Springfield Car Accident Attorney
At Jeffrey Glassman Injury Lawyers, we understand how suddenly a serious motorcycle crash can derail your life. One moment, you are commuting down Interstate 91 or crossing State Street, and the next, you are facing mounting medical bills, lost wages, and the stress of dealing with insurance adjusters who seem far more interested in protecting their bottom line than your well-being. Our Springfield car accident attorneys have spent over two decades advocating for injured individuals across Hampden County and throughout the Commonwealth, securing compensation that helps them rebuild their lives. If you have been injured in a car wreck, our Springfield personal injury legal team is available for a free consultation.
Why You Can Trust This Guide- Authored by practicing personal injury attorneys who focus on Massachusetts motor-vehicle law
- Explains current statutes and case law as of May 2025
- Written in plain English so you can make informed decisions after a crash
- Provides actionable tips, practical checklists, and real-world examples
Navigating a claim after a motor-vehicle collision is rarely straightforward. Massachusetts follows a no-fault insurance system; however, many crashes still result in contested liability disputes or require litigation to recover full compensation. A seasoned attorney can distinguish between a minimal payout and the comprehensive recovery you deserve.
- Knowledge of Massachusetts insurance regulations: We know how to use the Personal Injury Protection (PIP) framework to your advantage while preserving your right to pursue a claim against an at-fault driver.
- Investigative resources: From crash-scene reconstructionists to traffic-camera subpoenas, we marshal the evidence to prove negligence.
- Negotiation leverage: Insurers track which law firms are most likely to try cases. Our reputation for taking verdicts in Hampden Superior Court compels adjusters to offer fair settlements sooner.
- Access to medical experts: Complex injuries, such as traumatic brain injury (TBI) or spinal-cord damage, require specialists who can explain long-term costs to a jury.
- Contingency-fee representation: You pay nothing up front. We advance all costs and collect fees only if we secure compensation on your behalf.
Understanding why crashes happen helps establish fault and prevent future injuries.
- Distracted driving: Smartphones, GPS devices, and in-vehicle infotainment systems contribute to rear-end and sideswipe collisions on roads like Boston Road and Memorial Avenue.
- Speeding and aggressive driving: Exceeding the posted limit on the Mass Pike (I-90) or weaving through traffic in densely populated areas creates deadly force.
- Drunk or drug-impaired driving: Despite strict OUI laws, alcohol-related crashes still plague Springfield’s late-night traffic corridors.
- Adverse weather: Winter snow and black ice transform the “Spaghetti Junction” of I-90/I-291/I-391 into a hazard zone.
- Intersection conflicts: Failure to yield at signalized intersections, such as State Street & Main Street, remains a leading cause of T-bone collisions.
- Commercial vehicle negligence: Tractor-trailers crossing the Connecticut River via the South End Bridge must adhere to federal hours-of-service rules—violations can establish liability.
Massachusetts statutes and appellate decisions shape every aspect of a claim.
No-Fault and PIP Benefits- All drivers must carry at least $8,000 in Personal Injury Protection coverage.
- PIP pays up to $2,000 of medical bills before health insurance kicks in, then up to $8,000 for remaining medical expenses and 75 % of lost wages.
- You can step outside the no-fault system if you incur more than $2,000 in reasonable medical costs or sustain a serious injury such as a fracture, permanent disfigurement, or substantial loss of hearing or sight (M.G.L. c. 231 § 6D).
- You generally have three years from the crash date to file a lawsuit (M.G.L. c. 260 § 2A).
- Minors and some incapacitated adults may toll the period under limited circumstances.
- Missing the deadline almost always extinguishes your claim, regardless of how strong the liability evidence may be.
- Massachusetts uses a 51 % bar rule (M.G.L. c. 231 § 85).
- You may recover damages if you were not more than 50 % at fault, but your percentage of responsibility reduces your award.
- Insurance carriers routinely overstate claimant fault; having an attorney push back is essential.
- $20,000 per person for bodily injury
- $40,000 per accident for bodily injury
- $5,000 for property damage
- Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage must match these limits, but can be increased through optional policies.
