Boston Car Accident Lawyer Blog
68 vehicles were involved in a massive pile up on Interstate 290 in Worcester Sunday morning, including three tractor-trailers. Although nobody was killed, two people sustained serious injuries, 35 to 40 people had to go to the hospital, and one dog did not survive this nightmare on the road. In addition to these injuries, many of the vehicles involved in this unprecedented crash were totaled. Mass DOT treated this particular stretch of highway an hour prior to the incident, but the severity of the pileup is proof that hazardous road conditions existed. The fact that so many vehicles were involved in this one collision raises the question, who is responsible?
Implications of the Car Crash
So far, it looks like the majority of damage expenses for this crash will go to the motorists involved, but is this fair? Some motorists, who feel they could not have done anything different to avoid the accident, are suggesting the department of transportation should be held responsible for allowing hazardous road conditions to develop. These motorists will be responsible for paying their own deductibles and may even have to pay for medical bills and property damage.
A Tragic Unnecessary Loss of a Beloved Family Member
In many cases each year, people are severely and fatally injured in car accidents. We forget that sometimes pets are hurt or lost too. For one family, their car was rear-ended so many times that their dog was killed. Their beloved family pet was likely travelling with them for the holiday weekend. What should have been a joyous time has most likely turned somber.
Car Accident Statistics and Facts
• The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is researching connected vehicle technology which will warn motorists of collision hazards and unexpected stops of the vehicles around them • 65% of fatalities on American roads occur in passenger vehicles, 4% occur in large trucks or buses, 15% are motorcyclists, and 17% of fatalities are pedestrians or other vehicle non-occupants.
• In 2012, the first quarter was the warmest on record and showed a statistically significant increase in fatalities.
• In 2012, there were 5,615,000 crashes of which 1,634,000 involved injuries and 30,800 involved fatalities.
What Happens to Victims of Car Crashes?
Motorists involved in car accidents can suffer many unexpected difficulties. In addition to their primary means of transportation being out of commission, these motorists may also be struggling due to lost wages and medical bills. Often times, rehabilitation is necessary for the motorist to return to work.
Car Accident Consequences
• Medical bills • Property damage • Rehabilitation
• Lost wages • Pain and suffering • Emotional trauma • Loss of a loved one
What to Do if You Have Been Involved in an Accident
Take care of yourself and your family first. If you are injured, go to the hospital. The most important thing to do after being involved in a car accident is to try to get your life back to normal. If you feel someone else is responsible, let an experienced personal injury lawyer step in while you focus on recovering your own affairs. The team at Altman & Altman, LLP sends their deepest condolences to the family who lost their dog and also wishes everybody who was injured in this awful crash speedy and full recoveries.
