Articles Posted in Pedestrian Accidents

According to a recent news report from the Boston Globe, a 69-year-old woman from Plymouth, Massachusetts was killed while walking her son’s dog. The victim was said to have loved walking this dog and had lost almost 100 pounds from these walks, which were up to three miles per day.

Around 8 a.m. 39-year-old defendant allegedly hit and killed victim with his car. Defendant lives a few blocks from victim. The dog was also killed during this fatal accident. However, defendant is alleged to have fled the scene following this deadly crash.

Authorities claim he told them he thought he only hit a dog and not a person. He said he heard a “thud” but did not feel an impact. One witness says he just hit her and left her on the side of the road. It should be noted defendant pleaded not guilty and has not been convicted of any crime in connection with this fatal Massachusetts car accident at this time. Prosecutors have, however, charged defendant with motor vehicle homicide by negligent operation and leaving the scene of personal injury and property damage and have held him in jail pending trial, as he could not post bail, which a district court judge set at $25,000 cash. This is not unusual, as Massachusetts has created a bail system that has virtually done away with bail bonding agents.

Defendant’s attorneys have stated in court he heard the thud, thought he might have hit the dog, but could not see the victim because her body had been thrown over a large snow bank. They further said their client drove off in an attempt to follow the dog, which he believed to still be alive, but the dog ran off and seemed fine, so he went to work. They asserted that this was not the kind of situation where their client knowingly left a person to die. During the bail hearing, his attorneys also said the sun glare had affected his vision at the time of the tragic accident.
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According to a recent story from 7 News Boston, a pedestrian was killed in a crash in Cambridge. Police are reporting that a car traveling in the eastbound lane of Memorial Drive hit a 50-year-old man.

Police are still investigating the cause of the accident and why the man was in the roadway. The man was taken to Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, where he was pronounced dead.

Our Boston car accident lawyers know a motor vehicle crash involving a pedestrian often leads to serious injury or death. In these tragic cases, it is often a surviving spouse, child, or parent who will file a case on behalf of the decedent’s estate. The decedent’s estate is entitled to any financial compensation for pain and suffering the victim experienced before death. The estate may also be entitled to lost wages, medical bills that stemmed from the accident, and funeral expenses, if that money was paid from the assets of the estate.

Surviving heirs may be entitled to file claims in their own capacity for loss of consortium and negligent infliction of emotional distress. There may also be a possibility for “special damages,” which your car accident lawyer can explain.
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Mayor de Blasio has made it his goal to reduce pedestrian accident deaths in New York City — with an ultimate aim of zero fatalities. A big part of the effort being made centers around giving more jaywalking tickets. This is not a new idea, as CBS reported that Mayor Menino’s efforts to reduce pedestrian deaths in Boston in 2010 included an effort to obtain permission for the city to write bigger tickets for jaywalking.

Jaywalking is unquestionably dangerous, as drivers should not cross against the signal or walk out in front of cars when doing so is not safe. Police cracking down on the behavior could also be effective as a deterrent to prevent jaywalkers from breaking the rules of the road. However, with finite police resources, it is also important that law enforcement continue efforts to stop the most dangerous driving behaviors, including driving distracted or impaired.
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Federal lawmakers have introduced the Safe Streets Act of 2014 into the United States Senate. The goal is to reduce the number of pedestrian accident fatalities occurring across the country.

Pedestrian deaths have become a serious problem. From 2009 to 2012, there was an average 4.9 percent increase in pedestrian motor-vehicle deaths each year. The result is that deaths went up around 15 percent even as the overall number of traffic fatalities in other categories declined by three percent. The Safe Streets Act could improve conditions and bring this death toll down, but unfortunately it is unlikely to make any kind of real difference.
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Massachusetts is widely known for its university campuses. For decades, campuses have been swarming with pedestrians, cyclists, and cars full of students coming to and from class. Combine this busy all-day traffic with distracted drivers, pedestrians with headphones, cellphones and general distractions and you have a scene ripe for accidents. Tufts University departments are teaming up to launch an extensive campaign to improve safety for pedestrians. After a string of accidents and hundreds of on-campus accidents nationwide, other universities should consider following the lead.

Pedestrian safety on-campus can prevent accidents and injuries. Our Massachusetts pedestrian accident attorneys are dedicated to helping victims and their families recover compensation and move forward after an accident. We are also dedicated to safety and awareness campaigns that aim to prevent future accidents and injuries. In-line with the goals of Tufts, we believe that implementing regulations and raising awareness is critical in reducing the overall number of campus pedestrian accidents.

