Massachusetts Car Accident No-Fault Guide:

Other Benefits/Claims you may have which you can often resolve without an attorney include:

1. No-Fault Claims
     a. Medical Bill Claims
     b. Wage Loss Claims
2. Car Damage Claims
3. Car Rental Claims
4. Towing, Storage Claims

a. Wages and Earnings Lost: Please keep an accurate record of all days lost from work because of your injuries. You have up to $8,000.00 in combined wage loss and medical benefits.

b. Medical Bills: Obtain and keep duplicate copies of all medical, hospital and prescription bills and records. Also keep records of any other expenses you may have in connection with your accident, such as the hiring of household help or transportation to and from the doctor's office. Submit bills to your insurance company promptly, along with the accompanying medical records and doctor's notes. Once you have done this, the insurance company must pay within thirty (30) days by Massachusetts law! Keep a diary of medical visits and costs. Send copies of all bills to your insurance company and keep copies for yourself.

You have $2,000.00 in No-Fault medical benefits if you also have health insurance. If you have a health insurance policy, they must pay the bills after the first $2,000.00. Health carriers usually require reimbursement to them when you settle your bodily injury claim. If you do not have health insurance, the No-Fault benefit for medical rises to $8,000.00.

In order to receive these benefits, you must complete a Personal Injury Protection "PIP" Form which is usually a long form on yellow paper sent to you by your insurance carrier.

Keep a record of all calls to the insurance company (note the date and who you talked to.) Sometimes there are delays in processing these claims. You should feel free to call the insurance company directly to expedite payment of bills or wages you are concerned about. Request to speak to a supervisor if bills aren't paid promptly. Some insurance adjusters do not like talking to policyholders so be persistent and take note of unreturned phone calls.

a) IF YOU HAVE "COLLISION" COVERAGE: Have your insurance carrier repair your car. YOU MUST MAKE YOUR OWN ARRANGEMENTS FOR TOWING, STORAGE, REPAIR AND CAR RENTAL.

b) IF YOU DO NOT HAVE "COLLISION" COVERAGE: The insurance carrier for the person who caused the accident must be notified immediately about your property damage claim. They will ordinarily settle promptly. Tell them the location and condition of the car. You do not and should not discuss any other aspects of the case with the opposing insurer or adjuster however.

(a) Misrepresenting pertinent facts or insurance policy provisions relating to coverage's at issue;

(b) Failing to acknowledge and act reasonably promptly upon communications with respect to claims arising under insurance policies;

(c) Failing to adopt and implement reasonable standards for the prompt investigation of claims arising under insurance policies;

(d) Refusing to pay claims without conducting a reasonable investigation based upon all available information.

(e) Failing to effectuate prompt, fair and equitable settlements of claims in which liability has become reasonably clear,

(f) Compelling insureds to institute litigation to recover amounts due under an insurance policy by offering substantially less than the amounts ultimately recovered in actions brought by such insureds;

(g) Attempting to settle a claim for less than the amount to which a reasonable man would have believed he was entitled by reference to written or printed advertising material accompanying or made part of an application. Chapter 176D has been incorporated by Statute into M.G.L. ch 93A.

Hamill Law offices has successfully handled hundreds of auto and motorcycle accident and no-fault claims and recovered millions of dollars for clients. Knowledge of what to do after the accident can make a huge difference and greatly improve your likelihood of a successful financial recovery. We can help you. Put us on your side.

See our free "Guide to motor vehicle accidents" to help you at the early most critical stages of your accident case.