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Alekman and DiTusa are the best! I was in a very bad car accident - on my way home from work I was hit by a huge tractor trailer. I was seriously injured and my suburban was totaled. Attorney Alekman and staff did an amazing job answering any questions my family and I had and putting our minds at ease.

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Springfield Car Accident Lawyer and Auto Crash Attorney

At Alekman DiTusa, LLC, we have a long and enviable track record of success in representing car and vehicle crash injury victims.  With more than 60 years of combined legal practice, we have recovered full compensation for countless victims through settlements and at trial against at-fault drivers and their insurance companies.


Success Stories

$1,000,000 Personal Injury Settlement

A 37 year-old man was severely injured in a head-on motor vehicle collision while driving home from work. Client went on to have three back surgeries, including a two level low back fusion and a permanent nerve stimulator. Client was later determined to be totally and permanently disabled from work as a result of the accident.


Every Case Matters

We represent clients in injury matters ranging from those who have injuries that will heal quickly to those who have suffered severe and catastrophic injuries that may last for years, or even a lifetime.  We also represent families in wrongful death cases who have lost a loved one due to the negligent or reckless actions of others.

Regardless of the size and type of injuries sustained, we are tenacious in seeking full compensation from all those who are liable.

We invite you to call our office to schedule a free consultation.  As Lawyers You Can Talk To, we want to know all about your case so that we can explain how we can help and the type of damages to which you may be entitled.

We accept injury and wrongful death cases on a contingency fee basis.  Under a contingency fee, we are only paid if we are successful in obtaining compensation.  We also advance all costs for clients (typically, these costs are repaid out of settlement or verdict proceeds).  As a result, you will not need to be concerned about having to pay any fees or costs while your case is ongoing.

Please Call Us Today to Get Started!

At Alekman DiTusa, we can listen to your needs, explain your options in easy-to-understand terms, and help you in seeking the compensation you deserve.

What You Should Know if You Have Been Injured in a Car Crash

If you’ve been injured in a car accident or vehicle crash, you should know the following:

  • Seeking compensation from your insurance company. You may be entitled to compensation from your insurance company through PIP, uninsured, and/or underinsured policies.  We’ll help determine what policies may exist and seek to obtain any proceeds as quickly as possible.
  • There are important deadlines called the “statute of limitations” that govern when a personal injury lawsuit may be brought. In Massachusetts, this period for injury cases is normally 3 years from the date of the crash (or after the 18th birthday if a minor was injured) or other incident, however, there may be much shorter deadlines if a municipality, state, or the federal government is potentially liable (such as if the crash was caused by a US Postal Service driver).
  • It will be in your interest to contact us as soon as possible for evidentiary purposes. We will want to examine the crash scene before changes occur, and (in severe crash cases) seek event recorder “black boxes” from vehicles before those have been destroyed.  We will also seek video of a crash before it is destroyed, and witness statements before their recollection fades.
  • Even if the insurance company for the driver is the same company you use, they are not acting in your interest. Insurance companies have a duty to protect their drivers, and to minimize their potential liability.  Even if the other driver uses the same insurance company as you, their claims’ adjuster will still do everything possible against your interests.  This is why you will need an experienced car accident lawyer on your side.
  • It’s important to thoroughly determine all damages before settling, including future damages like lost wages, future medical treatment, and pain and suffering. In an injury lawsuit, you will only have one opportunity to get full compensation.  If it turns out that your injuries were worse than understood before settlement, you won’t be able to seek additional compensation at a later point.  As tenacious accident injury lawyers, we will fully document all of your past damages as well as likely future damages so that you can get the full compensation that you deserve.  We work with physicians, other medical personnel, wage experts, vocational professionals, and other experts as needed to determine future damages.
  • We are meticulous in identifying and holding accountable all parties for causing injury. In some cases, in addition to the driver causing the crash, there may be others liable – a municipality for failing to make a roadway safe, a bar for overserving the driver so that the driver became drunk, or a construction company for failing to make a construction zone safe.  We initiate litigation against all responsible parties so that full compensation can be recovered.
  • There may be many different types of compensation to which you may be entitled. When we represent clients, we work with them in identifying the full range of damages to which they may be entitled so that we can demand full compensation.  In many cases, injury victims do not understand such compensation opportunities, so when they settle a case without using experienced legal counsel, they don’t get the full damages that they deserve.
  • Lawyers are almost always able to get a client a higher recovery than if an accident victim is self-represented, even after legal fees are considered, if significant injuries have occurred. Most people are not lawyers.  As a result, an insurance company may look to “low ball” an accident victim’s injury claims, as they won’t be threatened by the person actually taking them to trial.

