Motorcycle Accident

March 14, 2011

Rates of Boston Car Accidents Decrease – Residents Still Asked to Stay on Alert

“We must remain vigilant in addressing roadway safety issues where the greatest impact can be made, such as distracted and teen driving. As miles traveled start to rise again from recession lows, we want to ensure the continuance of this downward trend,” says Janet Froetscher, president and CEO of the National Safety Council.

Boston car accidents and accidents elsewhere in 2010 are down 3 percent from the previous year. According to the National Safety Council (NSC), nearly 35,000 fatalities occurred in 2010. Experts credit the recession as a main factor for the decreased number of car accidents.

Boston personal injury lawyers encourage you to practice safe driving habits regardless of the recent statistics. Although fatalities in Boston resulting from car accidents continue to decrease, we must continue to do our part to keep our roads safe. According to NSC, Massachusetts suffered 330 car accident fatalities in 2010.

NSC points fingers at a number of variables that contribute to the decrease in fatalities. They start be crediting law enforcement — including laws and regulations regarding child passengers, distracted driving, teen driving and seat belt usage. Many say the reduction in motor vehicle accidents is largely credited to new state driving laws, such as hand-held phone and texting bans and seat belt laws.

Motor vehicles not only cause devastating injury and fatalities to vehicle occupants, they also present a large amount of cost in medical expenses, employer costs, property damage, lost wages and productivity, and administrative expenses. In 2010, the estimate cost for car accident injuries, fatalities and property damages was nearly $227 billion, also a 3 present decrease from 2009.

The Massachusetts Department of Motor Vehicles would like to offer you a few resources:

–Massachusetts Driver’s Handbook

–Massachusetts State Police

–DMV customer service and RMV locations.

We ask that all residents and visitors continue to practice safe driving habits on Massachusetts roads in hopes of decreasing fatality rates even more.
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March 13, 2011

Teens exceed speed limits causing increased risk in Boston car accidents

by Jeffrey S. Glassman

Teen drivers may not fully understand the severity of their actions behind the wheel and the importance of road safety rules. This is the last of a four-part blog covering the dangers of teen driving and Boston car accidents. Recently on our Boston Car Accidents Lawyers Blog we discussed the risk of drunk driving and distracted driving among Boston teenagers. As teens look forward to spring break, prom, graduation, and summer break, they will be hitting the road in large numbers.

Boston car accident lawyers can tell you that speeding is one of the main factors contributing to Massachusetts traffic accidents. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates that 31 percent of fatal accidents were caused by speeding — claiming the lives of nearly 12,000 motorists last year.

Men between the ages of 15 and 20 were most likely to be involved in speeding accidents. In 2008, a total of 363 motorists were killed in Massachusetts car accidents.

The U.S. Department of Transportation sets speed limits to not only ensure the safety of our roads, but to maximize the efficiency of traffic flow as well.

Here, The NHTSA provides a brochure to help teens understand the rules of the roads and speed limits. It is important to remember that if our teens do not understand the dangers and consequences speeding may have on them and others on the road, they are less likely to obey speed laws and adjust their driving behavior to weather and traffic conditions.

If you’d like to help spread the message to your teens and others, you are encouraged to join the “Speed Shatter Life” campaign organized by the NHTSA.
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March 10, 2011

Boston car accidents caused by drunk teen drivers

by Jeffrey S. Glassman

We began discussing the dangers of teen driving habits by previously addressing the issues of distracted driving and Massachusetts teens on our Boston Car Accident Lawyers Blog. As the third part of a four-part blog we are now going to address the effects of teens and drunk driving and the risk of Boston car accidents.

Boston car accident attorneys are well aware of the severity of teen crashes and the corresponding involvement of alcohol. In 2008, one in three drivers under the age of 21 who were killed in a car accident involved an intoxicated driver. According to The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), of all drinking and driving incidents involving teens, 1 in 5 involved fatal crashes.

In a recent study conducted by Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), 60 percent of drivers surveyed admitted to operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol at some point in time.

In 2008, nearly 14,000 people were killed in alcohol-related car accidents. Massachusetts drunk driving accidents are the leading cause of fatal Boston car accidents. The NHTSA reports that of the 417 fatal accidents in Massachusetts, alcohol was involved in nearly 200 of them. Those two hundred alcohol-related fatalities make up a staggering 42 percent of all road fatalities.

Of the total amount of fatal car accidents among teen drivers, 30 percent of those drivers did not have a valid driver license or had previous license suspensions or revocations.

The NHTSA reports that one person dies from an alcohol related driving fatality every 48 minutes, tallying nearly 11,000 lives taken by irresponsible and drunk driving.
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November 19, 2010

Government priorities in Mass: Fewer motorcycle accidents, drunk driving accidents, distracted driving accidents involving young drivers

by Jeffrey S. Glassman

The National Transportation Safety Board has released its Most Wanted List of Transportation Safety Improvements this week. The list will go to state governments, which are encouraged to use it in setting priorities. Our Boston injury lawyers note that many of the government’s priorities involve safety topics and risk factors we discuss here frequently.

