Articles Posted in Car Accident

Over the past five years, approximately 70 people died annually in Massachusetts pedestrian accidents, according to the state’s Executive Office of Public Safety and Security. On average, more pedestrian accidents occur during evening hours and rush hours when drivers are in a hurry. Sadly, driving in a hurry without paying attention to pedestrians carries potentially fatal consequences. By failing to notice pedestrians or stop at a crosswalk, drivers may place pedestrians at risk of severe injury or death.

Recently, as a local news article reported, a mother and her two young daughters suffered injuries after a pedestrian accident in Peabody, Massachusetts. According to a witness, the driver of an SUV attempted to pass a bus on the righthand side. As the SUV approached a busy intersection, it struck the family as they were crossing the street. The SUV also knocked down a street sign near the sidewalk. After the children suffered serious injuries, the family was taken to the hospital. Police held the SUV driver in custody for operating a motor vehicle with a suspended license.

Who Has the Right of Way at Massachusetts Pedestrian Crosswalks?

In Massachusetts, drivers must yield the right of way to pedestrians in the absence of traffic control signs. The state prohibits drivers from passing another vehicle that has stopped at a marked crosswalk to allow a pedestrian to cross. When approaching a crosswalk, drivers must leave enough distance from the crosswalk to fit their entire vehicle, as opposed to blocking any part of the crosswalk. When a driver does not follow these steps and injures a pedestrian, Massachusetts law mandates that state or local police investigate the cause of the injury and any violations of Massachusetts traffic laws. If violating the law results in harm to a pedestrian, a driver may face criminal charges.

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Between 2019 and 2021, the state of Massachusetts saw a 24% increase in traffic fatalities, according to a national transportation research nonprofit. This was faster than the growth of 19% seen nationally over the same time period. 413 people died on Massachusetts roads in 2021, including motor vehicle operators, passengers, motorcycle drivers, bicyclists, and pedestrians. In the United States as a whole, 42,915 people died in traffic accidents in 2021.

According to a recent article, one woman died and six other people were injured in a multi-vehicle crash in Massachusetts. A Toyota Corolla sedan and Toyota Tundra pickup truck collided head-on. Of the three women in the Corolla, two were transported by helicopter to a hospital with severe injuries, and the third died. All four people, including two children, inside the Tundra were taken to the hospital via ambulance with non-life-threatening injuries. An investigation is ongoing into the cause of the crash.

Wrongful Death in Massachusetts

Many people injured in car accidents know that if the other driver was careless, they can bring a lawsuit for damages to cover expenses associated with their injuries. The families of people who die in lawsuits, however, know that no amount of money can bring back their loved ones. But in many cases, suits can be filed to make the associated costs less taxing on grieving families. Wrongful death claims can generally be brought in any case where the victim could have filed suit for damages for injuries.

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When a car crash occurs, especially a serious one, on top of dealing with injuries and issues of insurance, it can be difficult to understand or interpret state laws when it comes to civil lawsuits to recover damages for injuries you sustained. Prudent steps in the aftermath of a serious crash include filing an insurance claim. When filing a successful claim, one should consider when and how to file, how to prove the defendant was at fault and or negligent, and how to navigate potential defenses raised by the defendant.

A recent news report provided details about a serious and fatal Massachusetts crash that occurred in Brockton. The crash happened shortly before 8:30 p.m. Wednesday at the corner of Pleasant Street and Nye Avenue, according to the Brockton police. The collision involved pedestrians, vehicles, and motorcycles. One man died and four others were hurt following a series of collisions, first between a car and pedestrians, then between two motorcycles, and finally between a motorcycle and another car. Authorities believe that the initial collision triggered the second crash, which then caused the third accident to occur. The full cause of the accident is still under investigation by the police.

