Boston Personal Injury Attorney Blog

Massachusetts Lt. Gov. Tim Murray was recently cited for numerous traffic violations and fined for allegedly falling asleep at the wheel and driving more than 100 mph before veering off the road and crashing a state-issued motor vehicle back in November, according to MSNBC.

According to police reports, the vehicle was traveling at roughly 108 miles per hour as Murray’s state-issued vehicle left Interstate 190 and caused a single-vehicle car accident in Sterling. Murray was not injured in the accident but was issued an approximate $600 fine for speeding, seat belt violation and lane violation.

Our Boson car accident attorneys understand that speed kills. According to recent studies, the faster a vehicle is traveling at the time of impact, the higher the risks are for a fatality. Murray is extremely lucky that he was not seriously injured in this accident. In addition to the speed, we would also like to point out how difficult the fight can be when traffic accidents involve government vehicles, like police cars, fire trucks and ambulances. When accidents like this occur, it is the investigators who are investigating themselves. Oftentimes these agencies can overpower citizens’ claims and reports. For this reason, these types of accidents require experienced legal representation to help you to fight for your rights and for any compensation in which you may be entitled.

According to reports, Murray says the accident happened when he lost control of his vehicle because of black ice on the roadways. Although the vehicle skidded on the roadway and eventually flipped over, Murray was fortunate enough to walk away from the accident. Information collected through the black box that was inside the vehicle led officials to rule that he had fallen asleep at the wheel and that black ice was not in fact the cause of the accident.

“As first responders came to the scene, they commented on the black ice and warned each other of the slippery conditions …so I assumed that’s what caused my accident,” said Murray.

Murray says that he also thinks that he was wearing his seat belt during the accident and that’s why he was able to walk away from the accident.

Law enforcement officers administered a breathalyzer and the test results indicated that there was no alcohol involved in the accident.

Murray says that he is going to reimburse the state for the car that he smashed in the accident. It was a 1997 unmarked Crown Victoria. It was first purchased by the state for nearly $40,000 but was valued at less than $10,000 when the accident occurred.

“I recognize that I should have been more careful,” said Murray.

Murray’s driving record reveals two previous traffic citations for speeding; one in 1992 and another in 2006.
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Can you believe it? It’s 2012! The bad news is that we’re already seeing a plethora of Massachusetts car accidents. According to ABC5, icy Massachusetts highways contributed to numerous rollover accidents, including a 16-vehicle accident. Road conditions can be a top cause in many local car accidents, but these incidents are ultimately preventable with safe, cautious and alert driving practices.

Our Boston car accident lawyers understand that 2012 serves as a time for everyone to start over fresh. So say goodbye to 2011 and hello to safer roadways. Let’s all make a New Year’s resolution to practice safer driving habits to help to reduce the number of fatal accidents in our state. The first step to safer roadways starts with you.

The first of the New Year’s traffic accidents happened in Pelham. In this accident, which took place at roughly 12:00 a.m., a 32-year-old driver was thrown from a SUV after losing control of the vehicle on an icy road, causing the vehicle to flip over. This accident happened on Route 202. The driver was taken to the Bay State Medical Center in Springfield where later pronounced dead.

A second rollover accident happened in North Reading just hours later, just after 6:00 a.m. on Route 128. A 23-year-old passenger of the flipped vehicle was taken to a local hospital after this accident. The driver reportedly fled the scene. The accident is being investigated.

Even more accidents happened when near-freezing temperatures and rain gave the roadways an icy sheen. Numerous traffic accidents were reported throughout central Massachusetts during these slick and cold weather conditions. Officers report that there was a solid three hours of back to back accidents during this time.

Law enforcement officers report that the worst of the accidents happened in Templeton just before 8:00 a.m. Reports indicate that a couple in their 30s was trapped inside their vehicle after a rollover accident in Route 2. Both were taken to the hospital.

The madness didn’t stop there. There was also a 16-vehicle accident that happened in Millbury on Route 146. There was yet another accident in Worcester on I-290. The Massachusetts State Police report that there were also a number of accidents in West Boylston on I-190 by the Quinapoxett Bridge.

Officers say that the icy conditions appear to be the cause of the accidents, according to the Worcester Telegram & Gazette.

We ask that everyone be safe on our roadways as we start 2012. Winter weather is sure to plague our roadways, making driving very dangerous. Please, start the New Year off right and make a conscious effort to navigate our roadways safely. Our roadways are still congested with the remainder of the holiday traffic. Be alert and cautious when driving, especially with the snowy and icy weather conditions. Have a safe and Happy 2012 and safe travels!
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Three lives a year are saved every year from car accidents in Massachusetts because of the implementation of our graduated driver licensing (GDL) law, according to USA TODAY. It is estimated that 2,000 lives could be saved each year if every state enacted a comprehensive program of phased-in driving privileges for teenage drivers.

