June 24, 2018

Legal Factors in Pedestrian Accidents

We typically think of traffic accidents as involving one more vehicles. However, this discounts the fact that pedestrian accidents make up a large number of reported accidents each year. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, about 13 percent of total traffic-related fatalities in 2010 were caused by pedestrian accidents. In the same year, the number of pedestrians injured in accidents exceeded 70,000.00. These are nationwide numbers, however Massachusetts certainly experiences its share of pedestrian accidents, especially in metropolitan areas.

Most pedestrian accidents are the result of drivers or pedestrians not paying attention to the traffic conditions. In Massachusetts, pedestrians have the right of way when using a crosswalk or if they are crossing an intersection with a green traffic light.

If traffic signals are malfunctioning or the pedestrian chooses to walk against traffic anyway, a driver still must yield to any pedestrian in a legally marked crosswalk. If the driver fails to do so, and the pedestrian is injured, the driver is legally responsible for the resulting injuries.

June 24, 2018

After the Accident: What You Should Do

by Jeffrey S. Glassman

A car accident is scary and unexpected. Even in cases where no one is hurt, an accident leaves you feeling shaken up and on edge. When there are injuries, an accident takes on an entirely new level of severity. Many people are rightfully focused on healing in the days and weeks after a car accident. However, what some do not realize is that these times are crucial to ensuring that their personal injury case is not damaged by their own actions.

An Attorney’s Perspective

At the Jeffrey Glassman Injury Lawyers, our team assists car accident victims on a daily basis. We see people who are struggling through what may be the worst time of their lives. We also see many common mistakes that these people make following an accident. If you have been hurt in a Massachusetts car accident, please keep the following advice in mind:

June 24, 2018

The Dangers of Distracted Driving

by Jeffrey S. Glassman

With the continuing proliferation of mobile devices, distracted driving is quickly becoming the most common form of reckless and inattentive driving that we encounter on a daily basis. Many people do not realize just how distracted they are when they choose to look down at the phone while driving on a street or highway. Did you know that taking your eyes off the road while driving 55 miles per hour, for even one sec means that you will have missed traveling the length of a football field? A typical text messages takes up to five seconds to send. If a child runs out into the road or a car in front of you suddenly brakes that means you are probably going to be involved in a car accident at high speed, with no time to react or avoid the collision. That should be a scary thought for anyone.

Evaluating The Risks

It is important for all drivers to keep a cell phone out of their hands while operating a motor vehicle. The latest statistics show motor vehicle fatalities are up 6% from 2015. More than 40,000 people were killed in car accidents last year. There is no doubt that distracted driving contributed heavily to many of the fatalities experienced across our nation.

June 24, 2018

Serious Injuries Reported in Newbury Crash

by Jeffrey S. Glassman

A two vehicle crash in Newbury, Massachusetts resulted in serious injuries to two drivers on Saturday afternoon. Newbury police and fire officials received a call for assistance just after 4:00 pm regarding an accident at 101 High Road. Officials rushed to the scene of the accident to survey the damage. Upon their arrival, they discovered a collision between a Fiat 500 and Chevrolet Impala. Both vehicles sustained front end damage in the crash which indicated that the collision was head-on in nature.

An ambulance was called to the scene by the responding officers. The drivers were tended to on the scene. However, their injuries were serious enough to require hospitalization. The ambulance transported both drivers to a nearby hospital to receive additional treatment. There is no word at this time on their conditions, except for what was reported at the accident scene. The crash remains under investigation by Newbury police and there is no indication on whether either driver will be charged in the crash. The drivers were not identified.

Serious Injury Crashes

June 24, 2018

Worcester Police Investigate Hit and Run

by Jeffrey S. Glassman

A hit and run took place in Worcester on Saturday. The incident occurred in the 200 block of Perry Avenue. Worcester Police received a call at approximately 12 noon regarding a hit and run accident at this location. Police responded quickly to the call and, upon arrival, discovered that the accident involved injuries to the person remaining at the scene.

The other driver fled shortly after the accident and has yet to be located. Police canvassed the area but were unsuccessful in their search. It appears at this time that, fortunately, there were no life-threatening injuries suffered in this hit and run crash. The police investigation is ongoing at this time. The identity of the drivers has not been revealed and there is no word on the cause of the accident.

