Boston Car Accident Lawyer Blog

A Peabody police officer was seriously injured this week when he was hit while working a paid detail at a construction site on Route 1 in Peabody. Sergeant Eric Zawacki, 37, was standing next to his police cruiser when a driver of a black Chevrolet Avalanche stopped and asked the officer for directions. A 1991 red Chevrolet pick-up truck driven by Elroy Halfrey, 76, of Salem, N.H., then hit both Zawacki as a pedestrian and crashed into the truck that was pulled over for directions, causing both a pedestrian accident and a two-car crash. Zawacki was thrown over the hood of the truck. He was taken Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston where he remains in critical condition.

David Procopio, Massachusetts police spokesperson, confirmed that he had surgery for his serious injuries and is expected to survive. Massachusetts General Public Affairs Officer Kory Dodd reported that Zawacki was in serious condition and that his "vital signs are unstable and not within normal limits. The patient is acutely ill."

After the crash, Halfrey remained at the scene of the accident. Although the accident is still under investigation, police commented that the wet roads and the driver´s speed were each potential factors of the accident. State Police Lieutenant Tracy Webber said, “It’s still a preliminary investigation…Because it’s an active work zone, that is a contributing factor too. The roadway was wet, that comes into play.’’ She said police will determine if the driver of the red pickup truck will be charged.

Peabody Police Detective Michael Crane said that although no charges have yet been filed against the suspect, he said “I’m sure once they are done with [the State Police investigation] if a citation is required they will process that accordingly.”

If you have been involved in a Massachusetts pedestrian or car accident, it is in your best interest to contact an experienced a Massachusetts car accident lawyer.

Sources:

Peabody police sergeant struck, seriously injured by vehicle on Route 1, www.boston.com, December 5, 2011

Peabody officer working detail hit by car, seriously injured, The Boston Herald , December 5, 2011

Related Blog Posts:

Motorists Encouraged to Remain in Vehicles After an Accident Following Multiple Massachusetts Highway Fatalities

Man in Wheelchair Killed on Busy Street in Brockton

Boy On Bike Hit By Police Cruiser in Avon

Fatal Hit And Run Accident in Dorchester Kills 39-Year-Old Mother

74-year-old Bicyclist Killed in Boston

Wheelchair-bound Man Struck by Oil Truck in New Bedford

Continue reading "Peabody Police Hit as a Pedestrian" »

U.S. Marine Corps veteran Edwin Nelson, 65, was killed when his motorized wheelchair was hit by oncoming traffic earlier this week in Brockton. According to witnesses, Nelson was crossing in a crosswalk on Belmont Street, also known as Route 123, when a Hyundai Elantra driven by 26-year-old Frank Dernoga, of Taunton, crashed into his wheelchair. He was knocked off his wheelchair near the crosswalk and rolled into the street. He was taken to Good Samaritan Medical Center and was pronounced dead.

Nelson was living at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center which is located less than a mile away from the crash site. He was a Vietnam veteran with a spinal cord injury that led to the amputation of both of his legs. His son, Geoff Nelson, wrote that his father had been a part of research to help pioneer spinal-cord medicine over the past 36 years, along with many other spinal-cord injury patients at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center.

Nelson’s fatal accident has drawn attention to safety issues for pedestrians on Belmont Street, especially for disabled veterans who frequent the notoriously busy street. A spokeswoman for the Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Pallis Wahl, said that a treatment team including a doctor, nurse, and social worker, evaluates each patient on an individual basis to determine the necessary care and whether or not a patient needs to be escorted when outside of the facility. It was determined that Nelson was fit to be outside of the facility without supervision from an escort. Wahl said, “It’s a case-by-case basis.”

Some local residents believe that the disabled patients should always have an escort for their own safety given the circumstances of Belmont Street. One resident commented, “It is sad…I’ve seen the conditions of driving on Belmont Street. It’s atrocious.”

Police are reportedly reviewing surveillance video from a business close to the scene of the accident that captured the crash. There has not been any decision as of this week as to whether Dernoga will face charges.

If you have been injured in a Massachusetts car accident or involved in a pedestrian, wheelchair, or bike accident, it is in your best interest to contact an experienced Massachusetts lawyer.

