Boston Personal Injury Attorney Blog

Our children are our most precious resource.

Yet, the leading cause of death for children ages 3 to 14 is nearly 100 percent preventable.

We're talking about crashes.

And since 1975, more than 8,500 young lives have been saved by proper use of child safety seats and seat belts, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

In Massachusetts, in an effort to drive down the number of fatal car accidents in Boston and beyond, the Highway Safety Division is making this issue a top priority in 2012 by rolling out a number of initiatives. These measures are dedicated to guiding parents through the process of everything from shopping for and purchasing a child car seat to how to install it properly to when it's time to replace your child's car seat.

Our Boston car accident attorneys have witnessed firsthand the tragedy that can result when a child isn't properly buckled in. That's why in Part 3 of our Boston Road Safety series, we're passing on some valuable tips for parents to help keep their youngsters as safe as possible and prevent car accidents involving children in Boston and beyond.

As you may be aware, in 2008, Gov. Deval Patrick signed into law what was then called the "Booster Seat Bill." It requires that all children riding as a passenger in a motor vehicle have to be in a federally-approved restraint that is appropriately buckled and secured until they are at least 4 feet, 9 inches-tall and 8-years-old.

Only then can they move to an adult seat belt.

When choosing a car seat, parents need to be mindful of two important factors: weight and height. Children should be in a five-point harness safety seat until they outgrow the height and weight limits for that seat.

When installing the seat, make sure you know what kind of seat belts are in your car. Some cars made after 2002 could be already fitted with the LATCH system, which can make installing child safety seats easier.

If you're not sure how to install your child's car seat, the Boston Public Health Commission's BuckleUp Boston campaign can help you find a technician who will assist you (and also may have information about how you can obtain discounted car seats).

Most children will ride in a rear-facing seat until they are at least 1-year-old and weigh at least 20 pounds.

Once they outgrow a rear-facing car seat, a booster seat is recommended because most children still won't be big enough for an adult seat belt to fit them properly. Not having a proper fit could mean serious injuries to your child in the event of a crash.

If your child is involved in a crash, you may need to replace his or her car seat. The NHTSA recommends that you definitely need a new one if the crash was serious. If it was minor, you might not need one. A minor crash would be classified as when in which you could drive your vehicle away from the crash, the door nearest to the car seat wasn't damaged, there were no injuries to anyone in your car, the air bags didn't deploy and there is no visible damage to the car seat.

But even if you aren't in a crash, it may still be time to replace your child's car seat. One reason would be if your child is over the age of 6, and another would be if there is a recall on the car seat.

You can check recalls by going to NHTSA's Child Safety Seat Recall List.

Continue reading "Boston Road Safety, Part 3: Child Safety Seats " »

In our state, the keeper or the owner of a dog is liable for all dog bite injuries unless the victim of the dog bite attack in Massachusetts was tormenting, teasing, or abusing the dog, was trespassing or was committing another crime. Anyone who is injured by a dog in our state also may be able to use other common grounds for liability as well.

Our Boston dog bite injury lawyers understand that there are almost five million dog bite injuries every year in the United States. About 20 percent of all dog bites require the attention of a medical professional. Children are more likely than any other age group to be the victim of a dog-bite related injury, specifically those ages 5- to 9-years-old, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). But there are ways to make dog bite accidents less likely and ways to help prevent your young ones from being bitten by a dog. Be sure to sit down and talk with your little ones about the importance of good behavior around man's best friend.

There were more than 30,000 people who underwent reconstructive surgery after dog-bite accidents in the U.S. in 2006.

Being a child isn't the only way to increase your risks for an accident. Homes that house a dog face higher risks for dog-bite accidents as well. With more dogs, residents face even more risks. Families with two or more dogs in a household are roughly five times more likely to suffer a dog-bite injury than households with no dogs.

Safety tips to prevent dog-bite injuries among children:

-No one should ever approach a dog they don't know.

-Never run around a dog.

-Keep voices quiet. Avoid yelling around a dog.

-If a dog approaches, stay still and calm. Keep hands and arms down and avoid any sudden movements.

-If knocked over by a dog, roll up into a ball and stay still.

-Never allow children to play with a dog without an adult supervising.

-Always report stray dogs or dogs displaying odd behavior to adults.

-Children should avoid eye contact with dogs.

-Never bother dogs when they're eating, sleeping or tending to puppies.

-Dogs should be allowed adequate time to smell someone before attempting to pet.

-Teach children to report immediately to an adult if bitten by a dog.

Nearly 70 percent of dog-bite injuries that happen to children under the age of 5 are to the neck and head region. Boys are more likely to be bitten by a dog than girls.

Parents are urged to sit down and talk with young ones about the dangers associated with dogs. Be cautious not to startle them, but make sure that they understand the appropriate behavior to exercise around man's best friend.

