Boston Car Accident Lawyer Blog

It was a bad weekend for car accidents in Massachusetts. There was a rollover car accident that killed a man in Danvers and another that injured a number of others in Revere. According to state police officers, speed was a contributing factor in the single-car accident in Danvers that killed a 30-year-old man from Peabody. The accident happened just before 7:30 p.m., when he slammed into a guardrail on Route 128. After hitting the guard rail, he swerved across two lanes of traffic, hit a jersey barrier, sped down the ramp in Route 35, striking two more barriers and flipping the car over onto its roof. The man was wearing his seat belt, but was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident. The passenger of that vehicle was transported to Massachusetts General Hospital with serious injuries. Officers are still investigating to determine whether alcohol played a role in this accident.

Just a few hours later, four motorists were involved in a two-car accident in Revere. The accident resulted in serious injuries to those involved. The accident happened just before 12 a.m. on Revere Street and American Legion.

That's not all. There were a number of additional accidents that occurred over the weekend, including a collision in Hyde Park that took the life of a 24-year-old. Four others were injured in this accident.

Motorists weren't the only ones hurt in accidents over the weekend. There are also three pedestrians injured after being hit by a car. A mom and her two children were struck by a passing vehicle in Winthrop as they made their way to a dialysis appointment. The pedestrians and the driver of that vehicle were all taken to Emerson Hospital. The two children were later transported to Children's Hospital in Boston.

Officers believe that the 76-year-old driver may have mistaken the gas pedal for the brake pedal. The investigation is ongoing.

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) hears about thousands of car accidents that occur every year in the state. To help to get drivers on board to safer roadways, they've provided drivers with some safety tips to help to prevent traffic accidents.

Safe Driving Tips:

-Always be cautious of the traffic around you, including motor vehicles, pedestrians, bicyclists, motorcyclists, etc.

-Remember that turns are meant to be taken at reduced speeds.

-Always use your turn signals to alert other travelers of your intended maneuvers.

-Never eat or drink while driving.

-Remember to check intersecting streets for oncoming traffic before passing through.

-Maintain a safe following distance. Reducing the space between you and other travelers reduces the time that you have to react to potential dangers.

-Don't forget about your blind spots. Check over your shoulder to see what's going on in these areas.

-Yield to the right-of-way when necessary.

-Always wear your seat belt to help protect against injury and death in the event of an accident.

Continue reading "Deadly Weekend for Car Accidents in Massachusetts" »

A 45-year-old man is in critical condition following a Boston car accident in which he was struck by an unlicensed driver late last month.

According to the MetroWest Daily News, the crash happened on Rt. 126 in Framingham, as the pedestrian was crossing the street at about 7 p.m. to get to Moran's Market.

The 21-year-old driver who allegedly struck him did not have a license, police say.
Officers don't believe the young driver was speeding, but he had three others in the car with him at the time of the crash, and he told investigators he didn't see the pedestrian until he hit him.

When questioned about his lack of a license, the driver reportedly told police he didn't pass the required vision test.

Our Boston car accident attorneys unfortunately see cases like this far too often, when a driver who should never have been on the road gets behind the wheel and causes serious injury or worse.

In fact, a new study was released by the AAA Foundation on this very issue. The organization first began looking at the problem back in 2000, when they found that nearly 14 percent of all drivers involved in fatal crashes did not have a valid driver's license. That means those drivers either never had a license, or their privileges had been suspended, revoked, cancelled or denied.

Now, in 2011, that figure has not changed. We still have the same number of unlicensed drivers wreaking havoc on our roadways. It currently breaks down to about one out of every eight drivers you pass on your daily commute.

Crashes involving unlicensed drivers have accounted for more than 21,000 deaths in the U.S., just between 2007 and 2009.

The statistics may seem somewhat overwhelming, but consider that each and every one of those victims is someone's mother, father, sister, brother, child or friend.

What's even more troubling is that of those unlicensed drivers involved in fatal crashes, nearly half had been consuming alcohol at the time of the accident.

And those same unlicensed drivers, when they caused a crash, were more than three times as likely as properly licensed drivers to flee the scene.

In most cases, younger drivers - those between the ages of 21 and 34 - were the most likely to have suspended or revoked licenses. In fact, just like the case mentioned above, more than half of unlicensed drivers involved in fatal crashes were in this younger age group.

In the Framingham car accident case, the victim is being treated at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston. He's expected to undergo a CAT scan, and even if he survives - which doctors say he might - he could be facing years of intensive therapy and medical bills - likely with the added frustration of lost wages.

As he and his family look to a long road to recovery, investigators are still determining whether they will file additional charges against the driver.