It isn’t news that teenage drivers need lots of help behind the wheel. While states are to make sure that drivers are getting the proper training before hitting the road unsupervised, parents should take this responsibility as well. Frequently talk with your teen driver about the importance of safe driving habits. Your conversations may be enough to instill safe driving habits and to potentially save their life.

Our Boston car accident attorneys understand that this report, from the Allstate Foundation, comes as Congress gets ready to look over a multiyear highway and transit-spending bill. Advocates of safe driving habits and of the GDL program, are campaigning for $25 million a year in incentives to get each state to beef up their GDL program.

Traffic accidents continue to be the top killer for teenagers in the country. Drivers age 16- to 19- are four times more likely to get into a serious accident than any other age group of drivers.

Massachusetts GDL Program, Implemented in 1998:

-Stage 1, Learner’s Permit: A driver can get this license at 16-years-old. A driver must hold this license for 6 months before advancing. During this time they’re required to complete 30 hours of classroom instruction, 6 to 8 hours of behind-the-wheel training, 4 to 6 hours as an observer to another student driver and 12 hours of supervised driving.

-Stage 2, Junior Operator’s License: A driver can get this license when they’re 16 and a half and they’ve completed the requirements of the learner’s permit stage. They’re not allowed to drive between midnight and 5:00 a.m. unless they have a parent or a guardian in the vehicle. For the first 6 months, they’re not allowed to drive with any passengers under the age of 18 unless they are supervised by a driver that is 21-years-old or older.

-Stage 3, Full License: After completing the first two stages, a driver can apply for a full, unrestricted license once they’ve turned 18.

The AAA Study points out seven components to an effective GDL system:

-A minimum age 16-years-old to get a learner’s permit.

-A driver must obtain a learner’s permit for six months before having the privilege of driving without any adult supervision.

-Completing a minimum of 30 hours of supervised driving during the learner’s stage.

-A driver should be able to apply for an intermediate license once they turn 16 and a half.

-Drivers in the intermediate driving stage should have a restriction on nighttime driving to where they’re prohibited from driving after 10:00 p.m.

-Drivers with an intermediate license should not be able to have more than one non-family member passenger in the vehicle at a time.

-Drivers shouldn’t be able to apply for a full license until they’ve turned 17-years-old.
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The number of drivers who are text messaging at the wheel has increased by 50 percent over the last year, according to CBS Boston. This increase was concluded through a recent study conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in which researchers took updated snapshots of drivers at selected intersections to see just how many drivers are using a hand-held device while driving.

As we recently reported on our Boston Personal Injury Attorney Blog, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is looking to halt this increasing trend through a nationwide ban of using portable electronic devices by all drivers. This is another attempt to make our roadways safer and rid them of irresponsible and unfocused drivers.

Our Massachusetts car accident lawyers understand that the number of text messaging drivers continues to increase despite tougher laws and stricter enforcement efforts against the dangerous behavior. In our state, city employee drivers and drivers who are under the age of 18 are banned from text messaging at the wheel. Still, all too many people are sending and receiving messages while driving, making our roadways dangerous for everyone.

We’re in the heart of the holiday season and vehicular traffic is heavier than ever. Drivers are asked to curb all distractions, not just cell phone-related distractions, while heading out during the Christmas and New Year’s holiday periods. The Governors Highway Safety Association is here to reiterate the importance of focused, alert and responsible driving habits.

Tips to Avoid a Distraction-Related Traffic Accident over the Holidays:

-Shut them off. Turning off all electronic devices before getting into the car will help to eliminate the temptations to drive while distracted.

-Urge your friends and family members to take part in these safe driving habits. Spread the word about the dangers and consequences of distracted driving.

-Change your voice mail. Set up a voice mail message that lets callers know that you may not be answering because you’re currently behind the wheel.

-If you get a phone call or a text message, have a passenger answer or respond.

-If a phone call or a text message is important and must be addressed, pull over in a safe spot and then deal with it. Don’t handle these calls and texts while your vehicle is in motion.

-If you’re traveling out of state, get to know the distraction-related laws in each state you’ll be driving through to avoid a costly traffic citation.

-Know the directions of your road trip before venturing off. This will help you to avoid looking at a road map while you’re driving.

-Make sure all passengers, children and pets are properly restrained before moving the car.