Continue reading "Talk to Children about Risks of Dog-Bite Injuries in Massachusetts before Holidays" »

As we recently reported on our Boston Personal Injury Attorney Blog, there are about 250 home fires reported every year that are started because Christmas tree fires. These fiery accidents kill nearly 15 people, injure another 30 and cost nearly $20 million in property damage annually. A majority of holiday-related accidents are in fact preventable. Residents are urged to be smart with their decorating this year.

Fires may not be the only dangers lurking in the holiday season. According to The Washington Post, the number of holiday accidents and injuries in Massachusetts and elsewhere involving decorating for Christmas is on the rise. Many of the reported incidents involve lacerations from broken Christmas tree ornaments and falls from ladders used to put up Christmas lights. Just like any other chore that needs to be done around the house, Christmas decorating should be no different. Be prepared, have a plan and keep safety as a number one priority.

Our Boston personal injury attorneys understand that officials estimate that nearly 15,000 people made a trip to the emergency room during November and December of last year. That number is up from 2007 (with an estimated 10,000) and up from 2008 and 2009 (both with an estimated 12,000). Residents are urged to be cautious when decorating the house this year and when setting up Christmas trees. Many holiday-related accidents can be prevented with a little planning.

"A well-watered tree, carefully placed candles, and carefully checked holiday light sets will help prevent the joy of the holidays from turning into a trip to the emergency room or the loss of your home," said Commission Chairman Inez Tenenbaum.

According to the National Fire Protection Association in Quincy, Massachusetts, fire departments respond to hundreds of Christmas tree fires every year. These tree fires are caused by residents placing trees too close to heat sources, by electrical fires and by failing to turn off a tree when leaving the house or going to sleep for the night.

Residents are also urged to be cautious when lighting candles during the holiday season. Never place them near flammable objects and remember to blow them out before leaving the house or going to bed. Never leave a lit candle unattended. Candles are the cause of hundreds on home fires every year.

Another quick tip offered from fire departments across the nation is to never burn wrapping paper in a fireplace. This type of paper can cause a flash fire that can get out of control quickly.

Be cautious when putting up your holiday decorations. A majority of these holiday-related accidents happen within the 12 days surrounding Christmas. Please exercise extreme cautious to achieve the cozy, festive and safe holiday feel. We want to wish everyone a safe and happy holiday season.

Continue reading "Holiday-Related Accidents in Massachusetts and Elsewhere Up Already From 2010" »

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) recently released a video to illustrate just how dangerous and how flammable dry Christmas trees can be. This video is to urge residents to properly care for their trees to avoid a Christmas tree accident in Massachusetts and elsewhere. Every year, Christmas trees catch fire just because they're not watered regularly. There are simple steps that we can all take to help prevent a potentially serious holiday accident.

From 2005 to 2009, fire departments across the U.S. respond to nearly 250 home fires each year that started with Christmas trees. These incidents kill an average 15 people, injure nearly 30 more and cause roughly $17 million in property damage every year.

Our Boston personal injury attorneys understand that these incidents may not be one of the most common, but they can be one of the most serious. In about one out of every 18 incidents reported in which a Christmas tree caught fire, a death occurred. A heat source that is too close to a Christmas tree was reported as the cause in approximately 20 percent of these fiery accidents. Nearly 20 percent of home fires resulting from Christmas tree were intentionally set. About half of the Christmas tree fires that were intentional happened in the month of January and are believed to be related to the disposal process.

Common causes for Christmas tree fires:

-About a third of fires happen because of electrical problems.

-About 20 percent result from a heat source being too close to a Christmas tree.

-Nearly 15 percent of the fires are caused by decorative lights.

-More than 10 percent of Christmas tree fires are caused by candles.

-About 40 percent of these fires begin in a home's living room, den or family room.

-Nearly 20 percent of these fires are set intentionally.

When do these accidents happen?

-Half of them, to no surprise, happen in December.

-A third of them start in January.

-Nearly 20 percent happen in November or February.

Christmas tree safety tips:

-If you choose to have an artificial tree, make sure that it's labeled, identified and certified by the manufacturing company as flame retardant.

-If you're purchasing a real tree, make sure to choose one that is fresh and has green needles that don't fall off when you touch them.

-Before putting your tree in the stand, cut an inch or two from the base of the trunk.

-Make sure it's placed somewhere that's at least 3 feet from any heat source.

-Make sure it's not blocking an exit.

-Water you tree, placing water in the stand, daily.

-Use tree lights that are labeled by an independent testing laboratory.

-Replace any string of lights that have loose bulb connections or have broken cords.

-You should never connect more than 3 strands of lights.

-Never use candles to decorate a Christmas tree.

-Remember to always turn off the tree's lights and blow out candles before leaving your home or going to bed.

