Boston Car Accident Lawyer Blog

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) is asking for all residents and visitors in the state to travel safely throughout the remainder of the Christmas and New Year's holidays. There are a number of roadways that are expected to be dangerously congested during the busy travel season. Setting out with a plan will increase your safety on these roadways.

According to MassDOT, Interstate 90 at Exit 9 that connects Interstate 84 to New York and Connecticut typically experiences busy roadways and slow-moving toll plazas. When residents are making this year's holiday travel plans, they are urged to schedule driving times in the early morning or during the evening hours after 8 p.m. This is when roadways are less cluttered with motorists. Crowded roadways increase your risks for serious car accidents in Massachusetts.

Our Massachusetts car accident lawyers understand that the holidays serve as a dangerous time to be on our roadways. We've been discussing these dangers on our blog for the last few weeks. Drivers are urged to take this information to heart and travel safely this season. Risks for car accidents are extremely high and we would like to remind drivers that a little preparation and little responsibility can help to lower these risks for everyone.

We would also like to point out that traffic is also expected to be rather hectic on the Interstate 495 and the Interstate 95 Turnpike interchanges. Also, Interstate 495 and Interstate 93 northbound leading into New Hampshire are expected to be severely crowded and dangerous during popular holiday travel times. Again, travel early in the morning or later in the evening to avoid these dangers.

Motorists are urged to visit the Transportation Department's Traffic and Travel Resources to view current traffic updates, road construction projects, road blocks and other helpful travel resources.

You can also drop by the department's website to visit the state's online traffic camera. MassDOT's traffic cameras are refreshed every 10 seconds to provide you with a fresh view from 90 cameras along roadways throughout the state's highway system.

Travelers are also urged to take advantage of Massachusetts' 511 traffic alert system. This program alerts customers about up-to-date traffic conditions throughout the holiday weekends. All residents have to do is dial 511 from their cellular telephone to get traffic and travel information on Massachusetts roads.

Just like any other major travel holiday period, there will be free coffee for motorists at 18 of MassDOT's service plazas. The coffee is courtesy of Gulf, Burger King and McDonalds, and is available beginning at 10 p.m. today through 5 a.m. on December 26th.

Lastly, all travelers should check out the MBTA Christmas holiday service schedule to make sure the services can meet your needs before setting out. It's sure to be a busy holiday travel season. Plan accordingly and be safe! Happy Holidays!

Continue reading "MassDOT Helps Travelers to Avoid Car Accidents in Boston and Elsewhere" »

Recent accidents make it clear that curbside motorcoach operations are riskier than traditional buses, according to Boston Daily. Results of a recent study by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) concluded that curbside buses are seven times more likely to be involved in a fatal bus accident in Boston and elsewhere than the more conventional terminal bus operations.

Our Massachusetts bus accident attorneys understand that in 2010, conventional carriers and curbside buses traveled nearly 2.5 billion miles between Washington, D.C., and Boston. Even with all of these miles traveled, federal authorities have no tracking mechanism or unique categorization for these buses. As of now, there are nearly 4,200 interstate motorcoach carriers that operate in the U.S. Nearly 100 of these carriers are curbside buses. There have already been more than 20 interstate bus accidents in 2011 that have resulted in more than 30 deaths and nearly 500 injuries.

These curbside buses are more difficult to track down for safety inspections because they don't run out of a typical terminal. Even if these buses were easier to inspect, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration would have a tough time doing it, considering they have less than 900 inspectors and nearly 800,000 buses to keep tabs on. If you break this down, every 1.15 inspector is in charge of looking over 1,000 buses.

Once a company is put out of business for too many violations, it's hard to hold them down. Oftentimes these shoddy companies will just open up under the name of a new company. Many of them are using the same buses with a new coat of paint. Officials refer to the buses as "ghost buses."

Just as the FMCSA can't track down these buses for inspections, they can't keep tabs on ticket sales either. These tickets are oftentimes sold through online brokers who are not under the federal adminsitration's jurisdiction.

This new report will help authorities to plan a way to better regulate the safety of these buses.

"We fully support the report...and endorse anything that the FMCSA and the NTSB do to get the non-compliant bus operators...in compliance or get them off the road permanently," Dale Moser, President of Coach USA.

The study was the final straw of recent busing accidents. Senator Charles E. Schumer said that after he witnessed the busing accident in the Bronx that killed 15, he knew something had to be done.

With the release of this report, the NTSB says its working diligently to tackle these problems. There's no telling how long it could take, but until we can ensure the safety of the buses on our roadways, travelers are urged to look into the companies they ride with.

"When travelers board a bus, they should feel safe, whether the trip starts in a terminal or at a Chinatown sidewalk," said Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY).

Continue reading "Officials Re-examine Bus Safety to Help Prevent Fatal Bus Accidents in Boston, Nation " »

As technology continues to advance, the number of distracted driving car accidents in Boston and elsewhere continue to increase.