Continue reading "Pedestrian Struck By Unlicensed Driver in Boston Car Accident" »

A recent pedestrian-car accident in Massachusetts on Newport Avenue injured both parties involved, according to the Patriot Ledger. The male driver and the female pedestrian were both transported to Boston Medical Center after the collision.

Quincy police Sgt. Richard Gilmore reported the van was heading north on Newport Avenue when it swerved off of the roadway, hit the side of the ramp that runs from West Squantum Street and Newport Avenue and collided with the pedestrian. The cause of the accident is still being investigated by local officials.

As we recently discussed on our Boston Personal Injury Attorney Blog, residents and visitors of the state of Massachusetts are asked to make pedestrian safety a top priority in 2012. Our state sees far too many pedestrian accidents each year, most of which are completely preventable. According to data from the Governors Highway Safety Association, there were nearly 50 pedestrian fatalities in the state in 2009. Preliminary data for 2010 pedestrian accidents indicates there were approximately 30 pedestrian fatalities during the first 6 months of the year.

The number of pedestrian fatalities from the first six months of 2010 was higher than the number of pedestrian fatalities from the first six months of 2009. As we recently reported, Boston is ranked as one of the most dangerous metropolitan areas in the country in terms of traffic-related fatalities and injuries. Boston ranked in as the 52nd most dangerous of these areas nationwide. Statistics reveal that there were nearly 500 pedestrian fatalities that occurred in the city from 2000 to 2009. Clearly, more needs to be done around the state to help our pedestrians become safer.

Pedestrian Safety Tips from the Cambridge Police Department:

-Pedestrians are required by law to obey traffic control signals and instructions from police officers who are directing traffic.

-Traffic Control Signals: "Walk" - pedestrians may proceed across the roadways, after looking both ways for incoming traffic. A flashing "Don't Walk" - no pedestrian shall start to cross the road and any pedestrian who is currently crossing the road may push on to finishing crossing quickly. A steady "Don't Walk" - no pedestrian is allowed to start crossing the road.

-Pedestrians are required to use a crosswalk to cross a street if they're within 300 feet of one.

-Pedestrians are required to yield the right-of-way to authorized emergency vehicles and funeral processions, regardless of what the traffic control signals display.

-Pedestrians should always wear brightly-colored clothing to help ensure they're seen by passing motorists.

Driver Safety Tips:

-Motorists must always yield to a pedestrian using a crosswalk.

-Motorists are not allowed to block crosswalks.

-Motorists must slow down for pedestrians.

-Motorists are prohibited from opening a car door into the travel lane of a bicyclist or a pedestrian.

Continue reading "Two Injured in Recent Massachusetts Pedestrian-Car Accident" »

We posted on our Boston Car Accident Lawyer Blog last December that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) had plans to pass a final rule that all vehicles would be required to be equipped with backup cameras by 2014.

We make note of this because our Boston car accident attorneys want to remind parents, babysitters, caretakers and motorists to keep a watchful eye for children and elders as this time of year is particularly dangerous for back-over accidents in Newton, Cambridge, Waltham and throughout Massachusetts. Driveways filled with vehicles at family gatherings and shoppers backing out of jam-packed parking lots can make it difficult to see little ones or elders located behind the vehicle. These two age groups don't react as quickly to a moving vehicle which puts them at considerable risk of getting run over when they are in a vehicle's blind spot.

Almost a year later, the proposed back-over regulations have hit the news again. According to a recent article in Bloomberg Businessweek, the NHTSA expected to issue a regulation by year-end but they are getting some backlash from the automobile industry. Those opposed feel it is just another attempt to over-regulate by the federal government.

The NHTSA reports that each year approximately 300 people die and another 18,000 are injured in back-over accidents nationwide. The installation of cameras or video in vehicles up to 10,000 pounds could potentially cut the number in half. One woman tells her personal story when last April she was headed out to run errands. She started to back the car out of the garage and felt a bump. She gets out of the car and horrifically discovers that she just ran over her 19-month-old son who had inadvertently escaped from the house without her knowing.

The massive national debate essentially comes down to money and putting a price tag on lives saved. The government has estimated that it will cost automakers roughly $2.7 billion annually to have cameras placed in the 16 million cars being manufactured each year. This averages out to roughly $18.5 million per life saved. Can they honestly put a price tag on the value of a life when safety should be their only priority?

