Articles Posted in Car Accidents

A teen car accident over Thanksgiving weekend highlighted several examples of how bad decisions can lead to a chain reaction of severe consequences. The only positive is that no one involved in the Massachusetts car accident suffered life-threatening injuries or had to be transported to a hospital emergency room.

WPRI reports a 16-year-old took his father’s car for a ride without asking permission on one of the busiest travel weekends of the year. This poor decision had several negative consequences including a crash with another vehicle, fleeing the scene of an accident, the vehicle catching on fire and several charges as a result of the accident.

The teen driver, after crashing into a 2000 Pontiac with two passengers, was later found walking West on Route 1 about a half-mile away. He was picked up by police and later identified by a witness after he was brought back to the scene. The vehicle the teen was driving caught fire after a spark ignited a flame, but firefighters were able to put out the fire before too much damage was done. Attleboro Police are charging the teen with operating an unregistered vehicle, driving without a license, driving under the influence of alcohol and leaving the scene of an accident. The teen was released under his father’s custody and awaits a court date with an Attleboro Juvenile Court judge.

Car accident attorneys in Quincy, Attleboro, Worcester, Norwood and elsewhere in the state know that roadways will be extra congested from now until the end of the year, so there is no time like the present to exercise caution every time you get behind the wheel.

Teenagers who make bad decisions can expect to face severe consequences, which is why it is so important to practice safe driving during the busy holiday season.

Teens are reminded of these general tips from teendrving.com:

-If multiple drivers use a family vehicle, adjust the mirrors, seat and headrest to fit your size each time you get behind the wheel.

-Limit teen passengers and never overload the vehicle with more passengers than are meant to ride safely in the vehicle.

-Always follow posted speed limit. Speeding makes it difficult to stop or avoid contact when a dangerous situation arises.

-Never make motorists play a guessing game. Communicate with turn signals, blinking lights or hand gestures when changing lanes or waiting at a four-way stop sign.

-Never drink and expect to drive. Underage drinking is extremely dangerous and puts you and other motorists at severe risk of injury or death.

-Check the gas gauge when you start the engine to make sure you have plenty of gas to get to your destination.

Teens who drive cautiously are making smart decisions that could save a life. Avoid a car accident this holiday by driving safely every time you get behind the wheel.
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A 38 year-old Massachusetts man was killed recently when he stepped out of his vehicle to inspect the damage following a minor collision with a guardrail. Masslive.com reports the fatal

The holiday season is officially here and motorists from around the country will be making Massachusetts their holiday vacation destination. To help keep our roads safer and to help you avoid a car accident in Boston, the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) is here to encourage drivers to plan ahead and keep safety as a top priority for their holiday road trips.

As the holiday traffic rolls in, MassDOT encourages drivers plan their route accordingly. Typically, Exit 9 on I-90 that connects I-84 to Connecticut and New York sees extremely busy toll plazas and some heavy, congested traffic. To avoid any delays, drivers are urged to steer clear of these areas or to travel through early in the morning or after 8:00 p.m. During this time, traffic is lighter and can help to keep your trip moving on schedule.

Our Massachusetts car accident lawyers understand that traffic also get backed up both at the I-95 and I-495 Turnpike interchanges and at the northbound lanes of I-93 and I-495 heading into New Hampshire. Planning your trip accordingly can help you to avoid any serious delays or a potentially fatal accident.

“Safe travel is our top priority, and we encourage Commonwealth residents to plan ahead for holiday travel,” said Richard A. Davey, MassDOT Secretary and CEO.

To help you with your holiday travels, MassDOT offers motorists with an interactive road camera website with nearly 100 road cameras along the state’s highways. These cameras refresh the images every couple of seconds to provide you with real up-to-date traffic data. You also have the 511 traffic alert program to help provide you with important messages regarding traffic details throughout the holidays.