Nationwide, there has been an increasing number of pedestrian and cyclist accidents on public and private university campuses. This could be partly related to a spike in matriculation; however, it could also be related to driver and pedestrian distraction. Universities and other public health agencies are urging students, teachers and staff to remain aware of the dangers of busy, high-traffic campus intersections and to take precaution while on campus.
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One driver is in some serious trouble, and facing some serious charges, after allegedly killing a man at a bus stop in Cape Cod.

According to CBS Boston, it happened along Route 28 when the driver was reportedly attempting to escape officers. As he drove off erratically, officers backed off. Eventually, his tire blew and the man pulled into a nearby parking lot, where he is accused of slamming into a man waiting for the bus. The pedestrian was killed almost immediately.

The defendant has been charged with failing to stop for police officers along with other various motor-vehicle violations and is being held without bail.

Our Boston pedestrian accident lawyers understand that pedestrians are oftentimes threatened by the dangerous and irresponsible driving habits of others. Unfortunately, we can’t rely on their driving habits to keep us safe out there. That’s why it’s of utmost importance that we’re always aware while traveling on foot and we remain one step ahead of the traffic around us. Our lives depend on it.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there were close to 100 pedestrians killed in the state of Massachusetts in 2010. These fatalities accounted for nearly 20 percent of all of the traffic fatalities recorded throughout the entire year. The problem is that much of Massachusetts relies on walking to get to where they’ve got to be. We’re blessed with short commuting distances, but we’re plagued with irresponsible drivers.

While walking throughout the state, we’re asking you to be especially caution while moving at night. This is when a majority (close to 70 percent) of pedestrian accidents occur.

If you’re older, we’re asking you to be careful, too. According to the NHTSA, older pedestrians (age 65+) accounted for close to 20 percent of all pedestrian fatalities and an estimated 11 percent of all pedestrians injured in 2010.

Would you believe that there are 2 million? That’s what the Boston Public Health Commission says. And according to the official census, about 600,000 people call Boston home. That means the rest are likely unfamiliar visitors and workers. With that many people walking in our city, pedestrian safety is an issue of critical importance.

As pedestrians, we can help to reduce our risks for these accidents by following the road laws and keeping a heads up.

Pedestrian Problems:

-Only about 10 percent of pedestrians wait for the “WALK” signal before attempting to cross the road.

-About a third of all pedestrians jaywalk.

-Close to all drivers yield to pedestrians when the walkers have the right-of-way. Only about 50 percent yield when the driver has the right-of-way.

It’s getting warm out there, and the sunny weather is providing the perfect conditions to get outside, enjoy the scenery and get some exercise, all while saving on fuel consumption. But you don’t want to run the risks of getting into a potentially fatal accident with a motor vehicle. Stay alert and stay alive.
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On November 21, 2012, a 21-year-old Tufts student was hit by an SUV when crossing at the intersection of Powderhouse Boulevard and Packard Avenue. The student was critically injured, prompting Tufts to launch an investigation into the safety of the intersection.

Our Boston pedestrian accident attorneys applaud the efforts of Tufts University in taking action to work to make the intersection safer. The accident serves as an important reminder that a poorly designed or poorly lit intersection can be extremely dangerous and illustrates the potential harm that can result from bad road design.

The Investigation into the Pedestrian Accident
The investigation launched by Tufts University will involve a review of the area where the accident occurred. A consultant has been hired to study the crossing and to provide advice on what modifications can be put into place to improve safety. The recommendations will then be reviewed and hopefully implemented to make the intersection safer.

According to Boston.com, some steps have already been taken to reduce the risk to pedestrians. For example, new signs and new lights have already been added. Further steps as recommended by the transportation engineer reviewing the intersection should hopefully help to avoid any future accidents.

Tufts has also contracted with the transportation engineering company to begin a review of all of the roadways on the school’s campus once the review of the dangerous intersection has been completed. By studying all of the intersections and providing advice on how to make them safer, the transportation engineering company can hopefully help to prevent more students and visitors from losing their lives.

What Happens When a Pedestrian Accident is Caused by a Dangerous Roadway?

Pedestrian accidents caused by dangerous roadways can be devastating, especially when the pedestrian suffers critical injuries or is killed. The injured pedestrian or surviving family members of a pedestrian who is killed may be left with significant financial losses as a result of medical costs and lost earning potential. The victim or surviving family members also suffer intangible losses such as pain and suffering, emotional distress and loss of companionship.

If the accident was truly caused by a dangerous intersection, other avenues of recovery may be available in addition to holding the at-fault driver accountable.

In certain cases, the person or entity who was responsible for the design of the dangerous intersection can be held accountable. However, there are limitations on when this is possible. If the entity responsible for designing and maintaining the roadways was a government agency or a government employer, then governmental immunity may apply. This doesn’t mean it is impossible for an accident victim to file a lawsuit to recover damages as a result of an accident caused by a poorly designed intersection — but it does make it more difficult for the injured person to take legal action and win.
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Local officials are looking to better pedestrian safety at the Bianculli Boulevard/Morrissey Boulevard intersection. This recent safety effort comes after a local resident, Savin Hill, posted a video about the ongoing dangers that pedestrians face at this intersection.