According to an auto-market research company, back-up cameras have been included as a standard feature in 45 percent of 2012 passenger cars. One overlooked problem is that different model cars have different areas that aren't visible to the driver in the car. A driver's height also plays a role in determining a blind spot. For example, cars that sit low to the ground like a coupe can have a blind spot as low as four feet compared to a bigger SUV, which can be 20 feet or more. So, the 'one-size-fits-all' "Band-Aid" fix doesn't work when it comes to preventing back-over accidents with a rear-view camera used universally in all vehicle makes and models.

One thing we can do is use extra caution, especially when backing out of garages, driveways and parking lots this time of year. KidsAndCars.org offers these tips to keep children from being injured or killed in a back-over accident:

-Become an expert at using your rear-view mirrors. Always adjust them to your visual vantage point each time you get in the vehicle.

-Be aware that blind zones vary with different vehicles. Families with multiple vehicles should determine blind spots for each driver in each vehicle.

-Remove all toys from the driveway and instruct your children that the driveway or garage is not a play area.

-Hold your child's hand as you walk through a parking lot.

-If you see a driver's reverse lights on, stop and stay clear as they back out of the driveway or parking space.

-Never assume a driver going in reverse sees you.

Continue reading "Keep Children Close to Avoid Back-Over Accidents in Massachusetts This Holiday Season" »

According to the Massachusetts Department of Transportation's (MassDOT) Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV), local and state inspectors handed out more than 100 citations in nearly 200 towns and cities recently to those who passed school buses as they were dropping off or picking up students.

The citations were handed out during a recent undercover program that aimed at targeting these irresponsible drivers to help reduce the risks of school bus-related pedestrian accidents in Massachusetts. This was the 7th year that the Registry practiced the "Operation Yellow Blitz" program, used to raise awareness about this dangerous driving behavior and the risks our young school bus riders face while getting on and off a school bus every day.

"We want to get the word out that drivers on both sides of the road need to stop when school buses pick up or drop off children," said Registrar Rachel Kaprielian.

Our Boston car accident attorneys understand that all traffic is required to stop when a school bus is stopped for a pickup or drop off. Unfortunately, many drivers fail to do so and place our young school-aged children at a serious risk for an accident. Kaprielian reports that this is a huge concern for the RMV. The Registry has been able to recruit the participation for more than 150 cities and towns in the last 7 years. In 2007, there were only 30 areas participating in Operation Yellow Blitz.

Kaprielian says that officers and officials witnessed five vehicles pass a school bus at once at one particular stop. All vehicles were pulled over. A few of these drivers said that they were unaware that they had to stop for a school bus. The truth is that all drivers have a responsibility to know when they're traveling near a school bus and to stop their vehicle when a bus' red lights are activated.

According to MassDOT, drivers can be fined nearly $300 the first time they're busted and $1,000 and a temporary license revocation for a second violation.

The Operation Yellow Blitz program is a yearly enforcement program that is used to target bus stops and passing traffic along roadways and at intersections. Although this program only comes around once a year, bus drivers are always on the lookout for disobedient drivers every day. Bus drivers will write down your vehicle information and you license plate number and report it to the RMV if they observe you passing their stopped school bus. If you're a repeat violator, you could potentially face an administrative hearing that could possible result in your license being suspended.

Last year, MassDOT wrote more than 2,150 warning letters. This year, more than 1,600 warning letters have been issued so far.

Roughly 5,000 students are injured every year in school bus-related accidents. A large number of these accidents happen as students exit or board the school bus. One main reason for this is because a school bus offers large blind spots, not only to bus drivers but to passing motorists as well.

Many young bus riders don't understand this danger and are unable to foresee potential dangers around a bus. About half of all school-aged pedestrians who were killed in bus-related accidents were between the ages of 5- and 7-years-old.

Drivers are asked to be cautious when driving near school buses. As buses drop off children for winter break, motorists are asked to be cautious for young pedestrians all around the state and not just near bus stops.

Continue reading "RMV Targets School Bus-Passing Motorists to Help Prevent Pedestrian Accidents in Massachusetts" »

We recently gained an hour with the switch to Daylight Saving Time, but we also gained some risks for car accidents in Boston. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), car accidents killed more than 4,000 people and injured another 59,000 in 2009. About a quarter of these fatalities occurred between 4. and 8 p.m. Nearly 15 percent of these fatalities happened between 4 and 8 a.m. That's why the NHTSA is asking drivers, pedestrians and bicyclists to be more cautious because of the recent time change and how we have more hours of darkness.

Our Massachusetts pedestrian accident lawyers understand that nighttime driving is a bit more dangerous than driving when it's light out. When you drive in the evening, your visibility is negatively affected. Typically, drivers have a more difficult time judging distance when it's dark. The human eye needs light to see and this is why nighttime driving is one of the top causes for car accidents on our roadways. It is estimated that about 90 percent of driver decisions are made on what they're able to see. Pedestrians are overpowered by vehicle headlights and street lamps and can be easily overlooked on our roadways in the evening.

