Truck drivers must have a great deal of training and skill to operate commercial motor vehicles safely. However, even a skilled driver can lose control of a truck that has been improperly loaded with cargo. For example, a truck may be overloaded for the truck’s maximum weight or contain improperly secured cargo that shifts during travel. As a result, a truck driver can lose control or unsecured cargo may fall out, causing a serious accident with other motorists on the road. If you have been injured in a crash caused by an improperly loaded truck or trailer, contact the experienced truck accident lawyers at Brooks Law now. Our team will review your case for free and explain your legal options. In addition, you do not owe us any payment unless and until we secure financial compensation for you and your family. Contact us today to get started. How Brooks Law Can Help If you have been hurt, call 911 and report the crash to local law enforcement. An officer will prepare a police accident report detailing information about the crash, listing whether anyone was ticketed or arrested for the accident, and possibly providing the officer’s determination of fault for the accident. This report can be useful in your personal injury claim. If you’ve been hurt in an accident involving an improperly loaded truck or trailer, the attorneys of Brooks Law can help by: Conducting a thorough independent investigation of your accident, including obtaining all available surveillance videos and reviewing driver’s logs and load manifest records, to determine what caused your crash Collaborating with trucking industry experts who can provide an opinion as to how the truck driver and/or trucking/freight companies negligently loaded the truck and how the unsafe load led to your accident Filing injury claims on your behalf and aggressively negotiating with the trucking companies and their insurers to reach a settlement that provides you with full compensation Preparing and developing your case for court, if it becomes necessary, and arguing on your behalf at trial Why Improper Loading Leads to Accidents An improperly loaded commercial truck can lead to a catastrophic accident on the road for many reasons: Unbalanced loading: When a truck has an unbalanced load, the uneven distribution of weight affects the handling of the vehicle. It is more difficult to properly brake, increasing the risk of a jackknife accident and a rollover accident. Uneven weight also puts uneven stress and wear and tear on various components of the truck, such as the frame, suspension, brakes, or tires. This can cause certain components to fail while the truck is moving. Overweight loading: Every truck has a maximum amount of cargo that it can haul, known as the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR). Truck drivers often stop at weigh stations along the highway to check their vehicles and make sure that they aren’t exceeding their truck’s GVWR. If a truck is overloaded, it can impact the handling and performance of the vehicle, especially on inclines and declines. Unsecured loading: An unsecured load occurs when cargo is not properly tied down and is allowed to shift during travel. Shifting cargo alters the truck’s or trailer’s center of gravity, making it difficult for a driver to control the truck when its handling characteristics rapidly change. An unsecured load can also fall off a truck, impacting other vehicles on the road or creating obstacles that drivers must swerve to avoid. Signs That a Truck Has Improperly Loaded Cargo A truck driver should recognize when a vehicle has been improperly loaded with cargo by checking whether: Cargo weight is unevenly distributed in the bed or trailer. Heavier cargo is loaded on top of lighter cargo, creating a higher center of gravity. The truck and its cargo exceed the gross vehicle weight rating. Cargo is improperly braced, blocked, or secured with tie-downs, or the securing mechanisms are insufficient to handle the weight of the cargo they are holding. Tiedowns lack edge protection, allowing the sides of boxes or containers to potentially cut through tie-downs. Cargo is not properly covered. Trailer or bed doors are not properly secured. On the move, truck drivers and other motorists on the road may notice that a truck has been improperly loaded with cargo if it: Has trouble climbing up inclines Travels too fast and has trouble braking on declines Turns in one direction easier than the other Has a front end or rear end of a trailer sitting lower than the other end Has a trailer that noticeably tips side to side, or the back of the trailer swings left and right out of the lane of traffic Responsibility for Securing Transfer Truck Cargo Truck cargo is often handled by multiple parties by the time it is finally loaded onto the truck or into the trailer. A truck or trailer may, in fact, be loaded by several different freight companies before setting off. These companies may bear part of the liability in the event a truck accident is caused by an improper cargo load. Responsibility for the cargo load also falls onto the truck driver, who is required to inspect the truck and cargo and ensure the vehicle is safe to drive. A driver must inspect the cargo load before setting off, at the beginning of every duty shift, after the first 50 miles of a trip, and thereafter at three-hour or 150-mile intervals. However, a driver may lack sufficient training and experience to identify improper cargo loads, may neglect to conduct an inspection, or may notice an unsafe load but decline to request the freight company reload the truck for fear of falling behind schedule. Contact a Massachusetts Improperly Loaded Truck Accident Lawyer If you’ve been injured in a crash, contact a Massachusetts truck accident attorney at Brooks Law to learn more about how our firm can help you pursue the compensation you need to recover. Schedule a free, no-obligation consultation to discuss your legal rights, and let us help you demand the justice you deserve.

