What Types of Car Accidents Require a Lawyer?

In 2025, Massachusetts recorded nearly 130,000 car accidents. Many of those crashes involved property damage only, but there were several types of car accidents that resulted in serious injuries and fatalities. 

You may not need a car accident lawyer for a minor fender-bender. But for different types of car accidents, like head-on collisions and T-bone accidents, hiring a Massachusetts car accident attorney is the best way to get fair compensation for your injuries and losses.

Common Types of Auto Accidents

Learn more about car accidents, types of crashes, car accident terminology, and how hiring an attorney can help you win your case. 

Rear-End Collisions

Rear-end collisions occur when one vehicle strikes the back of another, often at stoplights or in heavy traffic. These types of car crashes are frequently caused by distracted driving, tailgating, or failing to account for road conditions. Even at low speeds, rear-end crashes can result in serious injuries like whiplash and concussions.

From a legal standpoint, the rear driver is often presumed to be at fault, but Massachusetts is a no-fault state, which means insurers may compensate the driver who caused the crash. If you’re injured in a rear-end crash, your personal injury protection (PIP) coverage might not cover your full medical costs, but with the help of an attorney, you may be able to sue the other driver for compensation.

Head-On Crashes

Head-on crashes are among the most severe types of road accidents due to the force of impact, often leading to catastrophic injuries or fatalities. Common causes include impaired driving, drowsy driving, or drifting across the center line.

Because of the high stakes involved, determining liability in a head-on collision is critical for ensuring victims are fairly compensated. A personal injury attorney can gather extensive crash-related evidence to build a case that clearly establishes negligence for the driver who caused the accident.

Single-Vehicle Accidents

Single-vehicle accidents involve only one vehicle and can include collisions with fixed objects or running off the road. While these kinds of car accidents might seem straightforward, they can result from the negligent actions of other parties. For example, if road conditions or defective vehicle parts cause a single-vehicle crash, liability may lie with government entities responsible for road maintenance or the manufacturers of faulty parts. 

Even if you think a single-vehicle accident is your fault, you should still contact a car accident lawyer because there might be other factors beyond your control that contributed to the crash.

Multi-Vehicle Accidents

Multi-vehicle accidents, often called “pileups,” involve three or more vehicles and commonly occur on highways like I-93. These accidents can escalate quickly, especially in poor weather or low-visibility conditions, leading to extensive damage and multiple injuries.

Determining fault in multi-vehicle accidents is complex, as multiple drivers may share responsibility. Insurance companies may dispute claims or attempt to minimize payouts, but an experienced car accident attorney can analyze the sequence of events in multi-vehicle crashes and advocate for a fair allocation of liability and compensation.

Left-Turn Accidents

Left-turn accidents — also called “T-bone” accidents or side-impact collisions — typically occur when a driver turns across oncoming traffic and is struck by an approaching vehicle. These types of car accidents often result from misjudging the speed of an approaching vehicle or failing to yield the right of way.

In most situations, the driver making the left turn is considered at fault, but exceptions exist, especially if the other driver was violating Massachusetts traffic laws when the crash occurred. A car accident attorney can help establish liability in left-turn accidents.

Sideswipe Accidents

Sideswipe accidents occur when two vehicles traveling in the same direction or opposite directions make contact along their sides. These incidents often happen during lane changes or when drivers fail to check blind spots.

To determine fault in a sideswipe car accident case, a personal injury attorney may review dashcam footage, witness accounts, traffic patterns, and the driving history of each party. 

Rollover Crashes

Rollover accidents involve a vehicle tipping onto its side or roof, often due to sharp turns at high speeds, or collisions. SUVs and trucks are particularly susceptible to these car accident types due to their higher center of gravity.

Traumatic brain injuries, broken bones, and spinal cord damage may occur in rollover crashes. Liability may involve driver error as well as vehicle design defects or road hazards, and an attorney can investigate all contributing factors to build a strong case.

Drunk Driving Accidents

Drunk driving accidents are caused by drivers operating vehicles while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. In addition to criminal charges, intoxicated drivers can be held civilly liable for damages. 

If the facts reveal that a driver consumed alcohol at an establishment and was visibly intoxicated, that establishment may share some liability for the crash. A lawyer can help determine all parties that bear some responsibility for a drunk-driving crash.