The NHTSA offers nighttime safe-driving tips to help avoid an accident as the sun sets sooner.

Motorist safety tips:

-When it's dark out, slow down! During the evening hours, you need more time to see traffic hazards and pedestrians.

-Remember that pedestrians can be wearing headphones, hats or earmuffs, so he or she may not be able to hear your vehicle approaching.

-It is important to make sure your defrosters work, that your windshield wiper fluid is full and your windshield wipers are working correctly.

-Always keep your vehicle's mirrors, windows and windshield clean to help increase visibility.

Pedestrian safety tips:

-It's a good idea to carry a flashlight with you to help motorists see you.

-If you're not carrying a flashlight, you should attach reflective materials, like fluorescent tape, to your clothing. This reflective tape will reflect a car's headlight beams and help a driver to see you.

-You should never depend on a traffic signal. Sometimes a driver can be distracted or may simply disregard instruction from the device. With the night falling earlier in the day, drivers may also have a hard time adjusting to the changes, which can also affect their reaction to these traffic signals.

-Never jaywalk or cross the street from between two parked cars. You want your presence to be known by drivers. Be visible and cross at crosswalks or street corners.

-Whenever a sidewalk is around, use it! This walkway keeps you separated from traffic. If there's no sidewalk, walk facing oncoming traffic.

Accidents are more likely to happen during the evening hours so we all just have to be a little more cautious and alert.

Continue reading "Daylight Saving Time Brings Increased Risks for Pedestrian-Car Accidents in Boston" »

A 51-year-old woman was recently killed in a taxi-pedestrian accident in South Boston. Police officers are investigating the accident that happened at the intersection of Dorchester Street and Dorchester Avenue shortly after 9:30 p.m. The woman was transported to Boston Medical Center where she was later pronounced dead, according to the Boston Globe. According to local officers, the woman was hit by a Brookline-based taxi.

As we recently reported on our Boston Personal Injury Attorney Blog, many trips through Boston only require a short walk or bike ride. After a report was recently released revealing the state's top 200 most dangerous intersections for pedestrian and bicycling accidents, some residents may think twice before making the trek this way. Some of the most influential factors of a pedestrian's safety on our roadways are the habits of nearby drivers.

The Massachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety and Security reports that more than 20 percent of all traffic-related deaths were of pedestrians in 2008. Nearly 100 pedestrians were killed throughout the year. Nearly 250 additional pedestrians suffered serious injuries from traffic-related accidents during the same time.

The public safety office also says that many are quick to point the blame at drivers, but the truth isn't that cut and dry. Far too many accidents have happened at non-intersection areas, where pedestrians should not be crossing. Residents are urged to learn the pedestrian laws of the roadway to help reduce their risks for one of these potentially fatal accidents. Another contributor to these fatal accidents is the design of roadways. Safer sidewalks and crossing areas can greatly reduce the risks of a fatal pedestrian accident.

To help promote safer walkways, WalkBoston and Sidewalk Sam previously teamed up to paint South Station's sidewalks to raise awareness about the need for open and continuous public sidewalks on the Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Greenway. The fight for safer sidewalks continues on today as constructors continuously make plans to alter the walkways.

"Keep the Greenway Walkable" was used to help to demonstrate just how popular this morning commute is for on-foot travelers. This path gets many commuters from the North Station to the South Station and back.

WalkBoston will continue to fight for the rights of pedestrian travelers. Walking and biking is a vital way for residents and visitors to get around the area. Unfortunately, these individuals are at a high risk for injury when walking along roadways in which designs were not created in their best interest. Many roadways were designed to accommodate fast-moving traffic instead of to benefit the on-foot traveler. Motorists are asked to keep an eye out for pedestrians, regardless of where you are in the city.

Everyone walks at some point in their every trip, even if it's just to and from the car. Walking is excellent exercise and promotes a healthy lifestyle. Safe walking environments are vital for this to continue and motorist awareness is one of the first steps in achieving that goal.

Continue reading "Taxi-Pedestrian Accident in South Boston Kills 51-Year-Old Woman" »

As we recently reported on our Boston Personal Injury Attorney Blog, a newly released report pointed out the top 200 most dangerous intersections for bicycle, car and pedestrian accidents in Massachusetts. This report was released to help residents identify and avoid dangerous areas, and to urge state officials to take action to help make these intersections safer.