-Focus on driving, and driving only. Try to avoid smoking, drinking, eating and messing with the radio while driving.
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A Hingham car accident sent three motorists to the hospital and officers think they know who’s responsible for the accident. They believe a Plymouth man with a long record of traffic violations has done it again, according to the Boston Globe. Officials have located the man’s driving record and have concluded that he’s previously received nearly 20 speeding tickets, has been involved in five car accidents and is facing his 11th driver’s license suspension.

The man has received at least one traffic citation almost every year since 1987. He’s been cited for a payment default, driving to endanger, violation of open drink policy, lacking an inspection sticker, speeding and much more. Sergeant Steven Dearth with the Hingham Police says that this man has the longest driving record that he’s ever seen.

Our Massachusetts car accident attorneys understand that drivers who receive numerous citations within a five-year period are considered by the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles to be a habitual offender. One of the punishments for being a habitual offender is that that your license is suspended. The man accused of the recent Hingham car accident had already been deemed as a habitual offender, but still had his license when the accident occurred.

When the accident happened, the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles immediately suspended the man’s license because of the discovery of his extensive record.

The most recent accident happened on Main Street in Hingham when the man drove over the double yellow center lines and into the path of oncoming vehicles in the northbound lanes. It happened at roughly 9:00 p.m. Once he was in the lanes of oncoming traffic, he hit another vehicle head on. Both occupants of the oncoming vehicle were hospitalized. Police report that they were both buckled in at the time of the collision.

The driver with the lengthy record was not buckled him when the accident happened. He was transported to the Boston Medical Center and was treated for serious injuries. Officers say that he was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the accident. Reports indicate that he also had open bottles of alcohol in the vehicle.

He is currently facing charges for two counts of operating under the influence causing serious injury and negligent operation, a first offense of operating under the influence, marked lane violations, driving with an open container, driving to endanger and a seat belt violation.

The man’s license has only been suspended though, not revoked. A permanent revocation only occurs after a driver has been convicted of 5 OUIs or they’re pulled over after three OUIs and refuse to take a Breathalyzer test.

Drivers are urged to be cautious on our roadways as we head into the holiday season. Roadways are expected to get more crowded with holiday traffic. Drivers must navigate our roadways defensively to avoid a serious accident with an irresponsible driver.
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Distracted driving is contributing to more and more car accidents in Boston and elsewhere every day. To get a grasp on just how common these types of accident are, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recently released a report on which types of distraction most affecting drivers. The truth of the matter is that these types of traffic accidents are 100 percent preventable.

This survey truly illustrated just how dangerous and how high the risks are for these serious accidents.

Our Boston car accident lawyers understand that common driver distractions include talking on a cell phone, text messaging, engaging with other passengers, eating, drinking, smoking, messing with the radio, applying make, etc. All of these activities greatly increase your risks of being involved in a potentially fatal accident. To help raise awareness about the problem and make an attempt to curb these distractions, 35 states, Guam and the District of Columbia have enacted some sort of cell phone or text messaging ban for drivers. According to the Governors Highway Safety Association, drivers under the age of 18 are prohibited from using a cell phone at the wheel in Massachusetts. State law prohibits all drivers from texting while driving.

The National Survey of Distracted Driving Attitudes and Behavior survey recently assessed self-reported behaviors, knowledge and attitudes about distracted driving. More than 6,000 drivers from all 50 states were included in this survey.

Common Distractions Reported:

-The number one distraction reported was talking to other passengers, followed by messing with the vehicle’s radio, eating or drinking, making or taking cell phone calls, interacting with children and using a portable music player.

-Male drivers are more likely to use GPS systems, smartphones and music players than female drivers.

-Women are more likely than men to interact with children or engage in personal grooming at the wheel.

-Male and female drivers are equally as likely to accept or make a phone call, tend to an e-mail or text message behind the wheel.

-Drivers under the age of 25 are roughly 3 times more likely to text message or e-mail at the wheel.

Respondents’ Perception of State Laws:

-Nearly 40 percent of surveyed drivers said that they believe that their state has laws prohibiting drivers from talking on the phone at the wheel.

-Most respondents approved their state’s fines for violating these laws.

-Only 60 percent were able to correctly identify their state’s exact laws.

-Only about 50 percent of surveyed driver said that they felt like they were likely to be ticketed if they used a cell phone, text messaged or e-mailed while driving.

Regardless of which laws are in effect in various states, the truth of the matter is that this behavior is dangerous. Motorists are asked to voluntarily give up distractions at the wheel. Driving with full focus on the roadway can help to prevent your risks of a fatal accident.
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