Trantolo & Trantolo is a family-founded law firm dedicated to protecting those injured by negligence and wrongdoing. If you or someone you love suffered injuries in a motor vehicle collision, we can help you stand up to insurance companies and liable parties and get the money you need to heal.
Our Chicopee car accident lawyers can take on the most complex cases, inside and outside the courtroom. You deserve an ally. Call today for a free consultation.
Our Law Firm Has Fought for Car Accident Victims for Over 85 Years
Trantolo & Trantolo has fought for the rights of the injured since 1938. Our Chicopee personal injury attorneys have the experience, knowledge, skill, and resources to protect you and your family after a car accident has altered your life. Our team will put everything we have behind one goal – securing the best possible results for your case.
We assign each client a dedicated team that will partner with you to craft personalized and effective legal solutions and provide practical support. We will work tirelessly to achieve a full and fair settlement, but if we need to go to court, we are seasoned trial lawyers who will NOT accept less than you deserve.
Our Clients Become Family
We treat everyone who seeks our help like family. Our award-winning legal service has earned us an A+ rating from 97.8 percent of clients. Read what they have to say about working with our law firm:
“Awesome experience with Trantolo & Trantolo. They really helped us during a difficult time with their professionalism and compassion. We highly recommend this team!” -S.M.
“This firm is amazing. I am truly grateful for the settlement that I received. They went above and beyond, and I am satisfied with the outcome. Friendly and respectful staff. You don’t have to worry about a thing.” -K.B.
How to Recover Compensation After a Massachusetts Car Accident
Car accidents are already overwhelming to deal with, but dealing with complex claims can make this experience even more intimidating. A Chicopee car accident lawyer can help you navigate Massachusetts insurance laws.
Compensation may include:
Personal Injury Protection (PIP) Benefits
According to the Massachusetts Division of Insurance (DOI), the state’s no-fault auto insurance system requires motorists to carry a minimum of $8,000 in first-party personal injury protection (PIP) benefits. PIP covers medical expenses, 75 percent of your lost wages, and pays for replacement services after a car accident, no matter who caused the collision.
Our accident attorneys can help you negotiate for the maximum compensation possible via your no-fault policy. If you have severe injuries and expenses that surpass your no-fault coverage, you may qualify to step outside the no-fault system and seek additional damages.
An Auto Liability Settlement or Personal Injury Judgement
If a negligent driver caused your crash, and your damages exceed your PIP coverage, we can build a case proving your right to recover additional awards with a liability insurance claim or car accident lawsuit.
Recoverable compensation may include:
- Medical expenses not paid by your insurer – including the cost of hospital stays, doctor visits, physical therapy and rehabilitation, medical devices, medical equipment and mobility aids, and long-term nursing
- Lost income – including the full value of your lost wages, lost future earnings, and lost earning capacity
- Personal property damages – including vehicle repair costs or replacement costs if the damages are a total loss
- Pain and suffering – including loss of enjoyment, lost quality of life, stress, depression, anxiety, physical pain, and disabling injuries
- Wrongful death of a loved one – including medical costs, burial and funeral costs, lost income and future earnings, and loss of your loved one’s services, protection, guidance, care, and companionship
To learn more about your options for seeking compensation after a Chicopee car accident, contact Trantolo & Trantolo today. Call 24/7 for a free consultation.
How Our Chicopee Car Accident Lawyers Can Help With Your Case
The more robust your case, the more likely you will achieve a successful settlement or verdict. However, case building takes time and a lot of legwork. Our legal team can take on the burden of your case so you can focus on your health and family.
Our Chicopee auto accident lawyers can:
- Review your insurance coverage and file claims with all of your applicable policies, including PIP and other optional coverages you may hold, such as comprehensive/collision insurance, medical payments coverage (or “MedPay”), or uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) protection.
- Identify liable parties and prove your right to personal injury compensation. We will investigate your accident, collect evidence, and use it to identify liable parties and prove they acted negligently. We will also determine your losses and establish your right to recover compensation from those at fault.
- Handle case-related communications and negotiations. We will handle meetings, phone calls, and emails with involved parties. During insurance negotiations, we will protect you from pressure and bad-faith tactics and aggressively fight for the maximum settlement possible.
