Practice Safe Driving in Massachusetts this Winter

Many people become nervous drivers when the weather starts to turn ugly, and rightfully so. Cars and other vehicles behave differently under wet, icy, and snowy conditions, and so it is difficult to feel comfortable during such weather. But by taking certain precautions you can help ensure that, when you have to, you can get to point A to point B safely. As experienced car accident attorneys with the Kiley Law Group, we have seen too many accidents caused by one driver’s lack of consideration for the safety of others.

By taking the following safety precautions, you will also help keep yourself and your passengers safe from other drivers who may not be driving appropriately for the weather or road conditions:

• First, if you can avoid driving in harsh weather conditions, do it. It is not worth the safety risk for that box of cookies or that cup of coffee with your friend that you see all the time anyway.
• If you have to drive in bad weather or road conditions, drive as slow as you need to in order to travel safely, but be careful not to create another hazard for other drivers. There’s a difference between driving slowly to be cautious and driving so slow that you yourself are a safety hazard for other drivers.
• Keep your headlights on and be vigilant of others. Always be aware of your surroundings, especially if your visibility is limited, and be on the lookout for other drivers.
• Stay clear of snow plows and never pass them while they are in operation.
• Don’t expect that all other drivers will be as safe or considerate as you. Keep a generous following distance.

When a Boston Car Accident Lawyer Can Help

It is unfortunate that much of the time, you are not in complete control of your own health and safety while driving. But when another person’s negligence causes an injury accident, they can be held liable in civil court. If you have been injured due to the reckless or negligent actions of another driver in Massachusetts, the Boston vehicle accident attorneys at Kiley Law Group can help you understand your legal rights and options. To tell one of our lawyers about your particular situation, call us for a free consultation at (888) 208-1695.

Driver Killed after Crash with Utility Pole in Bourne

What Happened

According to The Cape Cod Times, an unidentified driver collided with a utility police earlier this morning in Bourne and suffered fatal injuries as a result of the impact. 

The deadly accident took place at about 9:30 a.m. on the southbound side of Route 28.  The force of the impact caused the utility pole to split completely in half. 

Additionally, emergency crews were forced to turn off a power grid in the area surrounding the crash due to the live electrical wires from the utility pole.  Once the grid was shut off, the crews were able to rescue the driver from the vehicle, who had been trapped inside.  Officials have reported that the driver has since been pronounced dead.

The driver was operating a vehicle with a Rhode Island registration, though it is not known at this time if the driver was also from Rhode Island.  It was reported that gusts of wind exceeding 50 mph as well as downpours were in the area around the time of the accident, but authorities are not reporting if the weather was a contributing factor in causing the fatal accident.

Route 28 South was closed to traffic to allow officials to investigate the accident and reconstruct the scene.

Fatal Fixed Object Accident Statistics

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there were 45 reported collisions involving passenger vehicles with fixed objects in 2010 in Massachusetts that resulted in a fatality.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) reports that fixed objects can include utility poles, trees, traffic barriers, buildings and fences, among others.  Trees accounted for 50% of fixed object accidents that resulted in fatalities across the U.S. in 2010, while utility poles accounted for 14% of fatal fixed object accidents that same year.

When Should You Call a Personal Injury Law Firm?

No matter how safe of a driver you are on Massachusetts highways and back roads, you may not be able to prevent an accident caused by another reckless or negligent driver. 

If you suffered injuries in an accident that occurred solely because of another’s negligence, you may be legally entitled to pursue compensation from the at-fault party for all that you have been through.

For a completely free evaluation of your case, contact the knowledgeable personal injury attorneys with Kiley Law Group at (888) 208-1695.

Methuen Man Struck by Hit-and-Run Driver

What Happened 
 
According to The Eagle Tribune, a Methuen man crossing Union Street in Methuen reportedly sustained a spinal injury when he was hit by a driver this past Wednesday night around 10:00 p.m. The driver left the scene of the accident and is currently being sought by police.

Authorities reported that the 33-year-old man did not lose consciousness at the scene and was able to provide a description of the vehicle that struck him to police. It was reported that the driver proceeded down Union Street, came to a stop beyond the accident, but then fled the scene.