This wasn't the only recently released report that identifies dangers to pedestrians in the state. The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety released a report that focused on pedestrian accidents, highlighting the main causes and factors, and providing recommendations to fix the problem.

Our Boston pedestrian accident attorneys understand that traffic-related accidents are the number one cause of death for people in the U.S. According to Transportation for America, there were more than 700 pedestrians killed in Massachusetts from 2000 to 2009. These accidents cost the state more than $3 billion. Our state's Pedestrian Danger Index (PDI) is 24.9, which gives us a poor ranking of 42 out of the 50 states.

According to the Foundation, speed is the top contributor to the outcome of a pedestrian-car accident. The faster a vehicle is traveling when it strikes a pedestrian, the higher the risk is for that pedestrian to experience severe injury or death.

According to statistics from the report, a pedestrian faces a 10 percent chance of sustaining serious injury when hit by a vehicle that is traveling at 16 miles per hour. A pedestrian faces a 25 percent risk when a vehicle strikes at 23 mph, a 50 percent chance when a vehicle strikes at 31 mph, a 75 percent chance when a vehicle strikes at 39 mph and a 90 percent chance when a vehicle strikes at 46 mph.

The risk for death increases with the speed of the vehicle as well. A pedestrian faces a 10 percent risk of death when hit by a vehicle traveling at 23 mph during the time of impact, a 25 percent risk at 32 mph, a 50 percent risk at 42 mph, and a 75 percent risk at 50 mph.

These risks vary with the age of the pedestrian. A 30-year-old pedestrian hit by a vehicle traveling at 35 miles per hour faces the same risks as a 70-yer-old pedestrian who is hit by a vehicle traveling 25 miles per hour.

To help decrease the risks of these accidents, AAA recommends the following:

-Federal, state and local officials should reduce the speed limits in areas with a large population of pedestrians.

-Transportation officials should consider putting up a physical barrier to separate vehicular traffic and pedestrians in areas where a reduced speed limit wouldn't benefit traffic flow.

-Vehicle creators should look into creating better pedestrian-detection systems to identify pedestrians within a dangerous distance from a vehicle and to warn the driver or to stop the vehicle automatically.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there were nearly 50 pedestrian fatalities in the state of Massachusetts in 2009.

Continue reading "Pedestrian Accidents in Massachusetts: A Popular Topic of Discussion" »

The driving privileges of an 18-year-old have been revoked while she awaits the trial for an accident in which officials allege that her vehicle struck a pedestrian back in August. The court believes that the restriction is justifiable considering she is such an inexperienced driver.

The young driver is currently facing a charge of grossly negligent operation of a motor vehicle with serious bodily injury resulting, according to WSTP. The pedestrian was left in critical condition and is currently suffering from severe bone and brain injuries.

Pedestrians are extremely vulnerable in the event of a car accident in Massachusetts. Motorists are likely to be at fault during these accidents as many are the result of distracted-driving habits. Motorists need to remain aware and cautious behind the wheel, especially in areas like the Greater Boston area that have a large population of on-foot travelers.

Our Boston pedestrian accident attorneys understand that the phone records of the young driver reveal the 18-year-old was having a text message conversation with a friend between the time she left her house in her vehicle and the time she called emergency responders to report the accident. Although the young driver told authorities that she was in fact looking at the roadway and the time of the accident, she also admitted to engaging in a text message conversation simultaneously. A number of recent studies that we've reported about on our blog illustrate the dangers and the increased risks that driver faces for an accident when engaging in distracting behavior behind the wheel.

Court records reveal that the driver had only received her driver's license about six months prior to the accident. The court has ordered her to stay away from the wheel as a condition of her release after her arraignment.

Most recently, the young driver requested permission for restricted driving privileges so that she could get herself to and from work each day and so that she may provide transportation for her disabled mother and younger brother. Her request was denied.

The car-pedestrian accident took place in Vermont, which has a law prohibiting drivers from texting behind the wheel.

The young driver says that she feels terrible about the injuries she has inflicted upon the victim. She says, in her defense, that the accident occurred during the evening hours and the pedestrian was wearing dark-colored clothing. She also states that this was in fact an accident and not a crime.

Current Massachusetts law says that drivers that are under the age of 18 are prohibited from using a cell phone while operating a motor vehicle. Public transit drivers and school bus drivers have also been banned from using a cell phone while driving or they could face a fine of $500.

All drivers, regardless of age, are prohibited from texting while operating a motor vehicle. Drivers who are busted sending messages of surfing the internet while driving will can a fine of $250 for a first offense and $500 for a second offense.