Continue reading "Christmas Tree Fires in Massachusetts and Elsewhere Cost nearly $20M Every Year" »

A recent bicycle accident near Norwood involving two young boys is a reminder of how dangerous roadways are for bicyclists in our area.

Wicked Local Walpole reports two boys, ages 9 and 10, were struck from behind by a Toyota sedan as they were bicycling down the roadway in a rural area of West Walpole. One boy was riding on the bicycle while the other was holding on and being towed on a skateboard. The 9-year-old suffered head trauma and was transported via helicopter to New England Medical Center in Boston. The 10-year-old suffered a leg injury and was taken to Norwood Hospital. Local authorities report the 61-year-old driver claims she never saw the boys before making impact with the bicycle. The vehicle ran over the bicycle as the children were thrown to the opposite side of the road. The cause of the accident is still under investigation. Sun glare, the influence of drugs or alcohol, and cell phone use have all been ruled out. Officials believe the driver was traveling under the speed limit, so speed doesn't appear to be a factor either. Charges are pending the complete investigation of the accident. The boys have been released from the hospital.

Boston bicycle accident attorneys know that Boston streets and roadways are extremely dangerous for bicyclists especially on Mass Ave. From 2002 to 2009, several bicycle accidents have been reported at different intersections running along Mass Avenue. As many as 140 accidents and 100 bicycle injuries were reported at three different intersections during this time period.

City officials are striving to make Boston a more bike-friendly city. Boston.com reports Mayor Menino announced plans in early November to install a bike lane on Mass Ave where parking spaces currently exist. Though bike enthusiasts are celebrating the movement, local businesses and merchants are not happy about the prospect of taking away business from their establishment.

The lane is being installed due to bicycling safety concerns. A student at Northeastern University is one of many cyclists who have had close calls or near misses while riding in and around the city. The City of Boston website reports from 2007 to 2009, bicycle ridership has increased by 122 percent. More riders mean more crashes. During that period, 37 percent of bicycle crashes have been with a car compared to 5 percent involving a pedestrian; most of them occurring on Commonwealth or Massachusetts Avenues.

Bicyclist and motorist awareness is the key to making roadways safer, even with the use of bike lanes. There is so much distracting technology nowadays for both riders and drivers that inattentiveness has moved to the forefront as a leading cause of bicycle-car accidents in Boston and elsewhere.

Whether you ride a bicycle to commute to work, to school or purely for the enjoyment and exercise, children and adults need to stay alert and makes themselves seen by passing motorists.

Continue reading "Installation of Bike Lanes on Mass Ave Should Help Reduce Boston Bicycle Accidents" »

Finding the right car seat for your child may now be easier than ever. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety recently released new ratings of these seats for parents to be better equipped when choosing a seat. After the last wave of ratings, more than 30 seats made it on the "Best Bets" list. These seats were found to be able to seat a child so that the adult seat belt will properly fit a little one's body.

These seats can run anywhere from $15 to several hundred dollars. But parents shouldn't correlate price with a seat's ability to protect their child in the event of a car accident in Massachusetts. Some of the more affordable seats work just as well as the more expensive ones.

Our Boston child injury attorneys understand that children between the ages of 4 and 8 should be seated in a booster seat to help ensure that an adult seat belt fits them properly. Sometimes, parents are confused by the plethora of seats on the market and which ones would be most likely to best serve their child. The new ratings from the IIHS are here to clear that up.

In addition to the "Best Bets" child seats, there were five placed on the "Good Bets" list. Seats on this list will fit most vehicles properly. The IIHS also rated six seats as a "no go," meaning they don't provide a proper seat belt fit for anyone. Check the IIHS website for the complete child seat rating list.

Booster seats should be used to properly seat children who have outgrown front-facing car seats. Booster seats allow a child to be positioned so that an adult seat belt will fit their little body properly. This seat allows the lap portion of the strap to lie across their upper thigh and the shoulder portion to lie across their chest.

"A Best Bet means any of these top-rated boosters should work well in the family SUV or the babysitter's sedan," says Anne McCartt, the Institute's senior vice president for research.

There were more than 60 booster seat models examined in this year's rating program. This is more than 10 more than the previous year.

The test doesn't measure how well the seat will perform in the event of an accident, but rather how well it fits a seat belt on a child's body.

Booster seats have gotten much more reliable in recent years as well. There were only 10 booster seats on the Best Bets list in 2008, then 9 in 2009, but there were more than 20 for the 2010 ratings.

Parents are urged to check out these ratings before looking into purchasing a booster seat. You're also urged to check the seats' limitations to ensure that your child is the proper size for the seat that you ultimately purchase. These child-restraint systems are some of the most effective protections for your child in the event of an accident.

