Sudden Stop Accidents

Seasoned Attorney Representing Car Crash Victims in Massachusetts

Drivers often face situations where they have been required to apply the brakes quickly and unexpectedly. Sometimes conditions on the road change faster than expected, even when drivers are paying diligent attention to their surroundings. On certain occasions, it may be possible to avoid an accident by stopping suddenly. In other situations, however, a sudden stop can lead to dangerous collisions for motorists, pedestrians, and bicyclists. If you were involved in a sudden stop accident, you may be entitled to compensation from the driver who caused the crash to occur. A Massachusetts car accident lawyer at our firm is available to assist you with exploring your potential right to recovery.

Sudden Stop Accidents in Massachusetts

A sudden stop accident is an accident that happens when one or more drivers brake quickly without providing enough notice for other drivers to react. In most situations, a sudden stop accident will result in a rear end collision. When other drivers cannot react in time to the vehicle ahead stopping suddenly, they may end up colliding with that vehicle. Sudden stop accidents can also happen in intersections, particularly during heavy traffic. As vehicles approach an intersection, they may stop suddenly to avoid being caught in the middle of the intersection when the light changes. Or, they may stop suddenly when another vehicle making a left-hand or right-hand turn crosses their path.

It can be challenging to assess liability after a sudden stop accident. First, these accidents often happen quickly and can be caused by a chain of events. Knowing which driver is primarily responsible for the accident can require an investigation when multiple vehicles are involved. Second, some situations may require drivers to stop suddenly to avoid another car, bicycle or motorcycle that was being operated negligently. A lawyer can review the accident report to identify the potential parties responsible for your sudden stop accident, and help you seek compensation from the responsible individuals.

Seeking Compensation After a Sudden Stop Crash

If you were injured as a result of a sudden stop accident, you may bring a personal injury lawsuit against any driver who was responsible for your damages. Since a sudden stop may involve multiple at-fault parties, you must name all of them in the lawsuit to ensure that you are pursuing the maximum compensation that you may be owed. If you do not name a party to the lawsuit and that party is responsible for your damages, you will not be able to recover compensation from them.

In the lawsuit, be prepared to show that the defendants failed to operate their vehicles with the same ordinary care and skill that a prudent driver would use when faced with the same situation. This means paying attention to the road, refraining from distracted driving activities, and obeying traffic laws. Some of the most common causes of sudden stop accidents are distracted driving, drunk driving, and road rage. You must also show that you would not have been injured but for the defendant’s negligence. If the defendant can show that some other factor was the cause of your injuries, you may be barred from recovering compensation. This can include evidence of your own negligent conduct at the time of the accident. Under Massachusetts law, plaintiffs will be barred from compensation if they are proven to be 51% or more at fault for an accident.

A successful plaintiff can recover compensation for past and future estimated medical bills, lost wages, reduced earning capacity, reduced quality of life, and more.

Consult With a Tenacious Massachusetts Attorney

For many car accident victims, this may be the first time that they have considered bringing a personal injury lawsuit against another person. We understand how daunting the legal system can be, especially if you are severely injured. An attorney at our firm is available to serve clients in areas around Boston, Waltham, Cambridge, Norwood, Brookline, Lowell, Somerville, Newton, Dedham, Peabody, and Quincy. To schedule a free consultation, call our office today at  (800) 262-9200 or contact us online to get started.