Personal Injury

April 6, 2012

Risks for Accidents in Boston Increase with Spring Season

Governor Thomas M. Menino and his wife will be hosting the first Swan Boat ride at the Public Garden Lagoon. The kickoff event will be happening at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 14th 2012. During the opening celebration event, they will also be releasing a new family-friendly map of Boston Common and Public Garden.

The map was created by Boston Parks and Recreation Department. This map will be highlighting local sites for residents and visitors to see around the city, including spots like a 200-year-old English Elm, the Museum of African American History, the Tadpole Playground, the Brewer Fountain and the Frog Pond. With the arrival of spring season, we’re expecting more and more people to be heading outdoors to enjoy the beautiful weather. With more outdoor activities come more risks for injury in Boston. Residents are urged to be cautious when hitting the town.
218675_174237039297142_100001325410820_386417_7587218_o.jpg
“We had such a mild winter that spring is here ahead of schedule,” said Menino.

Our Boston accident lawyers understand that Saturday’s event is supposed to be a big one. Dignitaries will be joined by students from a number of area public schools, including John Winthrop Elementary School in Back Bay, the Conley Elementary School in Roslindale and the Ellis Mendell Elementary School in Roxbury, according to the City of Boston. As a matter of fact, this year is the 136th season for the Swan Boats. The smallest and oldest boat in the fleet just recently celebrated its 101st season on the water. The newest of the boats was introduced back in 1993.

Nowadays, the swan on the boat is made up of either fiberglass or copper, depending on how old the boat is. Inside the swan is an enclosed paddle device that helps to make the swan glide through the water.

When a Swan Boat is fully loaded, it weighs roughly three tons. Each boat can carry up to 20 passengers. They’re built on top of copper-clad pontoons that have air tanks in them to keep them afloat.

After they’ve been stored in a safe spot away from the wicked winter, they return to the Public Garden Lagoon for the spring.

Residents and visitors are urged to get out there and enjoy not only the beautiful spring weather, but also all of the perks that the City of Boston has to offer. For the next few months, we can expect to see plenty of Swan Boat rides, tourists, pedestrians and bicyclists throughout our city. With the coming of a new season, let’s take this time to renew our focus on safety. It may seem like a care-free time to be outdoors in the beautiful City of Boston, but remember to keep it safe. Be considerate of others and make sure safety is a top priority.
Continue reading

April 2, 2012

Distracted Driving Car Accidents in Massachusetts, Not Just a Teen Problem

by Jeffrey S. Glassman

Teen girl drivers are most likely to be involved in a distraction-related car accident in Brockton and elsewhere, according to a recent study from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety.

These young female drivers are actually twice as likely to engage in activities behind the wheel involving cell phones and text messaging devices than males the same age. Male or female, teenage drivers are the most likely to engage in these distractions. It’s no wonder why they have such high accident rates.

Researchers concluded that talking on the phone and text messaging was the most common behavior that teenage drivers exhibited behind the wheel. Some of the other top distractions included talking loudly with passengers, engaging in horseplay, drinking, eating, grooming and playing with controls, according to CBS NEWS.

Our Massachusetts car accident lawyers know these findings failed to surprise as car accidents continue to be the leading cause of death for teens in the country. Researchers were looking more at which drivers were likely to engage in specific distractions. In the state of Massachusetts, these young drivers aren’t even allowed to talk on cell phones or text message at the wheel.

According to the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA), drivers under the age of 18 are prohibited from using a hand-held cell phone at the wheel. All drivers are prohibited from text messaging while driving. Still, young drivers are playing with these devices all too often behind the wheel, and they’re endangering the safety of our roadways.

“This new study provides the best view we’ve had about how and when teens engage in distracted driving behaviors,” said Peter Kissinger, AAA Foundation President and CEO.

When state law fails, parents are asked to step in. Parental advice, insight and enforcement may be some of the best ways to help to reduce their risks for a car accident.

This study from AAA comes as we enter National Distracted Driving Month 2012. This month-long campaign is used to help raise awareness about the dangers of distracted driving. The National Safety Council (NSC) is urging motorists across the country to take the pledge, the pledge to drive distraction free. You see, these kinds of accidents are completely preventable. This pledge isn’t only for teens, who are more likely to engage in these distractions, but for drivers of all ages. The change starts with you. Take a pledge, be a responsible driver and help to save lives.

