Boston Personal Injury Attorney Blog

A retired school principal in Arlington has spent more than $40,000 of his own money trying to prevent road improvements aimed at improving cycling and pedestrian safety and reducing the risk of bicycle accidents in Boston and Cambridge.

The Boston Globe reports the opposition has come in the wake of a plan to improve a mile-long stretch of Massachusetts Avenue, by creating wider sidewalks and dedicated bicycle lanes. A 71-year-old retired high-school principal is among the foes of the plan and has so far hired a law firm, an engineer and two consultants in an effort to prevent city leaders from moving forward.

So far, those efforts have been unsuccessful. As our Boston injury lawyers have reported, the area is beginning to be recognized nationwide for the improvements it has made the cycling infrastructure. But serious and fatal bicycle accidents continue to be a primary concern as hundreds of riders are seriously injured or killed each year in Massachusetts bicycle accidents.

In this case, opponents are arguing that Arlington has plenty of places for riders, including a nearby rail trail, and that alterations to Massachusetts Avenue would only encourage more cyclists to use the road and increase the difficulty of travel for motorists and emergency vehicles.

Arlington town officials first unveiled the $6 million plan several years ago. Leaders hope it will continue to encourage commuters to ride bikes or walk, rather than add their vehicle to the congested roads. Critics are particularly concerned about the close proximity to the popular Minuteman Bikeway, which is less than a block away. They are concerned improvements could act as an invitation for thousands of cyclists to begin using the roadway, which could actually increase the dangers.

Continue reading "Arlington bicycle accidents a concern as city leaders push forward with Massachusetts Avenue improvements" »

The Boston Globe recently addressed confusion regarding right-of-way rights as the Minuteman Bike Trail crosses numerous streets between Cambridge and Bedford.

Stop signs for traffic and painted crosswalks mark just about every crossing on the bike trail. But stop signs are also posted on the trail, essentially turning each crossing into a four-way stop. The Arlington Police Department reports that pedestrians have the right of way, both on the path and in the crosswalks. Bicycles are considered a moving vehicle and should stop at stop signs and wait for traffic to clear before proceedings.

If cyclists want motorists to yield, they should dismount and walk across the crosswalk. By dismounting, cyclist becomes a pedestrian with the right-of-way -- this rule applies wherever there is a crosswalk, not just on the bike trail.

Massachusetts bicycle accidents continue to be a real threat. The Boston Globe reported more than 700 cycling accidents occurred in 2008. Nationwide, 716 cyclists were killed and more than 52,000 were injured, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Massachusetts pedestrian accidents killed 75 people in 2008, accounting for about 1 in ever 5 Massachusetts traffic fatalities. Nationwide, 4,378 pedestrians were killed and more than 69,000 were injured.

The bike trail is a wonderful resource for Massachusetts residents. And, as Boston strives to make the city more bike and pedestrian friendly, walking and cycling have become more enjoyable. Understanding the rules, for motorists, cyclists and walkers alike, will help make it more enjoyable and safer for all involved.

You can visit the system's website for more information on Minuteman Bikeway.

Continue reading "Understanding the rules can help reduce risk of Boston pedestrian accidents, bicycle accidents" »

Authorities are investigating a fatal Massachusetts bicycle accident that involved a semi and claimed the life of a 40-year-old woman on Martha's Vineyard.

According to the Martha's Vineyard Gazette, the cyclist died on State Road near Camp Street, just west of Main Street. The crash happened just after 2 p.m. Tuesday and the 18-wheeler had just come off a Steamship Authority ferry.

While Massachusetts State Police are investigating, reports indicate the woman may have fallen off the bike and into the path of the oncoming semi. The woman, who was wearing a helmet, went under the flatbed portion of the semi.

Police report heavy traffic at the time of the crash and an accident reconstruction team traveled to the island as well as a separate truck accident investigation unit.

The woman was riding with a group of nine cyclists at the time, including her husband and two daughters, ages 7 and 10.

Those involved in an accident with a semi in Massachusetts should always consult a Boston injury lawyer experienced in handling cases involving large commercial trucks. Many state and federal regulations govern trucks and truck drivers, which do not apply to accidents involving passenger vehicles. The weight of a truck, its maintenance log, and the logbook of the driver, which details work hours and rest time, should all be thoroughly reviewed to determine whether the trucker was operating in compliance with state and federal regulations.