Officials are continuing to investigate the serious accident and are actively searching for a dark, mid-sized vehicle that could have been a delivery vehicle or a taxi. The vehicle may have damage to the front left headlight due to the impact.

The Tribune reported that as of Thursday the man was in critical condition at a Boston area hospital.  

Pedestrian Accident Injury Statistics

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that 70,000 pedestrians across the U.S. were injured in 2010 as a result of motor vehicle accidents and accounted for 3% of all individuals who were hurt in these types of accidents.  

When to Consider Contacting a Boston Personal Injury Lawyer 

 If you or someone you know has suffered serious injuries as a pedestrian in a hit-and-run accident in Massachusetts, contact a Massachusetts pedestrian accidents lawyer with Kiley Law Group to find out about the legal options that may be available to you.

Call us (888) 208-1695 to receive your free legal consultation today. And while the call is free, the information may be priceless.

AT&T Documentary a Reminder of the Dangers of Texting While Driving

Having and using cell phones have become so second nature to many people that they don’t even think twice about talking on the phone, or worse, texting while they drive. The dangers of texting while driving are not new news. According to Distraction.gov, the official U.S. government website for distracted driving, texting while driving creates a crash risk 23 times worse than driving with your full attention on the road.

The Worst Kind of Distraction

Texting takes a driver’s mind off of driving, their eyes off the road, and their hands off the wheel. It is a recipe for disaster, but many people believe that the statistics won’t be true for them; that if they just read or send a quick text, nothing will happen and everything will be fine, but this is unfortunately not the case, as is demonstrated in the following AT&T documentary. The lives of each of these people have changed and have even been torn apart due to texting while driving. Please be aware that some of the images and descriptions are graphic.

Dedicated to Helping Victims of Distracted Driving in Massachusetts

At Kiley Law Group, our experienced car accident lawyers in Boston understand how difficult it is to be involved in a distracted driving accident or to lose a loved one as the result of another’s distracted driving, and we are committed to holding negligent drivers accountable for their actions. A text is not worth another person’s life.

If you have been injured or have lost a loved one in a Massachusetts car accident that was caused by texting while driving or another form of distraction, we can help you pursue the compensation you need to get your life back together. To learn more, call us for a free legal consultation at (888) 208-1695.

Lowell Woman Found Guilty in Deadly Route 3 Accident

The Lowell Sun reports that a Lowell woman was found guilty of motor vehicle homicide earlier this week following a 2-day trial in Ayer District Court for her role in a deadly car accident on Route 3 in Chelmsford in December of 2009. 

What Happened

The woman had suffered a seizure while driving, causing her to lose control of the vehicle and drive into a road crew working on the highway.  The Sun reports that the woman has had a seizure disorder for many years and took medication to help control the frequency of the seizures. 

The fatal crash claimed the life of a Seabrook, NH man, who was part of the road crew.  The woman also struck another man, from Lynnfield, whose leg was severed above his knee.

The evening before the fatal crash, the woman experienced a seizure and, because of this, prosecutors in the case allege that she should not have been driving the morning after.  Despite this, she attempted to drive to work that morning in Nashua, NH when she experienced another seizure on Route 3, crashed through traffic cones before hitting the two men, and pinned them against a construction truck.

The woman was sentenced to spend 3 months in jail, 2 years probation following the jail term, and she will lose her driver’s license for 15 years.

Do You Need Legal Advice?  Contact a Massachusetts Car Accidents Attorney

If you or a loved one has sustained serious injuries in a motor vehicle accident in Massachusetts, contact the dedicated Massachusetts car accidents attorneys with Kiley Law Group to find out about your legal options before you sign any forms, talk to the insurance company, or hire a lawyer.

Our experienced personal injury lawyers have over 30 years of experience and a successful track record of obtaining seven figure wins for our clients in car accident cases, medical malpractice, child birth injuries, brain injuries, and other injury cases. 

Call us today at (888) 208-1695 to receive your free legal consultation.  And while the call is free, the information may be priceless.