Boston Personal Injury Attorney Blog

February 7, 2012

Boston Road Safety, Part 7: Seat Belts

Imagine walking outside your front door to a war zone every day — without a bullet-proof vest.

That’s exactly the kind of risk you’re taking when you get into a vehicle without buckling your seat belt.

If you want to protect yourself from the serious injury or death that could result from a car crash in Boston or elsewhere in Massachusetts, make sure you wear your seat belt – every time, no exceptions.

Our Boston car accident attorneys understand the accident may not be your fault. And you are entitled to bring a claim regardless of whether you are wearing a seat belt. But belting up is your first line of defense.

We’re touching on this issues because, No. 1, we see far too many lives lost senselessly on our roadways, and No. 2, because the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration offers additional information about seat belt safety in the U.S.

The first is that buckling up is the best way to protect yourself in a crash. Seat belts have saved more than 75,000 lives from 2004 to 2008. To put that in perspective, picture a jam-packed, large sports arena. Wearing a seat belt keeps you inside your vehicle in the event of a crash. If you are ejected from the car, your chances of dying skyrocket.

Secondly, air bags alone aren’t enough to save you because they’re designed to work with the seat belts, not be used in place of them. If you don’t buckle up, the force of being thrown toward the airbag when it’s deploying could kill you.

Thirdly, when you do buckle up, make sure it fits you correctly. Every person is different, but the shoulder belt should come across the middle of your chest and away form your neck. The lap belt should go across your hips, just below your stomach.

Never put the shoulder belt behind your back or under your arm, as this could lead to serious injury in the event of a crash.
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February 6, 2012

Boston Road Safety, Part 6: Pedestrians

by Jeffrey S. Glassman

Increasingly, a significant percentage of fatalities on our roadways involve pedestrian accidents in Boston and throughout the country.

According to the Safekids USA reports that other than the street, many young children are struck in driveways, parking lots and sidewalks.

The state’s highway safety division partners with WalkBoston to promote pedestrian safety in Boston. The non-profit promotes walking as a commuting option that is better for the environment, healthier for the workers and a cheaper alternative to a car, which can be costly in terms of gas and repairs.

But pedestrian safety must be a top priority.

SafeKids USA recommends the following actions by lawmakers to help make that a reality:

1. Reduce speed limits in residential areas.
2. Make sure pedestrians have adequate walkways.
3. Forbid vehicles from passing school buses while loading and unloading passengers.
4. Making sure there are enough crossing guards and ensuring pedestrians don’t cross the street anywhere other than designated crosswalks.

For parents, walking your child’s route to school with them can be a great way to become familiar with potential dangers they may face on the way to school, and to discuss with them how they can stay safe.
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February 4, 2012

Boston Road Safety, Part 5: Impaired Driving

by Jeffrey S. Glassman

By all accounts, the scene was horrendous – a telephone pole snapped in half by the Ford Explorer that became wrapped around it after a drunk driving accident in Quincy.

Four people were seriously injured in the single-vehicle Boston car accident.
According to the Melanie’s Law , which increases the penalties for drunk driving in Massachusetts.

Some of the greatest changes under the new law include a requirement for an ignition interlock device for someone who wants to get their license back after their second conviction, even if the prior offense was decades ago. Additionally, your license can be suspended for consecutive terms (rather than concurrent, which means they run together) for DUI convictions or if you refuse a breath test when you’re pulled over. There are also harsher license suspensions for under-21 drivers.

Still, some would like to see even greater penalties. Mothers Against Drunk Driving is hoping that future Massachusetts lawmakers will include provisions that Melanie’s Law did not address, including a requirement for alcohol treatment programs for people who chronically drive drunk (especially for those behind bars). They would also like to see more police officers on the streets for deterrence purposes.

If you see a drunk driver on the road, call the police and report it.

Here are some tips from MADD on how to spot a drunk driver:

1. The person quickly accelerates or decelerates.
2. The driver is tailgating, zig-zagging or weaving across the roadway.
3. The driver may almost strike a curb, object or another vehicle 4. A drunk driver may stop without reason or brake erratically 5. A driver who is drunk will drift in and out of lanes.
6. An impaired driver will use improper signals, such as turning a blinker on when they aren’t turning.
7. A drunk driver is likely to swerve.
8. The person has a slower response to traffic signals, either making a delayed start or sudden stop.
9. The driver may forget to use their headlights, even if it’s dark.
10. A drunk driver may be traveling on the wrong side of the road, into oncoming traffic.
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February 1, 2012

Boston Road Safety, Part 4: Distracted Driving

by Jeffrey S. Glassman

It’s been over a year since Gov. Patrick signed the state’s Safe Driving Law, which effectively bans Massachusetts motorists from sending, typing or reading electronic messages from a handheld device while driving.

