Car Accidents

July 13, 2011

Rollover Car Accidents in Boston Injury Many in Recent Weeks

A mother and her two young daughters were involved in a fatal rollover car accident in Boston on Interstate 90 after the mom lost control of her vehicle recently. The vehicle rolled over three times and landed right side up. The two young girls were thrown from the car and the 6-year-old died in the accident. None of the passengers were wearing seat belts, according to Boston.com.

Reports indicate that the driver lost control of the car trying to get out of the way of a vehicle that drove into her lane. Massachusetts authorities are still deciding whether or not to file charges against the mother, The Boston Globe reports. She has a record of serious motor vehicle violations. The mother had her license suspended back in March for driving while under the influence of alcohol. She also neglected to place her children in the appropriate child-safety seats.

A second Massachusetts rollover car accident left a man in critical condition at a local hospital after an accident on Route 114 in North Andover, according to the Eagle Tribune and North Andover Patch. Traveling eastbound on Route 114, the driver lost control of his sport utility vehicle and rolled multiple times. His car came to rest at the corner of Willow Road and Route 114.

The driver was airlifted to Boston Medical Center. The North Andover Police Accident Reconstruction Team is investigating the accident, according to Eagle Tribune.

It doesn’t end there. A third rollover accident happened last week on the 800 block of Turnpike Street. The driver was airlifted to a hospital in Boston after his sport utility vehicle rolled over several times. Police report the car rolled over a span of about 200 feet.

These are just a few of the rollover accidents that have happened in the Boston area in the last month. Airbags may be one of the greatest pieces of safety equipment in a rollover accident.

Side airbags are installed in a number of vehicles to help protect passengers in the event of one of these accidents. Right now, some vehicles are equipped with side airbags. These are airbags that deploy for six seconds to ensure occupant safety in the event of a rollover accident. Other vehicles have side airbags that only inflate for milliseconds. Even worse, there are some vehicles that have side airbags that aren’t even designed to deploy in a rollover accident. These particular types of airbags are designed to deploy only when the vehicle is hit from the side.

Another unfortunate outcome of a rollover accident is when a passenger is ejected from the vehicle. It is estimated that more than half of the 10,000 people that are killed each year in rollover accidents die after they are ejected from the vehicle. The longer a side airbag stays inflated, the less likely a passenger is to be thrown from the vehicle.

In an attempt to provide more safety measures to SUV occupants, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration introduced a rollover rating system back in 2001. This system bases a vehicle’s rollover rating on an engineering analysis of each vehicle’s center of gravity and the width between the front tires. The rollover rating scale ranks from five stars, which means the vehicle has a rollover risk of less than 10 percent, to a one star, which indicates a rollover risk greater than 40 percent.
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July 13, 2011

Foreign Cars Proven to Better Protect You in a Boston Car Accident

by Jeffrey S. Glassman

An SUV rollover accident in Massachusetts on Route 495 left one man with serious injuries recently, according to Boston 5. Troopers received a number reports from a several witnesses that said that a second vehicle may have cut off the victim’s car and caused the accident.

The driver of the flipped car was ejected during the rollover and was later taken to Jordan Hospital with life-threatening injuries. The driver of the second vehicle involved in the accident was later arrested and is being charged with operating under the influence of alcohol, according to state troopers. The southbound lanes of Route 495 were closed and traffic was detoured over to Route 138.

Our Boston personal injury attorneys understand that some vehicles may be deemed safer than others through a number of studies. In the past, drivers of sport utility vehicles were scrutinized because of the vehicles’ frequent rollover incidents. The main cause used to be because they were so top heavy. Now, these larger vehicles provide more safety feature for occupants, making them least likely to die in a accident, according to the latest death rates from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

“The change is due largely to the widespread availability of electronic stability control (ESC), which helps prevent rollovers. With the propensity to roll over reduced, SUVs are on balance safer than cars because their bigger size and weight provide greater protection in a crash,” reports the IIHS.

The makers of these vehicles also have an influence on your safety in the event of an accident. Currently, South Korean automakers like Hyundai and Kia and German car makers such as Volkswagen are topping insurance industry’s yearly list of the safest new vehicles. These vehicles are chosen for their ability to protect an occupant during a front, side and rear crash test. For an automobile to qualify for the award, the insurance industry group requires that vehicle to have anti-rollover electronic stability control and receive top scores in their roof-strength test.

