Massachusetts Injury Attorney News

Various factors contribute to pedestrian accidents in Massachusetts. Pedestrian accidents are one part of a more extensive set of issues related to road safety in the state. Unsafe pedestrian conduct, driver behavior, and road conditions, among other things, all play a role in these serious accidents. While no single factor is solely responsible for pedestrian-vehicle accidents, a combination of conduct may contribute to this growing problem.

Although anyone can be involved in a pedestrian accident, children and teenagers are particularly high-risk. Walking is a major form of transportation for many teenagers and children in Boston and throughout the state. In addition, many children have the propensity to “dart out” in-between parked cars, and teenagers may be distracted by their phones. Both of these factors make an accident more likely to occur.

While many pedestrian-vehicle accidents involve negligence on the driver’s part, there are some situations where unsafe pedestrian behavior may lead to the incident. The leading cause of accidents involving unsafe pedestrian conduct include:

As many people know, Boston is frequently ranked as one of the most dangerous cities in the United States for drivers. While each new year brings room for improvement, Boston continues to lead the nation in accident claims. Data revealed that while most drivers report a collision about every ten years, the rate in Boston was approximately every 3.5 years. Moreover, over the last eight years, about 28% of Boston accidents result in non-fatal injuries, and there are approximately 22 fatal accidents every year. As such, it is crucial that Massachusetts accident injury victims understand their rights and remedies after a collision.

The majority of Massachusetts accidents involve distracted drivers and drivers under the influence of drugs or alcohol. These accidents can cause serious injuries to other motorists, bystanders, cyclists, and passengers. Passengers often suffer some of the most serious consequences because they maintain the least control over their situations. In most situations, these victims cannot swerve or move out of the way. This vulnerability leaves them at the will of a negligent driver.

For instance, Massachusetts news reports described a rollover crash involving a potential drunk driver. State police stated that the 28-year-old driver’s vehicle rolled over into a flooded gully on the side of 1-95 north. When troopers arrived, they removed the driver, a 27-year-old passenger, from the submerged SUV. The passenger was pronounced dead at a local hospital, and the driver was arrested later in the day. The driver is charged with various offenses, including operating under the influence of liquor, negligent operation, and felony motor vehicle homicide.

After a Boston car accident, those who wish to pursue compensation should contact an attorney to assist them through the complicated process towards recovery. Legal support is more than just representation during litigation. Instead, an attorney can provide critical assistance during all stages of the claims process. Boston personal injury claims require a thorough investigation of all aspects of the incident. Neglecting to engage in an appropriate and comprehensive investigation can lead to the demise of a case.

Investigations that occur shortly after an accident tend to result in the most fruitful outcomes. Prompt investigation can help avoid missing the statute of limitations or other crucial procedural deadlines. In some situations, attorneys can help preserve the accident scene and gather other time-sensitive information. Gathering evidence close to when the accident occurred can help strengthen the victim’s case. In many instances, injury victims are understandably focused on their physical and psychological recovery or are otherwise unable to get to the scene; in these situations, an attorney can ensure a timely investigation.

Despite facially similar characteristics, every accident is unique and requires an independent analysis of the situation. Many contributing factors may impact why an accident occurred. Skilled accident attorneys understand which facts and evidence are essential to a successful case. In many cases, evidence may not be easily accessible because of various reasons. However, attorneys have the legal knowledge and skills to gain access to crucial evidence. For instance, in a truck accident, a truck driver’s employee may refuse to provide details about their hiring and training protocols- a skilled attorney can cite the relevant laws that require the employer to provide that information.

Massachusetts accidents involving pedestrians struck by motor vehicles are one of the most devastating types of accidents a person can experience. The physical, psychological, and subsequent financial damages can have a lifelong impact on a person’s livelihood. Massachusetts pedestrian accidents involving motor vehicles can often lead to significant head injuries, spinal cord damages, broken bones, lacerations, and even death. All of these situations present significant expenses to a victim.

For instance, a recent Boston news report described a catastrophic accident that left a 28-year-old pedestrian in critical condition. According to witnesses, a driver in a Toyota Corolla was traveling east near Memorial Drive and DeWolfe Street when she hit the pedestrian. The driver did not suffer injuries and remained on the scene until emergency responders arrived. State Police told reporters that the case is under investigation.

After a Boston pedestrian accident involving a motor vehicle, a person or their loved ones should contact an attorney to discuss their rights and remedies against the negligent party. Pedestrians who wish to recover against a negligent driver must be able to prove that the other driver breached their duty of care and that breach resulted in the victim’s damages. In many cases, an insurance company is the first step in recovering damages. A party may not proceed with a personal injury lawsuit against the culpable party unless the victim meets the state’s tort threshold limits. For instance, a party may only file a lawsuit if the accident resulted in certain damages totaling $2,000 or higher. These damages must involve medical costs, broken bones, eye or ear injuries, permanent scarring or disfigurement. A pedestrian claim involving a motor vehicle accident may only proceed if it fits into this criteria.

As in-person schooling resumes, more children will be using Massachusetts school buses to get to and from school and after-school activities. Although school buses tend to be one of the safest ways to transport children to school, accidents resulting in serious injuries continue to occur. School bus accidents do not only include incidents involving motor vehicle collisions but other events such as falling while on the bus or being struck by the door while boarding or de-boarding. Massachusetts school bus accidents can be traumatizing to the children, parents, and school at large.

For instance, recently, a local news report described a Shrewsbury school bus crash on a busy Massachusetts roadway. According to witnesses, the school bus was making a left turn when a semi-truck collided with the bus. Emergency personnel were called to the scene and began transporting the children into ambulances. Fortunately, the bus driver and the injured children were discharged from the hospital with limited physical injuries. However, some children reported that they are continuing to experience anxiety following the collision. Parents told reporters that they reported the unsafe conditions of Route 20 and requested traffic signals; however, the city did not take any actions to remedy the dangerous road.

Massachusetts school bus accidents tend to be complex and require a thorough understanding of state and federal laws surrounding liability and immunity. However, there are many factors that courts will consider when determining fault and apportioning liability. For instance, the law does not require school buses to maintain seat belts, and most do not have them. The lack of seat belts can cause a child to be thrown or fall over when the bus driver brakes too hard or is involved in a collision. Further, in some cases, districts and city officials design unsafe bus stop locations.

Wrong-way car accidents occur when one or more vehicles travel in a lane opposite to the flow of traffic. According to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), wrong-way accidents do not occur as frequently as other types of accidents in Massachusetts. However, these accidents tend to result in more serious injuries and fatalities. These collisions are typically more severe because the wrong-way driver is usually unaware that they are traveling in the wrong lane. As such, the oncoming driver may be driving at high rates or erratically while drivers in the proper lane usually have little to no time to safely avert the impending collision. Wrong-way accident injury victims may be able to recover for their losses under Massachusetts personal injury laws.

Massachusetts wrong way car collisions usually occur because the negligent driver is intoxicated, under the influence of illicit or prescribed medication, distracted, or fatigued. Further, some of these accidents occur because the road conditions are unsafe or the weather presents motorists with obstructions related to fog, heavy rain or snow. The NTSB reports that these accidents are amongst the “most serious types of highway accidents.”

For instance, recently, a local news report described a harrowing Massachusetts wrong-way accident. Law enforcement responded to the scene of an accident in Somerset, Massachusetts. According to reports, an SUV driver was driving east on the highway’s west side when it slammed into a sedan. The sedan burst into flames, and the 21-year-old driver died at the scene of the accident. The 50-year-old SUV driver from Rhode Island, survived, but suffered serious injuries.