Uninsured Motorist Accidents
While Massachusetts requires every driver to have car insurance in order to register and operate a vehicle, some people nevertheless break the law and drive without insurance. This can happen when a vehicle is stolen, a vehicle is not registered, a driver’s insurance policy has been canceled, or a driver’s insurance company has become insolvent.
When irresponsible drivers illegally driving without insurance injure others, they do not have a policy to cover the damages. If you have been hurt in an accident with an at-fault driver who does not have automobile insurance, or in a hit-and-run accident with an unidentified driver, it can leave you feeling angry, devastated, and helpless. Uninsured Motorist Accident Attorney Tracy Paulsen is here to advocate for you. She and her team at Rightful Legal have helped thousands of clients injured in car accidents with uninsured motorists all over Massachusetts, including in Bristol County, Norfolk County, Plymouth County, and the Boston area. We are experienced in helping the victims of uninsured motorists obtain the maximum possible compensation for their injuries.
Uninsured motorists accidents can take any form. Common accidents caused by uninsured motorists include:
- Side Impact Accidents
- Rear End Collisions
- Distracted Driving Accidents
- Head-On Car Crashes
- Drunk Driving Accidents
- Multi-Vehicle Collisions
- And More
You may be experiencing devastating injuries and wondering how you will afford to recover and rebuild your life after your accident. You are not alone. Attorney Tracy Paulsen is ready to Fight for Your Rights as you pick up the pieces after a collision with an uninsured driver. As the managing attorney of the Rightful Legal personal injury law firm, she has years of experience in navigating the complexities of uninsured motorist accidents. Our close-knit team will pursue every avenue to obtain compensation for you after you are injured by a driver with no car insurance.
If you are experiencing injuries from an accident where an uninsured motorist was partially or totally at fault, the passionate lawyers of Rightful Legal want to hear from you. We offer you a free consultation to discuss your case. This consultation does not obligate you to us in any way, and we will keep the information you share with us completely confidential.
Do I Need to Tell My Own Car Insurance Company if I Was in an Accident with an Uninsured Motorist?
Yes, you should notify your insurance company of an accident right away, especially with an uninsured motorist. Massachusetts courts have stated that if you do not promptly notify an insurer of an accident with a driver who is not insured, you can be barred from recovery. This means you may be completely unable to obtain compensation if you do not tell your car insurance company about your uninsured motorist accident right away.
Keep in mind, while you must promptly notify your automobile insurance provider of an accident, you should seek the advice of a skilled Massachusetts personal injury attorney before providing a statement to any insurance company or speaking with a claims adjuster. It is crucial that you are informed of your legal rights before speaking in detail to any insurance company representative about your accident. Ideally, communication with insurers should be handled by a lawyer with experience representing the victims of motor vehicle accidents. At Rightful Legal, Attorney Paulsen and her team communicate on behalf of our clients to ensure that all information is accurate and that you are not lowballed to serve the interests of big insurance companies. We have experience dealing with local and national car insurance providers and will advocate passionately for you throughout the claims process.
Who Pays for Damages in an Uninsured Motorist Accident?
Many people believe that if the driver who caused their accident was not insured, they cannot be compensated for their injuries. This is not the case. A skilled personal injury attorney can help you recover damages for the injuries you have sustained in an accident with an uninsured motorist.
The most common way to be compensated for injuries caused by an uninsured motorist is through your own automobile insurance policy. All Massachusetts car insurance policies are required to provide coverage for bodily injury and death caused by another driver without insurance. This coverage protects you, anyone you allow to drive your vehicle, and any passengers from losses caused by a driver who is uninsured or unidentified.
Many people believe that minimum coverage in the Commonwealth for uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage is $20,000 per injured person and $40,000 total. However, as of July 1, 2025, minimum required coverage is $25,000 per person injured and $50,000 in total.
Drivers can choose to obtain more coverage with higher limits. Those who have not yet been injured by an uninsured motorist should review their current automobile insurance policies and consider whether their coverage is enough to completely provide for medical bills and other damages in the event of a serious accident.
Injured or Lost a Family Member in an Uninsured Motorist Accident?
The attorneys at Rightful Legal attorneys are here to help.
Call us at 617-821-5856
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How Do You Bring a Claim for Compensation for Injuries Caused by an Accident with an Uninsured Motorist?
Unlike other claims for personal injury from car crashes, Massachusetts automobile policies provide that if a claim for bodily injury caused by an uninsured motorist cannot be resolved with your insurer, it must proceed to arbitration instead of to court.
Make no mistake, it is just as important to have a devoted legal advocate before an arbitrator as it is in court. Insurance companies bring sophisticated lawyers to arbitration, with one goal in mind: to pay you as little as possible. You need someone who knows their tactics in your corner. Rightful Legal managing attorney Tracy Paulsen has over 15 years of experience representing clients from the Boston area, Bristol County, and other regions of Massachusetts in personal injury claims, including arbitration regarding uninsured motorist accident injuries.