According to statistics, American cars ranked beneath foreign cars when researchers studied death rates. Out of Detroit’s Big Three, the statistics rank Chrysler Group as the clear winner, followed by Ford Motor Co., then General Motors Co:

-Chrysler ranked number one for the safest in the U.S. market with four vehicles: Jeep Grand Cherokee, Jeep Wrangler two- and four- door and Dodge Dakota. Each of these vehicles placed in the top 25 for having the lowest rates of driver deaths and had no vehicles in the bottom 25.

-Ford had one vehicle, the Edge, in the top 25 lowest rates of driver deaths. Unfortunately, Ford had two Ranger pickup models that placed in the bottom 25.

-GM had six vehicles in the bottom 25, including Chevrolet Aveo, Cobalt, Malibu Classic, Colorado and Buick Lucerne and LaCrosse. GM had no vehicles that placed in the top 25.

The study concluded that non-American automakers took 20 out of the 25 spots for lowest death rates.They also took 17 out of 25 spots for having the highest death rates, according to Mlive.com.

This is another reason why not only the type of vehicle you choose can potentially save your life in an accident, but the maker of the vehicle you choose can contribute to your safety as well. Do your research on what type of vehicle to buy, but also practice safe driving habits to reduce accidents on our streets and highways.
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July 10, 2011

Single-Car Accident in Massachusetts Kills Teen Driver

by Jeffrey S. Glassman

An 18-year-old driver was pronounced dead at the scene of a teen car accident in Massachusetts.

The driver was heading southbound on U.S. Route 1 when he drove his SUV over the rumble strip at a ramp from Massachusetts Route 128 just before 1:00 a.m. The Massachusetts State Police Department is investigating the fatal accident, according to Boston 5.

When his car traveled over the rumble strip, it flipped over. It was determined by authorities that the teen was not wearing his seat belt at the time of the accident. A section of Route 1 was closed for about two hours while investigators collected accident information. There were no other vehicles involved in the accident.

Our Boston car accident attorneys understand that newly licensed teen drivers on our roadways pose serious and fatal threats to all motorists. Many don’t do it deliberately, but do it simply because they lack driving experience and knowledge. The most current data that was recently released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) truly illustrates the dangers these young drivers face on our roadways.

According to the NHTSA, motor vehicle accidents are the number one cause of death for those who are 15- to 20-years old. In 2009 alone, more than 5,000 15- to 20-year-old drivers were involved in fatal traffic accidents. These accidents took the lives of nearly 2,500 teen drivers that year. This means that more than 10 percent of all drivers that were involved in fatal accidents in 2009 were those between 15- and 20-years-old.

Drivers of this age group made up nearly 15 percent of drivers involved in police-reported traffic accidents. There were approximately 1,337,000 police-reported accidents that involved a teen driver during that year. Teens are also more likely to die on a motorcycle than other age groups as well. In 2009, more than 500 teen motorcyclists lost their lives in traffic accidents. Another 5,000 suffered injuries because of these incidents.

Don’t think that because teens aren’t legally allowed to drink that they’re not going to. In 2009, 33 percent of drivers in this young age group that were killed in traffic accidents were reported to be under the influence of alcohol. Nearly 30 percent of them had a blood alcohol level above the legal limit. Massachusetts witnessed nearly 50 teen deaths on our roadways in 2009 alone.

Parents are encouraged to enforce the following safety tips to help keep their teens safe behind the wheel:

Ride along with your teen. Provide them with positive criticism. You may be the most influential person on your teen’s driving habits.
Set rules. Make sure they limit their number of passengers. Passengers serve as a dangerous distraction to all drivers.
Require they put down the cell phone behind the wheel.
Consider a curfew.
Talk to your teen about the dangers of drinking and driving.
Ask your teen to check in when they get to their destination and too let you know when they’re leaving.
Set a good example. Follow all the driving rules you set forth for them while they’re riding along with you.
Create a parent-teen driving contract to solidify these rules.

July 6, 2011

Massachusetts Car Accidents Continue to be Caused by Cell Phones

by Jeffrey S. Glassman

When the radio was introduce as a new-car feature, safety advocates began screaming about the potential for distraction. Then came the tape deck, the CD player, the MP3 player and the GPS.

But by far the biggest risk factor for distraction has been the cell phone. And now the smart phone. Credible studies show even hands-free devices result in significant cognitive distraction. However, it’s hand-held use and text messaging by drivers that the government has in its crosshairs. As our Boston injury lawyers reported recently, the feds are considering a nationwide ban on hand-held cell phone use by drivers.

As the Boston Globe reported, the National Transportation Safety Board believes we will continue to be at high risk until operating a vehicle — rather a boat, train or car — while using a cell phone becomes as taboo as drunk driving. Last year, two Hungarian students were killed in a duck boat accident in Philadelphia after being hit by a barge being tugged by a pilot reportedly on his cell phone. Locally, the 2009 Boston trolley accident that sent scores to the hospital was caused by an operator who was texting his girlfriend.