Continue reading "IIHS New Booster Seat Ratings Help Save Children in Massachusetts Car Accidents" »

You may not be going out this Halloween, but if you're expecting trick-or-treaters to come knocking at your door there are a few simple safety tips you can follow to help prevent child injury in Massachusetts. Many children are injured every year while venturing from house to house in search of little wrapped sweets.

As we recently reported on our Boston Personal Injury Attorney Blog, children are four times more likely to suffer from an injury on Halloween night than during any other night of the year.

To help reduce the risks of child injury in Massachusetts, the state offers these safety tips for those who will be handing out candy this Halloween:

-Try using small flashlights or battery-operated candles in your jack-o-lanterns instead of candles. Fires are some of the common cause of injury during Halloween.

-Be sure to remove leaves and cornstalks away from open flames. Keep candles and jack-o-lanterns away from draping curtains and other flammable objects.

-Only use flame-proof crepe paper for decorating.

-Be sure to clear your driveway, sidewalk and front porch of any trip-and-fall hazards. There's no telling where children will wander. Remove these hazards to help prevent a serious accident.

-Make sure that all the lights on the exterior of your house are on and working. Dimly-light areas are an attraction for injury-related accidents.

-Consider handing out non-candy items to trick-or-treaters, including bubbles, spider rings and toothbrushes.

-Clear your yard of all lawn furniture and other debris.

-Toss out any candy that has been opened or looks like it has been tampered with.

-Do not hand out any kinds of treats that children may choke on, like peanuts or hard candy.

As most parents can attest, nothing is scarier than an injury to a child. Parents are urged to discuss the risks that they're likely face on Halloween night before heading from door to door in search of yummy treats.

According to Safe Kids USA, here are the top five safety hazards on Halloween:

5.) Eye and burn injuries. Many of these accidents happen from improper costumes, candles and toys. Make sure all toys and props are soft and safe.

4.) Falls. Many of these accidents are caused by running, improper costumes and poor lighting.

3.) Drunk Driving. On Halloween, there are more drunk drivers reported to be on our roadways than during New Year's.

2.) Crossing the road at non-intersections. Kids should cross only at street corners and should avoid running into the road. Children need to be as visible to motorists as possible.

1.) Pedestrian-car accidents. These accidents are the result of speed, poor visibility and speed.

All residents are urged to be extremely cautious this Halloween to help protect our young ghosts and goblins. With these few safety tips, we can all make it home without any real scares. From our Massachusetts personal injury attorneys, have a Happy Halloween!

Continue reading "How to Avoid Scary Child Injuries in Massachusetts this Halloween" »

Every year, there are more than 5,100 children in the United States that are sent to the hospital because of child injuries in Massachusetts and elsewhere as a result of a child falling out of a window. While many of them are treated and released from the emergency room, about a fourth of these kids have to be admitted to the hospital.

A nationwide study of the problem, conducted by the Center for Injury Research and Policy, noted that the occurrence of these accidents has only decreased slightly over the last 19 years.

Our Boston child injury attorneys understand that most child injuries can be prevented with proper adult supervision and by following just a few simple safety steps. It's estimated that about 7 injuries occur for every 100,000 children, according to MSN Today.

Studies released from the Nationwide Children's Hospital in Columbus, Ohio reveal that from 1990 to 2008, there were more than 98,400 kids under the age of 18 who were treated in hospitals for injuries as a result of these accidents.

"We continue to see this problem, especially in younger kids, despite the fact that we know how to prevent it," said Dr. Gary Smith, head of the Center for Injury Research and Policy.

Certain age groups are more at risk than others. Toddlers are the most vulnerable. Researchers believe that this age group is more likely to fall from an open window because they're typically more curious that older children, they are unable to comprehend the possible dangers, and they have a higher center of gravity. Toddlers represent about 70 percent of all of these accidents.

"As they lean over, their high center of gravity will make them topple," said Smith. "They almost invariably land head-first."

About half of all the children who sustain injuries from falling from a window experience injury to either their head or their face. There are only about two out of every 1,000 accidents that result in a fatality.

A majority of falls from windows occur from the second floor of a building.

There are ways to prevent these types of accidents and it only takes a few simple steps. First and foremost, it is important to make sure that no young child has access to a window. It's a good idea to remove furniture from a window area. Furniture makes it much easier for child to climb up near windows.

It's also an excellent idea to install window stops or window guards to the windows in your home. Some places have already mandated the use of these guards, like New York and other big-city areas. But there are a number of places that have no window regulations to keep children safe.

"Parents need to remember that window screens simply won't be enough," Smith says.

