Boston Personal Injury Attorney Blog

May 20, 2012

Dog Bites in Boston and Elsewhere Costing Insurance Companies Nearly $500 Million in 2011

Dog bite injuries in Boston and elsewhere are more common than you may think.

According to State Farm Insurance, it paid our nearly $110 million for these kinds of claims in just 2011. The year before, it paid out about $90 million. Experts are now trying to figure out why the increase, of nearly 4,000 claims in 2011 from 3,500 in 2010.

Nationwide, insurance companies dished out about $500 million in homeowners insurance claims for dog bite injuries in 2011, according to U.S. News.

Our Boston personal injury lawyers understand that there are more than 4.5 million people who are a victim of a dog bite every year. And those are only the ones that are reported. Experts say that about half of the bite victims are children. Nearly a million of all victims seek medical attention for the treatment of these bites, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Nearly 20 die from these attacks every year, too!

Kids between the ages of 5- and 9-years-old are the most likely to be bitten by a dog. After this age group, seniors and then letter carriers make up the most at-risk group. Over the last two years, nearly 6,000 employees with the U.S. Postal Service were attacked by dogs.

To help to raise awareness about these kinds of accidents, the third week of May has been dubbed National Dog Bite Prevention Week. During this time, safety advocates and organizations nationwide work to educate residents about the risks for dog bite accidents. In most cases, dog bite victims are bitten or attacked by dogs they know, like the ones in their own household or dogs of neighbors, close friends and even family members.

Dogs can bite for a number of reasons, including health, training, socialization, heredity and the behavior of those around them.

The state of Massachusetts has one of the best laws for protecting the victims of dog bite injuries, especially child victims. The owner of a dog is strictly liable for dog bite accidents unless the victim was tormenting, trespassing or abusing the dog prior to the bite. Children under the age of 7 are presumed innocent, according to Dog Bite Law.

Residents are urged to be cautious near dogs. Some may not look dangerous, but looks can definitely be deceiving. Be careful when you’re near a dog of any kind. Allow them to sniff you before petting them. Never bother a dog while they’re eating, sleeping or caring for their young. Always treat a dog as if they could strike at any time. Be calm, careful and cautious to reduce your risks of a dog bite injury.
Continue reading

May 18, 2012

Intersection Car Accident in Somerville Sends Seven to Hospital

by Jeffrey S. Glassman

After a recent rollover car accident in Somerville seven people were sent to the hospital, according to the Medford Patch. Four of the seven were taken away on body boards.

The accident happened shortly before 5:30 p.m. at the intersection of Mystic Valley Parkway and Boston Avenue. Officials with the Medford and the Somerville fire departments and police departments were called to the scene as well as the Massachusetts State Police. Officers were forced to close off nearby sections of Boston Avenue and Route 16 so that emergency response teams could attend to the victims and could clear the mess of the accident. Unfortunately, the accident happened right in the middle of rush hour. Emergency response teams were delayed a short while trying to get through the gridlock traffic, according to District Chief Frank Lee. He adds that this intersection has had a history of these kinds of accidents.

“Something like this happens four or five times a year,” said Lee.

Our Boston car accident attorneys understand that intersections are in fact some of the most dangerous places on our roadways. They’re the backdrop to many accidents each and every day. As a matter of fact, nearly half of the near 6,000,000 car accidents that happened in the U.S. in 2008 were intersection-related. Motorists are urged to be cautious in these areas to try to avoid a potentially fatal accident.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Association (NHTSA), there are a couple of factors that contribute to a large majority of these intersection-related accidents. Some of the most common factors include inadequate surveillance, false assumptions of other’s actions, turning with obstructed views, illegal maneuvers, distracted driving, misjudgment of gap and other’s speed and failure to obey traffic control devices.

Luckily, there are a few safe driving tips that can help to keep you safe when driving through intersections and through other high-risk areas.

