Why Choose Cava Law Firm?
At Cava Law Firm, our attorneys have a wealth of experience when it comes to interstate accidents and other types of devastating road collisions. Each highway accident lawyer on our team is ready to put their compassionate and highly expert approach to work to help you get an appropriate settlement following your accident.
Our founding partner Christopher F. Cava has over 25 years’ experience bringing cases like yours to trial. He knows all the common strategies used by opposing counsel to try to defeat or devalue claims, and he knows exactly how to fight them.
Whether it’s filing your lawsuit in the proper court or picking the most effective expert witnesses to support your case, Christopher’s practical knowledge of the law in this area will benefit your case.
No matter which of our lawyers takes charge of your legal action, you can be sure you will be working with an attorney who has in-depth experience, a top-class academic background, and a fierce determination to get the best possible settlement for you, in or out of the courtroom.
If you look at our client testimonials page, you will be able to read the stories of past clients whom we have helped to secure million-dollar settlements following traumatic accidents, illnesses, and other issues.
How a Springfield, MA, Interstate Car Accident Lawyer Can Help You
There’s a lot more to the job of an interstate car accident attorney than arguing cases in front of a judge and jury. We help clients through every step of the process following a crash, and the nature of this process varies extensively depending on the needs of the individual.
Broadly speaking, our day-to-day work includes:
- Investigating accidents: When you come to us, we will collect and analyze all the evidence that relates to your accident to highlight where the fault for the incident lies.
- Providing initial advice and guidance: Our job is not to pressure you into embarking on a legal battle; we will never try to persuade you to do something you are not comfortable with. When you visit us for a free initial consultation, we will explain your situation honestly and tell you whether you are entitled to compensation under the law.
- Evaluating damages: As your representatives, our lawyers will approach your case with the intention of securing as much financial compensation for you as possible. We will start by evaluating the likely extent of recoverable damages, assessing costs like medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and property damage.
- Negotiating with insurance companies: Interstate accident cases frequently pit us against insurance companies. Insurers (which typically have teams of high-powered lawyers at their disposal) attempt to limit their own costs by arguing that their policyholders were not at fault for accidents or that the extent of their fault was less than it truly was. By negotiating with insurance companies out of court, we can secure favorable settlements without engaging in potentially lengthy and stressful courtroom battles.
- Filing lawsuits and providing representation in court: As they are more convenient for everyone, out-of-court settlements are almost always our first preference in interstate accident cases. However, if we cannot secure fair compensation for you that way, we will not hesitate to file a lawsuit and fight for you in front of a judge and jury.
- Ensuring your rights are protected: A key part of our job is making sure you don’t get taken advantage of, whether by an insurance company or another party. We will advise and support you as you make every decision, regardless of how large or small.
What to Do Following an Interstate Car Accident
While coming to terms with the consequences of a serious accident, you may struggle to focus on the idea of filing a lawsuit or any of the considerations that come with it. However, taking certain crucial steps in the direct aftermath of the incident will make it much easier for you to get compensation.
The most important considerations are:
- Preserving evidence: Evidence is crucial to any personal injury claim, so you need to preserve as much of it as you can after a crash. Take photographs, record the contact information of everyone involved, and document any interactions you have with other drivers or police on the scene. After you leave the scene of the accident, be sure to keep any receipts or documentation of expenses related to the accident, such as medical bills or vehicle repair bills.
- Seeking medical attention: Even if you feel perfectly healthy after an accident, you should visit a doctor to have them document any potential issues as quickly as possible after a road accident. Not only will the medical report serve as important evidence in any legal claim later on, the doctor may discover some injury or health issue related to the crash that did not show symptoms right away.
- Being cautious when communicating with other parties to the accident: You should never admit fault when speaking with others at the scene of an accident. To play it safe, you should say as little as possible to them once you have their contact details. Even small things like your speed, inattention to the road by: changing the song playing, adjusting your heat or a/c,
- Notifying your insurance company: You should notify your insurance company as quickly as you can following a crash. A delay here may negatively affect your ability to access compensation later.
- Contacting an attorney: If you have any concerns whatsoever about the implications of your accident, you should speak to an expert Springfield, MA, interstate accident attorney.
What Kinds of Damages Can an Interstate Car Accident Lawyer Help You to Get?
“Damages” is the name given to the financial compensation you receive following a successful accident claim. These damages fall into three main categories:
Special Damages
Special damages compensate the specific monetary losses that a plaintiff has incurred as a direct result of the defendant’s wrongful conduct. These are typically easy to quantify, as the exact dollar costs that you incur from them appear on invoices, receipts, and other documents. The most common types of special damages include:
- Medical bills
- Lost earnings
- Property damage
- Reduced earning capacity.
General Damages
General damages refer to costs that do not have a directly measurable dollar value. They are typically much harder to quantify than special damages. They are sometimes called “pain and suffering damages,” as they compensate plaintiffs for various types of distress, such as:
- Physical pain
- Emotional trauma
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Worsening of spousal and familial relationships.
Punitive Damages
The majority of damages in Massachusetts personal injury cases fall under the two headings outlined above. In some limited circumstances, however, courts may allow for punitive damages. These awards do not correspond to any loss suffered by you; instead, judges hand them down to punish egregious behavior by defendants and discourage others from engaging in similar conduct.
You should note that Massachusetts has stricter rules on punitive damages than some other states. Judges do not usually award them in interstate accident lawsuits, though they may sometimes be available in wrongful death claims arising from crashes.
Interstate Car Accident Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Our Springfield, MA, Interstate Car Accident Attorney Responds
The personal injury lawsuit process is unfamiliar. Clients always have many questions. Some of the most common questions asked of us, along with our answers, are shared below:
Is It Possible to Recover Damages If I Was Partially at Fault for an Interstate Car Accident?
You may be able to recover damages as long as your degree of fault for what happened does not exceed the negligence of all the defendants combined. This is possible because Massachusetts follows a modified comparative negligence rule, rather than the contributory negligence rules in place in some other states.
Do I Need Medical Assistance After a Car Accident Even If I Didn’t Suffer a Serious Injury?
You should always visit a doctor after a car accident. Even if you feel well, you could have an injury that hasn’t made itself apparent yet, and early diagnosis is often vital for effective treatment in these situations.
Who Is Liable in an Interstate Car Accident Involving a Commercial Truck?
This depends on a number of factors, including the cause of the accident and the employment status of the truck driver. To see for certain who is likely to be liable in a case like this, you will have to discuss your situation in detail with an attorney.
What Are the Most Important Pieces of Evidence in an Interstate Car Accident Case?
The nature of the most important pieces of evidence in car accident cases changes based on specific circumstances, but medical reports, police reports, photos from the scene, eyewitness testimony, and expert opinions are frequently very significant.
How Long Does It Typically Take to Settle an Insurance Claim After an Interstate Car Accident?
The time it takes to settle car accident claims depends on several factors, including the severity of the damage, the number of parties involved, and whether the case in question ends up in court. It can take anywhere from a few months to several years.
What Should I Do If the Other Driver Doesn’t Have Insurance?
You may be able to file a claim with your own insurance company on your uninsured motorist coverage. This type of coverage is mandatory in Massachusetts.
Working with a Springfield, MA, Highway Accident Lawyer Who Will Fight for Your Rights
As we say at Cava Law Firm, winning is NO accident! If you want to work with a top-class highway accident lawyer who will give you the best chance of securing the compensation you need to get your life back on track — get in contact today.
We will provide a free initial consultation about your case, so there is no risk for you. You can reach us over the phone at (413) 737-3430 or (413) 781-CAVA (2282), or via the form on our website.
