Home / Rideshare Accidents / Chicopee
Rideshare Accidents Lawyer for Chicopee, MA
After an Uber or Lyft crash in Chicopee, whose insurance pays depends on the driver's app at that moment: the driver's personal policy when it was off, a policy of at least $50,000 per person while waiting for a request, and a $1,000,000 liability policy once a ride was accepted or a passenger was aboard (M.G.L. c. 159A1/2).
Last updated
Injured? Jimmy Wins, Or It's Free! No attorney fees unless we win your case.
Chicopee: the short answer
Massachusetts regulates Uber, Lyft, and other rideshare operators as Transportation Network Companies under M.G.L. c. 159A½, which sets tiered insurance coverage that turns on what the driver's app was doing at the moment of the collision. When the app is off, the driver's personal auto policy applies. When the app is on and the driver is waiting for a request, a contingent policy of at least fifty thousand dollars per person applies. Once a ride is accepted or a passenger is aboard, a one-million-dollar liability policy is in force. Standard no-fault PIP under M.G.L. c. 90 sec. 34M and the tort threshold under c. 231 sec. 6D still frame the claim, and the three-year limitations period under c. 260 sec. 2A applies. Jim Glaser Law evaluates Massachusetts rideshare cases at no cost. Rideshare matters are accepted on contingency, meaning no attorney's fee unless and until the matter resolves with a recovery to the client; case-related costs and expenses are addressed in the written fee agreement.
The full Massachusetts rules, statutes and typical timeline are on the rideshare accidents page; this page covers what is specific to Chicopee.
Courts that serve Chicopee for rideshare accidents matters
Under M.G.L. c. 218, sec. 1, the District Court of Chicopee has a judicial district of its own that covers Chicopee alone. Chicopee is in Hampden County, so a Superior Court case brought by a Chicopee resident goes to the Hampden Superior Court.
A District Court civil case can be filed in the district where any party lives or has a usual place of business, or in an adjoining district (M.G.L. c. 223, sec. 2). Where the event happened does not decide it.
| Court | What it hears | District or address |
|---|---|---|
| District Court of Chicopee | Civil claims up to $50,000 | Chicopee only |
| Hampden Superior Court | Civil claims over $50,000 | 50 State Street, Springfield, MA 01103 |
First steps
- Get medical care and keep every record. Baystate Medical Center and Mercy Medical Center are among the hospitals listed for Hampden County, and the firm requests the records itself once you sign an authorization.
- If a vehicle was involved, file the operator's crash report within five days when anyone was hurt or damage passed $1,000 (M.G.L. c. 90, sec. 26), and keep the police report number.
- Know the court: the District Court of Chicopee hears claims up to $50,000 and the Hampden Superior Court hears larger ones.
- Call (617) JIM-WINS before you file or appear, so the deadline and the right court are checked against your facts.
Key terms
- Judicial district
- The towns one District Court division serves, as listed in M.G.L. c. 218, sec. 1. The District Court of Chicopee serves Chicopee only.
- Venue
- The county or district where a case may be filed. Massachusetts sets it by where the parties live or work (M.G.L. c. 223, secs. 1 and 2).
Talk to the firm about your rideshare accident matter
Call us 24/7 for a free case review. Or send us your details and we will reach out to you within one business day.
Results as published by Jim Glaser Law on jimglaserlaw.com. Results vary and depend on the facts of each case. See all results
Recent settlementsSettlement summaries from Jim Glaser Law's own case files, without client names.
Plumber Hurt in Hit-and-Run While Driving Company Van
A plumber was driving a company van in the course of his work when another vehicle struck the van from behind and left the scene. Dash-camera footage from the van allowed police to identify the other vehicle, and its owner was cited after repeated attempts to reach him went unanswered. The plumber was injured in the collision.
Client reviews as published on jimglaserlaw.com.
“I contacted Jim Glaser Law on several occasions with some legal questions. Although I didn’t have a case, they were very knowledgeable and helpful. I also have several family members who have hired JGL and they were very satisfied with the service. Recommend.”
Barbara D.
“Jim and his team were fast, professional, understanding, and thorough. Jim made us feel at ease from the start, and was with us through the whole experience. I would recommend his firm to anyone.”
John C.
“Jim Glaser works hard and is incredibly responsive. He walked me through any questions I had with both my cases. I would refer him to anyone.”
Melissa P.
Frequently asked from Chicopee
-
Which District Court covers Chicopee?
Under M.G.L. c. 218, sec. 1, the District Court of Chicopee has a judicial district of its own that covers Chicopee alone.
-
Where does a Superior Court case go from here?
A Superior Court case is filed in the county where one of the parties lives or has a usual place of business (M.G.L. c. 223, sec. 1). For someone who lives in Chicopee, that is Hampden County, and the Hampden Superior Court sits at 50 State Street, Springfield, MA 01103.
Related Massachusetts legal answers
- Cape Cod Car Accident Injury Claim in Massachusetts: Which Court, How Long You Have and What to Do First
- Minor Car Accident in Massachusetts: Do I Need a Lawyer?
- What Are the Booster Seat Laws in Massachusetts?
- What Kind of Crash Is Most Common in Your Massachusetts Town?
- Which Month Has the Most Car Crashes in Massachusetts? County by County, 2022 to 2024
Browse every question in the Massachusetts legal answers library.
This sub-entry constitutes legal information, not legal advice. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. Attorney advertising under Mass. R. Prof. C. 7.1 to 7.5. Responsible attorney: Jim Glaser, Massachusetts.