According to the NSC, about a quarter of all car accidents involve a cell phone-using driver. As a matter of fact, engaging in phone conversations behind the wheel causes the driver to only see 50 percent of the surroundings. That means 50 percent of traffic lights, other vehicles and pedestrians aren’t seen by the driver. Scary, isn’t it?

Do you part to make our roadways safer for everyone, take the pledge and urge the young drivers in your family to drive distraction free. You’re urged to use the month of April to help spread the message of the dangers of these unsafe driving habits. It can help to save your life!
Continue reading

March 27, 2012

Massachusetts Woman Killed during Florida Vacation

by Jeffrey S. Glassman

We often talk about the dangers of riding bicycles and walking near traffic, but we don’t think about them while on vacation — the risks were probably the last thing on a Medford woman’s mind when she died in Fort Lauderdale. The expectant mother had won a trip to Florida through a church event. It was on that Florida trip where the Massachusetts woman was killed while hanging out by the pool. She was killed by a motor vehicle that sped off of the road, onto the hotel’s property and through the cabana she was in by the pool of her hotel, according to the Boston Herald.

“She won a contest writing an essay on how a vacation would bless them,” said Genesis pastor Michael Davis.

Although this freak accident happened in the state of Florida, it’s important to point out that cars can speed into buildings and cause fatal accidents in Massachusetts as well. When an unfortunate accident like this one happens to you or someone in your family, it’s important to contact an experienced attorney to help you to fight for your rights. Fighting for your rights will be difficult with property owners, drivers and victims all fighting for the same thing — justice and compensation. And property owners will typically share the blame for not doing enough to protect customers and guests.

Our Massachusetts personal injury lawyers understand that the expectant mother and her husband were supposed to return home on that previous Saturday, but decided to extend their trip another day and checked into another hotel. It was that Sunday when the tragic accident happened. Fort Lauderdale police are still looking into the cause and details of the accident. It could be weeks before charges are filed, if they ever are.

Here’s the details that have been released on the accident: The woman was in the bathroom of a poolside cabana at the Riverside Hotel on Las Olas Boulevard when a 34-year-old driver lost control off her vehicle, left the roadway and went through that very cabana. The driver was heading down Southeast Fourth Street when she lost control of her vehicle at a curve in the road. She ran over a fence and right into the cabana where the Massachusetts woman was.

Both the Medford mother and her unborn child were later pronounced dead. The husband and soon-to-be father was in an adjoining restroom and only suffered minor bruises and cuts.

The driver of the car was transported by emergency response teams to the Broward General Medical Center with only minor injuries. She cooperated with investigators. Still, no charges have been filed.

“She doesn’t recall the incident,” said Detective DeAnna Garcia.

There was a gathering at the family’s church, Genesis, to celebrate her life. She will be missed.
Continue reading

March 23, 2012

Reducing Risks of Accidents in Boston One Road at a Time

by Jeffrey S. Glassman

Winter isn’t too nice to our roadways and sidewalks. The snow, ice and freezing-cold temps can wreak havoc on these surfaces, causing bumps, cracks and other serious dangers. To help fix this problem, Mayor Thomas M. Menino announced the “Mark It’ campaign. How it works is that the Boston Department of Transportation will be searching neighborhoods across the city looking for areas that were hit hard by the winter weather.

Officials will be looking to reinstall traffic turn arrows, lane lines, crosswalks, symbols in school zones, double yellow lines and other roadway and sidewalk makings that were damaged during this past winter. This effort will be joining the city’s $20 million Road Renewal program, which aims to reconstruct or repave nearly 40 miles of roadways that were damaged in the winter weather, according to the City of Boston‘s website. The goal of this program, aside from making our city more beautiful is to help to reduce the risks of injury in Boston.

“After such a harsh winter, I’m dedicated to ensuring all Bostonians have a safe commute through our city,” said Mayor Menino.

Our Massachusetts personal injury lawyers understand that the new program will be focusing heavily on reinstalling crosswalks, especially in areas that are near community centers, schools, senior centers and parks. The program will be visiting more than 600 crosswalks throughout the city. Smooth and safe walking surfaces are an important part of the city. In a city that relies heavily on pedestrian and bicycle travel, it’s important to keep these walkways safe for all.

In addition to the more than 600 crosswalks, officials will also be improving about a quarter of all of the city’s intersections and will be laying down new reflective thermoplastic material as the new markings. Areas with more pedestrian traffic, like areas near Fenway Park and Kenmore Square, will be receiving treatment first.