The shock of a car accident can leave you feeling unsure about what to do next. Even if you know someone else was at fault, you may not know what you should be doing to protect your rights. Most people have no idea how to start a personal injury claim after a crash. Below are some steps that you can take after a serious car accident to protect yourself and your injury claim. Report the Crash If you have been hurt, call 911 and report the crash to local law enforcement. An officer will prepare a police accident report detailing information about the crash, listing whether anyone was ticketed or arrested for the accident, and possibly providing the officer’s determination of fault for the accident. This report can be useful in your personal injury claim. Exchange Information Even though information for each driver will likely be listed in the police accident report, you should still exchange information with each driver involved in the accident. Get the other driver’s name, contact information, license and registration information, and insurance carrier and policy number. This way you will know who to contact if you need to file a claim for compensation after the accident. Document What Happened If you can, take photographs or videos of the accident scene. This includes: Damage to the vehicles involved The positions of the vehicles after the accident Any skid marks on the road The approximate visual perspective of each driver immediately prior to the accident The traffic controls and road markers at the scene The traffic, road, weather, and lighting conditions at the time of the accident Any visible injuries you suffered You may also want to write down what you remember from the accident in case you later need to refresh your memory. Get Medical Treatment If you decline medical treatment or transportation to the hospital at the scene of the accident, you should still follow up with an examination by your physician or another doctor. You may not experience pain or other symptoms of injury until after the shock and adrenaline have worn off, and a doctor might be able to diagnose injuries via a physical exam. Promptly diagnosing your injuries allows you to begin treatment as quickly as possible and improves your prognosis. It also allows you to make a more persuasive claim that your injuries were caused in the car accident and that you are taking them seriously. Keep All Bills, Receipts, Invoices, Medical Records, Etc. When you later make a claim for compensation, it will help to have copies of the bills, invoices, and receipts for the medical expenses and other out-of-pocket costs you incur due to your injuries. These will help you calculate your monetary losses. Having copies of your medical records will help you establish the extent of your injuries. These records can also strengthen a claim for pain and suffering or loss of quality of life when your records discuss pain, limitations, and other difficulties that your injuries imposed upon you. Follow Your Treatment Plan Always stick to the treatment plan set forth by your treating medical provider. Don’t ignore recommendations or instructions or put off recommended surgeries or other medical procedures. If you do, you might allow your injuries and condition to worsen. This will allow the at-fault driver and the insurance company to argue that you have failed to mitigate your damages, which can adversely impact your rights to seek compensation. Failing to follow treatment instructions and recommendations can also allow the other side to argue that you have either fully recovered or that you weren’t as injured as you claimed. Stay Off Social Media Avoid making social media posts or posting photos or videos of yourself following your car accident. Insurance companies and defense attorneys often monitor the social media profiles of car accident claimants. They look for statements that contradict the claimant’s allegations or official testimony. They also look for photos or videos that show an injured claimant engaging in activities not consistent with the level of injury or disability. These types of social media posts can seriously damage your credibility and lead to the rejection or dismissal of your claim. Contact a Car Accident Attorney You should speak to an experienced car accident attorney as soon as possible after your crash. You only have a limited period of time to file a claim for compensation for injuries and damages after an accident. Contacting an attorney as quickly as possible gives your lawyer the maximum amount of time to investigate your accident and prepare a strong, effective legal argument on your behalf. How Our Massachusetts Car Accident Lawyers Can Help If you have been injured in a Massachusetts car accident, the attorneys of Brooks Law can help you pursue the financial recovery you deserve by: Thoroughly investigating your accident to secure the evidence we need to pursue your case Identifying the at-fault party or parties and potential sources of compensation for your damages (including coverage under your own insurance policies) Filing claims for compensation on your behalf and aggressively negotiating for fair and full compensation Preparing your case to go to court if necessary, and vigorously advocating on your behalf to reach a verdict in your favor When you choose our firm to handle your car accident claim, you can expect that we will work tirelessly for the results you deserve. Your claim is as important to us as it is to you. Contact Brooks Law to schedule a free, no-obligation case consultation. Our hardworking Massachusetts car accident lawyers are ready to help.