Intersection Safety Tips:

-When coming up to a traffic light, assume that it’s going to change. Slow it down a little bit. That way if it does change then you will be able to slow down in time for drivers who aren’t as cautious.

-Always check the crosswalks for pedestrians.

-If the light at the intersection changes to green as you approach, be sure to keep it slow and look in all directions. You never know when there’s a car coming from another direction that’s going to run the red light.

-Be sure to always use your turn signals, both when changing lanes and when making turns.

-Yield to vulnerable road users, including pedestrians and cyclists.

-Never tailgate. Always allow enough room for you to stop safely.

-Be one step ahead of other drivers and the surrounding traffic.

-Always use your blinker to alert other travelers of your intended maneuvers.
Continue reading

May 16, 2012

Man Fights for Life after Chelsea Pedestrian Accident

by Jeffrey S. Glassman

An overnight accident in Chelsea sent a pedestrian to Massachusetts General Hospital with life-threatening injuries. Officials with the Massachusetts State Police are currently investigating the accident.

The accident happened along Revere Beach parkway just after midnight when the pedestrian was struck by a passing bus, according to NECN.

The Bolt Bus was being driven by a Brockton man. Currently, no charges have been filed.

Our Boston personal injury attorneys understand that buses are a key form of transportation throughout the state. Many residents and visitors rely on this form of transportation to get to and from work and school. While we oftentimes focus on the safety of the passengers, it’s also important to focus on the pedestrians are the vehicles. These large buses pack a heavy punch when they’re involved in traffic accidents and oftentimes produce deadly results.

Pedestrians need to be cautious whenever traveling near motor vehicle traffic. In 2009, there were nearly 4,100 pedestrians killed on U.S. roadways. In addition to these fatalities, there were another 60,000 people injured in these accidents. Oftentimes, pedestrians are overlooked by vehicle traffic, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). It’s important for pedestrians to make their movements near traffic predictable to make them better seen my motorists. These kinds of accidents are preventable. They just take some awareness from everyone.

According to the Cambridge Police Department, there are a few simple safety tips that pedestrians can use when walking around buses and bus stops to help them to avoid becoming the victim of a fatal bus-pedestrian accident.

Pedestrian Safety Tips:

-Pedestrians are required to follow all traffic control signals and directions of officers who may be out directing traffic.

-Pedestrians are required to use crosswalks to cross the street if they’re within 300 feet of one.

-Pedestrians are required to yield to the right of way to authorized emergency, funeral processions, regardless of what the traffic controls may be conveyed.

-When traveling at night, wear bright clothing and wear reflectors or carry a flashlight to be able to be more visible to motorists.

While we ask pedestrians to do their part to stay safe on our roadways, we also ask motorists and bus drivers to keep an eye out for on-foot traffic. The Cambridge Police Department also offers some safety tips for drivers to help to keep our roads safe.

Motorist Safety Tips:

-Motorists are to yield to pedestrians in crosswalks.

-Motorists are to never block a crosswalk.

-Always expect pedestrians. Be extra cautious in residential neighborhoods and be cautious when traveling near downtown areas and shopping/business districts.

-Motorists must slow down for pedestrians.

-Motorists may not open a car door into the travel lane of a bicyclist of a pedestrian.

-Motorists must yield to pedestrians and bicyclists when making a turn.
Continue reading

May 14, 2012

Red Sox Announcer Dies in Boston Car Accident

by Jeffrey S. Glassman

Carl Beanie, the public address announcer for the Red Sox, recently passed away after a car accident in Boston. According to the Boston Globe, the announcer called out some excellent Sox plays through two World Series championships. He was 59-years-old.

“We are filled with sadness at this tragic news,” Red Sox president Larry Lucchino said. “All of Red Sox Nation will remember his presence, his warmth, and his voice.”

