When most people think of motor vehicle accidents, they imagine crashes involving multiple vehicles such as passenger cars, pickup trucks, or SUVs. But there are many instances where a single-vehicle accident can lead to painful injuries and permanent disabilities for the people involved. A single-vehicle accident presents unique challenges, particularly if there is not a good eyewitness account of what happened and whether the driver of the vehicle is at fault for a passenger’s injuries. At Mass Injury Group, our seasoned team of Massachusetts car accident lawyers is prepared to help you evaluate your potential claim and pursue any compensation that you may deserve.
Last month, news outlets reported a single-vehicle crash in Wellesley, Massachusetts, involving a pickup truck. According to the police report prepared after the accident, the pickup truck was traveling at a high rate of speed on Route 9 when the vehicle veered off the roadway and collided with a stone wall. One of the occupants of the vehicle was thrown from the vehicle and died from his injuries at the scene. The pickup truck continued to travel down Worcester street until it struck another wall. The two remaining occupants of the vehicle were removed and taken to a nearby hospital where one later died from his injuries. No other information was available regarding the cause of the crash, such as whether the driver was under the influence of drugs and alcohol.
If you are a passenger in a single-vehicle accident, you may be able to bring a claim against the driver of the vehicle for your injuries and damages. There are many reasons that single-vehicle accidents happen, and some of those reasons are attributable to driver negligence or recklessness. If a person is intoxicated, he or she should not get behind the wheel of a vehicle, for example. If a driver is taking prescription medication that prohibits driving due to side effects like drowsiness, then the driver’s decision to get behind the wheel can also be viewed as negligent. If you are successful in showing that the defendant acted negligently and that you were injured as a direct result, you can recover compensation for damages associated with the crash like past and future medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
In the case, the defendant may try to argue that the plaintiff also acted negligently at the time of the crash and that this contributed to the plaintiff’s injuries. Under Massachusetts law, the plaintiff will be barred from recovering compensation if the defendant can prove that the plaintiff’s negligence was greater than the defendant’s. The jury may consider evidence about whether the passenger knew or should have known that the driver of the vehicle was intoxicated or on medication, for example. If so, then the jury may conclude that the plaintiff also acted negligently and is not entitled to compensation.
At Mass Injury Group, we understand how confusing and overwhelming an accident can be, especially if the accident caused you to suffer devastating injuries. Our team of seasoned Massachusetts car accident lawyers offers a free consultation to discuss your situation and whether we can help you with asserting your rights. Call us now at 617-263-0060 or contact us online to set up your appointment now.