The Latest DACA Ruling, Explained All across the United States, Dreamers have been able to breathe a sigh of relief as the U.S. Supreme Court shot down the Trump administration’s effort to dismantle the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. The program, set up by executive order eight years ago under the Obama administration, allows certain individuals who were brought to the U.S. as children to defer removal, receive work authorization, and gain access to other basic rights. The 5-4 decision hinged on a procedural technicality. The Supreme Court said the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) did not adequately assess how scrapping the program would affect those who have come to rely on it, The Washington Post reported. Almost 650,000 people across the United States have been granted DACA status. “The dispute before the court is not whether DHS may rescind DACA. All parties agree that it may. The dispute is instead primarily about the procedure the agency followed in doing so,” Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. wrote. He noted that DHS did not consider “whether to retain forbearance and what if anything to do about the hardship to DACA recipients.” Since the program was put in place, he wrote, many DACA recipients have started college, careers, businesses, and families. Therefore, he cited advocates’ argument that ending the program would “radiate outward.” What Does This Mean for You? Although the Trump administration can continue to fight to end DACA, as of now, recipients can still renew their status, even if it has lapsed. Those who have never applied for DACA may also submit new applications, although it remains to be seen how the Trump administration will handle those. If you are considering applying for DACA status of renewing your status, the best course of action is to speak with a knowledgeable DACA lawyer. Let Our Trusted DACA Lawyers Help You The U.S. immigration system is a complex and confusing web. Our experienced immigration lawyers have extensive experience helping people successfully navigate the system and secure the status they need to live without a constant fear of deportation. Our skilled DACA immigration attorneys can: Ensure your application contains all the required documentation and information to establish eligibility Secure crucial documentation such as your birth certificate, education or service records, criminal records (if any), etc. Prove that you meet the DACA entry and residency requirements Fight for you on appeal if your application is denied When you choose Brooks Law, you can trust that your DACA application is being handled carefully and efficiently. To discuss the details of your specific situation, contact us now. We are here to help.