Our Boston injury attorneys understand that the announcer’s vehicle reportedly ran off the road. He was taken to Harrington Hospital in Southbridge where he was later pronounced dead. There’s no denying he will be missed. Beanie was a long-time staple at the baseball park. He’s announced for a number of broadcasts, including the Associated Press, and started his career at Fenway back in 2002. He announced the World Series game when the Red Sox took home the championship to end their 86-year title drought.

Nearly everyone is Boston knows his familiar voice. He also announced wedding ceremonies, popular commercials and a number of ceremonies. A Boston magazine interview back in 2008 revealed that grooms would tell him that they were more excited to meet him than to marry their bride.

“This is where I should be,” said Beanie.

He loved his baseball, he loved the Red Sox and he loved Boston.

Roadways in Boston can be dangerous. As a matter of fact in Boston there were nearly 20 fatal car crashes in 2009. Many of these accidents happened under completely preventable conditions, such as impaired driving, distracted driving, speedy driving and other forms of dangerous driving conditions. With a little bit more awareness behind the wheel, we can all do our party to help to reduce the risks of these accidents on our roadways.

To help keep our roads safe for everyone, it’s important to keep an eye on health conditions. In many cases, drivers’ health conditions and the medications that they’re prescribed to can have a seriously risky effect on their abilities to navigate our roadway safety. Drivers are urged to talk with a doctor about driving after being prescribed to any medication.

The truth of the matter is that driving is tough and is a complex skill. Our ability to drive can be drastically changed if our mental, physical and emotional condition.
Continue reading

May 12, 2012

Bicycle Accidents in Boston and Elsewhere Targeted by Bay State Bike Week 2012!

by Jeffrey S. Glassman

Bicyclists throughout the state are encouraged to hop on their bike during this year’s Bay State Bike Week. It’s all for a good cause and to help to save lives.

This annual week-long event is being held this year from May 14th through the 20th and is used to raise awareness about bicyclists in the state. Every year, there are far too many bicyclists who are killed in traffic-related bicycle accidents in Boston and elsewhere. These accidents can be prevented!

As the weather warms up, more and more cyclists will be hitting our roadways and risks for accidents will increase. Be on your best and most cautious behavior behind the wheel to help avoid causing an accident with a cyclist.

According to the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT), there have been hundreds of events registered throughout the state for this year’s campaign. You’re urged to sign up and participate by visiting the campaign’s website. Get involved and help to raise awareness about bicycle safety.

Just two years ago, MassDOT became the very first state DOT in the U.S. to organize a state bike week event. Our state continues to be the only state in the country to dedicate an entire week to our bicyclists. Our Boston bicycling accident attorneys understand that there were more than 600 lives of bicyclists lost in motor-vehicle accidents across the U.S. in 2009. During the same year, there were more than 50,000 bicyclists injured, according to bicyclinginfo.com. What’s worse is that experts believe these numbers are actually much higher as they believe that not all bicycle accidents are even reported by police.

This year, MassDOT is teaming up with MassRIDES as well as MassBIKE to successfully execute the Bay State’s Bike Week. Both MassBIKE and MassRIDES are two of Commonwealth’s statewide travel options program.

“The work that each community places in hosting events throughout the Commonwealth works to achieve the GreenDOT mission and the Healthy Transportation Compact statewide,” Richard A. Davey, MassDOT Secretary and CEO.

In addition to all of the registered events throughout the state, there will also be more than 10 Massachusetts Transportation Management Associations (TMA) that will be giving out this year’s MassCommute Bicycle Challenge. This is the state’s 18th anniversary and will be used to conduct friendly competitions between residents, visitors, employers, communities, schools and others and is used to encourage everyone to use their bike to get to and from work, school, errands, etc.

Even if you’re not getting out there on a bicycle, you’re still encouraged to help to raise awareness about these travelers. Everyone is urged to share the road safely with one another, regardless of mode of transportation, to help make our roadways safer for all!
Continue reading

May 10, 2012

Fatal Car Accidents in Attleboro and Elsewhere Down, Increases Expected

by Jeffrey S. Glassman

There’s good news. The number of fatal car accidents in Attleboro and elsewhere continues to plunge. The nation is actually sitting at the lowest number we’ve seen since 1949, according to MSNBC.

