Articles Posted in Car Accidents

Summertime traffic accident data concludes what police officers and road patrol units already know — July and August are the deadliest months on U.S. roadways as they typically see the most car accidents in Boston and elsewhere throughout the country.

An annual analysis of traffic collisions in Indiana reveals that of the 701 fatal accidents, one in five of them occurred in either July or August, according to Pharos-Tribune.

Our Massachusetts personal injury attorneys understand that many residents and visitors will be hitting our roadways through the remainder of summer to enjoy summer vacations and the warm summer weather. After a few consecutive years of declining traffic fatality numbers, recent numbers have not been so uplifting. Even Indiana has seen a significant increase in both passenger vehicle and motorcycle fatalities, especially during the summer months.

As a matter of fact, U.S. roadways in 2010 witnessed the lowest number and rate of fatal traffic accidents since 1949. Our country was able to experience these low fatality numbers even though the number of miles that Americans drove during the year increased significantly.

“Last year’s drop in traffic fatalities is welcome news and it proves that we can make a difference,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. “Still, too many of our friends and neighbors are killed in preventable roadway tragedies every day. We will continue doing everything possible to make cars safer, increase seat belt use, put a stop to drunk driving and distracted driving and encourage drivers to put safety first.”

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) projected that there was a near 5 percent decrease in the number of traffic fatalities between 2009 and 2010.

“The decrease in traffic fatalities is a good sign, but we are always working to save lives,” said NHTSA Administrator David Strickland. “NHTSA will continue pressing forward on all of our safety initiatives to make sure our roads are as safe as they can possibly be.”

In an effort to stop some of these potentially fatal traffic accidents, the Massachusetts State Police will be conducting a number of random sobriety check points.

“Too many of our friends and neighbors are killed in preventable roadway tragedies every day. We will continue doing everything possible to make cars safer, increase seat belt use, put a stop to drunk driving and distracted driving and encourage drivers to put safety first,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood.

In 2008 alone, there were nearly 400 traffic fatalities that occurred in the state of Massachusetts. More than 40 motorcyclists died, 74 pedestrians were killed on our roadways, more than 160 were killed in alcohol-related fatalities and 20 deaths happened because of motor-vehicle accidents that involved a large truck. Most of these accidents happened in Worcester and Middlesex Counties. When this data is broken down into percentages based on the population of each county, Berkshire and Franklin counties had the highest fatal car accident percentages for that year.

While fatality numbers continue to rise slowly, there’s no doubting that the next two months will be some of our deadliest. Motorists are asked to travel with caution and to practice alert and defensive driving habits to help prevent serious injury or death on our roadways.
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Reducing the number of distracted-driving car accidents in Boston maybe easier than we ever expected. According to U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, both Syracuse, New York, and Hartford, Connecticut recently experienced significant reductions in distracted driving after both cities conducted pilot projects that measured the effect of increased law enforcement coupled with high-profile public education campaigns.

“These findings show that strong laws, combined with highly-visible police enforcement, can significantly reduce dangerous texting and cell phone use behind the wheel,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. “Based on these results, it is crystal clear that those who try to minimize this dangerous behavior are making a serious error in judgment, especially when half a million people are injured and thousands more are killed in distracted driving accidents.”

Our Massachusetts car accident attorneys recognize the serious, and potentially fatal consequences of distracted driving. Reducing this behavior can help to prevent a number of traffic fatalities every year. This recent study proves that media campaigns, similar to the highly-successful national seat belt campaign, “Click It or Ticket,” combined with increased police enforcement, can help to stop dangerous driving behavior. These types of traffic accidents, including those caused by distracted driving, are 100 percent preventable and we need everyone’s participation to help save lives on our roadways.

Syracuse and Hartford both stepped up their enforcement game to warn drivers about the dangers of distracted driving. During their increased enforcement efforts, New York saw a decline in handheld cell phone use and texting behind the wheel by roughly one-third. Hartford was fortunate enough to experience nearly a 60 percent drop in handheld device use. The number of texting drivers in Hartford dropped by nearly three-quarters.