How Are Most Massachusetts Car Accidents Caused?

Automobile accidents happen for a variety of reasons, but most occur because of human error.  The most common causes of car accidents in the United States are:

  • Distracted Driving. As technology has evolved and become more accessible, individuals are frequently engaging in dangerous behaviors, such as texting and perusing the internet while driving.  Consequently, distracted driving is now the leading cause of automobile collisions.
  • Drunk Driving. Over 10,000 people are killed each year in drunk-driving accidents, which is approximately 29% of all traffic deaths.[1]  While the number of drunk-driving deaths have declined significantly over the past few decades, the number of people who lose their lives each year from drunk driving is still unacceptably high.
  • Speeding. Many drivers ignore speed limits, especially on highways.  Unfortunately, reaction time reduces as speed increases.  Speeding is currently the second most common cause of accidents.
  • Reckless Driving. When an individual disregards others’ safety by engaging in risky behavior, such as driving aggressively, driving significantly over speed limits, or changing lanes too quickly, they are driving recklessly.  Individuals can be held liable if their reckless (or negligent) conduct contributes to a car crash.
  • Bad Weather Conditions. Mother nature is a contributing factor in many crashes.  Dense fog, heavy rain, high winds, and icy roads can lead to increased accidents, just the same as speeding can lead to increased accidents. Bad weather, however, is not an excuse (and does not remove liability from a person causing a crash). Drivers must always drive safely, and if the weather becomes too bad for safe driving, they should pull over until the weather improves.
  • Running Red Lights or Failing to Stop at Stop Signs. Many crashes are caused by drivers intentionally running red lights or failing to fully stop at stop signs.  This conduct is extremely dangerous, and often results in extensive injuries to both drivers and passengers, as vehicles often end up being “T-boned.”

From minor crashes to accidents involving commercial trucks and 18-wheelers, no matter the size or type of case, our auto injury attorneys can tenaciously fight to get you the compensation you deserve.

What Are Common Types of Injuries Sustained in Car Accidents?

Car, truck, and SUV wrecks can cause a variety of injuries.  The following are some of the most common conditions that victims experience:

  • Lacerations, Cuts, and Scrapes
  • Broken Bones (Ribs, arms legs, hips, shoulders, etc.)
  • Traumatic Brain Injuries
  • Internal Bleeding
  • Spine Trauma
  • Herniated Discs
  • Internal Bleeding
  • Post-Traumatic Stress Syndrome
  • Whiplash and Soft-Tissue Injuries

Can I Get Compensation for Whiplash or a Soft-Tissue Injury?

Insurance companies often offer low-ball settlements to accident victims who suffer from soft-tissue injuries like whiplash, bruising, muscle tears, and minor sprains.  Unlike broken bones, these injuries do not always show up on x-rays or other imaging as clearly as broken bones.  Thus insurance companies often try to minimize these injuries, and they sometimes claim that they do not exist (or that they are not as severe as they actually are).

This is wrong.

In fact, these so-called “soft tissue injuries” are common in vehicle crashes.  Victims are often in such debilitating pain that they can no longer work or carry out their daily activities.  We fight aggressively to get our clients the maximum compensation possible when they have suffered these types of injuries.  As whiplash lawyers, we know how to prove the existence and extent of soft tissue and whiplash injuries through both accident scene investigation and medical expert testimony.

Will My Insurance Pay for Any of My Medical Bills or Lost Wages?

