In Allstate Insurance’s recently published “America’s Best Drivers Report 2017,” Boston placed dead last – 200 out of 200 cities. Boston has maintained this illustrious position since 2015. And the city is in good company, as Worcester ranked #198 and Springfield ranked #196 in the report.
According to Allstate claims data, the average Boston driver goes a mere 3.6 years between claims – 197.6% higher than the national average. To put that number into perspective, Allstate reports that the average driver will experience one collision every 10 years. (A collision is defined as any auto crash resulting in a property damage claim.)
Though Bostonians will be unsurprised and perhaps even amused by this information, it should be a cause for concern. People rarely come away from an accident completely unscathed. Physical injuries can plague passengers for years afterwards. In the worst cases, these auto accidents can and often do result in death. But even among survivors, research has found that at least a third of people in non-fatal accidents have post-traumatic stress disorder.
Moreover, the ensuing claims process can turn into another traumatic ordeal of its own. A knowledgeable and empathetic attorney can help ensure you’re treated fairly.
What to do after a crash
After checking for injuries and administering first aid, document the collision! Be sure to:
• Get the other driver’s name and address
• Get the other driver’s insurance company name
• Ask witnesses for their contact information
• Take photos of the accident scene (You can use a phone for this.)
• Call the police immediately! (This helps document the crash if the other driver tries to get out of it.)
Contact the insurance company. Even if you aren’t at fault, you should contact the other party’s insurance company because they might not. (You also should have uninsured driver insurance. New Hampshire drivers are not required to buy insurance the way we are in Massachusetts.)
Seek medical treatment. Some injuries don’t show up for days or weeks. And right after the accident, you may be “amped up” on adrenaline and not notice you’re hurt.
Talk to a lawyer before signing any documents or settlement offers from an insurance company. Some will push you to “close the claim” before injuries and damages have been fully explored. Others will add “fine print” to prevent you from making claims for injuries or damages found later. They may also try to impose their own caps for expenses.
The insurance companies are experienced at keeping claim costs down. You should have an equally experienced personal injury lawyer to make sure you are treated fairly and justly.
SUGARMAN lawyers can help. SUGARMAN’s dedicated team of personal injury attorneys has extensive experience representing clients who have sustained serious injuries as the result of auto accidents in Massachusetts. If you or a loved one has suffered from an auto accident, please call us at 617-542-1000 or email us at info@sugarman.com for a consultation.