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Brockton Car Accident Lawyers

Accomplished advocacy when cars crash in Massachusetts

A serious car accident can change your life in a single instant. A violent collision may last only a split second but can leave you with severe, life-altering injuries. You may need months or even years to fully recover. The worst cases can cause permanent disabilities and take a significant financial toll on you and your family. At the Law Offices of Gerald J. Noonan, we have 30 years of experience fighting for injured drivers, passengers, pedestrians, and bicycle riders. Our Brockton car accident lawyers also represent families if a car accident is fatal. We’re prepared to fight to restore your future. Many car accident cases do settle, but we’re always ready to try your case before a jury. Call us today to assert your right to compensation.

In one illustrative case, we negotiated a settlement of $250,000 for a client who suffered tears of the left and right rotator cuff, which required surgery.

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How we can help

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Why choose us?

If you were injured in a car accident, we want to help you get your life back on track. At The Law Offices of  Gerald J. Noonan, every client benefits from:

  • Contingency fees: You owe us nothing unless we secure compensation in your claim.
  • Local insights: We’re part of the Brockton community and know the local roads, the medical providers, and more.
  • Trusted advocates: We’ve earned a reputation as fierce advocates thanks to our decades of successful results.
  • Empathy and action: We’re here to listen and fight for a settlement or verdict that covers your medical bills, lost wages, and more.

You can ask us your questions and learn more about our team by scheduling a free consultation.

How dangerous are car accidents?

Whether you’re driving on Route 24, Route 27, any other Routes, local highways, or just the streets in your neighborhood, there’s a good chance that you’ll be involved in a car accident during your lifetime.

As of November 15, 2024, more than 106,000 crashes have occurred in Massachusetts in 2024 – killing 311 people. Pedestrians account for 1,424 of those accidents, and bicycle riders account for 1,249 of those accidents.

Car accidents can happen in the blink of an eye. A car traveling 60 mph is traveling 88 feet per second. A lot can go wrong in that one second.

What types of car accidents do you handle in Brockton?

At The Law Offices of Gerald J. Noonan, we fight for car accident victims who suffer injuries in any type of accident. Our Brockton car accident lawyers handle all types of crashes, including:

Why do car accidents happen?

There are many causes of car accidents in Brockton and throughout Massachusetts. However, some causes occur more frequently than others. At The Law Offices of Gerald J. Noonan, we understand how the cause of your accident affects your overall case and compensation. We work with investigators and the police to determine the cause of your accident. When necessary, we also work with car product safety experts and traffic reconstruction experts.

Some of the common causes of car accidents in Brockton are:

  • Speeding. Speeding increases the likelihood of an accident and sustaining an injury. It reduces the time that a driver has to react to roadway hazards. It also increases the severity of any impact and makes automobile protective features—such as seat belts and airbags—less effective in a crash.
  • Distracted driving. Driving distractions include:
    • Texting
    • Talking on the phone
    • Talking to other passengers in the car
    • Eating and drinking
    • Putting in GPS coordinates
    • Changing radio stations
    • Paying attention to external distractions, such as a nearby accident
    • Tending to a child or a pet
  • Impaired driving. Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs impairs a driver’s reflexes, perception, and judgment. Impaired driving makes it far more likely that a motorist will commit an error on the road, especially when faced with an emergency situation. It’s hard to drive defensively because there’s no way another driver can know which way an impaired driver will go.
  • Driver fatigue. Driving while tired or drowsy produces the same effects as driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. A driver’s reaction time, ability to sustain attention, and awareness of roadway hazards all worsen with drowsiness. This makes fatigued drivers much more likely to cause a car crash than well-rested drivers.
  • Tailgating. Tailgating is a term used to describe a driver who is following another vehicle too closely. If the lead vehicle suddenly stops or slows, the following car may cause a rear-end collision. Tailgating deprives motorists of the time they need to safely react to a sudden stop by another car.

Other common causes of car accidents in Brockton include:

  • Defective products. Defective brakes, tires, electrical components, and other car parts can cause an accident. Defective seatbelts and airbags can fail to protect passengers from harm.
  • Speeding. Driving too fast for weather or traffic conditions.
  • Traffic violations. Non-speeding traffic violations such as improper passing, failing to yield, and driving through stop signs and red lights.
  • Poor road design. Roads that are poorly designed or maintained.

Who is responsible for a car accident in Brockton?

Our Brockton car accident lawyers hold everyone responsible for your accident accountable. In many cases, more than just the driver is responsible. We file claims against the following (depending on how your accident occurs):

  • The driver of another vehicle (multiple drivers may be responsible)
  • The employer of a negligent driver
  • The owner of the driver’s vehicle if the owner and driver differ – such as when parents allow their child to drive their car
  • The manufacturers of defective car parts
  • A seller of alcohol who serves alcohol to a person who is visibly intoxicated and later causes an accident due to their intoxication
  • The Massachusetts Department of Transportation, Plymouth County, the city of Brockton, or other governmental entities/ agencies

What insurance coverage protects victims of car accidents in Brockton?

