Boston Car Accident Lawyer Blog

This past week, a four vehicle car accident occurred on Route 2 in Lexington. The accident occurred around 2:30 p.m., when a vehicle headed eastbound crossed over the median into oncoming westbound traffic.

The vehicle then collided head –on with three automobiles driving in the westbound lanes on Route 2. The accident occurred at a high rate of speed. The driver of the vehicle which crossed the median and struck the other cars was pronounced dead at the scene.

According to state police, another individual involved in the accident was in “very bad shape” and was transported to the hospital for treatment of the injuries sustained in the collision. Reportedly, all but one of the people involved in the four-car accident were transported to the hospital. The one individual that was not taken to the hospital was able to walk and was treated at the scene.

Continue reading "Several Injured and One Killed Following a Four Vehicle Car Crash in Lexington " »

The MA personal injury attorneys at Altman & Altman have been made aware of a fatal accident this morning on route 495 in Westford. An unidentified woman was walking along the highway when she was struck and killed by a 2009 Toyota RAV SUV. The vehicle was operated by a Lowell resident whose name has not been released by the local authorities.

The pedestrian accident caused all three northbound lanes of Route 495 to be shut down for over two hours. A preliminary investigation has shown that the pedestrian was possibly struck by multiple vehicles, including the Toyota SUV.

If you or a loved one has been injured or killed in an automobile accident, please contact the attorneys at the law firm of Altman & Altman for an initial consultation free of charge. Our firm has successfully handled thousands of car accident cases and our lawyers are available to answer all of your questions and help to put your mind to rest.

Continue reading "Franklin Pedestrian Killed by SUV on 495 in Westford" »

This morning at 9:21 a.m., a pickup truck slammed into a tractor-trailer that was stopped in the breakdown lane on the eastbound side of the Massachusetts Turnpike in Grafton, causing a six-mile backup.

The operator of the Toyota Tundra Pickup truck was airlifted from the accident to a nearby hospital. State Police are reporting that the driver has suffered serious injuries. Following the collision, State Police crime scene and accident reconstruction experts investigated the scene.

Earlier today, the same stretch of the Mass Pike was closed due to a tractor trailer fire. The tractor trailer, which was hauling corn, erupted into flames a mile away from where the later collision occurred. Police are currently investigating both accidents.

Continue reading "Driver Airlifted to Hospital Following a Mass Pike Accident in Grafton" »

On Sunday morning, a single-car accident on Route 1 in Peabody killed an Amesbury man. The 21-year-old passenger was not wearing a seat belt and was ejected from a 2005 Saturn Ion when the driver, a 22-year-old from Sanford, Maine, lost control of the vehicle. The Saturn rolled over several times before ending up in the median.

The driver was taken to Massachusetts General Hospital with serious injuries, but his passenger was declared dead at the scene of the accident. According to police, the ramp from Route 1 north was closed for about two and a half hours while authorities investigated the car accident.

Troop A of the Massachusetts State Police , the State Police Collision Analysis Reconstruction Section, the State Police Crime Scene Services Section, and the Medical Examiners Office continue to investigate the fatal auto accident.

Source: Amesbury man dead in Route1 ramp crash, ItemLive.com, April 19, 2010

Continue reading "Peabody Car Crash Kills Massachusetts Man " »

In addition to the recent text-messaging ban for drivers, Massachusetts may soon institute other changes to the road. "Open-road" tolling is one of those changes, and Governor Deval Patrick says highway officials will begin testing it soon. According to Patrick, the tests will be staged in lanes at the Massachusetts Turnpike exchange at Route 128 and on the Mystic Tobin Bridge.

This new tolling system would allow drivers to pass under a scanner that would assess a toll rather than stopping or fumbling for cash. Massachusetts drivers who use FastLane transponders will still be able to pay their toll that way, but the scanners can read license plates and send a bill to the driver or debit their account.

Patrick says open-road tolling will improve customer service; however, critics worry that it could lead to adding more tolls to roads that don't currently have them.

Source: Patrick: Mass may test new tolling within months, Boston Globe, March 3, 2010

Continue reading "Massachusetts Motorists May Have a New Way to Poll Tolls" »

On Monday afternoon, a minivan rollover sent the 27-year-old driver to Massachusetts General Hospital with head and other injuries. She was flown by medical helicopter after the motor vehicle accident occurred on Interstate 95 in Foxboro near the Sharon border.