Continue reading "Children Falling from Windows Causes 5,000 Child Injuries in Massachusetts and Elsewhere Yearly " »

A recent teen car accident in Massachusetts is still being investigated by accident reconstruction teams. Capt. William Breault said that the accident happened in Dover on Dover Point Road right in front of St. Thomas Aquinas High School; a 17-year-old driver reportedly traveled into the path of another vehicle. Both vehicles suffered severe front-end damage, according to Foster's Daily. All four motorists involved in the accident were taken to Wentworth-Douglass Hospital with varying injuries.

Authorities are investigating why the teen driver, who was heading northbound on that road, crossed over into the southbound lanes.

The road was closed for a number of hours so that investigation crews could assess the scene of the accident. Once the investigation is complete, a prosecutor will review the data and could potentially file charges.

Our Boston teen car accident attorneys know the fall is a dangerous time for teen drivers as kids head back to school. Motorists are urged to be on the lookout for these inexperienced, young drivers. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, traffic accidents are the number one killer for teens aged 15- to 20-years-old in the United States. Parents are urged to step up and talk with their young drivers about the importance of safe driving habits and about the consequences of poor driving decisions. Please do your part to help a teen driver avoid a potentially fatal accident this school year.

This is the third entry of a three-part blog that discusses the different modes of travel that our students will be taking to school this year and the dangers that accompany them. Parents are urged to look over the articles and discuss the safe-travel tips with their children to help to ensure that they make it to and from school safely this school year.

There were nearly 2,500 young drivers killed in traffic accidents in the United States in 2009. Another 196,000 teen drivers were injured in these incidents. More than 5,000 teen drivers were involved in fatal accidents during the same year. Teens made up more than 10 percent of all of the drivers involved in fatal accidents during this time.

Massachusetts witnessed nearly 50 teen deaths resulting from car accidents in our state in 2009.

Parents could quite possible be the most influential people in a teen driver's learning process. For this reason, parents are urged to step up and get involved with their teen's driving experience. Offer them plenty of practice time and appropriate feedback regarding their driving skills.

Here are some tips for parents to discuss with their teen driver to help keep them safe on our roadways:

-Make sure teens wear their seat belts. Recent statistics conclude that this age group is least likely to buckle up on our roadways. A majority of teens that died in car accidents were not wearing their seat belts.

-Shut off your phone. Nearly 20 percent of teenage drivers that were involved in a fatal car accident were distracted. Lead by example.

-Limit the number of passengers they're allowed to drive with. Passengers can be one of the most deadly distractions. Limiting passengers limits your teen's risk of being involved in a serious accident.

-Watch the speed. This is especially important for young male drivers. Make sure they know, and abide by, all speed limit postings.

-Warn them about the dangers of drinking and driving. Even though they may not be old enough to buy alcohol, that doesn't mean they can't get it and won't drink it.

-Limit their nighttime driving. Nearly 20 percent of all young driver deaths occurred during the evening hours.

-Make sure your teen's car is safe and is well-maintained. Check the brakes and tire pressure. Look at the fluid levels under the hood. Check that their lights are working properly.

-Set check-in rules for your teen. Make sure that they call or text when they arrive at their destination and when they are leaving to head home.

Continue reading "Inexperienced Teen Drivers Heading to and from School Facing Risks of Car Accidents in Massachusetts" »

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) has been working diligently to partner up with approximately 350 schools and more than 115 communities to educate our students about the dangers of walking and biking to school in an effort to make their walk or bike to school is a little bit safer.

The program will be spending nearly $4.5 million for the Safe Routes initiatives this year. This program is expected to reach at least a quarter of all of the students and attempts to reduce the risks of child injury in Massachusetts.

This is the second entry of a three part blog in which we're focusing on the importance of safe traveling to and from school. In the last entry we discussed students and their trips to school on school buses. Throughout this blog entry we will be discussing safety matters regarding students who either walk or bike to school.

Our Boston personal injury attorneys understand that car accidents are the leading cause of death for our young children. Approximately 20 percent of these fatalities are a result of pedestrian-car accidents. This number is so high because experts believe that many children are not properly educated about safe on-foot traveling and that young children are unable to safely negotiate traffic. For this reason, parents are urged to speak with their child who may be walking or riding their bike to school this year about safe traveling habits that can help keep them safe and accident-free on our roadways.

The Safe Routes program focuses on 5 key points:

-Education

-Engineering

-Encouragement

-Evaluation

-Enforcement

In 2007, there were approximately 27,440 children that were treated in emergency rooms for pedestrian-related injuries.

Parents should talk with their child about the following safety tips, provided by the National Safety Council, if your child is walking to school this year:

-Parents are urged to walk to school with students that are under the age of 10.

-Children should always walk on a sidewalk if one is available. If there's no sidewalk, children should walk away from the road, but facing oncoming traffic.

-Remind your child to always cross the street at an intersection or at a street corner.

-Warn children to look both ways for oncoming cars before stepping off the curb to cross the street.

