Pedestrian Accidents

July 15, 2010

Understanding the rules can help reduce risk of Boston pedestrian accidents, bicycle accidents

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

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

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

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

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

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

You can visit the system’s website for more information on Minuteman Bikeway.
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July 13, 2010

Backover car accidents in Massachusetts a danger to pedestrians, children

by Jeffrey S. Glassman

A Hanson, Massachusetts pedestrian accident sent a 55-year-old woman to the hospital over the weekend, the Patriot Ledger reported.

The woman was struck by a small SUV while walking across the entrance to a driveway shortly after 9 a.m. Saturday. She was flown by helicopter to Massachusetts General Hospital, where she was listed in critical condition.

The accident happened as the SUV was backing out of a driveway.

Our Boston injury lawyers have reported on the high number of serious and fatal pedestrian accidents that occur in the Boston area. Massachusetts pedestrian accidents account for one in seven traffic fatalities — 61 of 429 in a recent year. More than motorcycle and bicycle fatalities combined and second only to motor-vehicle fatalities.

Nationwide, 4,378 pedestrians were killed in accidents in 2008, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and another 69,000 were injured. Somewhere in the nation a pedestrian is killed in an accident every two hours and a pedestrian is injured every eight minutes.

Back-over injuries, such as the injuries sustained in this case, frequently involve young children. The Consumer Union has documented 436 backover accidents in the last decade, primarily involving children under the age of 4.

These accidents occurred outside a child’s home or in a residential driveway and involved 270 fatalities. More than 60 percent of backover accidents involve large vans or SUVs.

Tips for avoiding backover accidents in Massachusetts:

-Walk around a vehicle before moving it.

-Know where kids are and keep them in full view.

-Teach children about the dangers of parked vehicles; never permit them to play around a vehicle.

-Measure the size of the blindspot behind the vehicles you drive. A 5 foot 1 inch driver in a pickup truck can have a rear blind spot of 50 feet.

-Keep in mind that steep inclines and large SUVs, trucks or vans can increase the difficulty of seeing behind a vehicle.
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July 10, 2010

Police hunt hit-and-run suspect after Massachusetts pedestrian accident in Fall River

by Jeffrey S. Glassman

Police are seeking the driver responsible for a hit-and-run Massachusetts pedestrian accident in Fall River, the Herald News reported.

The crash happened Wednesday night when a gray or silver Chrysler Sebring struck a 22-year-old woman near North Main and Malvey streets about 9 p.m. The accident forced the woman on top of the vehicle before she tumbled off the side. The driver did not stop.

A witness said there was damage to the right front of the vehicle and that the windshield was broken. The vehicle possibly has a partial Massachusetts plate number of 649 and appeared to have chrome rims.

The victim was taken to the hospital with a possible head injury.

A Boston injury lawyer should be consulted anytime someone is injured in a hit-and-run accident. In the event that a driver is never located, an experienced accident attorney may be able to help a victim collect from his or her own insurance company.

The most common reasons why a motorist attempts to run after an accident are because a driver was under the influence of alcohol or drugs or because he or she was driving without a license. In such cases, the at-fault driver frequently does not have insurance, or does not carry insurance in sufficient amounts to compensate a victim for injuries sustained in an accident. Consulting an experienced attorney is critical for victims of Massachusetts car accidents involving uninsured or underinsured motorists.

Failure to make a timely claim can prevent a victim from receiving compensation for medical bills, lost wages and other expenses associated with the accident.

Anyone with information about the crash is asked to call Det. Lawrence Ferreira at 508-321-2796.
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June 15, 2010

Authorities investigate fatal Boston pedestrian accident

by Jeffrey S. Glassman

Police are investigating a fatal Boston pedestrian accident that closed several lanes of I-495 early Monday morning, ABC5 reported.

As we reported recently on our Boston Personal Injury Attorney Blog, authorities continue to deal with a large number of serious and fatal pedestrian accidents in Massachusetts. In 2008, a total of 75 people were killed and more than 350 were injured in Massachusetts pedestrian accidents, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The accident occurred in Marlborough at about 5:30 a.m. when a male pedestrian in his 40s was struck by a vehicle south of exit 23C, according to authorities. The pedestrian was pronounced dead at the scene. Police continue to investigate the accident and the highway was closed until about 10 a.m., at one point backing up traffic for more than 17 miles.

The Boston Herald reported that the man may have been inexplicably in the middle of the highway at the time of the accident, which occurred near the Route 9 exit in Westborough.

Anyone traveling I-495 who has information about the incident is asked to call State Police at 508-832-9124.
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May 14, 2010

Trio of Boston pedestrian accidents have authorities urging motorists to use caution

by Jeffrey S. Glassman

A Boston pedestrian accident fatally injured a man early Wednesday morning near the entrance to the Ted Williams Tunnel.

It is the third serious pedestrian accident to occur in the Boston area in as many days. As we reported on our Boston Car Accident Lawyer Blog, authorities responded to a pair of pedestrian accidents on Monday that killed a man and seriously injured a woman walking her dog.

In Wednesday’s accident, the vehicle was driven by a 42-year-old Orange resident, Mass Live reported. The accident remains under investigation and no citations have been issued.

Police were called to Albany and Herald streets shortly after midnight. The pedestrian was taken to New England Medical Center with serious injuries.

The Boston Globe reported the man, who was in his late 30s, died as a result of his injuries.

The Globe reported that the man may have been crossing against the light and that the car’s speed is not believed to be a factor in the crash.

Seventy-five people were killed and more than 350 were seriously injured in Massachusetts pedestrian accidents in 2008, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Statewide, pedestrian accidents account for about 1 of every 5 traffic fatalities.

The Boston Public Health Commission reports that nearly 2 million pedestrians are in Boston during the workday, despite a residential population of just 600,000.

Boston Pedestrian Facts
-Only about 12 percent of pedestrians obey “Walk” signals.

-One-third of pedestrians jaywalk or disregard crosswalks.

-While 95 percent of drivers yield to pedestrians who have the right-of-way, only about half yield to pedestrians crossing against a light and fewer still yield to jaywalkers.

Safety Tips for Pedestrians

-Use the crosswalk.

-Always check for traffic in all directions before entering the street.

-Wait for walk signals.

-Pedestrians have the right-of-way at crosswalks without a traffic signal. But make sure a driver sees you before proceeding.

-Wear bright colored clothing after dusk.

-Watch for cars in driveways and parking spaces.

Safety Tips for Drivers

-Pedestrians have the right-of-way in crosswalks without traffic signals. Failure to yield to a pedestrian is punishable by a $200 fine.

-Always yield to pedestrians when making a turn.

-Give elderly pedestrians and small children a break; allow for extra time to cross the street.

-Always watch for pedestrians when backing up, or exiting a driveway or parking space.

-Yield to school buses. Remain alert for young pedestrians in school zones or near parks.

-Take your time. Reckless driving and speeding account for nearly one-fourth of all Boston car accidents.
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May 8, 2010

Massachusetts pedestrian accident injures Lord Jesus Christ

by Jeffrey S. Glassman

Police have charged a Pittsfield woman with a Northampton pedestrian accident after she allegedly ran down a man named Lord Jesus Christ in a crosswalk, MSNBC reported.

Police checked the identification of the 50-year-old Belchertown man and determined his legal name, is indeed, Lord Jesus Christ. Police report he was in a marked crosswalk at the time of the accident. The 20-year-old driver was cited for failure to yield to a pedestrian in a crosswalk.

The Republican reported that Christ was taken to Cooley Dickinson Hospital with minor injuries. The accident occurred as the driver was making a left turn from Strong Avenue onto Main Street.