The minivan reportedly rolled over into the median after the crash and ended up in a grouping of trees. Emergency response crews used a winch and a hydraulic power tool to rescue the victim, whose name has not been released. No other drivers or passengers were injured in the minivan accident, according to the Foxboro fire captain. Firefighters from Mansfield and Sharon assisted Foxboro firefighters with the rescue efforts.

Authorities shut down the northbound side of I-95 for roughly 20 minutes while the medical helicopter landed. Fire and police vehicles on the southbound side also slowed down traffic on the other side.

Source: One hurt in I-95 crash in Foxboro, TheSunChronicle.com, January 12, 2010

Continue reading "Foxboro Crash Injures Minivan Driver" »

Earlier this week, several Massachusetts state troopers were injured in unrelated car crashes. On Sunday evening, Trooper Patrick McGowan was injured in a Wrentham car crash involving a 2004 Acura. He was treated and released at Norwood Hospital. One of the passengers in the Acura was also injured in the auto collision.

Also on Sunday evening, Trooper John Duggan was injured in a Raynham car accident on Route 495 after a 2001 Pathfinder crossed the median and hit the trooper's cruiser head-on. He was extricated from his cruiser and transported to Morton Hospital with minor injuries.

On Monday morning, a Trooper Edward Bruso was seriously injured while responding to a car crash on Route 290 westbound in Worcester. He was transported to the University of Massachusetts Medical Center and later released.

Both of the Sunday evening cruiser accidents are being investigated.

Troopers Hurt In Series Of Road Crashes, TheBostonChannel.com, October 19, 2009

Continue reading "Massachusetts Road Crashes Injure Troopers " »

On Tuesday, Massachusetts drivers on I-495 in Mansfield watched as a single-engine plane made an emergency landing on the interstate. The emergency landing happened near Route 140 near the Mansfield airport.

According to a Federal Aviation Administration spokesman, the pilot called Norwood Memorial Airport and told them he would have to land on Interstate 495 due to engine problems.

The two men onboard, a 24-year-old from Stoughton and a 21-year-old from Stoneham, were not injured. However, they were evacuated by paramedics as a safety precaution. All lanes of traffic on 495 southbound reopened shortly after the emergency landing.

Since there was substantial damage to the aircraft, the incident has been ruled an accident has been turned over to the NTSB.

Close call! Plane lands on 495 in Mansfield, Massachusetts; no injuries, NECN.com, September 1, 2009

Continue reading "No Injuries in Emergency Landing on I-495" »

On Monday morning around 9:17am, a four-vehicle accident in Newburyport, Massachusetts forced the closure of Interstate 95 in both directions for several hours due to a gas spill. The http://www.altmanllp.com/lawyer-attorney-1226003.htmltraffic accident involved a Honda Odyssey, a Toyota Corolla, a Ford Expedition, and a Freightliner gasoline tanker, which was carrying over 10,000 gallons of gasoline.

The crash caused the tanker truck to spill much of that fuel along the road and splayed the tanker across three lanes of traffic. It was not immediately clear how much gas had spilled.

Two people were seriously hurt in the accident, and at least another eight people suffered more minor injuries, according to a State Police spokesperson. The auto accident victims were take to Portsmouth Hospital in New Hampshire and Anna Jacques Hospital in Newburyport.

The left two lanes of northbound traffic reopened just before 5pm, while the breakdown lane and right travel lane on the northbound side remained closed as clean-up crews worked on the area.

Epic traffic jam in Newburyport after I-95 tanker crash, Boston Globe, Juy 6, 2009

Continue reading "Newburyport Traffic Accident Causes Gas Spill, Forces I-95 to Close Temporarily" »

On Sunday morning, snow piling up on the highway forced traffic into a single lane. An estimated 59 vehicles, including 46 cars, eight lightweight trucks, three buses, and two tractor trailer trucks, collided on Interstate 93 in Derry, New Hampshire, but fortunately no one was killed.

Of the one hundred people involved in the collision, only fourteen were transported to the hospital for non-life threatening injuries. A bus carrying the University of Massachusetts at Boston women’s ice hockey team to game in Vermont was involved in the crash, but none of the players were injured. They returned to Boston on another bus.