-Keep looking left and right as you're crossing the road.

-Don't run across the street. Always walk. Running makes you more likely to trip and fall in the middle of the street.

-Make sure a child never darts out in front of a parked car because if there's a motorists coming on the other side of the vehicle, they may not have time to react or stop.

Parents should talk with their child about the following safety tips if their child is riding their bike to school this year:

-Make sure your child always wears a helmet when they're riding a bicycle.

-Make sure that the helmet fits properly. To check the fit properly, make sure that the width of two fingers fits between the bottom of the helmet and your child's eyebrows.

-Make sure they understand the rules of the road. If they don't you should ride to school with them until they do.

-Make sure they know to ride on the right side of the road. If they're riding with others then they should travel in a single-file line.

-Always come to a complete stop before attempting to cross the street.

-Wait until a driver signals that it's okay to cross the street.

-If you're riding to or from school when it's dark out, remember to wear bright colors.

-Your child's bike should always have reflective tape and lights on it so that they're more visible to motorists.

-Practice. Practice. Practice!

Continue reading "State Officials Step up Pedestrian Safety Efforts to Decrease Risks of Child Injury in Massachusetts this Year" »

Motorists are urged to use caution near stopping school buses this year. You're being watched and failing to stop when school buses are stopped could come with a steep price. New programs are being tested in Seekonk, Quincy and Medford that equips local school buses with cameras that aim to catch motorists disregarding children safety, according to boston.com.

The Mayor of Medford, Michael McGlynn says that he's known that some drivers ignore the flashing lights and the stop signs on local school buses, but he never knew how common the problem actually was. Cameras have been installed on 18 buses in his city so far. One of the buses caught more than 100 violations in just 105 days of film. Motorist's total lack of consideration for these young students increases the risk of an accident leading to severe child injury in Medford and elsewhere in Massachusetts.

Our Boston school bus accident attorneys understand the risks our students face on the school bus each year. Approximately 25 million students across the country ride the big yellow bus to and from school every year. Each school year we see a number of injuries and deaths of students from careless motorists. Drivers are asked to be cautious near buses on our roadways and near stopped buses that may be picking up or dropping off students.

This is the first entry of a three-part blog that will be focusing on our young students and their venture to school whether it is on the bus, by foot or on a bicycle. With the help of residents around the state, we can all help to reduce the risks of these preventable accidents.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there were nearly 150 people killed in school bus-related accidents around the country in 2005. There were another 11,000 people injured in these incidents.

The cameras that local officials are experimenting with on local buses are mounted on the bus' extended stop-sign arm. They are aimed in directions that can catch a passing vehicle's license plate information. Once a driver is caught by the cameras, the footage is then passed on to local officers who will review it to confirm that a moving violation did in fact occur. If the measure is passed on Beacon Hill and this becomes law, then the driver would receive a citation in the mail.

"It was far more than I expected,'' said McGlynn . "I don't think anyone had an idea that it was this severe.''

McGlynn believes that if that proposal becomes law, the revenue generated from these citations would be more than enough to help pay officers whose main focus would be to comb through the bus footage in search of violators.

To help keep children safe near our buses and to help you avoid a costly citation, you're urged to follow these safety tips:

-According to Massachusetts state law, motorists are required to stay at least 100 feet behind a school bus at all times.

-Drive slowly, especially during school bus pick-up and drop-off hours. This is very important in areas that don't have sidewalks.

-Keep an eye out for children playing around their bus stop.

-Remember that yellow flashing lights on a school bus means that it's slowing down and is preparing to stop.

-Red flashing lights and the extended stop-sign arm means that the bus is stopped and is letting children on or off.

-Don't start driving again until the stop-sign arm has folded back up into the bus and the bus begins moving once again.

Continue reading "Pilot Program: Busting Drivers to Prevent Child Injury on School Buses in Massachusetts" »

A Taunton teen was hit and killed in a Massachusetts car-pedestrian accident. The teen was out riding his skateboard when he was hit on Bay Street at about 9:40 p.m. one night earlier this month, according to Boston 5.

The driver of the vehicle that collided into the skateboarder did not stop, but instead fled northbound, according to the Bristol County District Attorney's Office. Police immediately issued an alert for the driver of that vehicle. The skateboarder was left with a severe brain injury that later took his life.

Officers closed down a large section of Bay Street near Watson Pond State Park for more than three hours as they photographed, reconstructed and investigated the scene of the accident.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family of that 17-year-old boy. Our Boston wrongful death lawyers understand that he was just weeks away from getting his driver's license. Children are more vulnerable to bicycling, skateboarding and other types of pedestrian accidents. For this reason, motorists are asked to be extremely cautious when navigating in areas where children may be.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there were more than 4,000 pedestrian fatalities in 2009. Nearly 250 of these deaths were of child pedestrians age 14-years-old and younger. Nearly 20 percent of the total number of traffic fatalities for this age group was pedestrian deaths. Males accounted for 159 of the young age group's pedestrian deaths. During that same year, another 59,000 pedestrians were injured. The young population account for 13,000 of those injuries. Males accounted for approximately 55 percent of the young pedestrians that were injured.