Passing traffic is not only threatening to pedestrians, but it’s threatening to all travelers of the area.

According to the Boston Globe, reps from the Department of Conservation and Recreation, elected area officials and state police visited the area, which is a gateway onto the University of Massachusetts Boston campus. This area was recent dubbed a “human frogger” game by one local blogger.

Our Boston personal injury lawyers understand that there were close to 250 pedestrians in the state of Massachusetts who sustained severe or incapacitating injuries in motor vehicle crashes in 2008. It’s important that our city is equipped with the devices that are needed to help to keep our walkers safe, especially because pedestrian traffic is so prominent in the area. According to the Boston Public Health Commission, about 10 percent of pedestrians actually wait for the “Walk” signal before crossing the street. About a third of all pedestrians jaywalk. What’s even worse is that only about 95 percent of drivers yield to pedestrians. Many of these dangers can be reduced, if not eliminated, if our roadways were more equipped for this kind of traffic.

At a recent meeting regarding the dangerous intersection at Morrissey Boulvard and Bianculli Boulevard was the City Councilor Frank Baker, state Senator Jack Hart and state Representative Marty Walsh. And they promised action.

Officials with the Department of Conservation and Recreation say that they’re going to be making some short-term improvements to the area and to the pedestrian traffic signals at that intersection to help to make sure that vehicular traffic will stop when pedestrians need to cross.

Hart says the he hopes that the action of local officials will help to alleviate the concerns regarding pedestrian safety in the area. Officials are also hoping to create and implement a long-term solution in the area soon. A completely new design for the intersection may be soon in the works.

Officials have already scheduled a follow-up meeting with officials of UMass Boston, the Department of Conservation and Recreation and Massachusetts State Police.

According to the official census, about 600,000 people call the City of Boston home. When you add the workers and the visitors who come to the city each and every day, there is an estimated 2 million pedestrians. This is another reason why pedestrian safety is, and should be, an issue of critical importance. Drivers are asked to be cautious throughout the entire area to help to protect our most vulnerable travelers.
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Officials are investigating an accident that has claimed the life of a 38-year-old man.

According to NECN, a young bicyclist was also seriously injured in the accident. She was taken to the hospital for treatment. The incident occurred about 2:00 p.m. on Temple Street in Whitman.

According to officers, the little girl and her mom’s boyfriend were trying to cross the street, but weren’t doing so in a crosswalk. The driver involved in the accident was driving a pickup truck. He said that he tried to stop and then tried to help the victims. The Whitman Fire chief also tried to help. The accident happened right outside of his house. The young bicyclist was transported to Massachusetts General Hospital. The truck involved in the accident had firefighter plates, but authorities don’t think he’s a firefighter.

They did however, confiscate his cell phone as a part of the investigation. It has not been determined whether he will face charges.

“We don’t know why they might have been in the street or any other contributing factors of the nature of the crash,” said Tim Hanlon, Deputy Chief.

Our Whitman pedestrian accident lawyers understand the risks that our residents face when walking neighborhoods. Even in residential areas, motorists show little concern for pedestrians. They forget that these individuals have rights on the road, too! Unfortunately, about 20 percent of all traffic accident fatalities in the state of Massachusetts in 2008 involved pedestrians. During that same year, there were nearly 250 pedestrians who were seriously injured in these kinds of accidents too, according to the Massachusetts Department of Public Safety.

The likelihood of hitting a child pedestrian is higher when the motorist is returning home from work. Most child pedestrian injuries occur between 3:00 and 5:00 p.m. For K-3 most injuries occur by running into the street mid-block, while older children are most often injured at intersections.

The truth of the matter is that many of these accidents happen outside of a crosswalk. Pedestrians are urged to not only cross at street corners, but also in crosswalks whenever possible.

Officials with WalkBoston are working diligently to help to make the area safer for all pedestrians and travelers. One of the keys to making this happen is to design streets so that they’re safer. Officials with the group work to help local officials design and construct communities so that they’re more walkable.

How WalkBoston Can Help Community Leaders:

-Advise on walking improvements for the community.

-Provide guidance, moral support, technical assistance.

-Conduct a number of presentations on pedestrians advocacy and design.

-Demonstrate how these techniques are working across Massachusetts and elsewhere.

One of the main points officials with WalkBoston push for pedestrian safety is to get transportation officials to slow down their speed limits. As the speed of a motor vehicle increases, so does the risk for serious injury and death for a pedestrian in the event of an accident.
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