Continue reading "Young Drivers Prohibited from Cell Phone Use to Reduce Risks of Fatal Car Accidents in Massachusetts" »

A 47-year-old East Boston man recently entered a not guilty plea to leaving the scene of an accident and motor-vehicle homicide at the Chelsea District Court after being accused of being involved in a hit-and-run car-pedestrian accident in Revere, according to the Chron. Prosecutors say that the man made an attempt to fix the damage on his SUV that was caused by the accident. He is being accused of striking and killing a 22-year-old pedestrian just before 6:00 a.m. The young woman was taken to the hospital where she was later pronounced dead.

Prosecutors believe that the man attempted to make repairs on his vehicle to cover up the damage and then attempted to wash it down with bleach to hide and further evidence. The man is currently being held on a $25,000 bail.

Our Boston personal injury attorneys understand that pedestrians are extremely vulnerable to car-pedestrian accidents near our busy roadways. To help reduce the risks of such serious accidents, the Institute for Human Centered Design, recently discussed plans of Shared Space, which is a street design concept to help protect pedestrians traveling along our roadways. Shared Space is already a popular part of European roads, according to the Boston Globe.

This theory aims to reduce the number of curbs in our area. Researchers of the program believe that curbs are the enemy on our roadways as they serve as a barrier that determines which part of the roadway belongs to the vehicles and which parts belong to the pedestrians. Shared Space also frowns upon the use of traffic lights, road markings and street signs. Under the Shared program, streets are stripped down and all physical and psychological barriers are eliminated. Without these traffic regulating devices, motorists and pedestrians are forced to share the area efficiently and safely. Supporters believe that the roads can actually be safer by making them more dangerous and requiring everyone to think a little bit more.

"So what have we done here?" asks director of urban and transit projects at the Institute for Human Centered Design, Christopher Hart. "We've extended that curb 10 feet out. We're forcing drivers to pay attention, and we're forcing them to slow down even just a little bit because their field of vision has changed."

For years now, the design of the street system in our area has kept their focus on efficient and speedy movement of vehicle traffic. Luckily, Boston and other large metro areas in the county are leaning towards the creation of safer streets for everyone. A number of organizations, transportation departments and advocates are campaigning the "human-centered design," oftentimes referred to as "complete streets" or "context-sensitive design."

"We live in an environment where everybody is in a rush," says Thomas Tinlin, the city's transportation commissioner. "Our job is to look at it as, if everybody plays by the rules, how best to move everybody through the system."

There's an area inside City Hall that is called the Traffic Management Center in which live video is surveyed of various busy intersections. A technician is hired to monitor these areas and make appropriate stop-light adjustments to ensure that the traffic flow's steady. Whereas the focus of this technician has always been to get our Boston motorists traveling quickly and efficiently, a number of pedestrian advocates recognize the increase in on-foot traffic and are pushing to shift the focus from vehicles to pedestrians.

Continue reading ""Shared Space" Aims to Unite Motorists and Pedestrians on Boston Roadways" »

An arrest has finally been made in an April hit-and-run car accident in Mattapan that put a 6-year-old-boy in a coma, according to My Fox Boston. A 19-year-old woman was arraigned earlier this month in Dorchester District Court. Her bail was set at $40,000.

Witnesses to the accident say that the child, and a few of his buddies, looked both ways before crossing over Delhi Street, but a speeding vehicle slammed right into the boy and just kept going. The boy was taken to Boston Medical Center.

He stayed there for two weeks, including four days spent in a medically-induced coma. Currently, the boy is recovering, but authorities say that his long-term prognosis is unclear.

Our Boston personal injury attorneys understand that pedestrians, bicyclists and motorists face serious risks on our Massachusetts roadways. Without cautious driving habits from motorists around the state, pedestrians will continue to be overlooked. The woman arrested in this incident was indeed speeding, which only increased her chances of being involved in an accident as it reduced her reaction time tremendously.

A press release issued by Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel Conley states that the woman struck the little boy while she was out free on bail from another incident that happened back in March.

The female driver left the scene of the accident in March that resulted in damage to property. She faces two counts of assault and battery on a police officer and single counts of negligent operation of a motor vehicle, failing to stop for police, operating with a suspended license and resisting arrest for that incident.

She is now facing charges in connection with the April accident as well, with negligent operation of a motor vehicle and violating the state's witness intimidation law.

Police have plenty of evidence in the case. They currently possess multiple witness statements, video surveillance footage and other evidence gathered during the course of the investigation. Boston Police were also able to obtain a warrant for the woman's arrest on June 23. She eluded investigators until now.

"These actions are outrageous and the crimes are egregious," Conley said. "This woman should not be on the road, period. It's by God's grace that this child survived. The next victim might not be so lucky."