The 511 program was designated by the Federal Communications Commission in 2000 and allows the state to provide important travel info regarding roads conditions statewide. The service provides up-to-date traffic updates for major Massachusetts roadways, including roadways in South Coast, Central Mass and Western Mass.

MassDOT is also offering important winter safe driving tips for holiday drivers:

-Motorists should always drive with your vehicle’s headlights on in the winter weather.

-Always observe posted street signs and speed limits.

-You should never drink and drive, especially during the holiday season. Alcohol-related accidents increase significantly during Christmas and New Year’s.

-Always be sure that everyone in your vehicle is wearing a seat belt. Massachusetts state law says that all occupants must be properly restrained in a vehicle.

-Keeps a heads up for changing weather. Adjust your driving accordingly.

-Always keep a safe distance between you and the vehicles around you. Never tailgate.

-Use your emergency flashers when you’re driving slower than the posted speed limit or when you’re stopped near traffic.

-Always factor in extra time to get to your destination.

-Plan regularly scheduled breaks to avoid fatigued driving when traveling long distances.

-Have you car looked over before venturing out. Check your battery, fluids and tires.

-Carry emergency equipment with you. Make sure to have a cell phone, road flares, a jack, a lug wrench, a spare tire, etc.

From our attorneys to your family, have a Happy Holiday Season and safe travels.
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Gas prices may be a little higher than expected, but that’s not stopping Americans from hitting the road over the Thanksgiving holiday. According to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, nearly 43 million Americans will be traveling at least 50 miles over the Thanksgiving weekend. This is an increase of nearly 5 percent from the number of travelers from the previous year. The increase in roadway traffic is expected to increase the risks of a Massachusetts car accident. Drivers beware.

Despite the higher gas prices, drivers are still making the journey. Last week, the average price for a gallon of gas in the country was $3.39. Just a year ago, it averaged $2.88.

Our Boston car accident attorneys understand that our roadways will be congested with anxious drivers over the upcoming weekend. Motorists are urged to plan ahead and to be prepared to help ensure roadway safety. There are a few simple preparations that a driver can take to help to make sure they make it to their Turkey Day destination safely.

During Memorial Day travel was flat and travel actually decreased during both the 4th of July and Labor Day this year compared to the previous year. Experts suggest that travelers stayed home and kept an eye on their bank accounts, but are saying that finances are not a concern with Thanksgiving and many will venture out.

“Driving AAA’s projected increase in the number of Thanksgiving travelers is pent-up demand from Americans who may have foregone holiday travel the last three years,” said vice president of AAA Travel Services, Bill Sutherland.

A majority of Thanksgiving holiday weekend travelers will be taking road trips, although AAA expects that air travel is also expected to increase. AAA says that this year’s air travel will increase by about 2 percent from the previous year even though the Air Transport Association of America is forecasting a 2 percent decrease.

For the books, Thanksgiving weekend starts Wednesday the 23rd and continues through Sunday the 27th, according to CNN.

Road Trip Travel Checklist:

-Service your car before heading out on a long trip. Make sure a mechanic okay’s your tires, fluid levels, etc.

-Bring extra tools with you. It’s a good idea to bring a tire pressure gauge (check tire pressure often), flash light, jumper cables, hand wipes, water, a quart of oil, an extra fan belt, your vehicle manual, garbage bags, etc.

-Take a peek at your spare tire to make sure it’s easily accessible and is properly inflated.

-Make sure you have jacks in your vehicle and make sure they work.

-Check to make sure you’re able to remove all four tires.

-Always carry a road emergency kit.

-Bring a portable first aid kit.

-All passengers should have their own set of car keys.

-Make sure to have a road map. GPS devices are nice, but make sure to keep a paper map with you for backup.

-Check your route beforehand. Make sure there aren’t any events along your route that could hinder traffic. If so, find an alternate route.

-A few days before leaving, make sure that everything fits in your vehicle and does not hinder your visibility.

-Be aware of the road laws in states you’ll be traveling in as they can vary.

