Legal Question in Criminal Law in Massachusetts

Accused of Larceny and hit by a Car

I was 17 years old at the time and was at a local mall with a friend and was holding a couple bags for her. When we were leaving 4 mall secruity gaurds came running behind us twoard the door my friend ran so instinctively i did to. The chase was called off on the radios but one guy kept chasing me through the parking lot and out into a very busy intersection of 2 four lane streets. I was about 5-8 feet from the crosswalk when i crossed the street at a red light. As soon as i crossed the first two lanes the light turned green and next thing i knew i had got run over by a mini van which in turn hit another vehicle and was hit by another vehicle. 2 other people and I were taken to the hospital all of them with minor injuries except me who had to stay in the hospital for close to a week. Now i am being charged with larceny and am at fault for the accident. None of the insurance companies will pay for my hospital bill and I am being sent the bill for the other two people. I have no money and now i have problems with my legs and cannot sit or stand for long periods. WHAT SHOULD I DO?


Asked on 12/01/08, 9:11 pm

2 Answers from Attorneys
Craig J. Tiedemann Kajko, Weisman & Colasanti, LLP

Re: Accused of Larceny and hit by a Car

How long ago did this occur? What is the status of the larceny charges? How long after the incident were you charged with larceny? Are you represented by counsel in the larceny case (it appears not)? Or represented in connection with the insurance claim (again, apparently not)?

I would very strongly recommend you retain counsel in connection with both. At the very least, you would likely stand a better chance of beating/avoiding the larceny charge, and the insurance company will almost certainly deal with you more carefully and seriously than if you are unrepresented. It is possible that the insurer has simply taken a hard line with you at the outset, while it waits to see what you will do to push back or stick up for your rights; then perhaps reconsider (or potentially even reverse) their present contention that you are responsible for the others' injuries (and, apparently, that you deserve no coverage for your own injuries).

If handled carefully and well by counsel on your behalf, this situation could end with a far more positive result for you than the course it presently is on. Feel free to contact me directly for help. I have court in the morning, but am available thereafter.

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Answered on 12/01/08, 9:21 pm
Joseph Murray Joseph M. Murray, Esq.

Re: Accused of Larceny and hit by a Car

Consult an attorney to determine if you have a negligence action against the store and the security company which an attorney should persue on a contingent fee basis. Good Luck!

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Answered on 12/01/08, 9:31 pm


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