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the economic cost to society that these accidents cause is more than $40 billion each year. Speeding was a reported contributor to more than 30 percent of fatal traffic accidents in 2009. Nearly 11,000 people were lost in these accidents.

During that year, nearly 9,000 speeding-related accident fatalities happened on non-Interstate highways. Only 12 percent of these accidents happened on Interstate highways.

Massachusetts witnessed nearly 100 speeding-related car accident fatalities in 2009 alone. A number of these accidents could have been prevented had motorists been abiding by posted speed limits. Speeding limits a driver's reaction time and puts them and others on our roadways at an increased risk for injury or death.

Continue reading "Speedy Driver Arrested After Sending 6-Year-Old into a Coma after Mattapan Car Accident" »

A recent article on Boston.com brings up some excellent points about proper bicycle maintenance. With summer here, many residents will be dusting off their bikes and hitting the town both on foot and on two wheels. Riders are not only urged to be cautious of motor-vehicle traffic during their adventures through the city, but to also to be cautious about the condition of your bicycle. A properly kept bicycle can mean the difference between safe travels and a Boston bicycling accident.

In the Boston.com article, the author noticed a bicycle on his walk home that had been locked to a fence with the seat removed for months. Many bicyclists remove their seat to avoid bike theft. As the seasons changed, the bike remained locked to that fence. It had grown rusty and had almost seemed abandoned.

Our Boston bicycle accident attorneys urge all of our two-wheeled travelers to take good care of your bikes, in every season. Be sure that your tires always have enough air, that it's equipped with proper lights and reflectors, that your chain is well oiled and that the brakes work properly. Many accidents can be caused by malfunctioning equipment. Venturing out on a bike that's not taken care of can result in an increased risk for accidents in our area.

Once the snow cleared and the sun shined through, the bike's owner appeared. The author spotted her one day bent over her bicycle with a can of WD-40 in her hand.

Tips to help you, and other fellow riders, to enjoy the bike riding season safely:

-If you've neglected your bicycle all winter long, be sure to check it out completely before breaking it out this spring or summer. Check to see if the tires look dry or cracked. Check your brakes. If you are not comfortable with these types of repairs, take your bicycle to a local repair shop for some help.

-Learn how to change a flat tire. Make sure each tire is fully inflated and free of debris. Inevitably you will eventually experience a flat tire. Learn how to change it yourself to be better prepared or to even help someone else out.

-Be considerate. If you see a bicyclist pulled over on the ride of the road, ask if they need any help. Bicyclers need to help and protect one another.

-Always wear your helmet. Statistics show that it can save your life. Your risk of serious of fatal injury greatly increases if you're not wearing a helmet during the time of an accident.

-Learn the rules of the road. Look both ways, obey traffic lights, ride with the flow of traffic and wear light or bright colored clothing.

-Never pass another bicyclist on the right. This is especially important if they're stopped at a red light. When you do pass someone, call out: "On your left" to let them know your whereabouts.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, more than 600 bicyclists died in 2009 because of accidents involving a motor vehicle. These fatalities accounted for 2 percent of all traffic deaths during the entire year.

Most of these bicycling deaths from 2009 happened in urban areas at non-intersection. Most of them also occurred during the daytime hours, between 4:00 a.m. an 8:00 p.m.

Continue reading "Recent Article Highlights Important of Bicycle Maintenance to Reduce Bicycle Accidents in Boston" »

Massachusetts residents and visitors will soon be able to take quick trips in Boston as they'll be able to rent bicycles from dozens of sidewalk kiosks as early as July of this year. Mayor Thomas M. Menino is scheduled to sign a $6 million contract with a company called Alta Bicycle Share. The company is also behind a program in the Washington area that currently boasts more than 1,000 cherry-red bicycles at nearly 115 stations.

Our Boston bicycle accident lawyers understand that this $6 million dollar contract will put roughly 600 bikes and more than 61 stations in our communities before July. This increased pedestrian traffic may increase the risks of accidents on our roadways and we ask that everyone practice safe traveling on our roadways.

The new system, which officials will be referring to as the Hubway, will be starting off the program with roughly 60 bicycles. They envision the program to grow and to accommodate as many as 5,000 bikes in the future, operating from Brookline to Sommerville, according to Boston.com. With an increased number of bikes on Massachusetts roadways, drivers are encouraged to increase their awareness of bicyclists and pedestrians to help keep our roadways safe and reduce risks of potentially fatal Boston bicycle accidents.