The intersections near the Mildred Avenue Community Center and Walker Park have already received the new additions of the new highly reflective thermoplastic crosswalks.

Transportation Commissioner Thomas Tinlin says that there are crews who are looking over areas in the city that need improvement. These crews are prioritizing jobs.

In the spring, the city will launch a new pilot program that will be repairing large cracks on our roadways that are 5 to 10-years-old in such a way to extend their usable lifetime by 7 additional years. This preventative program will be looking at roadways in neighborhoods throughout the city. Officials predict that this program could help to save the city millions.

To help to eliminate confusion on travelers’ behalf, the city will be sending out notifications to residents regarding which areas will be worked on when. The notifications will also be used as a way to communicate with businesses and residents to help make sure that any private utility work they’re planning doesn’t conflict with the city’s repair efforts.
Continue reading

March 9, 2012

Accidents in Boston Could Be Minimized with New Variable-Message Sign

by Jeffrey S. Glassman

There’s a new real-time travel information initiative that was recently designed by the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) and the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT). The new initiative will be found along Interstate 93. It is designed to help alert commuters about the Lowell Line rail option. Officials are hopeful that this information will help to reel motorists off the Interstate and onto the train, helping to reduce the risks of motor-vehicle accidents.

Here’s how it will work: A variable-message sign (VMS) will be located near Exit 29, Concord Street, on Interstate 93. The sign will display the exact time of when the next Lowell Line train will leave the Anderson-Woburn Regional Transportation Center. This message will remain on the board to allow commuters to exit the interstate and get to the rail station in time. When drivers wouldn’t be able to make it safely from the sign’s location to the train, the message will be removed. This is to help to eliminate confusion and speeding on the busy Interstate 93. Many times, daily commutes and rush hours can result in serious accidents and injuries because drivers are rushing to their destinations. With real-time updates, we can help to ease drivers’ minds, help to increase roadway safety and help reduce the risks of auto accidents in Boston and elsewhere in Massachusetts.

Our Boston injury attorneys understand that MassDOT’s Secretary and Chief Executive Officer Richard A. Davey continues to keep customer safety and customer service as high priorities. With the new real-time technology, nearby commuters will be alerted about the public transit option. This will help to slow down rushing drivers and maybe even pull a few motorists off our roadways and into the world of mass transit. Spreading the word about the convenience of public transportation in the area may help to significantly reduce the risks of car crashes.

“This is another innovative step in encouraging commuters to park the car and take public transportation to work,” said Jonathan Davis, MBTA general manager.

The new sign on Interstate 93 will be used to display the departure times on the Lowell line from Anderson/Woburn. These displays will be available all day from Monday through Friday. The first train departs just before 6 a.m. and the last one leaves at just after 11:30 p.m. You can expect this display the entire time. Departures with more than a 10-minute delay will not be shown on the VMS.

The parking lot at this station costs motorists $4 to park all day. This train goes to Commuter Rail Zone 2 and has a one-way trip to Boston for less than $5! It takes less than 30 minutes to get to North Station. One train even takes about 20 minutes (the 8:05 train because it has fewer stops).
Continue reading

February 29, 2012

Woman Paralyzed After Newton Accident Determined to Walk Again

by Jeffrey S. Glassman

After a severe 2009 single-car accident in Newton, a 20-year-old from Waltham knew her life may never be the same. After her accident, the young woman had no feeling in the lower half of her body, according to Wicked Local Waltham. With statistics against her, she’s determined to prevail. She says she will walk again!

The tragic accident happened when her boyfriend drove head on into a tree next to the Charles River. Just a year prior, a 26-year-old woman was killed in a car accident in the same area when her vehicle went into the water. In the most recent crash, the passenger side of the vehicle, where the now-paralyzed woman was sitting, sustained most of the damage from the accident into the tree. After the crash, her spinal cord was injured. That was nearly 16 months ago. She still is unable walk, but says with hard work she’s improving and is determined to walk again one day.

Our Massachusetts spinal cord injury attorneys understand that our roadways are dangerous, and spinal cord injuries (SCI) are some of the most severe. These types of injuries can cause a lifetime of pain, agony, suffering and costly rehabilitation.

The spinal cord is made up of more 31 bones called vertebrae. Seven of these vertebrae are in the neck (cervical), twelve are in the upper and middle back (thoracic), five are in the lower back (lumbar), five are sacral vertebrae and two are fused coccygeal vertebrae (coccyx). Injuries to any one of these vertebrae can result in life-long discomfort and disability.

