Boston Car Accident Lawyer Blog

A 38 year-old Massachusetts man was killed recently when he stepped out of his vehicle to inspect the damage following a minor collision with a guardrail. Masslive.com reports the fatal Boston car accident attorneys know that these kinds of preventable deaths occur far too frequently when an accident victim gets struck by a passing vehicle following a fender bender. In fact, there have been several accidents recently involving this type of situation.

Masslive.com also reports of two teenagers who were struck while getting out of their vehicles on Route 128. One teen was killed while the other sustained life-threatening injuries and was taken to Massachusetts General Hospital for medical care.

The Boston Globe reports of a third fatal incident occurring in the Thomas P. O'Neill Jr. Tunnel recently. Two cars were involved in a fender bender inside the tunnel where no breakdown lanes exist and the lanes are tightly compacted. One driver from Somerville got out of his vehicle to inspect the damage and exchange information with the other motorist involved in the minor collision and was hit by a passer-by after attempting to return safely to his vehicle. He was struck by a RAV 4 in a section of the tunnel that provides a shoulder of only 1 to 2 feet wide.

No signs are posted inside the tunnel indicating it is unsafe to exit the vehicle and survey the situation so a driver's first instinct is to do just that. Motorists often put themselves in considerable danger if the disabled vehicle is left in an unsafe position on the roadway. Drivers have three options. Leave the scene of an accident when there is no place safe to pull over, which is illegal. Take your chances and exit the vehicle to inspect damage and exchange information. Remain in your vehicle until help arrives.

Boston car accident attorneys offer the following pointers to motorists on what to do or protocol to follow when car accident occurs:

-Stop your vehicle any time a collision takes place with a pedestrian, bicyclist, motorcyclist, tractor-trailer or any type of motorist.

-Call local police or 911 to report the accident immediately. Injuries from an accident can often surface weeks or months later so reporting an accident is critical in filing for compensation long after an accident occurs.

-Don't exit your vehicle if you feel it is unsafe to do so. Look for posted danger signs or make sure your vehicle is moved completely off the roadway before attempting to get out or return to your vehicle.

-Always accept medical treatment at the scene to document all injuries sustained in the accident.

-Jot down details following the accident offered by other passengers, witnesses or your own recollection of the events as they occurred.

-Most cell phones come equipped with picture or video capabilities so take photos or video footage at the scene of the accident. If your health condition permits take pictures immediately or return to the scene later once you have a camera.

-Keep accurate records of phone conversations, doctor appointments, or crucial information that can help when a claim is filed.

-Seek medical attention when an injury persists following an accident or develops later on.

-Contact your insurance provider.

-Get in touch with an experienced car accident attorney. Injury lawyers can review, re-enact and find details associated with the accident that may have been forgotten or deemed unimportant.