Thanksgiving and Christmas Travel Chaos: Logan, Mass Pike & I-93 Crash Risks

Thanksgiving and Christmas in Massachusetts often mean packed suitcases, kids in the back seat, and a race to Logan Airport, the Mass Pike, or I-93. At the same time, you see unfamiliar drivers pouring into Boston, aggressive lane changes near the airport, sudden slowdowns on the Pike, and stop-and-go traffic on I-93. One careless moment can turn a family trip into a serious crash that leaves you hurt, confused, and unsure about what to do next.

If you or someone you love has been injured in a holiday traffic accident, you are probably dealing with medical treatment, missed work, and constant calls from insurance adjusters. You may also be wondering how Massachusetts no-fault insurance works, when you can bring a claim against a careless driver, and whether you really need a lawyer.

Jeffrey Glassman Injury Lawyers represents people injured in crashes in Boston and across Massachusetts, including collisions around Logan Airport, along the Mass Pike, and on I-93. Our team helps clients understand their rights, deal with the insurance companies, and pursue the full compensation the law allows.  

Why Logan Airport, The Mass Pike, And I-93 Are So Dangerous At Thanksgiving

Holiday travel combines several risk factors that sharply increase the chance of a crash. Around Thanksgiving, traffic to and from Logan and along key highways often spikes, and so does the danger.

Common causes of Thanksgiving travel accidents include

• Heavy congestion and stop-and-go traffic near terminals, tunnel entrances, and interchanges
• Distracted driving by people using GPS, checking airline information, or texting family members
• Fatigue after late-night flights or long drives from out of state
• Drunk or drug-impaired driving after holiday gatherings
• Speeding to catch a flight or make a dinner reservation
• Poor weather, such as rain, snow, and early darkness

Logan Airport pickup and drop-off congestion

Roads around Logan are complex, with constantly changing signs, construction, and multiple levels for arrivals, departures, and rideshare pickup. Drivers often stop suddenly to look for their terminal or to pull over for a passenger. Others double park or dart across several lanes to reach the curb. Pedestrians with rolling luggage try to cross between vehicles. A moment of distraction can lead to rear-end impacts, sideswipe collisions, and serious injuries to people on foot.

Mass Pike holiday gridlock and high speeds

The Massachusetts Turnpike carries large volumes of holiday traffic, including many drivers unfamiliar with exits around Allston-Brighton, Newton, and the I-84 interchange. When traffic opens up, some drivers accelerate well above the speed limit. Abrupt slowdowns, lane changes near toll gantries, and merging traffic from on-ramps can lead to chain reaction crashes involving multiple vehicles.

I-93, tunnels, and the city on ramps

I-93 funnels commuters, visitors, and airport traffic through some of the most congested corridors in New England. Sudden braking inside the O Neill Tunnel, aggressive merges from ramps serving downtown Boston, and lane changes near the Zakim Bridge create constant hazards. In wet or icy weather, even a minor mistake can cause a multi-car pileup.

Real World Crash Scenarios Our Clients See

Here are examples of how Thanksgiving travel chaos can turn into a serious legal case

• A family heading to Logan for an early morning flight is stopped in the departure lane. An out-of-state driver looks down at a navigation app and rear-ends them at speed. The parents suffer neck and back injuries, and the children experience concussions.
• A college student driving west on the Mass Pike after the holiday hits a patch of standing water and hydroplanes. A tractor-trailer following too closely cannot stop in time and slams into the car. The student suffers broken bones and a traumatic brain injury.
• On I-93, a driver leaving a holiday party drifts across lanes while texting about plans for the weekend. The vehicle sideswipes another car, pushing it into the guardrail. The victim needs surgery and months of physical therapy.

These are the kinds of situations where understanding Massachusetts car accident law and getting help quickly can make a significant difference.

Your Legal Rights After A Massachusetts Thanksgiving Crash

No fault PIP benefits

Massachusetts is a no-fault state for auto insurance. Most drivers carry Personal Injury Protection, often called PIP, which pays up to $8,000 per person per accident for reasonable medical expenses and a portion of lost wages, regardless of who caused the crash.

If you have private health insurance, PIP pays the first 2,000 dollars of medical bills. Your health insurance takes over, with PIP potentially covering some remaining expenses up to its limit. If you have no private health insurance or rely on programs like MassHealth, PIP may cover the full $8,000. 

