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If you have been involved in a car accident, securing traffic camera footage or police reports can be a pivotal step in building your case. In Massachusetts, the process of gathering this evidence is subject to specific procedures and local regulations. It’s recommended to enlist the help of an experienced attorney, as they have the resources to obtain these documents and file requests for public records.

However, it’s important to note that it’s uncommon for traffic cameras to capture footage of car accidents, or for such footage to be preserved for the benefit of victims. Hiring a professional significantly enhances your chances of obtaining this evidence. While every individual has the right to access public government records, not all records are public. Be prepared that there may be a fee associated with acquiring this information.

Traffic Camera Footage

Two years into the COVID-19 pandemic, pedestrian fatalities are reaching record territory as reckless driving plagues the nation’s roadways.

Massachusetts is no exception. On Dec. 15, 2021, a pedestrian was killed after being hit by a car in Brighton. A month earlier, a 37-year-old man landed in the hospital after being struck by a car in Norwood. In October, a school bus hit and killed a woman walking her dogs in Mattapan. A few months earlier, a pick-up truck struck a child in Dorchester. 

Unfortunately, the list of Massachusetts pedestrians who have sustained severe or fatal injuries after being struck by cars and trucks in recent months is too long to list here.

Electric car maker Tesla has started underwriting auto insurance for its customers in eight states. 

The insurance offered by Tesla General Insurance differs from other auto insurance policies in that Tesla uses policyholders’ real-time driving data to set policy premiums.

Currently, the company’s auto insurance is available to drivers in Arizona, Colorado, Illinois, Ohio, Oregon, Texas, Virginia, and California (in a limited capacity). Tesla has plans to roll out its insurance offerings in Massachusetts and other states by the end of 2022.

A car accident can shake anyone to their core and leave them feeling helpless. However, you must act quickly to ensure that your rights are protected and you have a speedy recovery. At the same time, you should know what to avoid to prevent any conflicts or complications. If you or a loved one has endured a car accident, following these dos and don’ts could save you a lot of time, money, and trouble.

Dos

• Call the police. Call 911 as soon as possible and then provide emergency personnel with all information about the accident so they can accurately document it, as well as safeguard people and vehicles involved.

During this time of year, people rush to visit family and friends and purchase last-minute gifts, making the roads busier than ever. In extreme weather, people tend to forget to slow down and be careful on the ice and the snow and instead focus on getting to their destinations as quickly as possible. 

Yet, driving in the snow and ice is no cakewalk, and drivers need to remember to be very careful. Before the next storm, keep these tips from Mass.gov top of your mind: 

• Invest in an Ice Scraper and Brushes: Remove snow and ice from your vehicles, including from your windows, bumpers, license plate, hood, and roof, before driving. 

After an accident, a Massachusetts driver can usually collect damages from the at-fault party’s insurance. However, there is a chance that the other driver does not carry insurance, which could make receiving compensation difficult, if not impossible. Approximately 6% of Massachusetts drivers do not have insurance, putting themselves and other motorists at risk of a frustrating financial struggle after a collision. Therefore, Massachusetts law requires drivers to carry uninsured motorist coverage.

Required Insurance Coverage in Massachusetts

This insurance covers bodily injury due to an accident and is known as uninsured motorist bodily injury (UMBI). Massachusetts drivers are required to carry $20,000 in UMBI coverage (up to $40,000 per accident). However, coverage for property damage is not required. This is known as uninsured motorist property damage (UMPD) insurance and pays to repair or replace the driver’s vehicle. Drivers in Massachusetts can also carry collision insurance, which covers repairs after any accident.

Millions of Americans will soon be boarding planes, trains, and automobiles to travel to see loved ones this holiday season. Our team at Jeffrey Glassman Injury Lawyers want to remind everyone traveling this holiday season to stay safe with these helpful travel tips:

• Avoid peak travel times: When planning your travel time, avoid peak dates and times. 
• Know your airport: If you are traveling by plane, make sure to know your route.Checking alternate airports can help in the long run; the smaller the airport, the fewer flights and delays. 

Often, we focus on is the rights of the drivers in the wake of a car crash. But what if you are a passenger? Do you have rights? 

The answer is yes. But it is not as simple as that. Massachusetts is a No-Fault State, which means that all drivers in Massachusetts must have Personal Injury Protection, which covers up to $2,000 dollars in medical expenses and up to $8,000 dollars in lost wages. 

Therefore, every person injured in the accident must receive compensation for the accident under their own insurance policy, regardless of who is at fault. This is in place in part to deter drivers from taking each other to court. 

A Newton man is standing trial for crashing into the front of a Newton restaurant in 2016, in an incident that killed two people and injured several others.

Such crashes are a hidden risk at strip malls, restaurants, bars, and other neighborhood shops throughout the Commonwealth. In fact, they are surprisingly common, and among the leading causes of death at business locations.

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Investigators say the driver was speeding when he plowed into the front of the Sweet Tomatoes restaurant in March 2016. The defendant’s attorney told jurors during opening statements that the driver suffered from multiple sclerosis and was having a medical emergency when he accidentally lost control of the vehicle, according to Boston 25News.

The driver has been charged with two counts of motor vehicle homicide. The first day of testimony in Middlesex Superior Court included a friend who testified the 57-year-old driver hurriedly ended a phone call with him in the moments before the crash.

“It was business as usual; the employees were going about their business, they were taking orders, they were serving their customers,” prosecutor Chris Tarrant told the jury, according to media reports. “They were waiting for food when, without warning, a silver SUV came crashing through the building that is Sweet Tomatoes at an extremely high rate of speed.”

Boston car accident lawyer know a premises liability claim may also be made in many such cases. Consulting a Massachusetts law firm experienced in handling collision claims involving businesses, property owners and other liable third parties will offer the best chance for obtaining a judgment for damages.

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