Sources:

Disabled vet killed in Brockton accident helped pioneer spinal-cord medicine, Taunton Daily Gazette, October 26, 2011

Military veteran killed in Brockton road crash, www.Boston.com, October 24, 2011

Related Blog Posts:

Boy On Bike Hit By Police Cruiser in Avon

Fatal Hit And Run Accident in Dorchester Kills 39-Year-Old Mother

74-year-old Bicyclist Killed in Boston

Wheelchair-bound Man Struck by Oil Truck in New Bedford

Continue reading "Man in Wheelchair Killed on Busy Street in Brockton" »

Over Memorial Day Weekend, two separate fatal car accidents occurred early yesterday morning in Massachusetts. According to Massachusetts State Police, the first accident happened at approximately 1:45 a.m. on Sunday morning in Burlington on Interstate-95. The driver was a 46-year-old male from Burlington whose identity has not been released. He was driving a 2000 Land Rover Discovery and was pronounced deceased at the scene of the accident. Authorities believe that speed was the cause of the accident. The victim was not wearing his seatbelt.#

The second accident under investigation involved a pedestrian on Interstate-195 in Swansea and occurred at 3:12 a.m. Chrisie J. Wallace, aged 40, from Fall River, was hit by a 1998 Cadillac Deville in the eastbound lane. She was declared dead at the scene. The driver was Julian Juan, aged 48, from New Bedford. No charges have been filed against him but State Police are investigating the reason as to why Wallace was walking on the freeway.

As with any holiday or long weekend, it is especially important to use caution and judgment when travelling, always were your seatbelt, do not drive under the influence, and to be wary of possibly intoxicated drivers. The Massachusetts Department of Transportation warned drivers of congested roads and freeways over the weekend and reminded motorists that traffic would be particularly heavy during the daytime and early evenings.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) especially warned motorists to wear their seatbelts over the weekend after releasing their 2011 Click It or Ticket campaign on Thursday, May 26th. In a statement about the campaign, U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said, "We are reminding Americans to buckle up before they hit the road for the long Memorial Day weekend…Seat belts are a lifesaver, but too many people are failing to buckle their seat belts at night, and it’s costing lives."

NHTSA Administrator David Strickland warned that holidays, such as the Memorial Day weekend, are particularly dangerous and motorists should thus always wear their seatbelts. During the 2009 Memorial Day weekend, 55% of the 306 people who died in car accidents in the United States were not wearing seatbelts. Strickland commented: "Statistics tell a powerful story about the fate of unbelted motorists in crashes. That’s why law enforcement is exceptionally vigilant at this time of year."

If you have been involved in a fatal accident or a pedestrian car accident, it is in your best interest to contact an experienced Massachusetts car accident lawyer as soon as possible.

Sources:

Two fatalities in separate car crashes early this morning, The Boston Globe, May 29, 2011

U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood Announces 'Click It or Ticket' Campaign, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, May 26, 2011

Continue reading "Memorial Day Weekend Driving Results in Two Fatalities in Separate Accidents" »

A car accident in which an unoccupied vehicle hit a pedestrian in Beacon Hill yesterday is under investigation. At approximately 3:15 p.m., emergency personnel were called to the intersection of Mt. Vernon Street and Charles Street. Several witnesses dialed for help after witnessing an empty BMW barrel down Mt. Vernon Street, crash into a Smart car, and then into a woman who was crossing the street in a crosswalk. The 45-year-old pedestrian was dragged across the street by the moving vehicle and then pinned by the car.

Boston Fire spokesman Steve MacDonald reported that before emergency crews arrived, construction workers had attempted to lift the car off of the victim. She was eventually extricated by firemen who used a special jack to lift the vehicle. Police report that she had life-threatening injuries, including a severe head injury and multiple fractured bones. She was taken to Massachusetts General Hospital and is reported to be in serious condition.

The owner of the BMW reportedly double-parked on Mt. Vernon Street, put his car in neutral, and applied the emergency brake before entering a house on the street to visit his uncle. It is reported that his emergency brake failed and the vehicle thus started rolling down the hill. A witness who had seen him run to the accident when he had learned of what had happened, described him as being visibly panicked. Witnesses in cafes and shops in the Beacon Hill neighborhood responded quickly to call for help.