Hit and Run Attorneys

June 24, 2018

Three Injured in ATV Accident

by Jeffrey S. Glassman

Three women suffered injuries in a Saturday night ATV accident that took place in Monson, Massachusetts. The women were riding the ATV along East Hill Road when the vehicle flipped over at a residential property in the area. Monson Police were dispatched the 69 East Hill Road to investigate the crash.

One woman was transported to Bay State Hospital with injuries which were not classified as life-threatening. The other two women were treated on scene but not taken to the hospital. The women are only identified at this time as being in their mid to late twenties. Monson Police are still looking into the crash and have not released an official reason for its occurrence at this time. There is no further information given by police.

ATV Accidents

June 23, 2018

Early Morning Accident Sends Driver to the Hospital

by Jeffrey S. Glassman

An early morning crash on the Cape sent a pickup truck driver to the hospital. Police in Harwich, Massachusetts say that a Dodge Ram pickup truck was traveling on Main Street around 7:00 am this morning when the driver struck a telephone pole owned by Verizon. The impact from the collision caused the pickup truck to flip over and land on top of Toyota Rav4 traveling on the same roadway.

Rescue workers quickly responded to the scene. The driver of the Dodge Ram was taken to Cape Cod Hospital with injuries sustained in the crash. The injuries are not believed to be life-threatening. The driver of the RAV4 was offered medical treatment for apparent injuries on scene but refused to be transported. The accident remains under investigation. It is expected that the road will now be closed for most of the day while workers attempt to repair the damaged telephone pole. The drivers involved in this accident have not been identified by Harwich Police.

Boston Car Accident Lawyers

June 23, 2018

Victim in Tanker Truck Crash Identified

by Jeffrey S. Glassman

A crash on Wednesday afternoon claimed the life of a tanker truck driver in Whately, Massachusetts. The crash occurred on I-91 in the highway’s northbound lanes. Police in Whatey say that the driver was hauling a load of fuel when he lost control of the truck, causing it to veer off of the right side of the highway. After departing the highway, the truck rolled over, trapping the driver inside.

The driver was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash. He has now been identified by police as 47 year old Jody Crosby of Seymour, Connecticut. Several agencies investigated this crash including Whately Fire and EMS, a regional hazmat team, Westover Fire, the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency, Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection, Mass DOT and the state Medical Examiner’s Office. Traffic in the area experienced major delays as a result of the crash and was down to one lane for several hours while authorities worked to clean up and investigate the crash scene.

Boston Injury Attorneys

June 23, 2018

Motor Vehicle Deaths Exceed 40,000 in 2017

by Jeffrey S. Glassman

According to the National Safety Council, more than 40,000 people died in motor vehicle accidents in 2017. This is the second year in a row that motor vehicle deaths have exceeded 40,000 which is certainly a troubling indication regarding the state of car safety in our country.

With advancing technology in new vehicles and new vehicle safety laws, one might think that vehicle travel would become safer as opposed to more dangerous. However, technology alone cannot prevent vehicle accidents when most accidents still result due to basic human error, including speeding, distracted driving and reckless driving.

Reckless Driving Laws

June 23, 2018

Self-Driving Car Accidents

by Jeffrey S. Glassman

Self-driving cars are on the rise across Boston. Just this past week, it was announced that the self-driving car company nuTonomy had received permission to test self-driving cars throughout our city. With this news, it appears that the self-driving car revolution is not slowing down any time soon. Typically two issues arise when it comes to self-driving cars: Are they actually safer, and who is liable if a self-driving car crashes?

In 2013, the National Highway Traffic Administration released a 6-level classification system for autonomous cars. Level 0, the lowest level, means the automated system may issue warnings to the driver, but the driver is completely in control of the vehicle. Level 5, the highest level, means that no human interaction is required – the vehicle completely drives itself.

At a level lower than 3, the level at which a driver can safely focus their attention on tasks other than driving, a driver must remain in control of the vehicle and its movements. Therefore, if an accident occurs in a Level 3 vehicle, the driver is accountable for their negligence. At level 2, it is required that a driver keep their hands on the wheel and be able to take action if the car begins to go out of control.

Boston Personal Injury Attorney Blog

An Attorney’s Perspective

Evaluating The Risks

Serious Injury Crashes

Hit and Run Attorneys

ATV Accidents

Boston Car Accident Lawyers

Boston Injury Attorneys

Reckless Driving Laws