“Many people continue to think it’s just going to take a moment (to call or text),” NTSB Chairwoman Deborah Hersman said. “How do we change that mindset? Not just the NTSB, but all of us?”

Safety advocates hope drivers someday equate driving and using a cell phone with drunk driving or failure to wear a seat belt.

“Distraction is becoming the new DUI,” NTSB member Robert Sumwalt said. “This is going to reach epidemic proportions. It takes a generation or two to change it, but change is needed.”

In recent years the NTSB has been called in to investigate a number of commercial accidents, both on the water and in the air, that have been blamed on distracted drivers. Cases include a tug pilot who ground his vessel while texting in the Baltic Sea and a Northwest Airline pilot who passed his destination by 150 miles while using a laptop to complain about scheduling woes.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports 5,474 lives were lost and 448,000 were injured in accidents caused by distracted driving in 2009.

“These numbers show that distracted driving remains an epidemic in America, and they are just the tip of the iceberg,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood.

And the numbers are on the rise, even as the total number of traffic fatalities has reached a record low during the economic downturn. Today, an estimated 16 percent of all fatal accidents are blamed on driver distraction.
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July 1, 2011

Fewer Distracted Driving Accidents in Massachusetts Could Result from National Distracted Driving Law

by Jeffrey S. Glassman

The federal government may soon act to create a nationwide law aimed at reducing the risk of distracted driving. As we frequently report, distracted driving has become a leading cause of car accidents in Massachusetts and elsewhere in the United States.

Our Boston personal Injury lawyers have applauded state action; as the Governor’s Highway Safety Association reports, Massachusetts is among more than 30 states that have banned text messaging by all drivers. However, hand-held cell phone use continues to be legal and drivers routinely ignore even the text-messaging portion of the law. Complicating matters is the fact that millions of tourists visit Massachusetts each year and are typically unfamiliar with the law. Replacing the patchwork of laws in place nationwide with a federal ban will provide continuity and should add some teeth to enforcement efforts.

Auto Trend reports Rep. Carolyn McCarthy, D-NY, has introduced legislation that would federalize cell phone use by drivers. The proposal would require the U.S. Department of Transportation to set a national standard, which would prohibit hand-held cell phone use by drivers unless there was an emergency.

“Driving while making a phone call, texting or using apps can be as dangerous as driving drunk, and much more common,” Rep. McCarthy said. “With some basic commonsense rules that are already in place in some parts of the country, we can reduce injuries and save lives in America.”

Voice-operated and vehicle-integrated services would be excluded. Supporters acknowledge the cognitive distraction posed even by hands-free devices but say eliminating the manual distraction of hand-held devices is an important step in the right direction.

The bill would also require the feds to conduct a study on the issue of distracted driving, particularly as it relates to cognitive distraction and the impact on young, inexperienced drivers. The report would be due to Congress within two years and would make recommendations regarding minimum distracted driving laws and the associated penalties. States would have two years to comply or risk losing 25 percent of their highway funding. It’s the same tactic the feds have used to bring all states into compliance with the nationwide limit of .08 for drunk driving. Withholding highway funding was also used to gain compliance with the nationwide 55 mph speed limit, which was repealed in the 1990s.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports 5,474 people were killed in distracted driving crashes in 2009 — representing about 1 in 6 traffic fatalities.
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June 29, 2011

AAA Says Fourth of July Traffic Will Dip, But Boston Car Accidents May Not

by Jeffrey S. Glassman

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.
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June 25, 2011

Can Red Light Cameras Prevent Car Accidents in Massachusetts?

by Jeffrey S. Glassman

According to recent press release from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, nearly 200 lives were saved in 2004 to 2008 because of red light cameras that were installed in 14 of the biggest cities in the United States. The Institute believes that if these cameras would have been in all large cities, car accidents in Boston and elsewhere would have been avoided and another 815 lives could have been saved.

“The cities that have the courage to use red light cameras despite the political backlash are saving lives,” says Institute president Adrian Lund.

Our Boston car accident attorneys realize that motorists may need some extra enforcement to help them to abide by traffic laws, because apparently the risk of a car accident isn’t enough. Researchers discovered that these cameras do just that. In the areas in which cameras were placed, red light running crashes fell nearly 40 percent.

The most surprising fact that was concluded from this study was that these red light cameras not only reduced the number of fatal red light running accidents at these intersections in which they were installed, but all types of fatal accidents in these areas were decreased. One reason this may have occurred, researchers believe, is because motorists feel that the eye in the sky subconsciously makes them be more cautious and follow road laws.