What you do in the minutes, hours, and days after a crash can make or break your case.
- Ensure safety first. Move vehicles out of traffic if possible and check for injuries.
- Call 911. Request police and medical assistance even if injuries seem minor; a Springfield Police Department crash report is vital evidence.
- Exchange information. Obtain driver’s license details, insurance cards, and contact info for all parties and witnesses.
- Document the scene. Use your phone to photograph vehicle damage, skid marks, traffic signals, and visible injuries.
- Seek medical evaluation. Visit Baystate Medical Center or Mercy Medical Center promptly; delay raises doubts about causation.
- Notify your insurer. Report the crash within 24 hours to preserve PIP benefits. Speak with an attorney before conducting detailed, recorded statements.
- Call Jeffrey Glassman Injury Lawyers. Early legal intervention prevents costly mistakes and preserves crucial evidence.
Jeffrey Glassman Injury Lawyers blends local insight with statewide resources.
- Springfield roots, Boston horsepower: With offices across Massachusetts, we are close to the scene yet equipped to litigate against national insurers.
- Investigating: We retrieve 911 recordings, surveillance footage, and ECM data from modern vehicles.
- Coordinating care: We connect clients with top specialists in orthopedics, neurology, and rehabilitation.
- Calculating damages: Life-care planners and economists quantify future medical costs and lost earning capacity.
- Negotiating & litigating: We fight for full justice at the bargaining table or in a Hampden Superior Court courtroom.
- Track record: Millions recovered for crash victims statewide, including a $2.7 million settlement for a rear-end chain collision on I-391.*
- Client-focused philosophy. We return phone calls within one business day. Spanish-speaking staff are available. Home and hospital visits are available for clients who have sustained serious injuries.
Compensation aims to restore you financially, physically, and emotionally to your pre-crash position.
- Economic damages. Past and future medical expenses. Lost wages and diminished earning capacity. Out-of-pocket costs, such as transportation to therapy
- Non-economic damages. Pain and suffering. Emotional distress and anxiety. Loss of enjoyment of life and hobbies
- Punitive damages. Rare in negligence cases, but possible in wrongful-death actions where gross negligence or willful conduct is proven (M.G.L. c. 229 § 2).
- Property damages: the cost to repair or replace your vehicle and personal items like child car seats or electronics.
Massachusetts does not impose traditional caps on pain-and-suffering awards in auto cases, though practical considerations, such as the defendant’s coverage limits, often influence settlement values. Our attorneys identify all potential sources of compensation, including umbrella policies and third-party tortfeasors, to maximize your recovery.
Frequently Asked Questions About Car Accident Cases in SpringfieldQ: “Do I have to pay taxes on my settlement?”
Generally, compensation for physical injuries is not considered taxable income under IRS Code § 104(a)(2). Awards for lost wages may be taxable if they correspond to wages that would have been taxed.
Q: “The other driver was uninsured. What now?”
Your uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage steps in. These claims are adversarial—the adjuster for your insurer does not have the same duty as your lawyer. Our firm routinely arbitrates UM/UIM disputes.
Q: “Will my case go to court?”
Most claims settle, but filing suit often compels higher offers. We prepare every case for trial, allowing us to pivot swiftly if litigation is needed.
Q: “How much does it cost to hire you?”
There is no upfront fee. We charge a contingency fee, typically one-third of the recovery amount, plus reasonable expenses.
Q: “What if I share some fault?”
Under the modified comparative negligence rule, you can recover if your responsibility is not greater than the defendant’s.
Contact Our Springfield Car Accident Lawyers TodayTime is not on your side after a crash. Evidence can vanish within days, witnesses’ memories fade, and critical statutory deadlines loom. Let Jeffrey Glassman Injury Lawyers shoulder the legal burden while you focus on recovery.
- Free, no-obligation case evaluation
- 24/7 availability—call (413) 278-0645 or use our online form
- Home, hospital, and virtual consultations
You have only one chance to secure the compensation you need. Put our experience and dedication to work for you today.
Springfield Office
1500 Main St, 8th floor
Springfield, MA 01115
Phone: (413) 278-0645