In the spinal cord is also a central bundle of nerves that is in charge of transporting signals throughout the entire body from the brain, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Damages to the spinal column can ultimately cause permanent neurological impairments.

Right now, there are approximately 200,000 people in the U.S. living with a SCI. Experts predict there are up to 40 new cases each year per million residents. That means there are up to 20,000 new SCI patients every year. Alcohol is a contributing factor in about a quarter of all these new cases.

Top Causes of SCI:

-Car Crashes: More than 45 percent.

-Fall Accidents: More than 20 percent.

-Violence: More than 15 percent.

-Sport Injuries: More than 10 percent.

While most victims of SCIs are males (80 percent) and people under the age of 30, anyone is vulnerable.

These types of injuries can be some of the costliest, too. It is estimated that medical costs can total nearly $30,000 a year for an SCI. This means that a person with an SCI can spend anywhere from $500,000 to nearly $5 million for an SCI in their lifetime. This is why it’s important for you to contact an attorney if you’ve sustained an SCI. It is vital to fight for the deserved compensation to cover such costly injuries.
Continue reading

February 16, 2012

51-Year-Old Boston Man Killed in Recent Snowmobile Accident

by Jeffrey S. Glassman

You may not be able to bask in the sun during the winter season, but that doesn’t mean there’s no fun to be had. Many residents turn to snowmobiles and other winter activities to stay active and to have some fun in the frigid winter weather. With these fun activities comes a heap of responsibilities. Snowmobile riders are asked to be cautious and to take the proper safety precautions to avoid a potentially fatal snowmobile accident in Massachusetts, just like the recent snowmobile accident that happened in the White Mountain National Forest.

The recent snowmobile accident in New Hampshire took the life of a 51-year-old Massachusetts man.

The North Billerica resident was involved in a snowmobile accident at roughly 10:00 p.m. when he lost control of the vehicle while making a turn and slammed into a bunch of trees. He was the last rider ion a group of four. The snowmobile riders ahead of him noticed the man’s headlights shining all over the place and the crew stopped to help. Reportedly, the man was pronounced dead at the scene. Officials attempted to resuscitate the man, but his injuries were far too severe, according to the Boston Globe. The accident is still being investigated, but officials report no foul play is suspected.

Our Boston personal injury attorneys enjoy the outdoors, too. But there are a few safety precautions that both you and I should follow to help to prevent winter accidents, including snowmobiling accidents. Nowadays, snowmobiling is a winter sport that is enjoyed by more than 2 million people in the U.S. Still, these vehicles can weigh in excess of 600 pounds and can travel at speeds of up to 90 miles per hour. Every year, roughly 200 people die and another 14,000 people are injured on snowmobiles. Some of the causes of these accidents can include driver inexperience, alcohol and excess speed. Injuries sustained from these types of accidents can be life altering. These injuries are often extremity fractures but can also involve organ systems. Just like car accidents, snowmobile accidents can result in multisystem trauma — head injuries are the leading cause of death.

Snowmobile Safety Tips:

-Complete a snowmobile safety course.

-Always ride with the highest degree of caution, especially when traveling across frozen waterways.

-Limit nighttime travel.

-If you don’t know, don’t go.

-Always ride with a buddy. Never travel alone.

-Never drink and ride. Alcohol hinders your ability to react and your judgment.

-Slow it down. Fast speeds increase stopping distances and leave less room for mistakes. Slower speed equals more control.

-Never exceed 40 miles per hour when traveling at night. Speeds above 40 mph cause operators to override their headlamps.

-When riding in a group, always follow safely. Allow at least 2 or 3 seconds of space between you and another snowmobile.

-Respect private property. Stay on marked trails.
Continue reading

January 8, 2012

Off-Duty Officer Shoots Woman in Hunting Accident in Massachusetts

by Jeffrey S. Glassman

A woman was accidentally shot by an off-duty Massachusetts State Police trooper in a recent hunting accident in Norton, according to Mail Online. The husband of the woman who was shot is now asking deer hunters to pay more attention and know their targets before heading out with deadly weapons into the wilderness.

Our Massachusetts premise liability attorneys understand that hunting is intense, and ask hunters to be safe and cautious out there. The 66-year-old woman was shot in the hip while walking her two dogs. The husband of the victim is not only calling for hunters to be safer in the woods, but he’s also calling for a further probe into the investigation of the incident that left his wife as a hunting target.