Are There Penalties for Driving Without Insurance in Massachusetts?
Yes, driving without insurance in Massachusetts can lead to fines, jail time, and license suspension, in addition to the inability of the uninsured driver to receive coverage for their own medical bills and vehicle repairs.
For offenders caught driving without insurance for the first time, there is a $500 fine and up to 12 months in jail. First offenders also receive a 60 day suspension of their driver’s license and must pay a $500 fee to have it reinstated. They must also pay an additional fee in order to be covered by an automobile insurance policy in Massachusetts in the future.
Second offenders can be charged with a fine of up to $5,000 for driving without insurance and can again face up to a year in jail. If it is within six years of their first offense, their driver’s license will be suspended for one year, and they must again pay a $500 fee to have it reinstated. They will also have to pay another fee in order to regain coverage by a Massachusetts automobile insurance policy.
What Are Common Injuries Caused by Accidents with Uninsured Motorists?
Uninsured motorists can cause any type of accident. They therefore inflict a wide range of injuries on others. These may include:
- Whiplash
- Fractures/Broken Bones
- Back Injuries
- Paralysis
- Soft Tissue Injuries
- Contusions
- Lacerations
- Concussions
- Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs)
- Emotional Trauma
- Death
What Kinds of Damages Can You Recover in an Uninsured Motorist Personal Injury Claim?
After a collision with an uninsured driver, evaluating your damages can be a complicated process. Without appropriate legal help, your claim could be seriously undervalued. This is especially common when it comes to any non-economic losses you may be experiencing, like emotional trauma, pain and suffering, or reduced quality of life.
A knowledgeable Massachusetts personal injury attorney can help you identify all of the damages you have suffered as a result of your uninsured motorist accident and gather the necessary evidence to support your claim. Clear documentation and accurate valuation are key to persuading an insurance company or arbitrator to provide full compensation for your damages.
Every uninsured motorist car crash claim is different, and the compensation to which you may be entitled will depend on many factors. These factors include your earning power before the accident, how your injuries affect your earning power in the future, how serious your injuries are, how old you are, your recovery outlook, and whether you share any responsibility for the crash.
Some types of uninsured motorist accident damages that we may be able to help you recover, if applicable, include:
- Past and future medical costs
- Past and future lost income from missing work
- Wrongful death
- Permanent physical disability
- Permanent mental/cognitive disability
- Psychological or emotional trauma
- Disfigurement
- Loss of ability to enjoy your life
- Loss of ability to enjoy relationships
- Pain and suffering
Hurt in a Crash with an Uninsured Motorist?
Contact Rightful Legal TODAY for a Free, No-Obligation Consultation
Call 617-821-5856
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Why Allow Rightful Legal to Represent You in Your Uninsured Motorist Car Crash Case?
If you were hurt in a collision caused fully or in part by an illegally uninsured driver, you may have the right to bring a personal injury claim. If the collision tragically claimed the life of your loved one, you may be able to bring a claim for wrongful death.
Massachusetts law sets a rigid deadline for bringing your claim in personal injury cases. In most situations, you have only three years from the date your injuries are discovered (usually the day of the accident) to file your case. This legal timeframe is known as the statute of limitations, and it is non-optional. If you miss this deadline, you cannot recover any compensation at all. Therefore, it is crucial that you act as quickly as possible.
At Rightful Legal, we understand how overwhelming the aftermath of a serious accident with an uninsured motorist can be. An irresponsible driver not only hurt you, but also broke the law by driving without insurance, depriving you of the ability to recover from their insurer and leaving you on your own. But we are here to help. Our dedicated team is committed to guiding clients through every step of their uninsured driver car crash case. From proving your damages to obtaining compensation from your own insurance company, we will stand by your side to pursue the justice and compensation you deserve for your injuries.
As a Bristol County-based firm, we serve clients from Boston, Attleboro, and nearby communities across Massachusetts with personalized attention and local insight. Our attorneys know that car insurance companies, including your own auto insurer, often downplay the true impact of your injuries and offer you far less than what your case is worth. Unlike giant national firms, we always devote individualized focus to each client, fighting hard to make sure your unique losses are fully recognized and compensated.
Uninsured and unidentified motorist accident claims are often complex, especially when it comes to identifying the appropriate coverage and demonstrating the extent of your injuries. Attorney Tracy Paulsen and her experienced legal team provide hands-on, compassionate representation tailored to your particular circumstance and injuries. Whether your case is resolved through a fair settlement or requires going to arbitration, we are ready to fight for you the whole way through. You do not pay us a fee unless we win your case.
We invite you to contact Rightful Legal now for a free, confidential consultation. There is no obligation due to meeting with us for this consultation. It is simply a chance to speak with our team about your injuries, understand your rights, and explore your next steps after an accident with an uninsured motorist.
Text or Call Rightful Legal Today at 617-821-5856 or contact our dedicated Massachusetts Uninsured Motorist Accident Victim Attorneys Online Now.