Highway Accidents

Representing Hyannis Car Accident Victims

The Cape Cod car accident lawyers at the Law Offices of John C. Manoog III have more than 146 years of combined experience serving clients throughout the region. We are committed to helping people focus on recovering from car accidents with the confidence that comes with knowing that we’re working aggressively to ensure that any and all responsible parties are held legally liable for their negligence. We understand the pain and stress that often accompany a collision, and we work personally with clients to present the strongest possible case on their behalf.

Car Accident Statistics

More than 10 million car accidents happen across the country each year, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, including 33,000 that result in death within a month of the crash. In Massachusetts alone, roughly 350 people die in car accidents each year. Meanwhile the annual cost of medical care and productivity losses associated with car accidents nationwide hovers around $99 billion, according to the Centers for Disease Control.

Factors Leading to Highway Accidents

Car accidents can happen anywhere: on crowded city street, an open country road, in a parking lot, and even on the job. The potential for severe injury and serious danger is perhaps greatest on highways, where cars often travel at higher speeds than elsewhere, and drivers may be confronted with hazards posed by everything from construction crews to heavy and sudden traffic. Even the safest drivers can be involved in an accident, often by no fault of his or her own. Negligent and unsafe driving by other motorists is regularly the culprit. Crashes may be caused by one or more of the following dangerous behaviors:

• Cell phone use
• Eating and drinking
• Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
• Unsafe lane changes
• Chatting with passengers
• Changing CDs or radio stations
• Looking up driving directions

Taking Legal Action After an Injury Accident

Generally, the law provides that drivers owe a duty of care to others on the road to act in a reasonably safe manner. That includes refraining from risky behavior like that mentioned above. When a driver fails to meet this duty, he or she is likely to be held legally liable for any injuries caused in resulting accidents if the victim can prove that the driver’s negligent conduct caused them harm. Among other damages, the negligent driver may be responsible for doctor’s medical costs, property damages, missed wages, and mental and emotional distress caused by the accident.

It is important to know that even if you were partially at fault for your accident, you may still be able to recover damages. Massachusetts follows a modified comparative fault rule, meaning that an accident victim can still seek damages so long as he or she is not more than 51 percent responsible for their injuries. However, the time in which injured plaintiffs can bring these claims is limited. Under Massachusetts law, you generally have 3 years from the date of the injury to file suit. For this reason, it is critical to consult a knowledgeable accident attorney as soon as possible after a collision.

Working Hard for You

The Massachusetts personal injury lawyers at the Law Offices of John C. Manoog III have decades of experience representing clients in highway and other car accident cases. We are highly effective litigators and negotiators who understand the intricacies of the law as it applies to these cases, and we know how to build the most comprehensive and convincing arguments for the people we represent. Among other previous victories, we’ve obtained settlements of more than $1.5 million for the family of a person killed in an auto accident, and $1 million for a client who suffered facial injuries in another crash.

Experienced Personal Injury Litigators

Our Massachusetts car accident attorneys and criminal defense attorneys offer free consultations. We will also travel to you if you can’t make it to our offices in Hyannis or Plymouth. We don’t charge you any fees in most cases if we are not successful. Contact us online or by phone at us at (888) 262-6664 to set up a no-cost initial consultation. Nós Falamos Português.