With its rich Colonial history and iconic landmarks, visiting Massachusetts is a must. Whether it’s for a few weeks on business or just for a relaxing weekend, there’s more than enough to do and see. However, accidents happen when you least expect them, and being injured outside your home state can be complicated.
Here’s what to know about your rights and how our Massachusetts personal injury lawyers can help.
Understand Your Rights in Massachusetts as a Visitor
As a visitor, you have the right to expect reasonable protection in public spaces, just like residents. Establishment owners have a responsibility to keep their premises free of hazards, and if a visitor is injured, they have as much right as a resident to seek compensation from the at-fault party.
It’s important to note that Massachusetts follows the comparative negligence rule. This means that if you are found to share some degree of fault for the incident, your compensation could be reduced by the percentage of your fault.
Additionally, the state has a three-year statute of limitations for bringing personal injury claims. This means that you must file your lawsuit within three years of the date of the injury, or you forfeit your right to seek compensation altogether.
Act Appropriately After the Incident
What you do in the immediate aftermath of your accident can have a significant impact on your case. Here are some key things you should do before leaving the state:
Contact the Police
First and foremost, you need to report the accident to the authorities. It’s typically best to call the police when the accident happens or as soon as is practicable. That way, law enforcement can respond directly to the scene and will have as much information as possible to create a police report.
This report will be used throughout your case to establish key facts like how the incident occurred and what your condition was when the police arrived.
Document the Accident
In addition to the police report, it’s ideal to get other documentation of the accident. This includes photographs, witness statements, and other key pieces of objective evidence that can help prove what happened and who was at fault.
Get Medical Treatment
Finally, make sure you receive medical treatment from a doctor in Massachusetts before you return to your home state. This establishes critical medical records that can be used to illustrate the severity of your injury. If you wait until you get home to start receiving medical treatment, the at-fault party may try to suggest that you were not injured badly enough to seek treatment during your visit.
Check Your Insurance Coverage
For most people, treatment after an injury is covered by the victim’s personal health insurance. Then, any compensation received in a settlement can be used to reimburse the insurance provider. However, getting medical treatment from out-of-network doctors may not be covered in full or at all, so it’s crucial to check your insurance policy and benefits.
Get in Touch with a Local Personal Injury Attorney
You can help protect your right to file a claim by reaching out to a local Massachusetts personal injury lawyer before returning to your home state. A local attorney has established connections with judges, area officials, and the court where your case will be filed, so you know that your case is in good hands.
Your lawyer can still communicate with you about important case issues via phone and email, but can appear on your behalf during hearings without you having to travel back to Massachusetts to attend hearings in person.
Why Choose Mazow | McCullough, PC
At Mazow | McCullough, PC, we understand how difficult it is to be injured unexpectedly. This is especially true when you’re visiting out of state. Our team of qualified attorneys are available now to help. Contact us today for a free case consultation at our Salem law office by calling (978) 744-8000 or toll-free at (855) 693-9084.