“State governments are in a unique position to effect the most significant improvement in certain areas of transportation safety,” NTSB Chairman Deborah A.P. Hersman said. “Our Most Wanted List spotlights those states that have made noteworthy progress in better protecting the traveling public – and those that have not.”

Improve Motorcycle Safety
The number of fatal motorcycle accidents more than doubled from 1997 to 2008. Head injuries are the leading cause of death. The NTSB therefore recommends helmet laws. Currently 20 states require helmets for all riders. Twenty-seven states have partial helmet laws and three states — New Hampshire, Iowa and Illinois — have no helmet laws.

Massachusetts motorcycle accidents killed 41 riders in 2008.

Distracted Driving car accidents involving young drivers
Car accidents are the leading cause of death for young people ages 15 to 20. Graduated Drivers License systems and more involvement from parents during the driver’s education process could help reduce the risks. Additionally, the government backs cell phone bans and text messaging bans for young drivers.

Better Child Occupant Protection
Nearly half of children ages 4 to 8 who are killed in car accidents are not properly restrained. The government recommends booster seats for children ages 4 to 8.

Primary Seat Belt Laws
More than half of the 23.000 occupants killed in car accidents last year were not wearing seat belts. Belts reduce the risk of serious or fatal injury by about half.

Eliminate Hardcore Drunk Driving Twenty-two years ago the nation’s deadliest drunk driving accident occurred when a driver slammed into a bus in Kentucky, killing 27 people. The driver had a history of drunk driving and a blood-alcohol level of .26. In the last decade, 81,000 have been killed by hard-core drunk drivers.
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September 20, 2010

Massachusetts traffic accidents expected to post across-the-board declines in 2009

by Jeffrey S. Glassman

As our Boston injury lawyers await the release of Massachusetts traffic statistics for 2009, a look at the national statistics shows a decline in serious and fatal accidents across the board.

The number of fatal Massachusetts traffic accidents declined to 334 last year, from the 364 reported in 2008, according to the new statistics released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Nationwide, 33,808 traffic fatalities were reported last year, compared to the 37,423 people killed in 2008. It was the fewest killed on the nation’s roads since 33,186 died in 1950.

Injury accidents and motorcycle fatalities also declined for the first time in a decade.

While safety officials were quick to credit enforcement efforts, including seat belt campaigns and anti-drunk driving efforts, other safety advocates also point to the downturn in the economy as a primary reason for the overall reduction in serious and fatal traffic crashes.

The Governors Highway Safety Association also points to the federal focus on distracted driving and the dangers of cell phone use and text messaging as a primary reason for the reduction.

It is very encouraging that fatalities have declined in all categories and vehicle types. It is also a sign of great progress that reductions were achieved in forty-one states,” said Executive Director Barbara Harsha. “Secretary LaHood’s focus on distracted driving has brought an unprecedented focus to behavioral highway safety, and as a result, lives are being saved.”

Traffic Fatalities: 33,808; down 9.7 percent from 37,423 Passenger Vehicles: 23,382; down 8.2 percent from 25,462 Large Trucks: 503; down 26 percent from 682 Motorcycles: 4,462; down 16 percent from 5,312 Pedestrians: 4,092; down 7.3 percent from 4,414 Bicyclists: 150; down 12 percent from 188
Injuries were also down in every accident category:

Total Injuries: 2.217 million; down 5.5 percent from 2.346 million Passenger Vehicles: 1.976 million; down 4.6 percent from 2.072 million Large Trucks: 17,000; down 26 percent from 23,000 Motorcycles: 90,000; down 6.3 percent from 96,000 Pedestrians: 59,000; down 14 percent from 69,000 Bicyclists: 51,000; down 1.9 percent from 52,000 Continue reading

September 13, 2010

Fatal Massachusetts car accidents follow nationwide decline in 2009

by Jeffrey S. Glassman

Four people an hour died on the nation’s roads last year, or almost 100 motorists a day. And more than 2 million were injured, according to new statistics released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Still, the nation posted the fewest fatalities than at anytime since 1950. A total of 33,808 motorists were killed last year, a decrease of nearly 10 percent compared to the 37,423 who died in 2008. The number of people who were injured in auto accident declined for the 10th year in a row, dropping to 2.217 million last year from the 2.346 million reported injured in 2008.

“Today’s announcement shows that America’s roads are the safest they’ve ever been,” U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said. “But they must be safer. And we will not rest until they are.”

Fatal Massachusetts car accidents declined to 334, from the 364 reported in 2008. The 30 fewer fatalities represent a decline of 8.2 percent, slightly less than the national average. As our Boston car accident attorneys have reported, Massachusetts has been one of a dwindling number of states that have not enacted a texting and driving ban or other laws to combat distracted driving. A new law has since passed and could further reduce the number of serious and fatal accidents in the coming year.

Mass Live reports that Massachusetts did have the fewest fatal accidents per capita, at 5 deaths per 100,000 residents.

Fatalities declined across all categories, including motorcycles; the number of fatal motorcycle accidents declined by 850, the first drop in more than a decade. Still, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for those ages 3 to 34.