Continue reading "Fatal Massachusetts bicycle accident reported on Martha's Vineyard after cyclist falls beneath semi" »

Massachusetts' Bike Week began with a fatal Boston bicycle accident that claimed the life of a 21-year-old man, the Boston Globe reported.

As we reported last week on our Boston Personal Injury Attorney Blog, authorities are pleading with motorists to use caution as the spring and summer bicycling season begins. More than 700 serious cycling accidents occurred in Boston in 2008. Nationwide, 716 people were killed and more than 52,000 injured in bicycle accidents, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

In this case, the rider was killed in an accident with an SUV at a Newton intersection. In Authorities believe the cyclist may have ran the red light while traveling eastbound on Commonwealth. He collided with a Honda SUV driven by a 48-year-old Newton woman, who was northbound on Homer Street.

The Massachusetts bicycle accident occurred on the first day of Bay State Bike Week.

"This year already felt different to me, because in previous years you didn't have so many fatalities so close together," said David Watson, executive director of MassBike.

Many bicycle accidents can be avoided if riders and motorists practice respect and proper safety.

"There are hundreds of bike-related injuries reported every year and probably many more that are never reported," Watson said. "While we can never eliminate the danger inherent in using a particular mode of transportation, there are ways we can change both the designs of our roads and the culture of those who use them to make the streets safer for bicyclists, motorists, and pedestrians.''

A Ride of Silence is scheduled for today at 7 p.m., beginning in Seven Hills Park, behind the Davis Square MBTA station in Somerville. Riders will cycle through Cambridge to Boston before stopping at the Charles Street entrance to Boston Common.

Massachusetts Transportation Secretary Jeffrey B. Mullan took to Boston streets during rush hour last week on his way to the inaugural Boston Bicycle Safety Summit.

There, Mayor Thomas M. Menino and others urged motorists and cyclists to adopt safe driving habits at the outset of the spring and summer riding season, the Boston Globe reported.

As we reported last week on our Boston Personal Injury Attorney Blog, spring is a particularly dangerous time for Massachusetts bicycle accidents; motorists are urged to use extra caution to help keep the roads safe for our cycling friends.

A total of 716 cyclists were killed in bicycle accidents nationwide in 2008, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Seeking to become a cycling haven, Boston has added 15 miles of bike trails, installed more than 500 bicycle racks and instituted a $100 fine for parking in bike lanes. This year's budget includes $450,000 for 20 more miles of bike lanes.

The Mayor said he wants drivers to respect cyclists and police officers to enforce the law.

"Autos will not rule the road any longer," he said. "It's a health issue, it's a convenient way of getting around the city. And we want to listen to the very active (cycling) community."

Continue reading "Officials urge motorists to keep cycling safety in mind, reduce Boston cycling accidents" »

An Amherst bicycle accident injured a 22-year-old University of Massachusetts student, after he was struck by a car Saturday night on Main Street, the Patriot Ledger reported.

The driver of the car, believed to be a dark sedan, fled the scene.

The Massachusetts bicycle accident is the latest in a series of accidents this spring that have cycling advocates voicing frustration at the risks of navigating busy, narrow streets and the lack of better safety measures. A 22-year-old Mission Hill man was killed earlier this month in a Boston bicycle accident with an MBTA bus, the Boston Globe reported.

That accident occurred on a stretch of road near Huntington Avenue, just after the South Huntington split, which cyclist describe as a dangerous free-for-all.

The Boston Globe reports there were a total of 700 cycling accidents in 2008, including 10 fatalities. A total of 66 MBTA bus accidents were reported.

Nationwide, 716 cyclists were killed and 52,000 were injured in bicycle accidents in 2008, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The federal government will release accident statistics for last year in the coming weeks.

The average age of cyclists involved in fatal accidents has increased with the popularity of bicycling for recreation and fitness, from 32 in 1998 to 41 in 2008.The Massachusetts Office of Public Safety and Security reports that the most at-risk age groups are those 10-14 years of age and those 35-44 years of age.

The City of Boston's bicycle safety program offers safe biking resources and advice on a number of topics, including sharing the road, traffic principals, lane positioning, dealing with parked cars, changing lanes, turning and turn lanes, bike lanes and traffic lights.