If you have been unable to work due to a COVID-19 infection or because you are providing care for someone in your family who is sick with COVID-19, you may be eligible for paid time off. If you got sick due to exposure at work, you may be wondering whether you qualify for workers’ compensation benefits. It is important to understand how COVID-19 paid leave works and all your options. The federal government’s coronavirus emergency relief package gives qualified workers two weeks of paid sick leave if they are ill themselves or caring for a family member with COVID-19. Some workers will be eligible for up to 12 weeks of paid leave if they are providing care for a child whose school is closed due to the COVID-19 emergency. At Brooks Law, we are committed to ensuring workers understand their rights under the law. How Much COVID-19 Paid Leave Do You Get Under the Law? If a worker is sick with COVID-19, then that person is eligible for his or her full amount of wages or the minimum wage — whichever is higher. This amount can be a total of up to $511 per day depending upon the employee’s usual wage. If the employee is caring for a family member who is sick with COVID-19 or for a child who is out of school because of a school coronavirus closure, then the worker is eligible to receive two-thirds of his or her usual pay, with a daily pay limit of $200. What Are the Exclusions? Nearly all workers at small and medium-size companies will qualify for paid sick leave due to the coronavirus pandemic. Workers at nonprofits and most government agencies will also qualify, provided the worker has been employed for at least 30 days prior to requesting paid sick leave. Both part-time and self-employed workers are eligible, including workers in the gig economy, such as Uber or Lyft drivers. However, there are exclusions. Workers at companies that have more than 500 employees cannot receive paid leave under the coronavirus relief measure. Very small businesses with fewer than 50 employees must provide the two weeks of paid sick leave, but they may be able to exempt themselves from the paid leave for child care. Can You Get Workers’ Compensation for COVID-19? If you were exposed to coronavirus at work, you could be eligible to receive workers’ compensation benefits for COVID-19. Generally speaking, you will need to be able to prove that the exposure occurred at work, and that you were more likely to be exposed at work than during other required activities such as going to the grocery store or the local pharmacy. Workers in certain industries may be able to meet requirements for workers’ compensation, such as employees in the healthcare industry. However, you should discuss your particular situation with a workers’ compensation lawyer in Massachusetts. Talk to a Lawyer Now If you have been diagnosed with COVID-19 after being exposed to the coronavirus at work, we know how important it is to find out if you are eligible for paid leave or workers’ compensation benefits. A Massachusetts workers’ comp lawyer at our firm can speak with you today about your situation. Contact Brooks Law to learn more about your rights under the law.

People take temporary work for all kinds of reasons. Although these workers may not have the same full package of benefits as full-time employees, they do have the same right to a safe work environment. However, a recent study has found that temporary workers have a higher overall injury rate on the job than permanent workers. The study, which was conducted by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), considered the rate of workers’ compensation claims in Ohio between temporary and permanent workers. The analysis looked at over 1.3 million workers’ compensation claims that were accepted between 2001 and 2013. The conclusion was that temporary workers had a higher overall injury rate than permanent workers, and that the differences were more pronounced for certain industries and injury events. The study also noted that injured temp workers were “younger and had less tenure” than injured permanent workers. If you’ve been injured on the job as a temporary worker, it’s important that you understand your legal rights. Call our workers’ compensation lawyers at Brooks Law today to learn what steps to take if you are injured as a temporary worker. Are Temporary Workers Covered by Workers’ Compensation? In Massachusetts, people who work for temp or staffing agencies are covered by the same laws as other workers. They have the right to file a workers’ compensation claim if they are injured on the job, as well as the right to the name, address, and phone number of the agency’s workers’ compensation carrier. (Note that in most cases, it is the temporary/staffing agency that is considered the employer, and therefore the injured workers would file a claim against the agency’s workers’ compensation policy.) What to Do If You Are Injured on the Job as a Temp Worker If you are injured on the job as a temporary worker, it’s important that you take certain steps to protect your right to workers’ compensation benefits. These include: Document the details of the injury. Write down what happened, and when and where it happened. Take photos of your injuries and the accident scene. Get the names and contact information for anyone who witnessed you getting injured. Report the injury to your employer as soon as possible. Report it to both the staffing agency and the manager at the site where you are working. Seek medical care. If seeking non-emergency care, be sure to seek care from an approved provider. Talk to an attorney. Call an experienced workers’ compensation attorney to talk about your legal rights after an accident at a temp job. A knowledgeable lawyer can review your case for free and answer questions about what you should do next. Need Legal Help? Contact an Experienced Workers’ Comp Attorney If you have questions about the workers’ compensation claims process as a temporary worker who is injured on the job, don’t hesitate to reach out to our attorneys at Brooks Law. Our Massachusetts workers’ compensation lawyers have extensive experience advocating for temporary workers such as yourself.