“Today’s numbers reflect the tangible benefits of record seat belt use and strong anti-drunk driving enforcement campaigns,” said NHTSA Administrator David Strickland. “But we are still losing more than 30,000 lives a year on our highways.”

A total of 41 states reported fewer accidents, led by Florida (422 fewer fatalities) and Texas (405 fewer).
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August 30, 2010

Lynn car accident blamed on drunk driver; moped rider seriously injured

by Jeffrey S. Glassman

A Lynn, Massachusetts drunk driving accident is being blamed for seriously injuring a man riding a moped early Saturday morning, the Item reported.

The accident happened about 1:30 a.m. Saturday at the intersection of North Street and Liberty Hill Avenue, according to Salem police.

As Labor Day approaches, it is a good time to remind friends and family members about the dangers of drinking and driving. Somewhere in the United States, a motorist is killed in a drunk driving accident every 45 minutes, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Nationwide, about one-third of all fatal accidents involve alcohol, leading to 11,773 deaths in 2008.

And this was the second serious Massachusetts scooter accident in as many days. We reported on our Boston Personal Injury Attorney Blog that an emergency room doctor was killed in a scooter accident in Boston on Friday.

In this case, the 35-year-old rider was transported to Massachusetts General Hospital with serious injuries. The 25-year-old driver of the Passat allegedly failed several field sobriety tests and was placed under arrest on a second offense of driving under the influence of alcohol. She also faces a felony charge of operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol with serious bodily injury.

Police say she tested .17, over twice the legal limit. Her driver’s license was seized and destroyed by police. The moped suffered heavy front end damage and the rider was ejected as a result of the accident.
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August 26, 2010

Rider safety courses aimed at reducing serious and fatal Massachusetts motorcycle accidents

by Jeffrey S. Glassman

Safety advocates hope new mandatory training for underage riders will help reduce the risk of serious and fatal Massachusetts motorcycle accidents involving teenagers.

Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick signed the new law requiring riders ages 16 to 18 to take the course before applying for a junior license.

Dubbed “Ryan’s Bill,” the measure is named for a Brockton teen who was killed in an accident, according to the Milford Daily News. It had the support of safety and riding advocates, including the Massachusetts Motorcycle Association.

The association reports that about 1 in 4 fatal motorcycle accidents involve riders under the age of 21 and more than half of all fatal crashes involve riders with no formal rider safety training.

Before the new law, young riders needed only to pass a vision test and a written examination. The motorcycle association said the safety courses will be available in more than a dozen locations across the state.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports 5,290 riders were killed in accidents nationwide in 2008 and more than 96,000 were injured. Motorcycle accidents in Massachusetts killed 41 riders that year.

The law is named for Ryan Orcutt, who was 16 years old when he died in a motorcycle accident.
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August 22, 2010

Accident involving police officer a reminder for motorists to help reduce risk of Boston motorcycle accidents this fall

by Jeffrey S. Glassman

A Boston motorcycle accident injured a police officer Saturday morning, the Globe reported.

A Honda Civic collided with the Boston police motorcycle near the Thomas P. O’Neill Tunnel, shortly after 8:30 a.m., according to Massachusetts State Police.

The officer was transported to Massachusetts General Hospital for treatment of undisclosed injuries.

Motorcycle riders will be out in large numbers through the upcoming Labor Day weekend and the remainder of the summer riding season. Also this weekend, the Massachusetts Motorcyclists Survivor’s Fund hosted Nelson’s Ride, an 11th Annual Event in memory of a 37-year-old Essex rider who was killed in a motorcycle accident after a teenage driver pulled out in front of his bike.

The memorial ride began in Gloucester and went through Manchester, Beverly, Wenham, Hamilton, Ipswich and Essex.

The accident resulted in 2004 Nelly’s Bill, which is a law aimed at motorcycle awareness programs in high school drivers education courses. The program reminds drivers to “Check Twice.”

That is advice we should all follow as riding season enters the final frenzied months of fall.
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July 19, 2010

Massachusetts semi accident, Boston motorcycle accident contribute to deadly weekend on the roads

by Jeffrey S. Glassman

A deadly weekend of Massachusetts traffic accidents involved a wrong-way driver, a fatal motorcycle accident and a deadly Massachusetts semi accident, the Boston Herald reported.

Two people were killed in a Worcester, Massachusetts car accident early Saturday morning on Route 190. Massachusetts State Police report that the accident happened about 3:20 a.m. when a 23-year-old Worcester woman traveling south in the northbound lanes hit a truck driven by a 23-year-old Fitchburg man.

Both were pronounced dead at the scene. A passenger in the truck was transported to a local hospital in critical condition.

An hour later on Route 495 north in Haverville, a New Hampshire motorist was killed in an accident. Authorities report she struck a guardrail and spun into the path of a tractor trailer. The force of the impact ejected her from the vehicle and she was then struck by a second semi. Police are investigating whether she was using a cell phone at the time.

ABC5 reported that a Boston motorcycle accident killed a rider and injured three others in a crash Saturday night at the intersection of Rutherford Avenue and Austin Street in Charlestown.

Cause of that accident remains under investigation by the Boston Police Accident Reconstruction Team.
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