As of 2025, Massachusetts car insurance laws establish a no-fault system in the state. This means you rely on your own insurance coverage after an auto accident. Your policy should pay for your medical care, lost wages, and certain other damages, regardless of fault. This type of system is designed to make it easier for those with minor injuries to recover damages and reduce the need for litigation.
However, if you suffer serious injuries, you may have additional options. You will want to discuss your injuries and next steps with our Massachusetts car accident lawyers to better understand your rights.
Understanding No-Fault Car Insurance in Massachusetts
Under Massachusetts’ car insurance laws in 2025, all drivers in Massachusetts must carry Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage. This is a mandatory part of every auto insurance policy sold. It covers medical care, a portion of lost wages, and replacement services up to policy limits. Under the no-fault rules, drivers file a claim based on PIP coverage after a crash, regardless of fault.
However, the no-fault system does not provide a way for crash victims to recover for property damages, pain and suffering, or expenses beyond their PIP policy limits. To seek compensation for these damages, victims must meet the criteria to go outside the no-fault system and file a fault-based claim.
Minimum Car Insurance Requirements in Massachusetts
Massachusetts lawmakers recently changed the minimum car insurance requirements to help keep pace with inflation. These new minimum policy limits go into effect on July 1, 2025. Under Massachusetts law, all drivers in the state must carry the following minimum auto insurance coverage after this date:
- Personal Injury Protection (PIP): $8,000 per person, per accident
- Bodily Injury to Others: $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for others hurt in accidents you cause
- Bodily Injury Caused by Uninsured Auto: $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident to protect you if you are hurt by an uninsured driver
- Property Damage: $30,000 per accident for vehicles damaged in accidents you cause
This is the minimum required coverage. Drivers may opt to carry additional coverage to ensure they have adequate financial protection in case of an accident.
When Is it Necessary to Prove Fault and Liability in a Massachusetts Car Accident Case?
In Massachusetts, most car accidents do not require victims to prove the cause of the crash. Their losses are covered by their PIP policies, and they do not need to take any additional steps to show that other drivers caused the collisions. However, there are some circumstances when you may need to gather evidence to show fault and liability. This includes:
Seeking Car Accident Compensation for Pain and Suffering
The no-fault system does not cover pain and suffering or other non-economic damages. You can only pursue compensation for these losses if your medical expenses cost more than $2,000 or if you suffer serious or catastrophic injuries. Examples of catastrophic injuries include:
- Amputation
- Loss of sight or hearing
- Significant scarring and disfigurement
The requirements for pursuing pain and suffering damages are defined in Mass. Gen. Laws Ch. 231 § 6D.
Property Damage Car Accident Claims
PIP policies do not address property damage. If you do not have collision coverage to repair your vehicle, you will need to prove the other driver caused the crash before you can recover money for your repairs or replace a totaled vehicle. Our car crash lawyers can pursue this compensation for you regardless of the severity of your injuries.
If you do have collision coverage, your insurance company will pay for your property damage.
Wrongful Death Car Accident Cases
If you lost a loved one in a Massachusetts collision, you have a right to pursue a fault-based case against the negligent driver. This requires showing how they caused the accident and your loved one’s fatal injuries.
Working with a Massachusetts car accident attorney from our firm can make it easier for you to understand what you must prove and gather the necessary evidence to do so, no matter what insurer you file with. Possible sources of evidence could include police reports, witness statements, videos, accident reconstruction, and much more.
When Should I Consult a Massachusetts Car Injuries Attorney After an Accident?
In theory, the Massachusetts no-fault auto insurance laws should make recovering compensation after your accident easier. However, this is not always true. It is a good idea to talk to our car accident lawyers about your options. This includes when you are dealing with:
- Serious Injuries: If you have serious injuries that may meet the tort threshold set by Massachusetts law, our auto accident lawyers can help you pursue fault-based damages. This could provide additional money for your medical care and lost income while also allowing you to recover non-economic losses.
- Disputed Liability: Sometimes, the at-fault driver or their insurance company refuses to accept fault in a crash. This can make it difficult to secure a payout for property damage or other recoverable losses. An attorney may be able to help you show negligence occurred.
- Insurance Company Disputes: If your insurance company denies your claim or offers a lowball payout, our car accident law firm can make sure the insurer lives up to their responsibility to treat you fairly.
- Uninsured or Underinsured Motorists: If you file a claim based on your uninsured or underinsured motorist policy, you will need to show fault and liability. An attorney can assist you in dealing with your own insurance company and recovering the payout you deserve.
- Complex Cases: Some car accidents can be especially complex. This includes cases that involve several vehicles, commercial vehicles, pedestrians, or rideshare drivers. Our legal team can guide you through the claims process and help you pursue damages for your serious injuries.
Discuss the 2025 Car Insurance Laws in Massachusetts with Our Team for Free
GED Lawyers provides a free consultation for car accident victims. We can evaluate your options and determine if an attorney from our team can help you understand Massachusetts car insurance laws and seek fault-based compensation in your case. Founded in 1995, we have helped our clients recover $26+ million. Contact us today to learn more.
