Boston Car Accident Lawyer Blog

On Saturday afternoon, five motorcyclists were injured in what police are calling a possible chain reaction traffic crash. The group of cyclists was traveling southbound when the motorcycle accident occurred around 4pm on Interstate 495, stalling traffic for at least an hour.

Two of the injured motorcyclists were taken by helicopter to nearby hospitals, while the other three were transported by ambulance. The helicopter landing led to major traffic congestion on the southbound side of I-495.

The motorcycle crash victims’ names were not released and the extent of their injuries were unknown.

Source: 5 bikers hurt, traffic snarled in I-495 crash, Boston Herald, August 15, 2010

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According to police, two people died in a late-night motorcycle crash on Tuesday. A 35-year-old Wilmington man was riding west on Route 110 when his motorcycle crossed into the opposite lane. It reportedly hit two other motorcycles and a car.

The first motorcyclist was pronounced dead at the scene of the roadway accident; the other one was died at the hospital. A third cyclist suffered minor injuries.

According to witnesses, the first motorcyclist was speeding and driving erratically before the traffic crash.

Source: Two people killed in Methuen motorcycle crash, NECN.com, July 28, 2010

Two motorcyclists killed in Methuen crash, Boston Globe, July 28, 2010

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On Monday afternoon, a 60-year-old Action, Massachusetts man died in a car versus motorcycle accident. The crash occurred in Bradford County, Pennsylvania, where the man was traveling east on state road 414 in Leroy Township. The motorcyclist made a U-turn and was hit by a minivan traveling west.

The driver, who was not wearing a seatbelt, suffered minor injuries. The impact of the traffic accident caused his airbag to deploy. The motorcyclist was thrown from his bike and pronounced dead at the scene of the accident.

Authorities are still investigating the fatal motorcycle crash.

Source: FATAL CAR V. MOTORCYCLE CRASH, WBNG.com, July 27, 2010

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On Monday afternoon, a motorcycle accident in Becket, Massachusetts claimed the life of a 59-year-old woman from Switzerland. She was riding a three-wheel motorcycle west on the Massachusetts turnpike when her moved into the breakdown lane and hit the guardrail, skidding almost 200 feet.

The woman was thrown off the bike and pronounced dead at the scene of the motorcycle crash, according to state police. She was traveling with two other motorcycles when the accident occurred around 3:30pm.

Authorities are still investigating the fatal traffic accident.

Source: Woman killed in W. Mass. motorcycle crash, Boston Globe, July 20, 2010

Swiss woman dies in Mass. Pike trike crash, Boston Herald, July 20, 2010

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Last week, Aerosmith guitarist Joe Perry, 59, of Duxbury, was involved in a motorcycle accident in Middleboro, Massachusetts. The 62-year-old woman who rear-ended the musician says she did not recognize Perry until investigators clued her in. The motorcycle crash occurred around 2pm on Thursday, July 15 at Route 44 and 105.

Perry suffered minor scrapes and was treated and released from Morton Hospital in Taunton. Family sources also say he has a sore back, but is otherwise feeling ‘fine.’ The woman involved in the accident was not injured and was cited for following too close.

Perry’s motorcycle injury will not impact Aerosmith’s upcoming US tour, and the guitarist plans to join the band as originally planned. The tour kicks off in Oakland, California later this week.

Source: Joe Perry ‘fine’ after collision, Boston Herald, July 16, 2010

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On Friday evening, a Massachusetts pre-school teacher died after being flung from her boyfriend’s 2003 Harley Davidson motorcycle. State police arrived at the scene of the Somerville motorcycle crash around 9:10pm. Both the Braintree woman and her boyfriend were rushed to Massachusetts General Hospital. The 29-year-old woman was pronounced dead at the hospital.

Her boyfriend sustained brain damage, kidney and bladder failure, a fractured hip, and a torn stomach. As of yesterday, he remained in the hospital in “fair” condition. The 37-year-old Somerville man reportedly told his mother he’d had trouble maneuvering around cars and hit a curb.

