Massachusetts is one of several states that use a “no-fault” insurance system for car accidents. Therefore, drivers in the state can receive compensation for medical expenses, lost earnings or funeral expenses after a crash, regardless of who caused the collision.
A Boston car accident lawyer can provide more information about the compensation you could receive after a collision. In some cases, you may have to pursue additional compensation, like for pain and suffering and the challenges you experienced, even though Massachusetts is a no-fault state for car accidents.
No-Fault Insurance Laws in Massachusetts
Massachusetts provides information about no-fault coverage for car accidents, along with other details about the basics of auto insurance. Our state requires all drivers to carry Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage.
PIP coverage pays for up to $8,000 worth of medical expenses, replacement services, and lost wages after a car accident.
Under the laws in our state, your PIP coverage should kick in and cover these regardless of who caused your accident. However, some people elect to have a PIP Deductible, which essentially reduces the PIP coverage to zero dollars. If you encounter a PIP Deductible, you should immediately contact a Personal Injury Attorney to help you get your medical bills paid.
What Medical Expenses Does PIP Insurance Cover?
PIP insurance should cover any medical care you require after an accident up to $8,000 in compensation. You may draw on this insurance for emergency care, medications, medical tests, and other procedures. However, if you have private health insurance coverage, PIP insurance will only pay for the first $2,000 in coverage before your private health insurance has to contribute. After some bills are paid by your private health insurance, the PIP insurance may be required to pay up to $6,000 more. Coordinating your health insurance benefits is very complicated and should be left to a personal injury attorney to handle.
What Are Replacement Services?
Massachusetts uses the term replacement services to refer to tasks you can no longer perform because of your accident. For example, PIP insurance may cover the costs of hiring someone to perform chores you can no longer complete.
Does PIP Insurance Pay for All of Your Lost Wages?
PIP insurance only covers up to 75% of your lost pay after a car accident. Additionally, this form of insurance only provides up to $8,000. The entire policy could go to medical bills and replacement services in some cases.
Does PIP Insurance Only Cover Your Losses?
PIP coverage can provide compensation for you and additional parties. Other people potentially covered by your PIP insurance will include:
- Passengers riding in your vehicle
- Anyone who lives in your household
- Someone you allowed to operate your vehicle
- Pedestrians injured by your vehicle
An attorney can provide more information about no-fault coverage and personal injury insurance claims after a car accident.
Massachusetts Requires You to Carry Additional Forms of Insurance
While Massachusetts is a no-fault state for car accidents, residents must carry other forms of insurance to legally operate a vehicle. All motorists must carry the following policies:
- Bodily Injury to Others
- Bodily Injury Caused by Uninsured Auto
- Damage to Someone Else’s property
You may also purchase several optional coverages before operating your vehicle. For example, some motorists decide to buy policies for:
- Collision and comprehensive coverage
- Accident forgiveness
- Underinsurance motorist coverage
- Roadside assistance and towing
- Gap insurance
- Pet coverage
You have to make your own decision about whether or not to purchase these extra policies, but if you want to make sure those people close to you are covered, we recommend that you purchase optional bodily injury to others coverage, as well as underinsured motorist coverage.
What if PIP Coverage Doesn’t Cover Your Losses?
You may have a chance to file a claim for additional compensation even if your PIP policy does not cover all your car accident expenses. You may qualify to seek compensation from the insurance company representing the liable driver or through a lawsuit in some cases.
Generally, you can only seek compensation for pain and suffering if you incur $2,000 or more in reasonable healthcare costs or if the injuries caused by the crash include:
- Substantial loss of sight or hearing OR
- Fractured bones OR
- Serious and permanent disfigurement
An attorney can review your situation and help you determine if you qualify for these options. Filing a lawsuit may help you get more money for your medical bills, lost pay, and other expenses.
Can You Get Compensation for Non-Economic Losses?
You may qualify for compensation for non-economic losses in some cases. For example, your lawyer can assess your situation and fight to bring you compensation to cover:
- Physical pain that stops you from enjoying your life
- Emotional pain and mental suffering
- Loss of consortium and loss of companionship
Attorneys know how to calculate the financial value of these losses to include them in your claim.
What Happens if Someone Drives Without Insurance in Massachusetts?
Individuals who drive without insurance can face fines and other financial penalties. If a driver with no insurance hits you, your PIP coverage should still cover some of your losses, including healthcare expenses and a percentage of your lost pay. Additionally, if you, a household member, or the car that you were in have uninsured motorist coverage through an auto policy, you should be able to recover additional medical bills for pain and suffering.
Talk to Us About No-Fault Car Insurance in Massachusetts
Is Massachusetts a no-fault state for car accidents? Yes, Massachusetts uses a no-fault system to handle insurance payments after car accidents. This system allows you to get several thousand dollars to cover medical bills, lost pay, and replacement services.
However, you may be entitled to additional compensation after a crash. In this situation, you can turn to our team at Jason Stone Injury Lawyers for help. We know how to build a claim on your behalf and promise to guide you through the recovery process as part of our Stone Cold Guarantee®.
You can learn more by calling or completing our online contact form.
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