Social scientists and scholars have pushed us to think about the words we use and the impact they have. The language we choose to describe “car accidents,” “car crashes,” or “traffic violence” changes the way we think about our own actions. In describing these situations, social scientists have challenged the public to think about how the words we choose excuse or lessen the perceived responsibility for a particular collision. A recent report in Transportation Research Interdisciplinary Perspectives explores just that. Car Accident vs. Traffic Violence People are naturally easily suggestible, and that can have real physical and legal consequences. Some people have argued that calling a collision between two vehicles an “accident” justifies the dangerous driving that causes injuries. After all, how can anyone prevent an “accident”? That’s why some safe driving advocates prefer “car crashes” to “car accidents.” They also believe that describing these situations as “traffic violence” may be even more accurate. Consider the following sentences as examples: “Well, car accident injuries happen. You can’t keep everyone safe all the time.” “Safe driving is essential. When you make reckless errors, your traffic violence hurts people.” Some social scientists have argued that the second choice would help people better evaluate their ability to drive safely and take responsibility when they make mistakes that hurt others. How Wording Affects Perception of Fault If you’ve ever taken a composition class, you might have been told that it’s best to use active language. Rather than saying, “The ball was thrown by Jane,” you could say, “Jane threw the ball.” In fewer words, you more clearly say who did what. The problem with how we talk and write about car crashes is that we remove the active agent altogether. When someone says they have “been in a car accident,” that wording removes the entity responsible for the crash. In addition, the recent report identifies how “object-based and person-based language” changes how people think of their crashes. For example, the phrase “a car hit a person” doesn’t identify that the car was operated by a person. A more accurate way to say that information might be, “A distracted driver hit a person with a car.” In fact, these scientists theorized that “rewriting the text to focus on the driver will reduce the pedestrian’s perceived blame and increase the driver’s.” When these scientists told car-pedestrian collision stories to participants in a study using wording that underscored that a person was behind the wheel, those participants were more likely to suggest punishment and fines for the reckless driver. It’s easy to default into saying someone was hurt in an “accident.” But it’s important to remember that cars don’t drive themselves, and every driver makes choices related to safety. For example, drunk driving is not an accident. It is a choice ─ and an incredibly dangerous one. We can all work to use more accurate language when we talk about collisions. Were You Injured by a Dangerous Driver? Our Attorneys Can Help If a reckless driver caused your injury, you can seek compensation for your losses. You deserve full and fair compensation for the medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering the crash caused you. Our lawyers can help. Contact Brooks Law for a free case evaluation today.

For the past few years, the number of workplace accidents in the private sector had been dropping. However, that is no longer the case. In 2018, the rate of non-fatal illnesses and injuries remained stagnant, at 2.8 per 100 full-time workers, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics recently reported. This was the first time since 2012 that the number of workplace injuries and illnesses did not decrease. This is troubling news for workers, and those that employ them. So, what can employees and employers do to improve workplace safety? They should understand the dangers of their work environment and learn what precautions should be taken to prevent injuries and illness. How to Prevent Workplace Injuries Although the stats on workplace injuries are alarming, there are measures that can be put into place to prevent them from occurring. The three biggest tips for preventing workplace injuries include: Create a safety and wellness plan: This is the foundation of ensuring no employees become injured in the workplace. The plan must detail which safety measures are to be used on the job and encourage workers to report dangerous practices or behavior. Continuing education: All managers and employees should continue to receive education pertaining to the safety of the work environment. No shortcuts: Too often employers try to take shortcuts in order to maximize productivity. In the end, this will only hurt production as a whole as people will become injured and miss days of work. All safety procedures must be followed to the fullest extent at all times. Workplace Injury Statistics Unfortunately, workplace injury statistics show just how easily accidents can happen. Every 7 seconds, an employee is hurt at work. 510 workers are hurt every hour, which means 12,600 people are hurt every day, 88,500 employees are hurt every week, and over 4.5 million employees are hurt every year. In 2017, there were over 104 million production days lost due to work-related injuries. The three most common types of workplace injuries include sprains, strains, and tears; soreness and pain; and punctures, cuts, or lacerations. The top five occupations with the biggest number of on-the-job injuries include servicemen, such as firefighters and police; transportation and shipping; manufacturing and production; installation, maintenance, and repair; and construction. If you have been injured at work, you need the help of an experienced Medford workers’ compensation attorney. At Brooks Law, we will handle your application for benefits, refute any claims that your employer raises to try to prevent you from receiving benefits, and fight for the full amount of compensation you deserve. Contact us online for your free case evaluation to learn more about how we can help. There is no charge to begin work on your claim, and you only pay us if we recover money for you.