After an auto accident, one important question on the mind of many accident victims is “How am I going to pay my medical or other bills if I can’t work?”  Fortunately, Massachusetts has a no-fault system that requires vehicles to carry Personal Injury Protection Benefits insurance (also called PIP).  Individuals are entitled to PIP benefits no matter whose fault the accident was, and PIP insurance guarantees that the first $2,000 of all medical bills will be paid. If you do not have private health insurance, PIP will pay up to $8,000 total in a combination of medical benefits and lost wages.  You may also be entitled to other, fairly immediate benefits, such as additional Medical Payments (“Medpay”) benefits and from an uninsured or underinsured policy if you have these coverages.

We help accident victims access these benefits.

How Do Massachusetts Car Accident Settlements Work?

Most car accident claims are resolved through negotiations between a victim’s attorney and an at-fault driver’s insurance carrier.  Many settlements occur before a lawsuit being filed; however, in some cases, insurance companies will not settle until after a suit commences.

When we represent clients, our primary objective is to prove fault and make a strong case for full damages, including:

  • Medical Bills
  • Vehicle Damage
  • Damage to Other Personal Property
  • Lost Wages
  • Lost Future Earning Capacity
  • Pain and Suffering
  • Other Damages Depending Upon the Case

In cases where damages are modest, we often can utilize our in-depth knowledge to prove fault and damages to insurance adjusters so that a lawsuit is not needed.  However, if severe injuries and significant compensation are involved, aggressive litigation may be required.

Can I Seek Compensation if My Loved One Died in A Car Accident?

If a family member died as a result of someone else’s reckless, irresponsible, negligent, or wrongful behavior or driving, you might be entitled to seek damages through a Massachusetts wrongful death claim.

In Massachusetts, the executor of a decedent’s estate has three years to pursue a claim.  If the individual has not appointed an executor, the courts may do so on their behalf.  Any damages awarded in a wrongful death case are paid to a decedent’s estate, which in turn is distributed to family members.  These damages can include:

  • Funeral and Burial Expenses
  • Medical Costs
  • The Lost Earning Capacity of the Deceased
  • Loss of Companionship and Love
  • Loss of Guidance, Advice, and Support from the Deceased

A court may also award punitive damages if they find that a person or corporation’s gross negligence or willful or wanton conduct causes a death.

Massachusetts wrongful death lawsuits can be complicated; once we understand your case we can advise as to the types of compensation available and how to proceed.  At Alekman DiTusa, we have over 9 decades of combined experience in handling personal injury and wrongful death claims and can fight to hold those responsible for the death of your loved accountable for their actions.

We Want to Help You!  Call Today to Schedule a Free Car Accident Injury Consultation!

We offer a free and confidential initial consultation to anyone who has questions about a personal injury lawsuit following an auto accident.  If you have been injured in a car crash, call our office at 413-781-0000 to schedule an appointment with one of our dedicated car and truck accident attorneys.  We can listen to your story, explain your options, and tenaciously fight to get you the compensation you rightfully deserve.


[1] Motor Vehicle Safety Issues, Injury Facts, https://injuryfacts.nsc.org/motor-vehicle/motor-vehicle-safety-issues/alcohol-impaired-driving/?utm_term=&utm_medium=ppc&utm_campaign=Defensive+Driving+DSA&utm_source=adwords&hsa_mt=b&hsa_ad=338967181912&hsa_tgt=dsa-437340948846&hsa_cam=1739937257&hsa_src=g&hsa_grp=67659223865&hsa_acc=3965156914&hsa_kw=&hsa_ver=3&hsa_net=adwords&gclid=CjwKCAjw_qb3BRAVEiwAvwq6Vn9qc_hOrlsOsmX5m8o-9ugMsc_0Ag8YaZ-e8gJwhLe-QYWGCzA4zBoC2q8QAvD_BwE.

 

 

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  • The information you obtain at this site is not, nor is it intended to be, legal advice. You should consult an attorney for advice regarding your individual situation. We invite you to contact us and welcome your calls, letters and electronic mail. Contacting us does not create an attorney-client relationship. Please do not send any confidential information to us until such time as an attorney-client relationship has been established.