To help combat the problem, the National Safety Council (NSC) recently released a series of videos to illustrate the dangers that drivers face while driving distracted. The video series, called "Understanding Distracted Driving," discusses the risks, dangers and consequences of distracted-driving habits. NSC Senior Director of Transportation Initiatives David Teater, uses the video to discuss the answers to 12 common questions that motorists have about this behavior.

The video also suggests that companies address cell phone usage while driving on the job. Employers are offered with advice on how to enact and enforce a no cell phone policy in their work place.

Our Massachusetts car accident attorneys see too many car accidents on our roadways that are caused by distracted drivers. According to distraction.gov, more than 5,400 people are killed every year because of these types of accidents. Nearly 1,000 of these accidents specifically report the use of a cell phone as the type of distraction that caused the crash. Distracted driving accidents are preventable with a little driver effort.

About 20 percent of all traffic accidents that occurred in 2009 were the result of distracted driving. Drivers who use a hand-held device while behind the wheel of a motor vehicle are four times as likely to be involved in an accident that's serious enough to cause injury. Recent studies conclude that using a cell phone while driving slows a driver's ability to react as much as a driver who is legally drunk, with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08.

To help curb driver distraction, Teater has spoken to a number of local, state and federal officials to encourage stricter enforcement against distracted drivers. Teater's 12-year-old son lost his life in a 2004 car accident in which the driver at fault was using a cell phone at the time of the collision.

"Cell phone use and driving are a dangerous, and oftentimes deadly, combination," said Teater. "The resources NSC has developed explain why this behavior is so dangerous and provide solutions on how to go about changing behaviors to make our roadways safer."

Back in 2009, the NSC made an attempt to sway government officials to enact a complete ban on cell phone use at the wheel. The Council was the first organization to suggest the ban.

Massachusetts cell phone laws:

-Drivers under the age of 18 are prohibited from using a cell phone while driving.

-Drivers of school buses and passenger buses are prohibited from using a cell phone at the wheel.

-All drivers are prohibited from texting while driving.

According to handsfreeinfo.com, drivers face a $100 fine if busted text messaging behind the wheel. The second offense gets you a $250 fine and a $500 for a third.

Continue reading "New Videos Illustrate Risks, Dangers and Consequences of Distracted Driving Car Accidents in Massachusetts " »

AAA estimates that 39 million Americans will travel 50 miles or more from home over the upcoming Fourth of July weekend, down from 40 million in 2010, USA Today reports.

While AAA predicts a drop in traffic, 39 million people on the road means a big risk for Boston car accident injuries. And Boston Car Accident Injury Attorneys are always available to talk with clients who have been injured or paralyzed by the negligence of other drivers. Driving is a right too many take for granted.

According to 2009 data compiled by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 334 people were killed in Massachusetts in accidents. And drivers during the holiday weekend should be aware of the possibility of Massachusetts drunk driving accidents. In 2009, there were 437 drivers involved in alcohol-related accidents and 29 percent had been drinking, the NHTSA reports.

So, just because AAA believes the number of drivers on the roads during the upcoming holiday may drop, there will still be accidents and people will still be affected by them. AAA said that an average gasoline hike of about $1 from last year is to blame. The national average for gasoline is expected to be $3.74 per gallon.

It appears gasoline companies have made it a trend to drop prices just before the July 4 holiday weekend. Last year, according to The Associated Press, prices dropped 4 cents to an average of $2.67 per gallon. This year, The Associated Press found, gas prices dropped an average of 3 cents statewide, to an average of $3.68 per gallon.

Regardless of the gas prices, many people will be enjoying the holiday weekend by getting away to the beach, to lakes, amusement parks or even to catch a game at Fenway Park.

So, with many vehicles on the roads, it's best to be a defensive driver, look out for others, drive the speed limit and don't drink and drive. But that doesn't mean others will be doing the same.

If you are involved in a car accident, the first thing to do is retrieve proper medical treatment. Don't sign any waivers for insurance companies.

The sooner we are on your case, the better odds we can maximize your recovery. And while no amount of money can compensate you for your injury, personal injury law may be able to be used to help you in your recovery. Medical bills may pile up and a loss of job or enjoyment of life can hamper your well-being.

We will work to help you recover as much as we can, but we need you to contact us as soon as possible. The best case scenario is that you and your loved ones enjoy the holiday weekend and make it safe. But if it isn't, call our offices today so we can help you.

Continue reading "AAA Says Fourth of July Traffic Will Dip, But Boston Car Accidents May Not" »

The National Transportation Safety Board will be investigating a recent Boston-bound tour bus accident that happened last month, reports Boston.com.

The Board is investigating the incident to figure out if there are any common factors between this incident and the two serious bus accidents, one in New York and one in New Jersey, that also occurred last month With the increase of low-fare bus options, the risk of Boston bus accidents continues to increase.

Our Boston personal injury lawyers would like you to be aware of low-fare bus companies. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) continually urges the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration to do more to ensure the safety of bus passengers, reports The Wall Street Journal.

We previously focused on the severity of the Boston-bound bus accident in our Boston Car Accident Injury Blog. Our article highlighted the dangers of these low-fare bus options.