“The success of these pilot programs clearly show that combining strong laws with strong enforcement can bring about a sea change in public attitudes and behavior,” said NHTSA Administrator David Strickland. “We applaud the work of the men and women of the Syracuse and Hartford police forces, and call on state legislatures, law enforcement and safety advocates across the nation to follow their lead.”

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has decided that they’re going to make an attempt at taking this project even farther. They would like to test this same three-part formula on an even bigger scale. They’re going to push tough laws, strong enforcement and ongoing public awareness, but at the state-wide level.

Nearly 5,500 people died in traffic accidents that involved a distracted driver in 2009 alone. Another 500,000 people suffered injuries as a result of these incidents. Distracted-driving related deaths accounted for nearly 20 percent of all traffic fatalities in 2009.

Currently, there are 34 states, the District of Columbia and Guam that have already enacted texting bans. Nine states, the District of Columbia and the Virgin Islands have enacted laws that prohibit all hand-held cell phone use while driving.

In Massachusetts, school bus drivers and those who are 18-years-old and younger are prohibited from using a cell phone while operating a motor vehicle. All drivers are banned from texting while driving a vehicle.
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A Boston car accident ended when a vehicle drove off a retaining wall last week. That’s not all. Before taking a 15-foot drop off the wall, the two teen occupants of the vehicle ran over a construction workers leg, according to 7 News.

“The car is a total and the damage…is unrepairable. It’s a total wreck,” said Kevin Bearde, the tow truck owner.

Our Massachusetts car accident attorneys are glad to report that the teen occupants are okay despite extensive damage to the vehicle. The construction worker was taken to Boston Medical Center with a broken leg. The young drivers are now facing charges of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon.

We all know that teen drivers possess much less experience behind the wheel than you and I. For this reason, it is not only important to be thoroughly involved in the driving education process, but to also step in when picking out their first vehicle. The following tips will help you through the process.

Is it better to buy a new or a used vehicle?

You’re almost always better off purchasing a used vehicle over a new one. If you buy a certified pre-owned car you will still be able to enjoy the benefits of new-car like warranty, and perhaps, better financing rates.

“A first time driver doesn’t need a new car, but of course they want one,” says Lori Mackey, president of Prosperity4Kids. “The depreciation, probability of fender benders and the price tag [means new] is not the most logical way to go.”

Yes, brand new cars will come with the latest safety features, but late-model vehicles will also come with airbags, anti-lock brakes and electronic stability control. Late-model vehicles will also be more realistic when it comes to power and performance features. It’s important to put your teen driver in a vehicle they can handle.

“I see these young, inexperienced drivers in Mustangs, BMWs, and large SUVs. These automobiles are big, powerful and difficult to control for even experienced drivers. In the hands of a new driver, they can be deadly weapons,” says LeeAnn Shattuck, co-owner and chief car chick with Women’s Automotive Solutions.

Which car is safest for me teen?

Once you’ve figured out whether you’re going to go new or used, it’s not time to figure out which type of vehicle you’re going to go with. It’s important that you review safety and crash-test information. This information can be found on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety websites. At this point in the game it’s important for you to look at a vehicle’s reliability and quality rating.

“Choose a car with a responsive chassis — one with good handling, quick steering and great brakes — that takes advantage of a teen driver’s naturally quick reaction skills,” advises Gritzinger.

Tiny cars typically come at a cheaper price, but smaller cars can be problematic. The smaller the car, the less likely it is to protect passengers in the event of a traffic accident.

“Your teen is safest in a mid-sized sedan with a four cylinder engine, airbags and a good crash test rating,” says Shattuck.

Take your time. Picking the perfect car should be no quick process.