Massachusetts is a no-fault state. That means that if you suffer an injury in a Brockton car accident, you must first seek compensation from your own auto insurance policy. This is the case even if you did not cause the accident. PIP policies help all injured accident victims collect money for their injuries, regardless of who is at fault.

PIP coverage

Before seeking compensation from the at-fault driver, you must first obtain benefits from your no-fault, or personal injury protection (PIP), carrier. Generally, the driver and passengers are eligible for PIP benefits.

PIP policies cover medical expenses and lost wages due to missed work. If you sustain an injury in a car accident, your PIP policy should cover the first $8,000 of your medical expenses, minus your deductible. PIP also pays for funeral benefits up to the $8,000 limit.

If you do not have private health insurance, PIP benefits cover the first $8,000 of medical expenses for both you and your passengers. If you do have private health insurance, you may need to turn to your own health insurance company to pay some of the expenses.

Unfortunately, collecting from your own PIP insurance policy is not always easy. Accident survivors often struggle to collect the benefits they paid for, even in no-fault states like Massachusetts. As such, many turn to us for help collecting benefits from their own no-fault policies. If your PIP insurance is delaying or denying the benefits you deserve, do not hesitate to call us.

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Driver liability coverage

In addition to PIP insurance, all drivers in Massachusetts must carry a minimum amount of liability coverage. This includes:

  • Bodily injury to others: $20,000 per person, $40,000 per accident
  • Bodily injury caused by an uninsured auto: $20,000 per person, $40,000 per accident
  • Damage to someone else’s property: $5,000 per accident

We recommend that all car owners purchase as much liability coverage as they can afford (up to what the insurance carrier offers) because just one night in a hospital can cost tens of thousands of dollars, and most new cars cost at least $20,000.

Uninsured coverage

Massachusetts also requires that car owners purchase uninsured (UM) insurance in the same amounts as the bodily injury coverage. Even though liability insurance is mandatory, many drivers do not purchase liability insurance to save money or because they have a poor driving record.

Other coverages

Other insurance coverages car owners should consider include:

  • Underinsured coverage offers damages up to the policy limits if the responsible driver has some insurance but not enough to pay your full claim.
  • Collision insurance pays for the cost of repairing or replacing your car - regardless of fault.
  • Comprehensive insurance pays for the cost of repairing or replacing your car – if someone steals your car or your car suffers damage for reasons other than a car accident.
  • Gap insurance which pays for the difference between your car’s value and the amount you owe on your car.
  • Roadside assistance, towing, and other types of car insurance.

What types of injuries do car accidents cause?

You should seek immediate medical care after any type of accident – even if you’re not in pain. A medical professional can evaluate you and locate serious injuries before complications arise.

At The Law Offices of Gerald J. Noonan, we work with your doctors and our own network of medical experts who handle all types of serious injuries, including:

How much is my Brockton car accident case worth?

At The Law Offices of Gerald J. Noonan, we seek compensation for all your financial and personal losses – including your damages so far and all your likely damages for the rest of your life. The compensation we seek includes all your:

  • Medical expenses
  • Rehabilitation costs
  • Long-term care
  • Lost wages
  • Loss of future earnings
  • Physical pain and emotional suffering
  • Scarring and disfigurement
  • Loss of consortium
  • Loss of enjoyment of life
  • Loss of bodily function
  • Mental anguish

Our Brockton car accident lawyers work with your medical providers to verify your injuries, examine the full range of medical care you need, and review all the ways your injuries are impacting every part of your life. If a victim has a catastrophic injury, we work with health and financial life planners. We also work with your employer, financial experts, and others to evaluate your economic losses.

If a car accident is tragically fatal, we file wrongful death actions on behalf of the family members.

How much time do I have to file my car accident claim?

You generally must file your personal injury or wrongful death claim within three years from the date of your car accident. Shorter notice requirements apply if the government is a defendant. Some exceptions may also apply.

Do not wait. Contact us as soon as possible so we can begin our investigation while everyone’s memories are fresh. We also want to ensure you are able to see the doctors who can best help you.

Do you have a  car accident lawyer near me in Brockton, Massachusetts?

Yes, we are located at 555 Pleasant Street, Brockton, MA 02301. If your injuries prevent you from coming to our office, we can make alternate arrangements to meet with you. We also discuss cases by phone and through online video consultations.

We’re here to answer all your questions, including what steps you should take and how we can fight for all the compensation you deserve. Let us guide you through each step of your claim.

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Contact The Law Offices of Gerald J. Noonan

At the Law Offices of Gerald J. Noonan, we care about our clients. We’ve earned the respect of former clients, insurance companies, and the legal community for our preparation, advocacy skills, and record of results. If you or a loved one is involved in an auto crash in southeastern Massachusetts, call our Brockton car accident lawyers or fill out our contact form now to schedule a free consultation. We handle car accident cases on a contingency fee basis.

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