The cause of this fatal motorcycle accident is being investigated, according to police.

Source: Pre-school teacher killed in motorcycle crash, PatriotLedger.com, July 11, 2010

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On Tuesday, a motorcyclist died after his bike collided with a 1997 Dodge Ram van. The fatal accident occurred on Route 9 in Brookfield, Massachusetts when the van turned into the parking of an Italian restaurant and crossed the path of the motorcycle.

Emergency responders declared the motorcyclist dead at the scene of the motorcycle accident. Police have not been released the victim's name to the public.

The driver, a 20-year-old New Hampshire man, sustained minor injuries. His passengers, two Worcester woman, were also injured in the collision. The three of them were taken to the University of Massachusetts Medical Center in Worcester.

Source: Motorcyclist Killed In Collision With Van, TheBostonChannel.com, June 15, 2010

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Earlier today, several motor vehicle accidents on Interstate 93 in Massachusetts and New Hampshire caused delays for many drivers. The first accident involved a motorcycle and was called in around 4:30am after the cyclist struck a deer.

Another motorcycle accident occurred an hour later when a New Hampshire man crashed his 2000 Harley Davidson. The cyclist was alert but complained of neck and back pain. Andover rescue reportedly took the man to Lawrence General Hospital.

Three more auto accidents occurred between 6:50am and 7:35am, but police were not able to give further details on those incidents. The most recent car accident caused in a car fire that backed up traffic along 93 South. Firefighters were able to control the flames by about 9:30am this morning.

Source: Rash of accidents on I-93 leave at least 2 injured in Mass. and N.H., Eagle-Tribune, May 25, 2010

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On Saturday morning around 9am, a Massachusetts woman was killed in a motorcycle accident after reportedly driving her 2008 Harley Davidson motorcycle off Route 101 and hitting a guardrail. Police say the 60-year-old woman was traveling west when the accident occurred.

She was taken by ambulance to Milford Medical Center, where she was later pronounced dead.

According to police, speed and alcohol were not believed to be involved. Authorities are investigating the cause of the fatal accident.

Source: Mass. woman dies in Saturday motorcycle crash, Nashua Telegraph, May 24, 2010

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Earlier this week, a 27-year-old motorcyclist was transported to a Massachusetts hospital after his Suzuki bike collided with a Toyota Camry. Police said the motorcycle accident occurred when the vehicle in front of him made an abrupt right turn. The motorcyclist suffered serious leg injuries.

The driver of the Camry, a 19-year-old man from York, Maine, was apparently not injured. This is often the case when a motorcycle collides with another vehicle, because the cyclist has little to cushion their fall or protect them from outside elements.

The police department's Traffic Accident Reconstruction Team is still investing the motorcycle crash.

Source: Hooksett motorcyclist injured in crash, UnionLeader.com, May 4, 2010

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On Saturday afternoon, two men died in separate Massachusetts highway crashes. Both traffic accidents occurred between 3 and 4pm.

In the first crash, a car headed east on Interstate 195 hit a guard rail and flipped over. EMTs pronounced the driver dead at the scene of the car crash. He was the only person in the vehicle.

A second highway accident involved a man on a motorcycle, who was traveling south on Route 146. He was thrown from his motorcycle after hitting the median. The motorcycle accident victim was transported to UMass Memorial Medical Center, where he was later pronounced dead.

Both fatal accidents are being investigated. Authorities have not released the victims' names pending notification of relatives.

Source: Two killed in highway accidents, Boston Globe, April 24, 2010

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Last Wednesday night, a motorcycle accident claimed the life of a 16-year-old student from Sandwich High School. The teen was reportedly being pursued by police when he turned left onto a dirt road, and an officer found him lying unconscious under a steel gate.

According to reports, the injured cyclist was rushed to Cape Cod Hospital, where the succumbed to his injuries from the motorcycle crash, which occurred around 9pm on Route 130 in Sandwich.