-Always be sure to bring your cell phone and its charger. Bring a written list of important phone numbers.

-Leave early and leave plenty of time to be spontaneous or to address delays.

-Be sure to take breaks often.

-Bring plenty of activities to entertain children: toys, games, music, a journal, etc.
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With Daylight Saving Time, the sun sets sooner and the day turns to night quicker. Nighttime hours are a common backdrop for drowsy driving-related car accidents in Massachusetts. To help raise awareness about the dangers of sleepiness at the wheel, the National Safety Council and the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety have teamed up for this year’s Drowsy Driving Prevention Week, going on all this week through Saturday. During this time, these organizations are looking to educate drivers about the dangers, risks and consequences of drowsy driving.

A recently released study from AAA concluded that although more than 95 percent of surveyed drivers said that drowsy driving was completely unacceptable, more than a third still admitted to driving while they were so tired that they could barely keep their eyes open at least once in the last 30 days.

Our Boston car accident lawyers understand that one out of every six fatal car accidents involves a drowsy driver. One out of every eight injury car accidents reportedly involves a drowsy driver. Drivers age 16 to 45 admitted to driving while drowsy at least once or twice a week. Experts believe that these statistics are probably a lot higher because a driver involved in an accident is likely hesitant to admit that he or she was drowsy.

“People know that they shouldn’t text or drink when they drive, and that’s great,” says David Cloud, CEO of the National Sleep Foundation. “However, many don’t realize that driving while drowsy is also very dangerous.”

A majority of fall-asleep accidents occur on high-speed roadways, such as highways and interstates. When driving drowsy, it is not unlikely to fall into 3- or 4-second time slots of microsleep. If you’re traveling at 65 mph, you could travel the entire length of a football field without ever even knowing it.

How does drowsy driving affect drivers?

-It can slow reaction time.

-It can impair your ability to see the roadway effectively.

-It can delay your ability to process information.

-It can cause lapses in judgment.

Signs of a sleepy driver:

-Feeling irritable, aggressive or restless.

-Yawning a lot.

-Missing traffic lights, turns, exits or road signs.

-Being unable to remember the last couple of miles driven.

-Swerving in and out of lanes.

-Having a difficult time keeping your head up.

-Daydreaming.

-Having a tough time focusing.

-Blinking excessively.

-Having heavy eyelids.

To help prevent a drowsy driving-related accident, you’re urged to get a good night’s sleep before heading out on a long car ride. You should never be on the road during times when you’d normally be sleeping. Stop and stretch every two hours or every 100 miles. Drivers who travel with a passenger are 50 percent less likely to be involved in a drowsy driving-related car accident. One of the most common mistakes made is that drivers attempt to push through the sleepiness. Nothing could be more dangerous.
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A recent car accident in Massachusetts in the Pine Point neighborhood left a man with serious injuries and sent to Baystate Medical Center, according to MassLive.com. The accident happened around 8 a.m. when a van crashed into a car at the intersection of Berkshire Avenue and Boston Road.

According to Dennis G. Leger, fire department spokesman, upon impact, the car flipped over and rescuers had to use the Jaws of Life to quickly get one of the passengers out of the vehicle.

Our Boston car accident attorneys understand how serious accidents can be, even at low speeds. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration most people who break speed limits on local roadways live in the neighborhood in which they’re breaking the law. Our driving habits are crucial in creating a safe environment for everyone on the road. You would think that motorists would be extra careful in areas where their family and loved ones live, but that’s not always the case.

You may think that since neighborhoods are away from highways, interstates and congested traffic that they’d be safe, but that’s not necessarily the case. There are so many dangers that are presented to motorists on these roadways. Drivers must always be on the lookout for children playing, pedestrians exercising, cars reversing out of driveways, school buses stopping, parked cars and animals that may suddenly run out into the roadway. Drivers should always drive cautiously in these areas and remember that the same road rules apply to them.