It’s one of the most sweeping pieces of legislation in the country, and its designed to address the issue of distracted driving and quash the number of car accidents in Boston and throughout the state.

While officials in other states have debated text messages bans, the question that inevitably gets raised is: How will you enforce it? How will a police officer know whether the driver is sending a text or sending an e-mail?

January 30, 2012

Boston Road Safety, Part 3: Child Safety Seats

by Jeffrey S. Glassman

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 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.
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January 27, 2012

Boston Road Safety, Part 2: Motorcycles

by Jeffrey S. Glassman

Motorcycle accidents in Boston are a huge problem, killing and injuring four times as many people as bicycle accidents on our roadways in 2008.

Nationally, motorcycle fatalities have more than doubled in recent years, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Our Boston motorcycle accident attorneys are including this as the second in our nine-part series on Boston Road Safety.

January 24, 2012

Boston Road Safety, Part 1: Bicycles

by Jeffrey S. Glassman

Our roads pose a gauntlet of risks for almost everyone who shares them.

As such, the Massachusetts Highway Safety Division is urging motorists at the start of 2012 to remind residents of the potential dangers to bicyclists, motorcyclists, car and truck drivers, parents, pedestrians and teens, with the goal of reducing the dangers on the road for everyone.

It’s an all-encompassing effort that our Boston personal injury attorneys want to expand upon.

January 19, 2012

Officials Respond to Recent Globe Article Regarding Bicycle Accidents in Boston

by Jeffrey S. Glassman

Our Boston Personal Injury Attorneys recently told you about an article discussing the risks of accidents along the dangerous intersection of Vassar Street and Massachusetts Avenue. We discussed the actions that local officials are studying to make these roadways even safer. But that response isn’t enough, according to city authorities.

The Mayor of Boston and Nicole Freedman, the Director of Bicycle Programs for the City of Boston have submitted a written response to that original article, posted in the Boston Globe. Freedman fired back against the article’s assertion that not enough has been done to identify problem areas in the state. Freedman further responded to criticism that not enough action has been taken by officials in Boston and Cambridge to make these areas safer for bicyclists and pedestrians.

Our Boston bicycle accident lawyers understand that officials have installed bike lanes along both Commonwealth and Massachusetts Avenues. Yet these two roadways still rank in as the two most dangerous areas in the city for bicycle accidents. Regardless of what safety measures are taken to improve travel along our roadways, bicyclists and motorists are asked to practice safe traveling habits. Driver and cyclist attention and safety skills are our best bets to prevent bicycle accidents.

According to Freedman and the Mayor, there have already been a number of precautionary steps taken in the city to help keep bicyclists safe. Before the city launched the New Balance Hubway, the city of Boston launched an agenda aimed at improving education, enforcement and safety, with the ultimate goal of making the city of Boston the safest bicycling and walking city in the nation. Freedman goes on to say that the city gathers hard data and anecdotal information through interviews with residents and visitors. The city’s transportation department has mapped out thousands of accidents using reports from bicyclist surveys. In addition to these collection efforts, the city says that hundreds of cyclists have advised the department personally with comments and concerns. Freedman says that this information is all used to map out the best steps to make the city safer for all travelers. It’s an interactive process, she says.

In recent studies, says Freedman, Boston has been ranked as the second- and eighth-safest city for bicycling and walking. Yet, she acknowledges that more can be done. She concludes the article’s response by saying the Mayor’s administration will continue with its efforts to enhance safety on our city’s roadways.

As City officials continue on in their efforts, pedestrians are asked to be cautious when walking along the busy roadways of Boston. Responsible and safe walking habits can help to reduce your risks of a potentially fatal accident.
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January 17, 2012

Federal Funding to Help Reduce Risks of Car Accidents in Massachusetts after 2011 Storm Damage

by Jeffrey S. Glassman

Roadways throughout the state of Massachusetts may be looking a little better in the near future. According to Richard Davey, CEO and Secretary of the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT), funding from Obama’s Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) is being distributed throughout western and central Massachusetts. The federal aid was provided to the state to help repair roadways from the damage caused by the June 1st tornadoes and August 26th Tropical Storm Irene.

The first grant is about $4 million and will help local communities throughout the area to fix roadway damage from the tornadoes. The second grant is about $41 million and will help cover damages along the East Coast resulting from Tropical Storm Irene. The Hawlet, Goshen, Charlemont, Ashfield and Adams communities will be receiving these funds to help reduce the risks of car accidents throughout Massachusetts.

