assist with your insurance claim and help take steps to identify the driver and other potentially at-fault parties.
Certain types of automobile insurance are mandatory in Massachusetts, while others are optional. Massachusetts requires all registered vehicle owners(opens in new tab) to carry the following coverage and amounts:
- Bodily injury to others: $25,000 per person/$50,000 per accident is required. This does not pay for passengers in your vehicle but protects you, the driver, from liability for injuries caused to others.
- Personal Injury Protection (PIP): Pays medical expenses and a portion of lost wages, up to $8,000. Since Massachusetts is a no-fault insurance state, your PIP coverage will help pay for your losses regardless of who caused the wreck.
- Bodily injury caused by an uninsured automobile: Coverage of at least $25,000 per person/$50,000 per accident is required and applies to hit-and-run accidents and those involving known drivers who have no insurance policy. This protects you and passengers in your vehicle.
- Property damage to others: $30,000 minimum coverage is required. It pays for property damage that you cause to others in an accident.
Optional coverages are also available. It’s important to understand the details of your policy and follow all requirements for filing a claim with your insurance company. Call our office if you have questions about what your insurance company is obligated to pay.
Just because the at-fault driver fled the scene does not mean you have no way to cover your accident losses. We can discuss available options, which may include:
- Uninsured Motorist (UM) coverage: UM is available in hit-and-run cases. The coverage would also apply if the driver is ultimately located but has no insurance, a common situation for drivers who flee the scene of the accident.
- PIP: As mentioned above, Personal Injury Protection applies regardless of who was at fault for the crash. PIP typically only pays for medical bills, lost income, and necessary out-of-pocket expenses. It generally does not pay for non-economic damages like pain and suffering.
- Health insurance: If you have applicable health insurance, it may become the primary payer for covered medical expenses after PIP pays the first $2,000. Remaining PIP benefits and other available coverage may help pay eligible additional expenses.
- MedPay: If you have this optional form of insurance, it may also pay for some of your medical bills. Coverage amounts depend on the policy, and coverage of at least $5,000 is available.
Because Massachusetts is a no-fault state, accident victims generally first seek available PIP benefits. To recover pain-and-suffering damages(opens in new tab), a victim generally must incur more than $2,000 in reasonable and necessary medical expenses or suffer an injury covered by a statutory exception, such as a fracture or permanent and serious disfigurement.
Of course, this is more difficult for hit-and-run accidents because you have to find the driver first. Our firm can assist with this process and coordinate communications with law enforcement, who will work to locate the driver.
However, even if the driver is found, they may not have insurance or sufficient personal assets to cover your losses. This is why we focus much of our effort on helping victims recover from their insurance policies.
In some cases, hit-and-run accident victims can file a personal injury claim against certain third parties who share responsibility for the accident. These are some possible examples:
- The manufacturer of your automobile: For example, if a critical safety feature like the airbags failed because of a defect and thereby worsened your injuries, the manufacturer may be liable.
- The manufacturer of a defective auto part: Similarly, the company that specifically manufactured a defective component in your vehicle may be at fault.
- A negligent mechanic or repair shop: The evidence from your accident may indicate that a repair shop or mechanic did poor work on your vehicle that aggravated your injuries.
- Government entities and road construction crews: Some accidents involve poor road work that points to road construction contractors and state and local governments. Different rules and procedures apply when suing the government, so speak with an experienced attorney.
Santoro & Gray is located at 131 Dartmouth St, 3rd Floor, Boston, MA 02116. Our office is directly adjacent to Back Bay Station. We are near such landmarks as the Boston Public Library, Copley Square Park, Prudential Center, and the historic Trinity Church.
There are multiple transportation options for reaching our office, including the subway at Back Bay Station next door, bus service, and commuter rail. If you are driving, an on-site parking garage is available, and our office is only about one minute from the Massachusetts Turnpike (I-90).
Why is it difficult to locate fleeing drivers?
Finding the driver who struck you and then left the scene is challenging due to limited police resources, the ability to simply leave the Boston area (and the state), and a lack of evidence. While you cannot help with the first two situations, you may be able to help with evidence.
In other words, documenting the accident scene is one of the best things you can do to help law enforcement track down the driver. After you report the accident, you should stay in touch with the police. But don’t wait for the police to find the driver to get started with your insurance and legal claims.
What are some common mistakes hit-and-run victims make?
Many car accident victims, including those involved in hit-and-run accidents, are understandably upset. But this can cause a problem if you neglect to preserve vital evidence related to the crash. Taking pictures, getting the names and contact information of eyewitnesses, and making personal notes about the crash are important.
Another mistake is failing to report the accident to your insurance company. Reporting it too late may jeopardize your claim if the delay prejudices the insurer or violates an applicable policy requirement. Many victims also fail to consider potential third parties who could be held liable. This is why it’s important to contact an attorney who can fully explore all of your options for claiming compensation.
Finally, don’t make the mistake of waiting too long to hire an attorney. A negligence lawsuit against an identified driver or third party is generally subject to a three-year filing deadline. Uninsured motorist claims are contractual and may be subject to different deadlines and policy requirements.
What damages may be available in my case?
Victims can generally recover compensation for their medical bills and a portion of their lost income, up to the coverage limits of their PIP policy. Uninsured motorist (UM) coverage can pay for medical bills, lost income, and certain non-economic damages like pain and suffering.
If you are able to file a lawsuit against the driver or a third party, you may be able to seek additional damages for future medical expenses, uncompensated income, decreased earning capacity, and more. Talk to our car accident attorneys to discuss your potential damages.
Contact our Boston hit-and-run accident lawyers
Hit-and-run victims only have a limited amount of time to file an insurance claim or, if available, a lawsuit. Hiring legal counsel early can help you make a compelling case for monetary compensation so you can recover. Give us a call or complete our online contact form to begin working on your case today.