The motorcycle crash is still being investigated by Massachusetts Environmental Police, the Cape Cod Accident Reconstruction Team, and the Sandwich Police.

Sources: Teen killed in Cape motorcycle accident, Boston Globe, March 25, 2010

Sandwich youth dies in motorcycle crash, WickedLocal.com, March 25, 2010

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Last month in Reading, Massachusetts, a motorcycle accident claimed the lives of two. Authorities say both the 32-year-old driver of the motorcycle and his 25-year-old passenger were killed instantly when the cycle collided with as pickup truck.

According to the motorcycle accident victim's mother, the two were leaving the funeral of a friend who had died in a car accident the previous weekend.

Neighbors in Reading described the intersection at Lowell and High Streets as dangerous. They gathered at the site of the double fatal motorcycle accident, and at least one person left a bouquet of flowers at the accident scene.

Source: Two die in Reading motorcycle accident; Ex-E-T columnist's daughter a victim, The Eagle-Tribune, November 20, 2009

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This week, members of Massachusetts' Joint Committee on Transportation heard testimony about two bills that relate to traffic safety. The first, dubbed Ryan's Bill after a 16-year-old who died in a motorcycle accident, would require driver's education for motorcyclists between the ages of 16 and 18. Currently, Massachusetts law does not require Class M permit applicants to pass a riding test or undergo lessons, which some consider "ludicrous" given that motorcycles can travel up to 100 miles per hour.

Ryan's father, Brockton Fire Lieutenant Roger Orcutt, hopes that the bill will prevent other teens from getting into a dangerous motorcycle accident. State Senator Stephen M. Brewer urged the Joint Committee to pass the bill, so "Ryan's death will not be in vain."

The committee also heard testimony surrounding a bill that would require paratransit vehicles to have an up-to-date wheelchair tie-down and safety belt system. In addition, the bill would require a training course for employees and volunteers who transport wheelchair-seated passengers. Among those testifying in favor of the bill were Kenny Cieplik, a 34-year-old man from Middleborough who sustained serious injuries in a van crash last May when the seatbelts tying down his wheelchair broke.

Bill aims to toughen license laws, Boston Globe, October 7, 2009

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Earlier this month, a second-grade boy was pinned under an SUV as he ran to catch a school bus. The SUV accident occurred in the morning around 7:30am. The motor vehicle accident victim was rushed to MetroWest Medical Center, where he was treated for serious check injuries.

Police spent much of the morning investigating the motor vehicle accident.

As children head back to school and traffic increases with school buses and parents dropping off their kids, it is especially important for drivers to be alert and watch for children crossing the street. Our Massachusetts traffic accident attorneys previously blogged about tips for preventing a car accident during back to school season.

Framingham boy pinned by SUV as he ran to catch school bus, NECN.com, September 11, 2009

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Over the weekend, a Massachusetts woman was thrown from her motorcycle and suffered minor injuries as she was driving in the rick Rockland-bound lane of the Tappan Zee Bridge.

The motorcycle accident occurred just after 11am when a car suddenly stopped in front of her and her brakes locked up. She reportedly landed on her back and complained of pain around her ribs. The motorcycle accident victim was wearing a helmet and remained conscious as she was taken by ambulance to Nyack Hospital. Traffic was backed up as it squeezed into the middle and left lanes.

According to police, the site of the motorcycle accident was cleared with half an hour.

Woman injured in motorcycle accident on Tappan Zee Bridge, LoHud.com, September 19, 2009

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Last week, a motorcycle accident injured two bikers, sending them to the hospital. The accident occurred in Putnam, Connecticut. Both of the motorcycle accident victims, ages 30 and 36, were transported to University of Massachusetts Medical Center in Worcester.

The traffic accident was reported just after 6pm on Saturday evening. Police said one of the motorcyclists appeared to be traveling east on Grove Street when he crossed into the westbound lane and hit a 2005 Chevy Trailblazer carrying six passengers. The driver, a 37-year-old woman from North Grafton, was not injured, nor were her passengers. The second cyclist hit a 2004 Mercury Sable, but the driver and his two passengers were also unharmed.