Boston officials said the system will open in July with 600 bicycles and 61 stations in the city, though they envision growing in a few years to as many as 5,000 bikes at more than 300 kiosks, from Brookline to Somerville.

"The vision here is that it's a seamless system,'' said Eric Bourassa, transportation manager for the Metropolitan Area Planning Council. "I could pick up a bike in Cambridge and I could bike across the river and drop it off in Boston, and I wouldn't tell the difference that I have a Cambridge bike vs. a Boston bike or anything like that,''

The program will not be funded by local tax dollars. Instead, the city is using grants and donations to cover the start-up costs. Corporate sponsorships and revenue from riders is planned to cover annual operating expenses after initial start-up.

Riders will need to first sign up for memberships, which will include a liability waiver and a pledge to wear a helmet, on kiosk touch screens similar to those of the MBTA. Memberships will range from about $5 a day to $85 a year. Trips less than 30 minutes will be of no charge and users will see incremental charges for longer rides.

Continue reading "Massachusetts Anticipates Hubway Hoping Easing Traffic and Reduce Risks of Bicycle Accidents" »

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) recently released a report on how automobile technology is reducing pedestrian crash fatalities.

Our Boston personal injury lawyers applaud this new technology but cautions that drivers' attentiveness is the best method for decreasing Boston pedestrian accidents.

The IIHS study identified the most likely kinds of pedestrian accident situations. They discovered that a vehicle moving straight at them as pedestrians cross the street is the most common. IIHS feels that using forward collision warning systems with pedestrian detection can prevent these types of accidents. This form of warning system is available on several vehicles including the Volvo S60 sedan. Volvo feels strongly that this kind of technology, if put in all vehicles, could potentially reduce pedestrian deaths by as much as 24 percent. Other technologies exist that could minimize the risk of injuries to pedestrians even further.

It appears European automakers are making design changes to limit injuries to pedestrians in crashes. Subaru has a pedestrian detection system which recognizes bicyclists and pedestrians. Their technology has the ability, if the driver doesn't react to the warning, to hit the brakes automatically. Audi is currently developing a similar system as Subaru, BMW and Mercedes have pedestrian detection systems that also include night vision technology for detecting pedestrians.

It is somewhat disturbing that advances in pedestrian safety are occurring overseas but not in this country. The study stated the U.S. Department of Transportation did research for some 20+ years starting in the 1970's to increase pedestrian safety but their ideas never came to fruition.

In 2009, the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported that 4,092 pedestrians were killed in traffic crashes and another 59,000 were injured. Pedestrians accounted for 12 percent of all traffic fatalities. Massachusetts reported a total of 334 traffic fatalities, 48 were pedestrians in 2009.

The NHTSA offers these safety reminders:

-Utilize sidewalks whenever possible. If you walk in the road always face traffic.

-Make yourself visible, wear bright colors and carry a flashlight.

-Use crosswalks and be cautious if you don't have a clear view of the street.

-In most circumstances pedestrians have the right-of-way when crossing the streets. Failure to yield the right-of-way happens often at intersections, be careful.

Continue reading "Crossing the street can be a high risk for a pedestrian accident in Boston" »

Approximately 292 fatalities and nearly 18,000 injures occur as a result of back-over crashes each year, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Of the 292 fatalities, 228 of them were caused by vehicles weight less than 10,000 pounds.

According to DriveOn, the NHTSA is publishing a new rule that would require backup cameras on most cars and trucks. The feds have put off the publishing of this rule for 10 months now.

Boston personal injury lawyers urge you to practice cautious driving with or without a rear-view camera in your vehicle. We stress the importance of being aware of your surroundings while sitting behind the wheel.

Gentex, one backup camera supplier, said it could take a navigation system as long as 5 to 10 seconds "to display the rear view image depending on weather conditions," said industry analyst Himanshu Patel at JP Morgan. These delay times may not be effective in preventing Boston parking lot accidents.

Backup cameras are available to drivers in numerous models, styles, sizes and prices. They're available as center console television screens, tiny rearview mirror images or are even available in your sideview mirrors, They're also available with night vision features. On many new cars they're now coming as a standard feature.

"The Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers -- a lobbying group that represents the Detroit Three and other big players like Toyota, Mazda and Volkswagen -- has opposed the regulation because it's too costly," says Kicking Tires. "If the rule is finalized, the backup cameras would cost the industry $1.9 billion to $2.7 billion annually, according to NHTSA."

Backup cameras allow drivers to see beyond their line of site -- helping save lives. The government finds their function to be so critical, they are going to continue to push to make them standard on all vehicles.

Continue reading "Mandatory Backup Cameras Could Decrease Fatal Boston Car Accidents" »