A New England winter wouldn’t be the same without freezing rain, icy roads, and heaps of snow. Even though the National Weather Service in Boston predicts warmer-than-average temperatures in late 2019 and early 2020, meteorologists tell The Boston Globe to keep the coats, gloves, scarves, hats, and boots ready for the cold air and precipitation we expect during this time of year. Cold weather can be a nuisance, but it also can be dangerous. More than a foot of snow fell across southern New England in early March! However, even though the weather service warns drivers about ice storms, blizzards, and high winds, meteorologists do say it can be safe to drive in these frigid months if you prepare for winter driving and exercise caution. Prepare in Advance Before snowflakes fall — and the holiday rush begins — is the best time to get your car serviced ahead of winter, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Information Institute (III). Don’t just have your mechanic check for leaks, worn hoses, and other needed repairs as you would the rest of the year. Focus on these items also: The battery: Cold weather shortens a battery’s life span. A battery loses about 35 percent of its strength at 32 degrees Fahrenheit and about 60 percent of its strength at 0 degrees Fahrenheit. The oil filter and oil: Motor oil becomes thicker during cold weather, making it harder to pump through the engine block and putting additional strain on the battery. Ask your mechanic about the type of oil you’re using and if the mechanic recommends a thinner grade. Your tires: Tires lose about 1 PSI (or pound per square inch) of air pressure a month just from seepage around the edge of the rim and through the tread. Expect the PSI to drop further during a cold snap — about 1 PSI for every 10 degrees in temperature — because the air inside the tire condenses. This could trigger the warning light of your tire pressure monitoring system, if nothing else. Your wipers: Consider switching to winter wiper blades, which prevent ice and snow from hardening on the wipers, and make sure your wiper fluid contains antifreeze. Why Improper Loading Leads to Accidents An improperly loaded commercial truck can lead to a catastrophic accident on the road for many reasons: Unbalanced loading: When a truck has an unbalanced load, the uneven distribution of weight affects the handling of the vehicle. It is more difficult to properly brake, increasing the risk of a jackknife accident and a rollover accident. Uneven weight also puts uneven stress and wear and tear on various components of the truck, such as the frame, suspension, brakes, or tires. This can cause certain components to fail while the truck is moving. Overweight loading: Every truck has a maximum amount of cargo that it can haul, known as the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR). Truck drivers often stop at weigh stations along the highway to check their vehicles and make sure that they aren’t exceeding their truck’s GVWR. If a truck is overloaded, it can impact the handling and performance of the vehicle, especially on inclines and declines. Unsecured loading: An unsecured load occurs when cargo is not properly tied down and is allowed to shift during travel. Shifting cargo alters the truck’s or trailer’s center of gravity, making it difficult for a driver to control the truck when its handling characteristics rapidly change. An unsecured load can also fall off a truck, impacting other vehicles on the road or creating obstacles that drivers must swerve to avoid. Any recalls: Owners don’t often know their vehicle is under an open recall, which you can get repaired at your local dealership for free. Enter your Vehicle Information Number (VIN) into the NHTSA’s online search tool to check whether your vehicle has a critical safety issue. Staying Safe on the Road Once cold weather hits, check the forecast before getting behind the wheel, give yourself extra time to reach your destination — and practice these key elements to safe winter driving: Know how your vehicle handles in slick conditions. Check the manual if you need to refresh your memory on whether, say, the pedals will pulsate when controlling traction. That said, avoid using the cruise control on a slippery surface to keep full control of your vehicle. Minimize