Dangers to keep an eye on when traveling through a residential neighborhood:

-Children. Young ones use the neighborhood as their own playground. Car accidents are the number one cause of death for children age 4- to 14-years-old in the U.S. Keep an eye out for children running through the streets.

-Pedestrians. Many residents like to get out and stroll through the neighborhood while the weather still permits. Make sure to keep an eye out for all travelers, including pedestrians, bicyclists, skaters and pets.

-Parked Cars. This may seem like a simple obstacle to avoid, but many drivers pay no attention at all. It’s also important to keep an eye out for people exiting these vehicles parked on the side of the road. Children can dart from behind the parked car as well. Always pass with caution, slowly and allow plenty of room.

-Blind Spots. Neighborhood landscaping and other obstructions can block a driver’s view. Always approach areas with tall bushes, trees, parked cars and light poles with extreme caution.

It only takes one second of distraction or inattention for any of the dangers to get a hold of you and to cause a serious car accident. Neighborhoods are supposed to be a safe place we call home. Please drive with caution to help ensure your family and your neighbors stay safe.
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With the recent snowstorm, our state is struggling with downed power lines, lost power, weather-related car accidents and closed schools. Governor Deval Patrick recently spoke with officials from utility companies to learn about the storm’s damage.

Until our state can recover from the damage, residents are urged to stay away from down power lines and to stay off the roadway if possible. More than 20 people have died because of storm-related car accidents in New England. One person was electrocuted in Springfield.

“There were at the height some 700,000 customers without power, that was down to about half a million earlier this morning and they’ll continue to drive that down,” said Patrick.

Our Boston car accident attorneys are here with some simple and helpful safety tips to keep everyone safe until officials are able to restore life to working conditions. The recent storm dumped more than a foot of snow on some parts of the state. More than 600,000 were left without power. As of Sunday night, nearly 500,000 people were still without power.

“There are more utility crews out then ever before and they’ve come from all around the Commonwealth and other parts of the country,” said Governor Patrick.

In Pennsylvania, nearly 430,000 residents have lost power. Nearly 200,000 people in Philadelphia lost power. About 125,000 residents in Connecticut are without service. New York and New Jersey have also experienced sporadic power outages and nearly 30,000 are out of service in Maryland.

With no electricity, icy road conditions, road debris and downed power lines, we urge all motorists to stay off of the roadways. If you absolutely have to venture out of the house and into your vehicle, make sure you do so safely and follow these simple driving tips.

Safe driving tips from Boston Volvo Village:

-Make sure you have weather worthy tires. Make sure that they’re not worn. Tires can serve as your first line of defense against sliding your way right into an accident.

-Make sure you tire pressure meets the tire’s requirements. Cold air causes the air in your tires to contract.

-Avoid any sudden movements on our roadways. Only change lanes and make turns when absolutely necessary.

-Brake slowly to avoid losing traction, sliding or spinning.

-If you start to skid and you’ve got anti-lock brakes, steadily apply pressure to your vehicle’s brakes and turn your wheel in the direction you’re skidding.

-If your vehicle gets stuck, don’t spin out your tires. This can make them hot and cause them to burst. Simply rock your vehicle back and forth gently.

-Keep your gas tank full. You don’t want to run out of gas in the middle of a storm.

-Remember to use your vehicle’s parking brake in rainy, cold and snowy weather.

-Never use your cruise control when you’re driving along a slippery road.

-Always travel with a cell phone for emergency purposes.

-Always carry a breakdown emergency kit. This kit should include road flares, food, water, medications, blankets, hand warmers, gloves hats, a brightly-colored cloth for hour antenna and emergency information.

-Make sure your exhaust pipe is always clear.

-Accelerate slowly in the snow.

-Stop slowly to avoid skidding.

-Allow greater following distance between you and the vehicle in front of you. Normal following distances are acceptable at three to four seconds. In snowy condition, following time should be eight to ten seconds.

-Never stop if your vehicle is climbing an icy hill.
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