Thursday, December 13, 2012

Driver in Fatal Taunton Crash Faces Criminal Charges

According to The Boston Globe, Taunton police will bring criminal charges against the 24-year-old Taunton driver behind the wheel of a recent fatal accident in Taunton that claimed the lives of two of his passengers.  

The Taunton Gazette reports that the driver collided with a tree around 12:30 a.m. on Sunday, December 9, on Bay Street. The two passengers who were killed in the accident, a girl and a boy, were both 18 years old and from Taunton. They were both pronounced dead at an area hospital. Three other passengers and the driver were transported to another local hospital for treatment of their injuries from the accident.

The driver is continuing to recover from his injuries at the hospital and will eventually be charged by police for two counts of motor vehicle homicide by negligent operation, having an open container of alcohol in the vehicle, and operating a motor vehicle on a suspended license. Police reportedly discovered an open bottle of vodka in the vehicle.

Taunton police are not ruling out additional charges to be brought against the driver as the department’s investigation continues.  

How Can You Stay Safe on the Roads This Holiday Season?

Now that the holiday season is finally upon us, many of us will be heading out for parties with friends and family. One of the most imperative reminders we can share with you is to have a plan for getting to and from your party in the safest way possible.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) advises that if you are going to be drinking, look into other options for getting to and, most importantly, from your party. Find a designated driver who you can call, call for a cab, or take public transportation via bus or train if this option is available in the area. If you do drive to the party and find that you can’t make it home, call a taxi or a sober friend or family member to come pick you up.  

Have You Been Injured in an Accident Caused by a Drunk Driver? 

If you have been seriously injured in an accident caused by a reckless drunk driver in Massachusetts, you may want to consult with a personal injury lawyer with Kiley Law Group to discuss your options and potentially bring a claim against the at-fault driver.

Call our office at (888) 208-1695 to receive your free legal consultation today.

Wednesday, December 5, 2012

December is National Impaired Driving Prevention Month

By Presidential Proclamation, December has been designated as National Impaired Driving Prevention Month, according to the White House Office of the Press Secretary. December is, in fact, the perfect month to focus efforts on the issue of drunk driving and general impaired driving as holiday festivities have a very large concentration of people both celebrating and driving on Massachusetts roads.

Alcohol and drugs present risks to drivers all year-round, but can be especially dangerous around the holidays. Remember, that being impaired while driving does not just involve alcohol and illegal substances, but prescription medications and even distracted driving. Any action or behavior that impairs your ability to drive safely is a hazard. Being aware of the risks of impaired driving and taking the (easy) steps to prevent it can make a significant difference in keeping everyone safe on the road.

 What You Can Do to Ensure an Enjoyable and Safe Holiday Season

At the Kiley Law Group, our car accident attorneys have seen too many crashes involving impaired drivers, all of which could have been easily prevented by using one’s better judgment. The following are some important reminders to help you and your loved ones stay safe and keep others safe as well:
  • If you plan to drink, don’t drive, period.
  • Remember that “buzzed driving” is drunk driving, as the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) puts it.
  • Do not take any medications that can impair your driving abilities.
  • If you are having a holiday party, don’t let people at your party drive if they have been drinking. Take their keys and arrange for a ride home.
  • Stay off the road as much as possible, especially as the end of the month draws closer.
  • Report suspected drunk drivers if you come across them while on the road.
The holidays are a time to spend time with the people you care about, and you owe it to them and to yourself to make sure you take the necessary steps to stay safe and keep others safe as well.