Cambridge, MA Car Accident Lawyers

A car accident in Cambridge, Massachusetts, can wreak havoc on your life. First, there’s the practical matter of dealing with the damage to your car. But more importantly, being a victim of another driver’s negligence can take a physical and emotional toll, especially if you’re involved in a severe or catastrophic collision. In addition, the combination of medical bills and lost wages can devastate you and your family.

If you or someone you love has been hurt in a car accident in Cambridge, our car accident attorneys can help you recover money from all at-fault parties and take back control of your life. Our experienced attorneys can tackle even the most complex Cambridge car accident claims, and our “no-win, no-pay” fee agreement means you pay nothing until we win your case.

Cambridge is located in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, and is considered part of the Boston metropolitan area. The city is bordered by Boston, Arlington, Belmont, and Watertown. Major roads that lead to Cambridge include Route 2, Route 16, and the McGrath Highway (Route 28). Car and truck accidents in Cambridge are likely to occur on these busy, well-traveled roads.

Cambridge was named in honor of the University of Cambridge in England. World-renowned universities such as Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology are located in Cambridge. Both Harvard and MIT are the city’s top two employers. As a result, Cambridge roadways are often busy with students and employees rushing to get to class or work on time.

In a report on crash trends, the Cambridge Police Department says it responds to about 3,000 car crash calls per year. Approximately 300 of those crashes result in an injury severe enough to require emergency transport to a hospital.

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation has a record of 4,095 car accidents from 2019 to 2021 in Cambridge. Four of those crashes resulted in fatalities and 72 in serious injuries. What sets Cambridge apart from other cities in Massachusetts is that 291 of those crashes involved bicyclists and 219 involved pedestrians. According to the Cambridge Police Department, about 17% of reported collisions in the city involve bicycle riders and pedestrians. That percentage is so high because college towns like Cambridge tend to have large numbers of bicycle riders and walkers. In 2014, Cambridge was voted the most walkable city in the United States.

Another interesting fact about car accidents in Cambridge is that about 10% are older driver-related. (Younger drivers accounted for less than 5% of crashes from 2019 to 2021).

Approximately one-half of all car crashes take place at intersections. Drivers who drive too fast or fail to yield the right of way to motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians are likely to be involved in collisions.

Based on information from MassDOT, these Cambridge intersections are the most hazardous:

1. Memorial Drive and Memorial Drive Underpass
2. Memorial Drive and Western Avenue
3. Massachusetts Avenue and Albany Street
4. Prospect Street and Broadway
5. Monsignor O’Brien Highway and Edwin H. Land Boulevard
6. Memorial Drive and Flagg Street
7. Prospect Street and Cambridge Street
8. Memorial Drive and River Street
9. Main Street and Vassar Street
10. Fresh Pond Parkway and Brattle Street

The Cambridge Police Department has identified these locations as “hotspots” for crashes that result in injuries:

• Massachusetts Avenue near Central Square, Harvard Square, and Porter Square
• Cambridge Street near Inman Square
• Hampshire Street near Inman Square

If you have been in a car accident, you will want to obtain a copy of the police report. There are a few ways to get a copy of a police report in Cambridge.

The Cambridge Police Department encourages individuals to submit a request online to reduce processing time. You can download a fillable PDF request form here. Once you fill out the form, you should save the document to your computer and e-mail it to records@cambridgepolice.org. Or you can print the form, fill it out, and mail it in a self-addressed stamped envelope to:

Cambridge Police Department

Records Unit

125 Sixth St.

Cambridge, MA 02142

You can also visit the Cambridge Police Department and make an in-person request at the Records Unit during office hours. For questions, call (617) 349-3336.

The department says it may take up to ten days for your records to become available.

Q: Which road in Cambridge is the most dangerous?

A: Memorial Drive is the most dangerous road in Cambridge based on data showing that it contains more accident-prone intersections than any other road in the city. Based on statistics from MassDOT, four of the ten most dangerous intersections in Cambridge are on Memorial Drive. This parkway runs along the Charles River parallel to Soldiers Field Road and Storrow Drive.

Q: How many people die in car crashes in Cambridge each year?

A: On average, one to two people die in car crashes in Cambridge each year, according to Cambridge Police Department statistics.

Q: When will the Cambridge Police Department write a police crash report?

A: The Cambridge Police Department will write a police crash report when a party is injured, or an officer determines more than $1,000 in property damage as specified by Massachusetts general law. The department notes that the estimation of damages is subjective and says officers tend to write reports for even minor crashes.

Obtain prompt medical treatment if you have been in a car accident in Cambridge. Collect contact information for the parties involved and any witnesses at the scene. Document the accident scene to the best of your ability by taking cellphone pictures and making detailed notes.

Next, speak with an experienced Cambridge car accident lawyer about the steps you should take to make yourself whole. It is crucial that you reach out to an attorney as soon as possible. A personal injury attorney familiar with Cambridge will help you understand your rights under the law and review your options.

A personal injury lawyer will perform a thorough investigation of the accident and work to gather evidence of the other driver’s negligence. A lawyer will also explore whether anyone else is legally responsible for your injuries.

Your attorney will contact the other driver’s auto insurer on your behalf and can help make sure you receive fair treatment and full compensation for your injuries. If the other driver’s insurance policy doesn’t provide enough coverage to reimburse you for your injuries, you might be able to recover under your insurance policy. An attorney will help you make that determination and will explore all possible compensation avenues.

If an insurance company contacts you, refer the insurer to your Cambridge car accident lawyer and refrain from making other statements.

Car accident claims can be complicated. An accident may involve severe or catastrophic injuries, multiple vehicles, distracted or otherwise impaired driving, uninsured/underinsured motorists, or other special circumstances.

These are some of the damages that a car accident attorney in Cambridge will negotiate on your behalf:

• Medical expenses
• Physical pain and suffering
• Mental anguish and emotional suffering
• Lost wages
• Loss of earning capacity
• Loss of consortium brought by a spouse or children
• Property damage

Regardless of the specifics of your crash, it is critical for you as a car accident victim to hire experienced and aggressive legal representation in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Jeffrey Glassman Injury Lawyers has successfully handled all types of car accident claims on behalf of individuals in Cambridge and the surrounding area. Call today for a free legal consultation at (617) 777-7777 or complete our online form.