Both the owner of the vehicle and the pedestrian remain unidentified and there have not been any charges as the investigation continues.

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation reminds pedestrians to:

• Follow the rules and cross in the intersection, cross when the pedestrian signal lights up with the “walk” light, cross with the green light if there is no pedestrian signal, and in both instances, look both ways for turning or approaching vehicles.
• Walk along the shoulder of a road facing traffic if there is no sidewalk.
• Pay attention to vehicles that are backing up or pulling out as drivers may not see you in their rear view mirror.
• When walking, wear bright or florescent colors in the daytime and lit or reflective material at night to increase your visibility

Because the vehicle in this case was not occupied when it hit the pedestrian and the vehicle´s emergency brake reportedly failed, the legal implications of this accident could be very complicated and will undoubtedly need an experienced Boston pedestrian accident lawyer. If you have been involved in a pedestrian car accident, it is in your best interest to contact a lawyer as soon as possible.

This case has numerous angles we could discuss, for the purpose of this blog we will look at some of the insurance coverage issues that the injured pedestrian may encounter. Clearly the pedestrian has a claim against the owner and his insurance carrier. While the owner claims that the brakes failed, this argument doesn’t necessarily get him or his insurance carrier off the hook. The vehicle needs to be looked at by experts that can determine if the brakes failed and if that was the sole cause of the accident. In addition, the pedestrian may find out that the vehicle didn’t have enough insurance coverage to pay for the injuries in the claim. It will be important to know if the pedestrian had their own insurance policy or if someone in the household had an active automobile insurance policy. Generally hiring a personal injury attorney can help you get answers to these questions in a prompt manner. In addition an injury lawyer can assist with the medical bills, lost wages and other expenses that can occur with an accident of this magnitude.

Sources:

Woman seriously injured by rolling vehicle on Beacon Hill, The Boston Globe, May 25, 2011

Chaos ensues after empty car hits woman, The Boston Globe, May 27, 2011

Pedestrian Safety Tips, Massachusetts Department of Transportation

Related Blog Posts:

UConn Student from Westminster, Massachusetts, Killed by Campus Shuttle Bus

Adams Resident Dies in Pedestrian-Motor Vehicle Accident

Continue reading "Unoccupied Vehicle Hits Pedestrian in Beacon Hill" »

On Tuesday night, a University of Connecticut shuttle bus struck and killed a student from Westminster, Massachusetts at an intersection on campus. The UConn student, 20-year-old David N. Plamondon, was living off campus. The bus hit Plamondon in the intersection of Hillside Road and Alumni Drive by the North Parking Garage on campus at approximately 8:15 p.m. A witness of the fatal accident immediately called the campus police. Campus police arrived at the scene of the accident with emergency crews and administered first aid but could not save him as his injuries were so severe. Although the cause of the accident is unknown and the case is under investigation, a medical examiner will determine the cause of the Plamondon’s death.

Major Ronald Blicher, of the UConn Police, said, "There were witnesses to the accident…They are being interviewed by police…The bus driver is being interviewed by police." Police do not believe that the UConn women’s basketball game on campus was related to this accident or that the victim had been to the game. No charges have been filed yet.

Pedestrians, bicyclists, and drivers should always use extra caution on campuses and especially after dark. On Boston University’s campus website, students are reminded of the following pedestrian safety tips:

• Be careful when crossing streets and tracks.
• Always use pedestrian crosswalks.
• Look left and right for cars, bikes, and trolleys before crossing the street.
• Always be alert when using personal electronic devices.
• Walk in well-lit areas at night.
• Use an escort security service or walk with a friend to your destination.

If you or your loved one has been injured or killed in an accident, please feel free to contact one of our Massachusetts traffic fatality lawyers who can help you with their 25 years of experience.

Sources:

UConn student from Mass. killed by shuttle bus, Boston Herald, March 23, 2011

UConn student struck, killed by bus, ctpost.com, March 23, 2011

On and Off Campus Safety Tips, Boston University, Dean of Students

Continue reading "UConn Student from Westminster, Massachusetts, Killed by Campus Shuttle Bus" »

On Monday, 84-year-old Joao Amaral of New Bedford was struck by an oil truck while in the crosswalk on the corner of Purchase and Hillman streets. He was in serious condition on Tuesday at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston.