According to the study, if these cameras were kept in place for 5 years in all 99 U.S. cities with populations over 200,000, then more than 800 deaths could have been avoided.

Since the 90’s, red light cameras have served as a low-cost way to police intersections. Roughly 500 U.S. cities currently use the intersection technology.

Some people are opposed to the eye in the sky though, claiming it’s just another revenue-generating scheme that violates drivers’ privacy.

“Somehow, the people who get tickets because they have broken the law have been cast as the victims,” Lund says. “We rarely hear about the real victims — the people who are killed or injured by these lawbreakers.”

In 2009, red light running took the lives of nearly 700 people. Running red lights also injured roughly 113,000 people on our roadways. About two-thirds of the people who were killed in these accidents we people other than the red light runners. Those killed were either occupants of other vehicles, passengers in the red light runners’ vehicles, bicyclists, or pedestrians.

“Examining a large group of cities over several years allowed us to take a close look at the most serious crashes, the ones that claim people’s lives,” says Anne McCartt, Institute senior vice president for research and a co-author of the study. “Our analysis shows that red light cameras are making intersections safer.”

A recent letter to the Taunton Daily Gazette stated that the use of these cameras was clear and concise — to effectively save lives. The writer of the letter believed that drivers should be held accountable for their actions even when there are no police around. It went on to say that the community welcomes technology designed to keep people safe and prevent more tragic losses. This letter was written by Paul and Sue Oberhauser, Co-Chairs of the Traffic Safety Coalition, who lost a loved one because of a red light-running motorist.
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June 20, 2011

New Data — Still too Many Car Accidents in Massachusetts

by Jeffrey S. Glassman

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration‘s 2008 data, Massachusetts experienced more than 300 deaths from car accidents in Boston and elsewhere throughout the state. This study illustrates an 8 percent decrease from the previous year. But wait! NHTSA data for 2010 for Region 1, which includes Massachusetts, indicates an 18 percent increase in these motor vehicle accident deaths from 2009.

Our Boston car accident attorneys recognize that these statistics help us to examine traffic trends and help us identify problem areas that need to be focused on to help prevent future traffic accident deaths in our area. Even with the recent decrease in the number of accidents, we’re still way over the average from just 2 years ago. More needs to be done to raise driver awareness to get drivers to focus on the roadway.

In 2009 in Massachusetts, 44 percent of drivers that were involved in an accident with an intoxicated driver died. The majority of motorists killed on our roadways lost their lives on non-interstate roadways with a speed limit of at least 55 mph. Nearly half of all those killed in traffic crashes in our state were killed in a passenger car, which is the most common to drive in the United States. The next deadliest vehicle on our roadways was light trucks, counting for more than 30 percent of the total vehicles involved in fatal accidents.

It’s surprising that Massachusetts has such high motor-vehicle death rates considering we have strict seat belt laws. Law enforcement enacted seat belt laws as a secondary enforcement, meaning that you can receive a ticket for not wearing your seat belt after being pulled over for another violation. This applies to all drivers and can land you with a $25 fine. This may be a main contributor to our observed seat belt use rate of 98 percent for the year. There are exemptions to this rule though. Taxis, buses, school buses, medical, postal service vehicles, commercial vehicles that make frequent stops and all vehicles built before 1965 are exempt from the seat belt law.

Later this summer, the preliminary stats for 2010 car accidents will be released. As our economy recovers, many safe driving advocates expect all of these numbers to rise. Data from the last few decades illustrates that the number of motor vehicle accidents directly mirrors the economy.

In an attempt to reduce these fatality numbers even more, we offer all motorists these driving tips:

Slow down. Driving above the speed limit greatly reduces the amount of time you have to react to a road hazard. Increased speed also increases the impact upon collision which increases your risk of serious injury — or death.
Look around. Always be aware of your surroundings. Don’t get lost in the hypnotic stare in the lane in front of you. Know what is to your left, right and rear at all times.
Double check. Look, and look again, before making any maneuvers on the roadway.
Seat belt. The use of a seat belt has been proven to greatly reduce your risk of injury and death in the event of a motor-vehicle accident.
Checkup. Be sure to always keep your vehicle in proper-running condition.
Blind spots. Be careful of the blind spots of your own vehicle and the blind spots of other vehicles. If you can’t see another driver, they can’t see you.
Blinkers. Always use your turn signals to alert other drivers of your plan of action on the road.
Weather. Always adjust to weather conditions, whether that means slowing down, tuning on your hazard lights or turning on your lights.