the drain on an electric and hybrid-electric vehicle battery by preheating the passenger compartment before unplugging the battery in the morning. Plug in the vehicle when not in use if the battery has a thermal heating pack. Charge your cellphone, and keep a charger in the car. Also be sure to pack a snow shovel, ice scraper, broom, jumper cables, flashlight, warning devices (such as flares), blankets, bottled water, and any abrasive material such as kitty litter or sand, in case your tires need extra traction. Leave more distance than usual between your vehicle and others. On dry pavement, motorcycles and cars need at least 3 seconds to stop completely, so when the roads are icy, give yourself a buffer of about 10 seconds. Drive slowly. In addition to extra time to stop, turning and accelerating take longer on winter roads. What’s more, roadways and bridges that aren’t exposed to sunlight can be icy or refreeze, even if road crews have been clearing the area. At Brooks Law, we hope you reach all your destinations safely this winter. But should you need help after a winter driving collision anywhere in Massachusetts, we are here to assist you. Please contact us to schedule a free consultation. Additional sources: https://boston.cbslocal.com/2019/03/04/how-much-snow-totals-boston-massachusetts-list-march-4/ https://forecast.weather.gov/product.php https://www.accuweather.com/en/weather-news/how-cold-weather-affects-your-cars-battery/70007367 https://olearysautomotive.com/cold-weather-car-oil-change/ https://www.lesschwab.com/article/tpms-light-coming-on-in-cold-weather-heres-why.html

Following any car accident, insurance companies are going to want to know who caused it so they can assign liability. Of course, you must assume that any company not representing you is looking for ways to pile liability for your crash onto you, even when it is unfitting. This is nothing to take personally – insurers are businesses that want to maximize their profits like any other company does – but it is something to take seriously. In order to make certain you are assigned fair liability, which might mean none at all, it is useful to know a few ways to prove liability. In order to clearly demonstrate liability in a car accident, you should consider: Driver statements: Sometimes the simplest way to reduce your own liability is allowing the other drivers in your accident to increase their liability. Pay close attention to whatever the other drivers say and listen for anything that might be an admission of guilt. Statements like “I’m sorry about this” could indicate they believe they are the cause of the crash. On the other hand, you must watch what you say to stop yourself from inadvertently increasing your liability. Eyewitness claims: The clearest perspective of a car accident might be an outside one. Talk to eyewitnesses or Good Samaritans who stop to help out but were not involved with the crash. If they say anything that alludes or mentions another party being to blame for the accident, ask them if they would be willing to give you that claim in writing, or if you could have their contact information for later inquiries. Emergency responder reports: Police officers, firefighters, and paramedics responding to a car accident should end their days by filing a report of the incident. Such reports can contact crucial evidence of liability and hold weight in court due to the authority of the person who made the report. Photographic evidence: Do not forget your smartphone’s camera after a car accident, as pictures are still worth a thousand words. Through a series of photographs, you could show how the accident occurred, such as taking pictures of the other car’s tire marks on the road. Brooks Law Manages Accident Claims Throughout Massachusetts Have you been in an auto accident in Massachusetts? Brooks Law and our Medford personal injury attorneys can help you with your car accident claim from start to finish. Our goal is enabling you collect as much compensation as possible, whether you earn it in a relatively quick settlement or through a trial verdict. In either situation, we are ready and willing to do what it takes to uphold your rights and best interests. Learn more about our legal services by dialing (888) 558-0622 and asking for a free consultation.