When you can sue for pain and suffering

No-fault coverage does not automatically pay for pain and suffering. To bring a claim against the at-fault driver for those non-economic losses, you must meet the Massachusetts tort threshold. In simple terms, you can pursue pain and suffering damages if your reasonable medical expenses exceed 2,000 dollars, or if you suffered specific serious injuries such as a fracture, permanent and severe disfigurement, loss of sight or hearing, loss of a body part, or death. 

Time limits to file a claim

Most car accident injury lawsuits in Massachusetts must be filed within three years of the date of the crash, under Massachusetts General Laws chapter 260 section 2A. If you miss that deadline, the court may refuse to hear your case, no matter how strong your evidence is. Exceptions exist, but they are limited and fact-specific. Early legal advice can help protect your rights.

Comparative negligence

Massachusetts uses a modified comparative negligence rule. If you are 50 percent or less at fault, you can still recover money, but your award is reduced in proportion to your share of responsibility. If you are more than 50 percent at fault, you are barred from recovering damages from the other driver. Insurance companies often use this rule to argue that injured people were mostly to blame, which is one reason why experienced legal representation is essential.

What To Do Immediately After A Holiday Car Accident

If you are involved in a crash near Logan, on the Mass Pike, or along I-93, these steps can help protect your health and your legal claim.

• Move to a safe location if possible and call 911. Report any injuries, no matter how minor they seem.
• Accept medical care at the scene and go to the hospital or urgent care if recommended. Some injuries, including concussions and internal damage, may not be apparent right away.
• Ask that the police prepare a crash report. This document often becomes a key piece of evidence.
• Exchange contact and insurance information with every driver involved. Get names and phone numbers for passengers and witnesses.
• Take photos or videos of the vehicles, road conditions, traffic signs, and any visible injuries.
• Do not apologize or argue about fault at the scene. Stick to basic facts when speaking with officers.
• Notify your insurance company promptly, but avoid detailed recorded statements until you have spoken with a car accident lawyer.
• Contact Jeffrey Glassman Injury Lawyers for a free consultation about your rights before signing any documents or accepting a settlement check.

When You Should Call A Car Accident Lawyer

You can file an insurance claim on your own. However, holiday travel crashes often involve complex facts and multiple insurers. You should strongly consider hiring an attorney if

• You suffered broken bones, scarring, head or spinal injuries, or any condition that keeps you out of work.
• Your medical bills are likely to exceed the PIP limit, or already have.
• The crash involved multiple vehicles, including a commercial truck, a bus, an airport shuttle, or a rideshare vehicle.
• An insurance company is blaming you, disputing fault, or saying your injuries are not related to the crash.
• A loved one was killed in a Thanksgiving travel collision.
• You are from another state and were injured while visiting Massachusetts.

In these situations, an experienced Boston car accident lawyer can handle the legal and insurance issues while you focus on healing.

How Jeffrey Glassman Injury Lawyers Helps After A Serious Crash

Jeffrey Glassman Injury Lawyers has focused on representing injured people in Boston and throughout Massachusetts since the mid-1990s and has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for clients across many types of injury cases. (

If you were hurt in a Thanksgiving travel accident, our team can

• Conduct a detailed investigation of the crash, including police reports, witness statements, surveillance or traffic camera footage, and data from vehicles.

• Work with accident reconstruction experts when needed in complex highway or multi-vehicle collisions.

• Identify every available source of insurance coverage, including PIP, MedPay, bodily injury liability, rental car coverage, and uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage.

• Coordinate with your medical providers to document your injuries, treatment plan, and long-term prognosis.

• Calculate your full damages, including medical expenses, future care, lost wages, reduced earning capacity, and pain and suffering.

• Handle all communication and negotiation with insurance companies, so adjusters stop calling you directly.

• File a lawsuit in a Massachusetts court when necessary and prepare your case for trial.

Our firm handles injury cases on a contingency fee basis. You pay no legal fee unless we obtain compensation for you through a settlement or verdict. 

Talk To Jeffrey Glassman Injury Lawyers About Your Thanksgiving Travel Accident

If Thanksgiving travel chaos at Logan Airport, on the Mass Pike, or along I-93 left you or a loved one injured, you do not have to face the insurance companies alone.

The attorneys at Jeffrey Glassman Injury Lawyers offer free consultations to people hurt in car accidents throughout Massachusetts. Our main office is located at One International Place in downtown Boston, and we represent clients statewide. 

Call 617 777 7777 any time, or reach out through the firm’s contact form to schedule a free case evaluation. There is no obligation, and you will speak with a team that is focused on helping injured people understand their options and pursue the justice and compensation they deserve.