Those age 14-years-old and younger had the highest percentage of pedestrian fatalities between 4 p.m. and 7:59 p.m. Accidents during this specific time accounted for more than 40 percent of the fatal incidents. The next highest percentage of fatalities among this young age group was between the hours of 12:00 p.m. and 3:59 p.m., accounting for more than 20 percent of the fatalities.

Nearly three-fourths of the young pedestrian fatalities happened at non-intersection locations in 2009.

Parents Magazine offers these pedestrian safety tips to children and teens:

-Be sure to look both ways before crossing the street. Pedestrians should never run into the street without looking.

-Always try to make eye contact with drivers when you're crossing the road.

-Avoid using roads that don't have sidewalks. You should also try not to cross busy streets that don't have crosswalks.

-You should always walk in the opposite direction of traffic. Make sure that you're facing oncoming cars. This way you're more aware of the vehicles that are coming towards you.

-Always keep children from playing in a street, parking lot or driveway.

-Don't run through intersections. Walk so you're less likely to trip and fall.

-Always try to take the safest route with the least amount of street crossings.

-Make sure you wear bright, reflective clothing during dawn, dusk or any low-light situations.

-Always abide by traffic signals and signs. Remember that they aren't just for cars.

-Be aware of your surroundings at all times.

Try making your own list about pedestrian safety with your child and post it on the fridge or the front door where they can see it before heading out every day.

Continue reading "Young Skateboarder Killed by Hit-and-Run Driver in Massachusetts Car Accident " »

A 10-year-old girl was run over by the family vehicle as her mother backed the car out of the driveway in Littleton. The Massachusetts backup car accident killed the child. It all happened when the girl was sitting in the driveway playing with her pet bird when her mom came home one afternoon, according to boston.com. The mother says that her view of the downward sloping driveway was blocked by two other vehicles and she never saw her daughter.

After the incident, the girl was taken to Children's Hospital Boston where she was pronounced dead. Authorities do not anticipate filing charges against the mother.

Our Boston personal injury attorneys understand that backup cameras could be required on all new vehicles by the year 2014. This is thanks to the Kids Transportation Safety Act. We understand that backing up a motor vehicle is inherently difficult and potentially dangerous. To help save lives, mainly the lives of children, Congress recently passed the Kids Transportation Safety Act to require all cars to have backup cameras by 2014. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is currently considering delaying the rule at the request of vehicle manufacturers.

These backup cameras are meant to prevent pedestrian injury and death from accidents that happen when a vehicle is in reverse. Children are especially vulnerable to these types of accidents as they are often too short to be seen by a driver in a rear view mirror.

As it stands today, the new backup camera regulations require the rear camera display to turn on in two seconds or less from the time that a vehicle is put into reverse.

Until these cameras are installed into all vehicles, we must continue to rely on driver awareness to prevent these types of injuries and deaths.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration offers drivers these tips to help prevent these types of accidents:

-Teach your children not to play in driveways or around cars.

-Be sure to supervise children carefully when in and around vehicles.

-Before getting in your vehicle to back up, you should always walk around your vehicle and check the area.

-Keep a lookout for small children. The smaller a child, the more likely it is you won't see them.

-Cameras ultimately cannot take the place of you actively walking around your car to make sure your children are safely out of the way. You shouldn't rely solely on these devices to detect what's around your vehicle.

-Teach your children to keep their toys and bikes out of the driveway.

-Teach your children to move away from a vehicle when a driver gets in it or if the car is started.

-Always have children in the area stand to the side of the driveway or sidewalk so you can see them as you are backing your vehicle out of a driveway or out of a parking space.

-Actively check your mirrors the entire time you're backing up.

-Make sure that you look behind you while you're backing up slowly in case a child dashes behind your vehicle unexpectedly.

-Be extra cautious if you drive a large vehicle. The larger the vehicle is, the bigger the blind spots are. You should roll down your windows while backing out of your driveway or parking space. This way you'll also be able to hear what is happening outside of your vehicle.

"There is no more tragic accident than for a parent or caregiver to back out of a garage or driveway and kill or injure an undetected child playing behind the vehicle," said Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood.

Continue reading "Small Child Overlooked in Massachusetts Backup Car Accident" »

Micky Ward, legendary boxer and the subject of the movie "The Fighter," was hospitalized for a week last month after suffering an injury from a dog bite accident in Massachusetts. It happened while he was trying to separate a dog fight, according to Boston.com.