June 16, 2011

AAA Offers Teen Driving Info in Massachusetts to Reduce Number of Teen Car Accidents in Boston

by Jeffrey S. Glassman

Massachusetts is a state that offers new teen drivers a three-stage licensing process in an attempt to keep our young drivers safe and out of car accidents in Boston and elsewhere throughout Massachusetts. Our state has picked up on this system because it has proven to help teens become better drivers by allowing them to gradually gain exposure to driving situations through an increased amount of supervised driving, learner’s permits and junior operator’s licenses.

All of this information, and more, is available to you through a custom website designed by AAA’s Keys2Drive: The AAA Guide to Teen Driver Safety. This is a newly launched website that allows residents in any of the 50 states to select their state to view personalized information about their teen drivers.

Our Boston personal injury attorneys would like parents to know that the most important thing they can do to increase the safety of their teen driver is to get involved in their learning process. It is important that you coach your teen, allow them plenty of supervised driving time and talk with them about the dangers and consequences of poor driving habits. Being involved in your teen’s learning process will help you to keep an eye on their progress and ultimately decide when they’re ready to get their license and jump behind the wheel.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there were nearly 2,500 teen drivers killed during motor-vehicle accidents in 2009 alone. Another 196,000 teen drivers suffered injuries during these accidents. Throughout that entire year, more than 5,000 15- to 20-year-old drivers were involved in motor-vehicle accidents that resulted in a motorist death. In Massachusetts, there were nearly 200 teen drivers killed in these accidents in 2009.

Parents are, in large-part, responsible for teaching their teen driver’s safe driving habits. Parent involvement should be used to try to better prepare our teens and to try to reduce the number of these fatal accidents.

According to the customized AAA website for Massachusetts, parents should try the following to help teach their young driver:

Provide your child with at least 100 hours of supervised driving before you allow them to hit the road solo. It is recommended that you complete the hours during all times of the day.
Allow your teen to drive in a number of conditions. Allowing them to drive through different weather conditions and through varying road conditions will help them to gain experience and should better prepare them for almost anything driving has to throw at them.
Shower them with positive feedback, when deserved. It is important to remain calm and talk positive through them. Yelling at them will only frustrate them behind the wheel and negatively affect their driving abilities.
Set good examples. When your teen is a passenger in your vehicle, make sure you’re practicing what you preach; don’t speed, put down your phone, abide by traffic laws, wear your seat belt, the list goes on and on.

As motor-vehicle accidents continue to be the number one killer of teens, more than cancer, homicide and suicide combined, parents are urged to get involved and stay involved. With the proper education and experience, we can help decrease the risks of these deadly accidents for our teen drivers.

It is also recommended that you create a parent-teen driving agreement between you and your teen to help the two of you agree upon some ground rules for driving.
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June 13, 2011

How often do Elderly Drivers Cause Car Accidents in Boston?

by Jeffrey S. Glassman

It’s no secret that our eyesight, our function, our coordination and our other safety skills unfortunately decline with age. Do we honestly know when it’s finally time to call it quits? Doing so can help guard against the dangers of being involved in a serious — or fatal — car accident in Boston.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there are a few warning signs that may signal to us that were no longer able to drive safely. Health Day suggests that you look within yourself to answer this question as no one is able to judge you better than yourself. Is it safe for you to be driving?

Our Boston car accident lawyers understand that aging comes with a number of obstacles, with older drivers having some of the greatest risks for serious injury. You are urged to follow the advice and recommendations in this blog, and honestly ask yourself, “Am I safe behind the wheel?”

Are you experiencing any of the following:

-Are you getting lost when taking a familiar route?

-Are you getting ticketed for numerous driving violations?

-Have you been getting into fender-benders or near-misses?

-Are there new scratches or dents on your car?

-Have you received a recommendation from a doctor suggesting that you reduce your diving or stop altogether?

-Do you have health problems or are you taking medications that can affect your driving?

-Do you find road signs or road markings overwhelming?

-Do you find yourself driving too fast or too slow for no particular reason?

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, citizens aged 65 and older made up nearly 15 percent of the total resident population in the United States in 2009. Of this 15 percent, nearly 5,500 people of this age group were killed in motor-vehicle accidents throughout the year. Another 187,000 seniors suffered injuries from these crashes.

The older driving population made up nearly 10 percent of all people injured in traffic accidents in 2009 and made up nearly 20 percent of all traffic fatalities. The number of injured drivers in this age group increase 2 percent from the previous year.

Nearly 100 elderly drivers, those above the age of 64, were killed in motor-vehicle accidents in Massachusetts in 2009.
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