- Represent you in a car accident lawsuit. We can file a lawsuit in civil court and represent you at trial if the insurance company refuses to compensate you fairly.
We Have Handled Many Successful Car Accident Claims
Our reputation is built on results. Trantolo & Trantolo has recovered millions of dollars in compensation for our clients. Our car accident settlements and verdicts include:
Negligence and Car Accident Liability in Chicopee Collisions
You do not need to prove negligence to recover a no-fault insurance payout. However, if you have losses beyond the scope of your policy and are seriously injured, proof of negligence is very important. To seek damages from an at-fault party, you must establish that their negligence caused the car accident. Examples of negligent actions include:
- Tailgating
- Making an improper turn
- Making an improper lane change or passing illegally
- Failing to yield the right of way
- Failing to obey traffic signs and signals
- Fatigued driving
- Drunk driving
- Distracted driving
- Reckless or aggressive driving
Most car accident claims will be against a liable driver, but there could be other responsible parties. If a defective auto part or vehicle defect caused the accident, the fault could rest with a mechanic or manufacturer. A property owner could be liable if negligent road maintenance or dangerous road conditions contributed to the crash.
Opposing parties may also try to use liability against you. When a victim shares blame for an accident, Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 231 § 85 states that the court will assign them a percentage of fault. Your fault percentage will reduce your financial recovery. For example, if you have $100,000 in damages but are 20 percent liable, you would get $80,000. Any fault above 50 percent bars you from seeking compensation.
Our Chicopee car accident attorneys can pursue damages from all those at fault for your crash and manage multiple claims when necessary. We can also stand up to accusations that you behaved negligently, which could harm your chances of securing fair awards.
How Long Do You Have to Pursue a Chicopee Car Accident Claim?
If you must pursue your losses with a car accident lawsuit, Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 260 § 2A sets a three-year statute of limitations for personal injury. Mass. Gen. Laws Ann. ch. 229, § 2 allows three years to file a wrongful death lawsuit. If you do not act before time runs out, the court will likely bar your case.
If you cannot sue, you lose your insurance bargaining power, so these laws will also affect insurance claims. In addition, acting quickly gives us the best chance at collecting and preserving case evidence and the longest possible window to negotiate a settlement.
Contact Trantolo & Trantolo to Connect With a Chicopee Car Accident Lawyer
You do not have to face insurance companies, at-fault parties, or opposing attorneys alone. Our legal team will put decades of experience behind your case and stand by you every step of the way. Our Chicopee car accident lawyers serve clients on contingency, so there is no financial risk to you. You do not pay attorney fees unless and until we obtain compensation.
Contact us online or call now for a free consultation.
Chicopee Car Accident Injury: Frequently Asked Questions
Can I file a Chicopee car accident lawsuit if the at-fault driver was uninsured?
Yes. If the driver who caused your accident did not carry insurance, you may still be able to recover compensation through your own uninsured motorist (UM) policy. A Chicopee car accident lawyer at Trantolo & Trantolo can review your coverage, file the claim on your behalf, and pursue other liable parties if applicable, such as vehicle owners or employers.
Do I have to go to court for a car accident claim in Chicopee?
Not always. Many cases settle during negotiations with insurers, but if the insurance company refuses a fair payout, a lawsuit may be necessary. Your Chicopee car accident attorney at our firm will prepare for trial from the start, ensuring strong evidence and expert testimony are ready whether your case resolves during negotiations or in court.
Can passengers injured in a Chicopee car accident file their own claims?
Yes. Passengers have the same rights as drivers to pursue compensation. Depending on the cause of the crash, they may be able to file claims against the driver of the other vehicle, the driver of the car they were riding in, or both. Our Chicopee car accident attorneys can guide passengers through this process and protect their rights.
What should I do if the insurance company tries to blame me for my Chicopee accident?
Massachusetts uses a modified comparative negligence system. If you are found more than 50 percent at fault, you cannot recover damages. Even if your percentage is lower, your compensation will be reduced. Our Chicopee car accident lawyers can challenge unfair blame, present evidence to reduce your fault percentage, and preserve your right to maximum compensation.