Ward's agent reports that the boxer was walking his dog in Lowell when the other pup approached the two. He says Ward initially thought that the dogs would be friendly, but when they started to get rough with each other, he stuck his right hand between them to keep them from harming one another. That's when one of the dogs sunk its teeth into Ward's hand.

Dog bites happen all too often and sometimes when people least expect it. Our Boston dog bite injury lawyers urge everyone to be cautious around strange dogs as nearly 5 million Americans are bitten by dogs each year. It is estimated that one in five dog bites results in injury and the need for medical attention.

"They got his [right ring] finger pretty bad,'' said agent Nick Cordasco.

The former junior welterweight champion was hospitalized and received stitches in his hand to heal up the wound. He wasn't immediately released from the hospital because doctors wanted to conduct a number of tests to make sure there were no complications. Ward reportedly had no other medical issues other than the injured finger.

"He's in good spirits,'' Cordasco said.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there are nearly 1 million injuries that result from dog bites every year. More than 31,000 people underwent reconstructive surgery because of dog bites in 2006.

Children age 5- to 9-years-old are the most likely to suffer a dog bite injury. They have a higher rate of dog bite-related injuries than any other age group. According to dog bite data, men are more likely to be bitten than women.

Residents who have a dog have a greater change of being bitten that those without. With more dogs in the home, your risks of being bitten increase. Residents with two or more dogs in the house are five times more likely to experience a dog bite incident.
Follow these safety tips to help prevent being bitten by a dog:

Before you bring home a pet dog:

-Talk with a veterinarian, animal behaviorist or responsible breeder to learn what breeds of dogs would be best for your household and your family members.

-Typically, dog breeds with a history of aggression are not suitable for households with young children.

-Keep an eye out for cues that show your child is fearful or apprehensive about a dog.

-Spend time with your potential dog before bringing it home.

If you decide to bring a dog into your home:

-Make sure that you spay or neuter your dog. This typically reduces aggression.

-Never leave young children alone with your new dog.

-Don't play aggressive games with your dog.

-When training your dog, teach it submissive behaviors.

General safety tips for unfamiliar dogs:

-Never approach an unfamiliar dog.

-Don't run from a dog.

-Don't move when an unfamiliar dog is approaching.

-If you're knocked over by a dog, roll into a ball and lie still.

-Don't disturb a dog that is sleeping, eating or caring for puppies.

-Don't touch, pet or play with a dog without allowing it to see and sniff you first.

Continue reading "American Junior Welterweight Professional Boxer, Micky Ward, Hospitalized after Dog Bite Accident in Massachusetts" »

Massachusetts politicians are exploring a proposal that would allow residents to sell and purchase fireworks. Currently, the Bay State is one of only four nationwide that bans the sale, The Boston Herald reports.

Boston Personal Injury Lawyers understand that fireworks can be a fun way to celebrate holidays, especially with Fourth of July upcoming. But while they may be fun, they can be dangerous. Boston Child Injuries, such as those created by the use of large-scale fireworks, can be tragic.

A state representative from Gardner has proposed a law change that would allow Massachusetts to break free from the minority of states, including New York, New Jersey and Delaware, that don't allow the sale of fireworks. While residents can easily drive to surrounding New England states and purchase them, the proposal could be a cash cow for fireworks distributors.

The proposal would legalize fireworks statewide, but allow towns to issue local permits.The measure would make it legal to have fireworks, but require a permit to use them. One-day permits could be issued by local fire chiefs for no more than $25, similar to burn permits already issued by fire departments.

The bill would ban the sale of fireworks in roadside push carts or temporary stands in order to spark permanent jobs. The bill must next be reviewed by the Legislature's Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security.

It's not as if fireworks aren't accessible to Massachusetts residents, but the bill would make them much easier to obtain. And with more access comes the possibility of more injuries, especially to children who don't know how to operate them safely. Child injuries can lead to permanent disfigurement.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in 2008 seven people died and 7,000 people were treated in emergency rooms for fireworks-related injuries. And more than 4 out of every 10 people injured with fireworks were children under 15. Nearly 60 percent of those injured were under 20. Hands and fingers (1,400), eyes (1,000) and legs (900) are the body parts most often injured by fireworks, the CDC reports.

While fireworks are sometimes seen as a fun activity, especially during holidays, they can be dangerous -- sparklers, for instance, burn at more than 1,000 degrees. They can catch clothes on fire and bottle rockets can fly wild and strike people in the eyes.

While it's possible that human error is to blame for many of these accidents and injuries, some fireworks companies manufacture defective products in Boston and can lead to severe injuries. Investigating the design, construction and other factors related to fireworks after an accident can be important in determining whether the product was at fault.

Continue reading "Boston Fireworks Law Proposal Could Lead to Personal Injury Risks" »