Following a car accident, in order to hold the other party liable for injuries and damage suffered as a result of the crash, it is the plaintiff’s burden to prove that the accident was caused through negligence by the defendant. In the state of Massachusetts, there is a no-fault system that requires filing insurance claims before pursuing legal damages against another party, so beginning that process is essential prior to the filing of any legal suits. Finally, it is important to bear in mind that the state of Massachusetts operates under the rule of modified comparative fault, which means that a plaintiff can only recover damages if the plaintiff is not more than 50 percent at fault for the accident. Further, the amount a plaintiff can be awarded can be reduced based on the degree of their fault. That is to say, if you are partially to blame for the accident, damages you won will be reduced in proportion to the percentage of your own negligence. That being said, if the jury determines that the plaintiff is above 50 percent at fault for the accident, the plaintiff will be barred from recovering damages.

Many drivers take utmost precaution to ensure their vehicles never break down—on-time oil changes, avoiding debris or other sharp pieces on the road, regular maintenance, and inspections, to name just a few steps drivers take. However, many drivers fail to consider what to do if a breakdown or other vehicle failure does occur, which can leave them stranded on the road or in a breakdown lane with little idea of what to do.

According to a recent article, one driver’s quick thinking in the event of a breakdown saved her life. That driver’s vehicle stalled and she pulled into the breakdown lane on a Massachusetts highway. While sitting in her car waiting for help, she noticed a tractor-trailer driving quickly in the breakdown lane and heading straight toward her car. Before that tractor-trailer collided with her vehicle, she exited the car and ran to safety. The collision completely totaled the vehicle and smashed the rear of the car.

The driver of the disabled vehicle escaped the accident injury-free, according to police on the scene, but many Massachusetts drivers aren’t so lucky. Police remind drivers there are steps you can take to maintain your safety in the event of a vehicular breakdown, including getting out of your car and away from the road, if it is safe to do so.

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Driving a motor vehicle is a privilege and huge responsibility for all those who share the road. Drivers have a duty to take utmost care, use their best judgment, and follow traffic laws that are designed to keep everyone safe.

Every state has laws put in place to protect drivers and pedestrians, including laws around intoxication. The Massachusetts law prohibits driving while intoxicated by either alcohol, drugs, or a combination of the two. Massachusetts law prohibits non-commercial drivers aged 21 and plus from drinking alcohol and driving with a blood alcohol level (BAC) of 0.08 percent or more in your system. For drivers under the age of 21, under Massachusetts law, there’s a maximum BAC of .02 or higher. Drivers of commercial vehicles in Massachusetts are legally drunk when their BAC is .04 or greater.

In Massachusetts, there are Operating Under the Influence (OUI) laws which refer to the criminal act of operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. For individuals injured in New England motor vehicle accidents who are victims of drunk driving, connecting with a good lawyer can be key to a successful lawsuit.

As teenagers get behind the wheel and experience the excitement that comes along with being able to legally drive, parents and families also face the task of helping ensure that their teen drivers are safe while on the roads. According to the CDC, in 2019, almost 2,400 teens in the United States aged 13-19 were killed and about 258,000 were treated in emergency departments for injuries suffered in motor vehicle crashes. Unfortunately, accidents happen every day and sometimes are unavoidable, but reminding teen drivers of tips on how to remain safe while on the road can be an important task.

In a recent news article, three teenagers were killed in an early morning crash in Brimfield, Massachusetts. According to the report, a single-vehicle crash occurred shortly before 1 a.m. and when troopers arrived, they found a Nissan Senta that had gone off the road and rolled over 40 feet into the woods. Two 17-year-old males and an 18-year-old male were all killed in the crash. According to the news article, a fourth person who was in the car, a 17-year-old male, left the scene prior to the arrival of state police. The fourth person had gone to the hospital with his own serious injuries.

For teenage drivers, there may be several factors that cause high rates of accidents. Studies conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety have shown that one passenger doubles the risk of a crash among teen drivers. Teens are more likely than older drivers to have less experience and may not be able to recognize dangerous situations according to the CDC. Driving in the dark and/or driving during weekends can present more risks, and statistics show that in 2019, 40 percent of motor vehicle crash deaths among teens aged 13-19 occurred between 9 pm and 6 am according to the CDC. In addition, reminding teens of the importance of wearing seat belts, avoiding distractions while driving including texting while driving, and reminding teens to drive at the appropriate speed and avoid speeding is very important. Finally, drinking alcohol or being under the influence of drugs before driving is illegal and should not occur in any situation.