The traffic accident occurred along an 18-mile stretch of highway that has experienced several other accident in the past. An $800 million improvement project is planned to add an additional two lane of traffic. New Hampshire state police are investigating the accident.

Only cars casualties in mammoth pileup, Boston Globe, January 12, 2009

Continue reading "Massive Pileup Causes Minor Injuries on I-93" »

The Boston Globe reports that on Christmas eve morning, weather conditions throughout Massachusetts made for a slippery commute as several drivers lost control of their vehicles. A state police spokesman said there were numerous car accidents reported between 7:30am and 9:30am.

In Shrewsbury, one driver died on Interstate 290 after he was ejected from his vehicle. The man was not wearing seatbelt when the car crash occurred, and police say they are still investigating whether road conditions were a factor in the accident. They would not disclose the man’s identity until his family was notified.

After several auto crashes along Interstate 495, state police closed Interstate 495 between Exits 2 in Wareham and 3 in Middleborough so that the vehicles involved could be removed and the road could be treated. Police said the northbound lanes reopened around 8:45am and the southbound lanes at 10:30am.

Icy roads cause crashes statewide, Boston Globe, December 24, 2008

Continue reading "Snow and Ice Cause Car Accidents Throughout Massachusetts" »

According to Massachusetts state police, a man drove off Route 128 northbound and rolled over around 4pm on Tuesday afternoon. Several people called to alert state police that a 1993 Mercury Cougar had gone into the woods and rolled over. State and Manchester police responded to the car accident.

A Medflight was requested but later cancelled. Instead, Stanley Klosowski, 60, of Salem was taken by ambulance to Beverly Hospital, where he was treated for car accident injuries that are not believed to be life-threatening. Klosowski was later transferred to Boston’s Beth Israel Deaconess Medical center, where he was listed in fair condition.

The interstate accident is under investigation by state police.

Crash victim driven, not flown, to hospital, Gloucester Daily Times, November 20, 2008

Continue reading "Salem Man in Fair Condition After Manchester Accident" »

Last weekend, state police responded to almost 20 traffic accidents during a 6-hour period. Fortunately, no one was seriously injured in these accidents, but state officials and police now say they believe that these car accidents may have been the result of a liquid spill that occurred on Saturday night.

The Saturday evening accident involved a Hyde Park man who drove his Honda Civic into a wall near a tunnel on Interstate-93. He was issued a citation. Following the accident, police responded to several more motor vehicle accidents in the same area. Hydraulic fluids and antifreeze may have contributed to these car crashes.

One injured driver, a 25-year old from Dorchester, was taken to New England Medical Center for non-life-threatening injuries. The series of interstate accidents remains under investigation.

Vehicle fluids may have caused tunnel accidents, police say, Boston Globe, November 18, 2008

Continue reading "I-93 Tunnel Accidents Possibly Related to Vehicle Fluids" »

Last week in Attleboro, Massachusetts, an early morning truck accident forced officials to close Interstate 95. The crash occurred around 4:45am when a 1997 Volvo hit a concrete barrier and swerved across all traffic lanes, colliding with the driver’s side of a tractor-trailer.

Michael Cowan, 37, of Northbridge was driving the fuel-filled rig, which began to leak the fuel it was transporting. It is estimated about a third of the 11,000 gallons in the truck’s tanker leaked onto the road, and all four lanes were closed.

It took until early afternoon for fire and environmental crews to off-load the spilled fuel and right the truck. Fourteen area homes were evacuated because of the fuel leak. All four lanes of traffic were reopened by 3:30pm.

Cowan and two other crash victims were transported to Rhode Island Hospital and treated for minor injuries. State police Massachusetts and Rhode Island are investigating the interstate accident along with the state fire marshal, the state Department of Environmental Protection, the North Attleboro and T.F. Green Airport fire departments, and the state fire marshal.

Northbridge trucker in wreck that closes I-95, Worcester Telegram, November 6, 2008

Continue reading "Interstate 95 Closes After Truck Accident " »

Traffic accidents can have a huge impact on heavily traveled highways like Interstate 93. In fact, when a driver lost control of his vehicle on September 30, the aftermath of that car crash shut down northbound lanes on I-93 during rush hour, forcing drivers onto local roads and significantly increasing their evening commute.