"They discount, some of them, not all of them, but some of them hold back in certain areas. They may not have a full-time fleet mechanic. They may not have a full-time safety person," said transportation consultant Joe Mokrisky said.

As the NTSB spokesman Peter Knudson stated, the agency currently investigates "a handful" of these bus accidents a year. The agency looks for common denominators in these accidents in attempt to point point the problem, thus finding a solution.

Regardless, it is the responsibility of the busing company to keep employees and passengers safe at all times.

Continue reading "Bus Accidents Highlight Safety Issues that May Endanger Massachusetts Passengers" »

A Massachusetts bus accident injured more than a dozen students after a bus transporting University of Massachusetts students on a ski trip overturned in Vermont, the Daily Collegian reported.

Boston injury lawyers handling busing accidents know that such cases are frequently complicated by multiple injury victims and competing claims. Additionally, damages may be sought from any number of at-fault parties and insurance carriers. Typically, the university or school bears some responsibility for the safety of students being transported on a school-sanctioned trip. Additionally, other at-fault drivers on the road, the busing company and the bus driver may share responsibility for such accidents.

Friday's accident resulted in the bus overturning and sliding down an embankment on I-91 in Vermont. The Boston Globe reported that 17 of the 45 passengers were transported to local hospitals.

There were reports that the driver may have suffered a heart attack while at the wheel. Reports indicated that at least four of the students suffered critical injuries.

The bus was one of eight on its way to Quebec City, Canada for a weekend field trip. The trip is an annual event of the UMass Ski & Board Club. The university sent buses to retrieve the students involved in the crash.

The Boston Herald reported the driver and students involved are all believed to be okay after the bus swerved across the median and flipped over.

A UMass spokesman contended the trip was a private event not affiliated with the school.

Continue reading "Massachusetts students involved in bus accident en route to ski trip" »

A civil trial involving a school bus driver accused of a fatal Brockton, Massachusetts pedestrian accident is under way in Boston, according to the Enterprise News.

Our Boston personal injury lawyers have reported here before that the vast majority of people killed in Massachusetts school bus accidents are pedestrians, typically a student who is boarding or de-boarding the bus.

A criminal charge of motor vehicle homicide by negligent operation was thrown out of Brockton District Court in 2008. A 46-year-old disabled woman was killed in the 2007 accident.

A Massachusetts wrongful death lawsuit was filed last year by the victim's sister against the bus driver and First Student, Inc., the busing company.

The victim suffered from Parkinson's disease and osteoporosis. She was using a walker to cross Belmont Street when she was hit by the bus as it took a right turn from Manomet Street. The bus contained three students and a bus monitor at the time of the crash. There were no reports of other injuries.

While thousands are injured in school bus accidents each year, fatalities are a rarer occurrence. An average of just 19 fatalities are reported in connection with school bus accidents each year, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. About 14 of those involve pedestrians.

Continue reading "Massachusetts civil trial under way in fatal Brockton pedestrian accident involving school bus" »

The U.S. Department of Transportation has announced plans to require all new motorcoaches and commercial buses to be equipped with seat belts by 2013. While the new rules could reduce the number of fatalities in serious Massachusetts bus accidents, safety advocates contend they do not go far enough to protect bus passengers.

For starters, the new law will not apply to school buses; nor will it apply to the thousands of buses and motorcoaches already on the road. It's a critical safety issue because riding a bus is a more popular mode of transportation than flying: About 750 million people ride a bus each year.

The government contends that wearing a lap and shoulder belt could reduce fatal accidents in rollover crashes by 77 percent, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

"We're committed to making sure that motorcoach travelers reach their destinations safely," said Secretary LaHood. "Seat belts save lives, and putting them in motorcoaches just makes sense."

The federal government has taken other recent steps to improve passenger safety in commercial buses. Earlier this year, the NHTSA released the Motorcoach Safety Action Plan, which provides steps to address driver fatigue and inattention as well as ways to improve maintenance. Plans to improve motorcoach structure, as well as fire safety protection and emergency egress are also under way.

The government will take comment for the next 60 days. Once enacted, the new rules will apply to buses manufactured after 2013.

Continue reading "Mandatory seat belts could reduce serious and fatal injuries in Massachusetts bus accidents" »

A Boston bus accident sent 15 people to the hospital on Saturday night, the Boston Herald reported.

The accident occurred at the intersection of Morton Street and Gallivan Boulevard when authorities say a van collided with the MBTA bus. Police say the van's driver will be cited for failure to observe traffic signals.

Four people in the van -- including an adult and three children -- were among the injured. While 11 people on the bus, including the driver, were transported to the hospital with injuries.

The accident occurred in front of the Boston Firehouse at about 6:30 p.m.

Emergency workers said the injuries included broken bones, neck and back pain and cuts, bumps and bruises.

ABC5 reported the minivan's driver was cited after colliding with the side of the bus.

An emergency responder told Channel 7 News that the intersection is confusing and the frequent site of Boston car accidents.

Continue reading "Boston bus accident sends 15 to the hospital " »