Not every state is fortunate enough to see a decrease though. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the U.S. saw nearly 32,500 roadway fatalities in 2011, which serves as a near 2 percent decline from the year before. It also serves as the seventh year in a row that we’ve seen a decline.

The numbers of fatalities hasn’t decreased in every category. Some accidents and some areas saw increases in the number of fatal accidents. Our Attleboro car accident attorneys understand that the New England area was fortunate enough to see some of the biggest declines. Our area saw a decrease in the number of roadway fatalities by more than 7 percent in 2011. But don’t let the good news fool you. There were still many areas of the country that saw increases. And we still need to be on our best behavior behind the wheel to help to keep our roadways safe.

Nationwide, the number of traffic accident fatalities has decreased by about 25 percent since 2005. When you measure these accidents in terms of per mile driven, the number is at its lowest since 1921.

Federal officials refuse to say what they believe caused the decline, but safe driving advocates say that there are probably a number of reasons. Included is the ongoing crackdown on impaired driving, which is linked to as many as half of all traffic fatalities, and the increase in the usage of seat belts, improved roadways and the developments of in-car safety systems.

Some are even blaming the downturn of the economy, saying that drivers are driving less and are therefore are facing less risks for accidents. In 2011, drivers traveled nearly 36 billion vehicles miles less than the year before. That’s a more than 1 percent decline. As the economy recovers, experts believe, the number of miles driven and the risks for accidents will increase.

“Still, too many of our friends and neighbors are killed in preventable roadway tragedies every day,” said the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT), Ray LaHood.

LaHood notes the number of fatalities on our roadways is still far too high. He says that the NHTSA is working on new rules to address the “epidemic” of distracted driving accidents. He says that with advancements in technology, we’re seeing more and more of these accidents on our roadways.

Drivers are asked to join in on the effort, too. Safe driving habits should always be a number one priority. Your safe driving habits can help to reduce the risks of accidents on our roadways.
Continue reading

May 9, 2012

Boston Sports Injuries: NFL Players File Suit

by Jeffrey S. Glassman

Boston sports injuries can have serious implications for pro athletes and even children who are just beginning to learn the game.

It’s worse than just stitches and casts, which athletes sometimes wear as a badge of honor.

It’s an issue our Boston sports injuries attorneys take very seriously.

Boston Personal Injury Attorney Jeffrey Glassman’s sister suffered a debilitating back injury several years ago that shattered hopes of a promising tennis career.

So our sports injury lawyers are closely watching the developments of a lawsuit that has been filed by some 1,500 National Football League players, who say that the organization deliberately hid from them the serious health risks associated with concussions, which many suffered on an almost daily basis. Another 100 recently added their names to that list, which continues to grow.

In other sports injury news, a study recently found teenage girls involved in soccer may be particularly prone to head injuries.

The lawsuit, which has been filed in a federal court in Atlanta, alleges that time and time again, the league did not do enough to protect its players – i.e., its employees – from serious and life-altering head injuries. In fact, they even went so far as to misrepresent how head injuries would affect players, leading them to believe there would be no long-term consequences.

The NFL of course denies these claims, but this suit is the second consolidated suit to be filed against the league. The other, in Pennsylvania, has not yet been given a trial date.

At the core of the lawsuits are recent scientific studies that show that concussions can be directly linked to chronic traumatic encephalopathy, which is a degenerative brain disease that is symptomatically similar to Alzheimer’s disease. Those who suffer from it often have severe mood swings, extensive memory loss and deep depression.

The only thing that causes this disease is repeated blows to the brain. Like Alzheimer’s, it can only be definitively diagnosed after someone has died.

The players contend that at least 12 cases have been identified in the brains of players who have since deceased. The actual number is likely much higher.

Players say they were never told of the dangers of the game.