Our Massachusetts car accident attorneys understand that faulty and neglected roadways are a top contributor to a lot of traffic accidents in the area. With the storms we saw in 2011, there are roadways throughout the state that have been damaged and can be dangerous for motorists. These funds from the FHWA will be used to help increase traffic safety along these roadways. Government and Transportation officials have a responsibility to keep roadways throughout the area safe for travel. This can often be difficult with the recent budget problems. This funding will help motorists throughout the state who regularly traverse the roadways damaged by these catastrophic storms.

“The summer’s tornadoes and Hurricane Irene packed a double wallop, and it still shows in the damage to our roads, bridges, and infrastructure. You don’t bounce back from that kind of severe weather on the cheap,” said U.S. Senator John Kerry.

United States Senator Scott Brown says he is thankful local communities will be receiving the federal funds to help make the proper repairs to damaged roadways. He adds that the federal assistance will help to relieve some of the budgetary burdens that many areas around the country are fighting.

Communities that will be using the federal funds:

-Hawley will be using more than $7,000 to help repair the roadways along Route 8A.

-Goshen will be using more than $10,000 to help fix shoulder and road repairs along West Road.

-Clarlemont will be using more than $440,000 to fix roads and slopes along South River Road.

-Ashfield will be using about $15,000 to fix roads and slopes along Williamsburg Road.

-Adams will be using about $15,000 to fix slopes and roads along East Hoosac.

Within these areas, there was significant damage done to a number of bridges and roadways from the storms. In most areas, cleanup and repair efforts are still underway. Government officials have a responsibly to keep roadways safe for traffic.
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January 15, 2012

Icy Bridge Causing Problems and Increasing Accident Risks in Worcester

by Jeffrey S. Glassman

As we recently reported on our Boston Personal Injury Attorney Blog, icy road conditions are causing a plethora of car accidents in Massachusetts. Slick, snowy and icy roadways are among the top causes of a number of traffic accidents thus far is 2012. These types of accidents are in fact preventable with the proper safe winter driving habits.

According to ABC5, a bridge expansion joint problem on Interstate 290 in Worcester was the scene of recent car accidents and a number of flattened tires. According to Massachusetts State Police, the area’s cold temps caused the expansion joint on the Interstate, near exit 20, to dislodge and to protrude from the ground. Shortly after, a tractor-trailer crashed into another vehicle in addition to a number of flattened tires.

Our Boston car accident attorneys understand that the latest reports concluded that nearly 10 vehicles received flat tires after driving over the expansion joint. Reportedly, officials with the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) have been out at the scene and have made the appropriate repairs to that portion of the roadway. All vehicles have been either fixed or removed from the Interstate and traffic is flowing steady. But this brings up an important issue that we’ve been talking about recently: the importance of safe winter driving. Our roadways are dangerous through the winter season and short and simple road trips can turn deadly without the proper driving techniques.

MassDOT is here to offer drivers throughout the state some safe winter driving tips:

-Make sure that you clean the snow and the ice from your vehicle’s lights and windows before driving. You should also clear it off of the roof and the hood for maximum safety.

-You never want to tailgate. You should always leave enough room between you and the vehicle in front of you to stop safely.

-Be cautious of the current driving conditions. Remember that the posted speed limits are for driving on dry pavement. Slow down when snow or ice plague the roadway.

-Curb all distractions to maximize your attention and ability to react to a road hazard.

-Know the current road conditions. You can call 511 from your cell phone to retrieve this information. If calling from a land-line phone, call (617) 986-5511 for Metro Boston info, (508) 499-5511 for Central Massachusetts info and (413) 754-5511 for Western Massachusetts info.

-Be easy on your brakes. You should brake early and brake correctly because it takes more time and distance to stop safely on slick roads.

-Remember that bridge decks freeze first. These roadways have a different exposure to the air and are more vulnerable to ice than ground-level roads. Conditions on bridges are much more dangerous in freezing temps.

-Be cautious on exit ramps. These areas oftentimes receive less anti-icing materials than other road area and can oftentimes be extremely slippery.

-Avoid using the cruise control.

-Look farther ahead into traffic than you normally do to help you to see upcoming roadway dangers before it’s too late.

-Allow maintenance vehicles and snow plows with plenty of room. It’s recommended that you stay at least 200 feet behind them and don’t ever pass on the right.

-Wear your seat belt to help reduce the risks of injury or death in the event of an accident.
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