The traffic situation could get even worse, as drivers prepare for slowdowns and bottlenecks thanks to construction along I-93. That’s why transportation officials put together Smart Work Zones, which allows motorists to check traffic information online or on highway-side message boards. After viewing data on traffic flow, highway drivers can choose to use alternate routes and avoid traffic congestion.

At the very least, these signs should help drivers stay informed. When there are no traffic slowdowns, the message boards flash the anticipated travel time to the next exit. According to the Department of Transportation, the Smart Zone website attracts about 3,000 hits per day.

Technology helps commuters avoid traffic, New Hampshire Union Leader, October 13, 2008

Web Resource
Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) & Technology, US Department of Transportation

Continue reading "Smart Work Zones Helps Drivers Avoid Traffic" »

The Boston Herald reports that transportation officials Massachusetts and New Hampshire received a report recommending a “bus-on-shoulder” system as the best strategy for reducing traffic congestion on Interstate 93. Passengers would be picked up by express buses that would use a breakdown lane closed to other vehicles.

Those who supported a passenger train service between Boston and Manchester worry that this study could disrupt their plans and prevent economic growth in southern New Hampshire.

Rail travel is still a possibility, although cost was a major factor in considering the bus-on-shoulder option. The transit planning company that is investigating commuter options said that rebuilding the old rail lines would cost almost $200 million, whereas starting up the bus service would cost about $80 million. Noise and safety concerns were also factors in the company’s recommendation.

Transit study says commuter bus lane best I-93, Boston Herald, October 12, 2008

Continue reading "Massachusetts Considering 1-93 Commuter Bus Lane " »

Last week in New Bedford, Massachusetts, a four-car crash on Interstate 195 eastbound killed one driver. Massachusetts police say the fatal car accident occurred just before the afternoon rush hour between exit 12 and 13 on Interstate 195. They have identified the car accident victim as Barbara Niemi, 61, of Wareham.

According to troopers, the victim’s car hit back the of a GMC crossover driven by Ryan Feeney, 32, of Fairhaven. The GMC rolled over and the driver sustained minor injuries.

Though some car accidents are minor fender-benders that result in minor property damages, more serious accidents can have catastrophic results, including serious injuries, major property damage, and even death. Motorists are covered by their own Personal Injury Protection insurance, but oftentimes medical costs can far exceed the policy limits of PIPs.

One dead, several hurt in 195 crash, turnto10.com, September 18, 2008

Continue reading "New Bedford Crash Kills One, Injures Several" »

A Massachusetts tractor-trailer driver was involved in car accident earlier this week. Richard Jean, 49, was driving north on Interstate 95 when his tractor-trailer, which is owned by Bothstein Sugar Corporation, was hit by David Nance of Norwalk, Connecticut.

Police say Nance was speeding and his car became wedged under Jean’s tractor-trailer. The car was then dragged a short distance before Jean pulled his truck to the side of the highway.

Firefighters had to extract Nance from his vehicle because he became trapped. Meanwhile, local and state police were forced to close the entrance ramp and right lane of the highway as rescuers worked to free Nance, who was unconscious at the time.

As of Wednesday, the accident victim was listed in critical condition at St. Vincent’s Medical Center. The motor vehicle accident is currently under investigation, but no charges have been filed according to state police.

Man critical after I-95 crash, ConnPost.com, September 10, 2008

Driver in I-95 crash still critical, ConnPost.com, September 10, 2008

Continue reading "Massachusetts Man Involved in Tractor-Trailer Accident" »

The Worcester Business Journal recently reported that the intersection of Interstates 495 and 290 has an accident rate that is 33 percent higher than similar highway interchanges. The Mass Highway Department plans to improve the intersection by redesigning and rebuilding it.

The construction project will not be completed until 2014 or 2015; however, the MHD has $31 million in federal and state money designated to fund it. The Massachusetts Environmental Protection Agency has deemed an environmental impact report unnecessary, which will save 18-24 months.

Construction will be completed in stages so that traffic will flow as usual. Currently, the intersection is a full cloverleaf pattern, but the new design will transform the intersection into a partial cloverleaf and three levels of roadway. Two of the four ramps at the intersection are rated “F” due to the heavy amount of traffic they handle. The redesign is anticipated to bump up the rating to a B, C, or D.

At A Crossroads, Worcester Business Journal, August 18, 2008

Continue reading "Massachusetts Highway Department Plans to Rebuild Dangerous Intersection" »