It’s interesting to note also the recently sad news regarding the suicide of NFL player Junior Seau. Doctors say he appeared to have been suffering from chronic traumatic encephalopathy for at least a year prior to his death. What’s more, he is the second football player in recent years to commit suicide by shooting himself in the chest. Both men reportedly did so in order that their brains could be preserved to confirm the existence of the disease, as well as so that their brains could be used to study. Many have speculated that both wanted their brains used for research, likely so that future generations of footballers might benefit from the intense pain and confusion they felt in the years prior to his death.

While of course this affects a relatively small number of the population, there are countless youth sports leagues in which parents and coaches need to take note of this very serious issue.
Continue reading

May 5, 2012

Bicycle Accidents in Boston, Focus of 2012 Bike/Walk Summit

by Jeffrey S. Glassman

MassBike and WalkBoston are joining together to launch a free event, the 2012 Bike/Walk Summit.

Now, the two organizations are reaching out to pedestrian and bike advocates as well as the State House to help to raise awareness about these important forms of transportation in the City of Boston. Every year, there are far too many pedestrian and bicycle accidents in Boston and elsewhere. As the warmer months roll in, it’s time to start campaigning for these vulnerable travelers once again. This year is an especially important year to send a strong message to our state senators and representatives that walking and biking should be top priorities in the city, since it looks like federal support is on the decline.

Both WalkBoston and MassBike are asking you to RSVP today! It’s time to get Beacon Hill Moving. The event will be on the 17th of May from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Massachusetts State House, Nurses’ Hall. You’re asked to schedule a meeting with your senator or representative ahead of time. When you get there, safe biking and walking advocates will provide you with an information packet for both you and your government officials. You will also be given some key talking points regarding the current issues that are currently being discussed in the big house. When your meeting is adjourned, you’re asked to return to Nurses’ Hall to let your peers know how it went over some free lunch.

Our Boston injury attorneys understand that this event is being organized in the heart of the Bay State Bike Week! This week-long campaign is used to push awareness regarding bicycle travel. As a matter of fact, the state of Massachusetts is the only state in the country that has its own statewide bike week. That only makes sense considering the long history of biking in the area. In 2011, there were nearly 200 events during the campaign week. This year, safety advocates are hoping for more!

Earlier this month, Bike Night: Beyond the Spandex, was held to raise awareness about bicyclists in the area. This event included a fashion show for cyclists, hors d’eouvres, cocktails and a lot of bike talk. The fashion show was to help to display some popular biking gear and to bring safe biking advocates together. Bikers were also entered into a raffle to win some great prizes, including bicycles from Giant and Specialized and a number of items from Mavic, Grey Goose Vodka, Hubway, Road ID, Sam Adams, Baily Works and more.

It wasn’t only a chance for residents to get the hookup from local vendors and to win some great prizes, but it was also a chance for everyone to show their support for MassBike. As we head into Bay State Bike Week, biking advocates are urged to create and submit events to the community calendar. The more events we create the more awareness we can raise. Help to bring safe biking to the forefront and show your support today!
Continue reading

May 3, 2012

Bicycle Accidents in Somerville Targeted with Ticketing Officers

by Jeffrey S. Glassman

Cyclists in Somerville are being held accountable for their behavior and officers are tracking them down for not following the rules of the road. Now, cyclists are being ticketed for violating traffic rules. Enforcement efforts have been ramped up to help to reduce the risks of bicycle accidents in Somerville and elsewhere in the area.

Those who are ticketed will be required to fork over info, including their name and address, to police officers. Some aren’t surprised by the news though, saying bicyclists should and have been following the rules of the road all along.

“This isn’t really news,” said the executive director of MassBike, David Watson. “This is not the first community in Massachusetts to enforce traffic laws for bicyclists.”

Our Boston bicycle accident lawyers understand that bicyclists are required to follow the same rules of the road as motorists. According to surveys, most bicyclists know and follow the rules of the road, but there’s always an exception and those exceptions are making our roadways dangerous for everyone.

