What to do if in a MA Auto Accident

MassQuotes What to do if in an auto accident

What to do in case ofa MA Auto Accident:

  1. Stop. Be Courteous. Stay Calm. Your interest will be served best if you are courteous and engage in no controversy at the scene of the accident.
  2. If there is significant damage to any of the vehicles or any potential injuries call 9-1-1 immediately.
  3. Get the names of the owners and drivers involved. Get license numbers, telephone numbers, and registration numbers.
  4. Get the names, addresses, and telephone numbers of witnesses.
  5. Express no opinion as to who was at fault. Give no information except for as required by the authorities. Do not sign any statements unless required by authorities.
  6. For prompt claims help contact your Massachusetts Independent Insurance Agent or company representative at once.

Massachusetts Crash Operator Report

MA Auto Accident

As a MA consumer service, MassQuotes offers the following link to your Massachusetts Motor Vehicle Crash Operator Report:

Massachusetts Motor Vehicle Crash Operator Report

When Should You File a Report?

  • You should file a report if you’re the operator of a vehicle involved in a crash where the damage to any one vehicle or property is over $1,000, or if there is an injury to any person, even if a police officer was on the scene. You should file the report within 5 days of the date of the crash.

When Should you NOT File a Report?

  • You should not file a report if the crash occurred on a private road, driveway, private parking lot or other private way.

Why this Report is Important

Data from this report is used for many purposes including:

  • Identifying locations with a large number of crashes.
  • Improving dangerous highways and intersections.
  • Developing highway safety public information programs.
  • Developing programs to save lives and reduce highway injuries.

Where to send completed reports:

  • Mail or deliver one copy to your local police department in the city or town where the crash occurred.
  • Mail one copy to your Insurance Company.
  • Mail one copy to the RMV at: Crash Records RMV; PO Box 55889; Boston, MA 02205-5889

Link to MA RMV Motor Vehicle Crash Operator Report:  http://www.mass.gov/rmv/forms/21278.pdf

What to do if in a MA auto accident

 

Some advice if you are in a Massachusetts auto accident:

1.      Stop. Be Courteous. Stay Calm. Your interest will be served best if you are courteous and engage in no controversy at the scene of the accident.

2.      If there is significant damage to any of the vehicles or any potential injuries call 911 immediately.

3.      Get the names of the owners and drivers involved. Get license numbers, telephone numbers, and registration numbers.

4.      Get the names, addresses, and telephone numbers of witnesses.

5.      Express no opinion as to who was at fault. Give no information except for as required by the authorities. Do not sign any statements unless required by authorities.

6.      Call your agent to report the claim.

If there was more than $1,000 damage to any vehicle or property, or if anyone was injured, operators are required to complete and file a MA Crash Operator Report with the Registry of Motor Vehicles, the police department in the town where the crash occurred, and to your insurance agent.

You can visit the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles at: http://www.massrmv.com/

Massachusetts “At-fault” auto accident

Have you been found “at-fault” in a Massachusetts auto accident?

Have you received the MA surcharge notice?

If so, this means the insurance company found you more than 50% at-fault and paid out more than $500 in damages.

Less than $2,000 paid out results in a 3 point (minor accident) surcharge.

More than $2,000 results in a 4 point (major accident) surcharge.

If you believe you were less than 50% at-fault in the accident, then MassQuotes recommends you appeal the surcharge.

Unlike insurance companies, the Massachusetts Board of Appeal takes into consideration other contributing factors, such as: road condition (icy, wet, snow-covered), visibility, other vehicle erratic driving, etc.

The Board of Appeal tells us it is presently taking about 9 months before consumers receive the hearing date. The cost to appeal is a non-refundable $50.

Once the hearing date is received you can: appear in person, submit a written statement, or select someone to appear on your behalf.

Appeal hearings are scheduled in:  Boston, Brockton, Peabody, Plymouth, Somerville, Waltham, or Worcester.

If you decide to appeal your surcharge: good luck.

(If you win, you can thank us by getting a quote!)

Massachusetts Auto Insurance

What to do in case of a Massachusetts auto accident:

1.      Stop. Be Courteous. Stay Calm. Your interest will be served best if you are courteous and engage in no controversy at the scene of the accident.

2.      If there is significant damage to any of the vehicles or any potential injuries call 911 immediately.

3.      Get the names of the owners and drivers involved. Get license numbers, telephone numbers, and registration numbers.

4.      Get the names, addresses, and telephone numbers of witnesses.

5.      Express no opinion as to who was at fault. Give no information except for as required by the authorities. Do not sign any statements unless required by authorities.

6.      Call your independent Massachusetts insurance agent to report the claim.

If there was more than $1,000 damage to any vehicle or property, or if anyone was injured, operators are required to complete and file a MA Crash Operator Report with the Registry of Motor Vehicles, the police department in the town where the crash occurred, and to your insurance agent.

You can visit the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles at: http://www.massrmv.com/