Picking out a vehicle, for anyone, takes a lot of work and research. Get out there and test drive potential purchases. Check out Kelley Blue Book and Edmunds.com for pricing information,

“Don’t feel you have to buy the first car you see,” says Nerad.

Keeping them safe behind the wheel.

Discuss the importance of safe driving habits with your teen. Inform them about the potentially deadly consequences of poor driving habits. Make sure your teen understands all of the rules of the road. Try creating a parent-teen contract to help enforce these rules and to hold your teen accountable for their driving habits.

“Having a car is not a birthright,” says Gail Cunningham, spokesperson for the National Foundation for Credit Counseling, who raised four children. “Today’s teens seem to think that they should have a car waiting for them in the driveway when they return home from the Motor Vehicle Department with their driver’s license. If that’s right for your family, fine. But don’t be held hostage to peer pressure, and by that I mean from other families who are buying their teen a car.
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Recently in a four-day span there were three major car accidents in Boston on the Massachusetts Turnpike. They all happened within a 5-mile stretch. Two people were killed in these accidents and a handful of motorists were flown to local hospitals, according to the Framingham Patch.

You can expect traffic in the greater Boston to be congested and dangerous as we typically see an increase in the number of motorists on our roadways during the summer months. It is important to focus on safe driving habits while traveling on any of our freeways or interstate roads. Our Boston car accident attorneys understand that car accidents on these roadways can result in serious, if not fatal, injuries. Motorists are asked to be alert and focus behind the wheel and to abide by all road rules and signs to ensure the safety of all road travelers.

Another one of these accidents caused Massachusetts State Police to shut down the right eastbound lanes, near mile marker 113 on the turnpike. This accident involved a pedestrian and a tractor trailer. Troopers from the Weston Barracks responded to reports of a female pedestrian being hit by a tractor trailer on the Massachusetts Turnpike eastbound in Framingham on recent evening.

The pedestrian was a 45-year-old female from Framingham. After the accident, she was airlifted to Beth Israel Hospital in Boston.

According to a State Police press release, the woman suffered serious injuries. She was last reported to have been talking and alert. It is still unknown why the woman was walking on the highway. State Police are still investigating the accident.

A first-grader was killed in a rollover accident that recently occurred when a car, transporting a mother and her two children, went off an embankment and rolled over. None of the occupants were wearing seat belts. All of them were taken to Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston.

Lastly, a motorcyclist was killed in an accident on the Turnpike after colliding with another motorcycle in Natick, at mile marker 113.

To increase the safety of everyone on our Interstates, follow these Interstate driving Tips:

-When jumping on the interstate, make sure you are following the posted speed limit. It is important that you make sure to enter the Interstate at the same rate of speed that other drivers are traveling.

-When you change lanes, make sure that you use your turn signal to alert drivers of your intended maneuvers.

-Abide by the speed limit once you’re on the roadway. Under no circumstances should you exceed this limit. It is also important that you don’t dip under the speed limit. Stay with the flow of traffic and within road regulations.

-When passing another vehicle, make sure there is no one in the lane you’ll be entering. Make sure that you do not have to break any of the road rules to do so. Be sure to use your blinker and make sure you’ve cleared the vehicle you’re passing before entering back into your original lane.

-Never use a cell phone while driving on our interstates. Engaging in driving distractions will slow your reaction time and in such fast moving traffic, you need every second.

-When you’re being passed, don’t speed up or slow down.

-When you see a car pulled over on the side of the road, be courteous if you can and slide other to the lane furthest from them. Be sure to check for other vehicles before changing lanes.

-When you’re leaving the interstate, get in the appropriate lane as soon as possible. Don’t make any last minute moves to avoid missing your exit. Be sure to use your turn signals.

-Never walk along an interstate. Pedestrians are at high risks for injuries when walking near these speedy lanes of travel. It should be avoided.

-Never follow another vehicle too closely. Allow plenty of space between your car and the vehicle in front of you. You’ve got the entire interstate, use it!
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