When a car accident happens, on top of dealing with one’s own injuries suffered from a car crash, it can be difficult to understand state-specific laws that dictate how to bring a civil lawsuit to recover damages for your injuries. Victims of car accidents should consider filing insurance claims and when to do so, how to prove that the defendant was negligent, and any defenses the defendant may try to raise, to name a few factors. There are many other factors that must be considered and that must be considered in a timely fashion.

A recent news report provided details about a major accident that occurred in Wrentham, Massachusetts. Six people, including adults and children, were transported to local hospitals with serious injuries after a multi-vehicle crash that shut down a Massachusetts highway. Crash reconstruction analysts determined that a 66-year-old Plymouth woman was southbound on Route 1 in a Jeep, while simultaneously, a 2003 Honda CRV operated by an 18-year-old Wrentham woman was traveling on the northbound side. As the Jeep approached a motel, the driver of the Honda attempted to turn left toward the motel lot. The Jeep’s front end came into contact with the right rear of the Honda.

After a car accident, to hold someone liable for the injuries suffered as a result of the accident, the plaintiff has the burden of proving that the accident was caused by that other person’s negligence. In the state of Massachusetts, there is a three-year statutory limitation, or in other words, a three-year deadline for filing most car accident lawsuits in civil court. Additionally, in the state of Massachusetts, there is a no-fault system that requires filing insurance claims before pursuing legal damages against another party.

When Massachusetts drivers choose to flee from a police stop, they are putting everyone else at serious risk of harm. Law enforcement officers are required to use their judgment when responding to a driver who refuses to stop, as an escalation to a high-speed chase could put innocent citizens at risk of injury or death. A local news report discusses a recent high-speed chase that ended with several serious injuries, as the man who fled from Boston police in a pickup truck ended up on the wrong side of the highway and ultimately crashed into another vehicle head-on.

According to the facts discussed in the local news report, the suspect was driving on Route 118 and allegedly speeding, when officers attempted to make a stop. The driver refused to stop and reportedly tried to ram a police vehicle in making his escape. Later, the chase made its way to Route 195, where the driver went into the eastbound lanes while traveling westbound. Once the driver started driving into oncoming traffic, the police officers backed off. Although the police stopped chasing the driver, he continued to flee at high speeds and was eventually involved in a head-on collision. Police eventually arrived at the scene of the crash and apprehended the driver.

According to the news report, the driver of the truck has 97 arraignments on his record and was arrested for involvement in a high-speed chase in 2017. Police may have considered this information in making their decision to back off from the chase once the man entered oncoming traffic. Although police officers have a duty to enforce the law, they also must protect members of the public from dangerous situations. Police officers who are involved in a high-speed chase often need to make a decision whether to keep chasing a suspect or to let them go to preserve immediate public safety. Innocent people have been killed in high-speed chases that could have been avoided if the law enforcement officers backed off of the suspect and tried to find them later.

Anyone who has spent time in Massachusetts knows that the winters can be particularly unforgiving. When it comes to rain, snow, or sleet, the winters mean that most residents and locals are familiar with slick conditions during the cooler months. Knowing about the potential of slick conditions, however, is not enough to prevent accidents from taking place. When the weather is wet and icy and road conditions are poor, it often makes for a recipe for disaster for drivers. Understanding what steps to take to keep yourself and your passengers as safe as possible could make a big difference.

According to a recent local news report, winter weather swept through the Boston area, which caused major traffic crashes for many proceeding through their morning commute. Massachusetts State Police responded to multiple reports of accidents, including a tractor-trailer crash involving several vehicles in Andover, a spin-out accident nearby, and several other accidents throughout the Boston metropolitan area. Accidents were also reported across the state involving upwards of six to seven vehicles, a disabled bus, and crashes reaching as far as the New Hampshire state line.

In 2019, there were an estimated 182,000 accidents related to icy conditions across the country. Unfortunately, Massachusetts is no stranger to similar winter weather oriented accidents and conditions.