Section 4B. Actions of tort for bodily injuries or for death or for damages to property against the owner or operator of a motor vehicle, the operator of which failed to make himself or said owner known at the time of the accident or incident out of which such actions arise may, notwithstanding any provisions of law relating to limitations of actions, be commenced within six months after the plaintiff learns of the identity of the defendant; provided, that written notice of the time, place and facts of said accident or incident be given by the person injured or by someone in his behalf to the police and to the registrar of motor vehicles within thirty days after such accident.

Terms Used In Massachusetts General Laws ch. 260 sec. 4B

  • Damages: Money paid by defendants to successful plaintiffs in civil cases to compensate the plaintiffs for their injuries.
  • Defendant: In a civil suit, the person complained against; in a criminal case, the person accused of the crime.
  • Plaintiff: The person who files the complaint in a civil lawsuit.
  • Tort: A civil wrong or breach of a duty to another person, as outlined by law. A very common tort is negligent operation of a motor vehicle that results in property damage and personal injury in an automobile accident.

No action shall be brought under this section after the expiration of three years from the date on which such accident or incident occurred.