Hit-and-Run Accidents

Hit-and-run accidents occur when a driver involved in a crash leaves the scene without providing contact information or assistance. Often, drivers who flee the scene are trying to hide an offense, such as driving without insurance or driving while intoxicated.

Even if the at-fault driver is not immediately identified, victims may still have options through uninsured motorist coverage or other legal avenues. An attorney can help investigate the incident and explore all possible sources of compensation.

Highway Accidents

Accidents that occur at highway speeds increase the likelihood of severe injuries and extensive damage. Common causes include speeding, distracted driving, and sudden lane changes. Merging accidents are also common on highways, especially when the driver entering traffic fails to check their blind spot.

Because of the complexity and severity of these crashes, investigations may involve accident reconstruction experts and extensive evidence review. Victims may face significant medical expenses, lost wages, and long-term impacts, making legal representation essential.

Intersection Crashes

Intersection crashes are among the most common types of accidents and often involve vehicles crossing paths at traffic signals or stop signs. These accidents frequently result from failure to yield, running red lights, or driver inattention.

Establishing fault can depend on traffic laws, signal timing, and witness testimony. A lawyer can help gather evidence and advocate for fair compensation, especially when liability is disputed.

Parking Lot Accidents

Parking lot accidents typically occur at low speeds but can still result in injuries and property damage. These incidents often involve a vehicle backing out of a space and into the path of another vehicle.

An attorney may review surveillance footage and right-of-way rules to determine fault for the accident, as well as whether the parking lot’s design contributed to the crash.

When Should You Contact a Car Injury Lawyer?

Not all car accidents require the assistance of an attorney. For example, minor collisions resulting in minimum vehicle damage and no bodily injuries are typically quickly resolved. However, with different types of car crashes, there may be some situations that are best handled by an attorney.  You should call an attorney if:

• You or any of your vehicle occupants suffered serious injuries
• The insurance company does not act in good faith, such as denying a valid claim, ignoring your communication requests, or misrepresenting the policy language
• You have questions about the validity of the police report
• Your accident occurred in a school or construction zone
• There are questions about liability
• You lost a loved one as a result of the accident
• The crash involved a commercial truck, pedestrian, motorcyclist, or cyclist

Car injury lawyers typically work on contingency, meaning they do not require upfront fees to represent you in court and only receive a payment if they settle your case. Additionally, they offer free consultations to listen to the details of your accident and determine if you are a good fit.

What Damages Can You Recover From a Car Accident Injury?

The losses you can recover from a car accident are called compensatory damages. These include the economic and non-economic consequences of the crash and your injuries. 

Examples are:

• The wages lost as a result of missed work, both current and in the future
• Loss of earning capacity
• Current and future medical costs, including the costs of medications and treatments from hospitals and outpatient clinics
• The cost of property damage, either repairing or replacing the vehicle
• The cost of disability accommodations at home, including structural renovations, household help, and childcare assistance
• Pain and suffering caused by physical injury
• Mental anguish and emotional distress caused by the development of depression, anxiety, or post-traumatic stress disorder
• Loss of the companionship of a loved one
• Loss of consortium if you lost a spouse
• Loss of the capability to enjoy your life
• Expenses related to a funeral and burial or cremation if you lost a loved one

Because every accident is unique, the damages related to your accident may vary. One of the benefits of hiring a car injury lawyer is that they’ll help you collect the necessary evidence to prove your claim.

Punitive Damages

If the at-fault party in your accident behaved in a way that displayed no regard for the duty of care owed to other drivers, resulting in substantial damages or death, the court might award you punitive damages. Punitive damages do not compensate for any loss. Instead, they act as a punishment for the defendant’s actions, such as reckless driving or exceeding the posted speed limit.

What Can a Car Injury Lawyer Do for You?

When you hire a car accident lawyer, you don’t have to deal with insurance companies while trying to recover from a severe injury. Jason Stone Injury Lawyers handles all communication with insurers and works diligently to help you recover financial compensation for your losses and medical care so you can get your life back on track. 

We understand the financial burdens that car accident injury victims face, and we alleviate some of that burden by charging no upfront fees for our services. As explained in our Stone Cold Guarantee, we only get paid when you win your case. 

Contact Jason Stone Injury Lawyers today for your free consultation. We’ll listen to the details of your case and let you know what we can do for you. There’s No Obligation, Just Information Ⓡ.