“My mother was shot. This is not OK,” says the daughter of the victim.

After the accident on New Year’s Eve, the woman was sent to the trauma intensive care unit of Rhode Island Hospital and was last reported to have been recovering from a fractured pelvis.

The hunter says that he accidentally shot the victim after he mistook her two dogs for deer. The accident happened during the evening hours as he was using a black powder rifle to take down deer. After the shot was fired and the target was struck, the off-duty officer ran to her side and started to administer first-aid tactics to help keep her alive as he called 9-1-1.

According to authorities, the off-duty officer is properly licensed and is not currently facing any criminal charges.

Hunting Safety Tips:

-Always treat a firearm as if it’s loaded. Make it a habit!

-Always point the muzzle in a safe direction. About 70 percent of all hunting accidents are self-inflicted injuries. This means that at the time of the accident, the muzzle was pointed at a person. You always want to point it in a direction so that if it fired off, no one would be injured.

-Know your target. You always want to know exactly what you’re shooting at and what’s beyond it. Always positively identify what you’re shooting at before pulling the trigger. Shooting at something you’re unsure of is a gamble. In this Massachusetts hunting accident, the gamble was with a human life. We don’t always hit our target. For this reason, make sure that what is behind and around your target is safe. Never shoot into an area that could harm another person.

-Fingers outside the trigger. Keep your finger outside of the guard until you’re ready to fire. Many accidental shootings happen because trigger guards were not properly used. Always protect yourself and the ones around you. Be responsible.

For more information about deer hunting in Massachusetts, visit the Massachusetts Department of Fish and Game.
Continue reading

January 3, 2012

Crowded Roadways Increase Risks for Pedestrian Accidents in Boston and Elsewhere

by Jeffrey S. Glassman

A Worcester pedestrian accident killed a woman who was walking across the street on a marked crosswalk on Chandler Street. According to Worcester police officers, the accident happened just before 7 a.m. and upon arrival, the body of a 63-year-old woman was discovered. The female pedestrian was involved in a single-car accident and sustained severe injuries. She was taken to St. Vincent Hospital where she was later pronounced dead.
224058_172931866094326_100001325410820_378508_873536_n.jpg
According to My Fox Boston, investigations concluded that a 51-year-old driver of a van slammed directly into the pedestrian who was using the crosswalk to get across the street. The driver was the only one in the vehicle at the time of the accident and he remained at the scene of the accident until officials arrived. The speed limit on that street is 30 miles per hour. Officials with the Worcester Police Accident Reconstruction Team are investigating.

Our Massachusetts pedestrian accident lawyers understand that our roadways are congested, especially during and after the holidays. We often hear warnings for drivers urging them to be cautious of one another on the roadways to avoid an accident, but many seem to forget the dangers that pedestrians face as well. Pedestrians face an increased risk for accidents just as motorists do when the roads are crowded. All travelers are urged to be cautious and courteous of one another throughout out the year..

The recent Thanksgiving holiday weekend provided a sneak peek into just how dangerous travel can be during holidays can be. According to the Boston Herald, a 47-year-old female pedestrian was killed while crossing a street in Worcester over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend.

Another Thanksgiving holiday weekend accident turned fatal when a 75-year-old motorist from Somerville was hit by a passing vehicle as he got out of his car to exchange information with another driver that he had been involved in an accident with just seconds prior.

A third Thanksgiving accident injured two people as they were standing in the travel lane on Route 128 in Lynnfield and were hit by a passing motorist.

As we continuously ask drivers to be cautious, alert and courteous at the wheel, we also ask pedestrians to travel safely. Keep an eye on your surroundings to avoid a potentially fatal accident.

Pedestrian Safety Tips:

-Always use a crosswalk when one is available. Most pedestrian accidents happen at non-intersection areas because drivers don’t expect pedestrians to cross.

-If you’ve been involved in a motor-vehicle accident, stay inside your car until police get there, especially if the accident is on a busy roadway.

-Pedestrians should always carry a flashlight and wear bright, reflective clothing when walking during the evening hours.

-Always walk on a sidewalk when there’s one available. When there is no sidewalk, you should walk facing traffic to see oncoming cars.
Continue reading

December 27, 2011

Talk to Children about Risks of Dog-Bite Injuries in Massachusetts before Holidays

by Jeffrey S. Glassman

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