The motorcycle accident is still being investigated.

2 motorcycle riders hurt in Putnam accident with car, SUV, Norwich Bulletin, September 6, 2009

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On Monday morning, a Methuen, Massachusetts man was sent to the hospital following a motorcycle crash on Route 28. The 59-year-old was traveling northbound on Route 28 around 11am when he lost control of his Harley-Davidson motorcycle. According to police, the motorcylce accident occurred near the intersection of Windham Depot Road and Route 28.

The injured man was transported by ambulance to Parkland Medical Center. He was later transferred to Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, where a hospital spokesperson said he is in fair condition.

Following the motorcycle accident, traffic was momentarily halted on Route 28, but by the afternoon, the scene had been cleared. A Derry Police captain said there were no other vehicles involved in the accident, which is still under investigation.

Methuen man hospitalized after crash, The Eagle-Tribune, August 18, 2009

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According to a Gannet News Service analysis of federal accident reports, deaths from motorcycle accidents have increased since states started loosening helmet laws in the mid to late nineties. Once the federal government chose to stop withholding highway money from states without helmet laws, some states began weakening or repealing their helmet laws.

Department of Transportation (DOT) statistics show that 5.6 motorcyclists were killed for every 10,000 registered motorcycles in 1996. Ten years later, that number had risen to 7.3. That may seem like a small spike, but the annual death toll from motorcycle crashes rose from 2,160 to 4,810 during that same period. Fatality rates for all other passenger vehicles have been decreasing.

The government's Fatality Analysis Reporting System of motorcycle deaths between 2002 and 2006 also revealed that nearly half of those riders killed were not wearing helmets. The average age of those killed was around 38, and nearly half of motorcyclists who died in 2006 were 40 and older. Nearly a quarter were 50 or older.

Only about 20 states require riders to wear helmets, and the National Transportation Safety Board has recommended that states reinstate helmet laws to reduce the risk of severe head trauma or death from motorcycle crashes.

Southern States Among Those With Highest Motorcycle Death Rates, USA Today, March 3, 2009

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Over the weekend, two Massachusetts men died in tragic accidents while pursuing personal missions on their motorcycles. The first motorcycle accident occurred around 11am on Saturday morning. Lucas Haus, 21, of North Reading was a novice rider who had borrowed a bike to participate in a memorial ride for a close friend who had died in a motorcycle crash earlier this year. Haus was riding at 65 miles per hour through Danvers when his cycle went out of control and hit several trees. Emergency medical workers pronounced him dead at the scene of the motorcycle accident.

Less than one hour later, 65-year-old Paul E. West, of Brockton, was returning from a trip to Mount Washington in New Hampshire when he fell down a 10-foot embankment and hit a tree. He also died. Reaching the top of Mount Washington was a longtime goal for West. He was a lifelong motorcyclist, according to his 32-year-old daughter, who also took up her Dad's hobby.

Our condolences go out the families of both motorcycle accident victims.

Quests end tragically for 2 motorcyclists, Boston Globe, August 10, 2009

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Last Thursday, a man from Marlborough, Massachusetts was seriously injured in a motorcycle accident on Depot Road in Nashua. The accident occurred around 9:35am. According to police, the 61-year-old man was riding southbound on Depot Road when a car pulled out of a driveway. The motorcyclist swerved off the road, hitting a sign and wooden fence.

The motorcycle accident victim sustained serious leg injuries, and his motorcycle was damaged extensively. He was wearing a helmet at the time of the crash, but he was unable to remember the make, model, or color of the car that hit him. Police are seeking further information from the public and are requesting any witnesses to call 465-7637.

In addition to motorcycle accidents, our Boston personal injury attorneys also handle accidents involving machinery, defective products, motor vehicle collisions, and medical malpractice.

Motorcyclist hurt in crash, Nashua Telegraph, July 24, 2009

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