Watson says that targeted enforcement isn’t really fair and that everyone should be targeted and held accountable for travel along our roadways. He adds though, that it’s worth a shot if it can help to make our roadways safer for all. The truth of the matter is that motorists are responsible for the vast majority of accidents involving cyclists.

Watson argues that most cyclists are in fact following the rules of the road, but he says that it’s those select few that are running wild that are ruining it for everyone and giving cyclists a bad name.

To help to spread the word about the importance of safe biking habits, officials with MassBike continue to push their “Same Roads, Same Rules” program. This is a program that’s aimed at both cyclists and motorists and reminds them that the road is there for everyone and we need to share it accordingly to preserve roadway safety. Watson says that targeting the behavior of cyclists without targeting motorists as well is virtually pointless. Everyone needs to be the target and treated equally.

According to a recent study, conducted by MassBike, nearly 90 percent of bicyclists know the rules of the road regarding bicycling in Massachusetts. On the other hand, only about 50 percent of motorists knew them. For this reason, MassBike and Watson are hoping that the safety campaign will reach more motorists, and bicyclists, than ever before and will be able to help to keep everyone safe on our roadways. These two forms of transportation should be able to ride in unison along our roadways. It just takes a little effort and awareness.

According to Boston Bikes, nearly 40 percent of bicycle accidents involve a vehicle and about 5 percent of accidents involve a pedestrian. In the city of Boston, most bicycle accidents happen along Massachusetts Avenue and Commonwealth Avenue.
Continue reading

May 1, 2012

Risks for Injury in Boston Minimized by Rental Hubway Helmets

by Jeffrey S. Glassman

The Hubway is now nine-months old and offers roughly 600 bikes at more than 60 stations to residents and visitors across the city of Boston.

Bicycling advocates say there’s one thing it’s missing though – helmets. This is probably the main reason why only about 20 percent of bikers in the city wear a helmet while biking. A recent study, conducted by experts at the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, looked at more than 3,000 cyclists in both the Boston and the DC area and concluded that bike-share customers were about twice as likely to bike without a helmet as those with a personal bike. Experts say that these statistics are putting bikers at a higher risk for a serious head injury in the event of a bicycling accident in Boston and elsewhere, according to the Boston Globe.

“It’s often more of a spur of the moment decision to use a bike share, and riders often find themselves without helmets,” said study author Dr. Christopher Fischer, Beth Israel Deaconess emergency room physician.

Our Boston bicycling accident lawyers understand that the number of Hubway users with helmets may even be lower, according to previous Boston studies. Previous studies determined that less than a third of Hubway users wore a helmet. In 2009, there were more than 50,000 bike accident-related head injuries and nearly 650 fatal bicycling accidents that happened across the United States. Researchers believe that helmet use can actually decrease the risks for serious brain injury in the event of an accident by as much as 88 percent.

Fischer says that there are a large number of accidents that happen because bikers fall off of their bike because of various traffic and bike-related accidents and victims suffer anything from a little bump to a severe and traumatic head injury, and in some cases even death. He adds that helmets may not be able to protect riders in every situation, like being hit by a bus, but he says that the pros outweigh the cons and that this protection is better than none.

According to state law, bikers under the age of 12-years-old have to wear a helmet while riding a bike. Like other states, there are no laws in the books that require older bikers to wear a helmet.

According to a recent study from undergraduate students from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, helmets would be beneficial if they were available to Hubway riders. The students even developed a prototype, called HelmetHub, that would offer helmets to Hubway Riders. The helmets were adjustable and would fit most heads. The helmets would be distributed by a touch screen vending machine-like device that would work much like the bike-sharing devices. The helmets could be rented and returned to any other kiosk within the city. Officials with the City of Boston expressed a little interest in the prototype, but ultimately say that issues regarding sanitation would be a top concern to overcome before making these helmets available to all Hubway users.
Continue reading