The New Bedford Police Department reported that Amaral was operating his motorized wheelchair on Purchase Street near the curb when he was struck. Investigators believe he was pushed about 30 feet and then run over by the oil truck. Police have identified the driver of the truck, owned by the Star Oil Co. of New Bedford, as John Duarte, 74, of Acushnet.

The incident in New Bedford was the latest in a series of six pedestrian accidents in the town in 2010 and the second involving a wheelchair-bound person in the last few months. On Oct. 29, 2010, a 57-year-old man died after he was hit in his wheelchair at Route 6 and Pleasant Street.

Source:
Wheelchair accident victim is in serious condition, South Coast Today, January 12, 2011

A Massachusetts traffic accident occurring the day before Christmas claimed the life of a 85-year-old Adams resident. The incident marked Berkshire County’s third fatality resulting from a pedestrian-motor vehicle accident in two months. The victim was reportedly hit by a southbound vehicle while crossing Park Street. Police say he was not in a marked crosswalk.

Emergency responders took the injured pedestrian to Berkshire Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead. The 18-year-old woman who driving the car was not injured and has not been charged in connection with the fatal accident; however, the fatal auto accident is still being investigated.

According to federal data, somewhere in the country a pedestrian is injured in a traffic crash every seven minutes. Every 107 minutes, a pedestrian dies as the result of such crashes. The majority of these fatalities occur between 6 and 9pm and on weekends.

Source: Elderly man struck, killed, Berkshire Eagle, December 26, 2010

In harm's way: Many drivers ignore pedestrians in crosswalks, Patriot Ledger, June 22, 2010

Continue reading "Adams Resident Dies in Pedestrian-Motor Vehicle Accident" »

A Yarmouth Port man died on Sunday after he reportedly walked in front of a bus at Walt Disney World’s Port Orleans resort. Witnesses say the 69-year-old Massachusetts man stepped into the path of a Disney bus traveling through the parking lot of the resort. A report states that the front of the bus hit the accident victim and knocked him to the ground. He later died at Orlando Regional Medical Center.

The bus accident occurred around 5:50pm, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

The bus was driven by a 57-year-old woman who says she’s not sure how many passengers were in the bus at the time of the accident. No passenger injuries were reported. The man was not in a crosswalk, and the highway patrol says the bus had the right-of-way, so it’s unlikely that any charges will be filed in connection with the fatal pedestrian accident. The incident remains under investigation.

Earlier this year, a Disney bus struck and killed a boy who was riding his bike through Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort campground. The highway patrol said the accident may have been caused by the lack of air in the bike tires.

Source: Massachusetts man dies after walking in front of Disney bus at Port Orleans resort, South Florida Sun Sentinel, December 27, 2010

Continue reading "Cape Cod Man Killed by a Bus, Charges Not Likely" »

A man was struck by a van on Main Street in Fitchburg on Friday. John Wirta, a 58-year-old, is in critical condition at UMass Memorial Medical Center after being hit by a 2004 Ford Econoline. The van was driven by Shannon Mannix, a 36-year-old from North Brookfield. The accident happened around 3:20 p.m., according to Telegram.com.

Source: Telegram.com, Man struck by van still in critical condition

Though very sad, it is not surprising that this man is now in critical condition. This is because pedestrian accidents frequently lead to fatalities and catastrophic injuries. We have seen many accidents involving pedestrians in recent weeks. Some have involved possible distracted driving. Others have involved failure to yield to pedestrians in crosswalks. Still others have involved criminal behavior. Some of the things that all of these victims and/or their families may have in common, however, are expensive medical bills, lost wages, inability to go back to work, and pain and suffering.

Our lawyers will work around the clock to help you get compensation for these things. We have been handling pedestrian accidents throughout Massachusetts for many years, and we use that experience to maximize our clients’ recovery. While we are aggressive advocates for our clients, we are also compassionate listeners. We’ve seen the pain that our clients go through after suffering an injury or losing a loved one, and that is why we make sure that they can always reach us.

Continue reading "Pedestrian in Critical Condition After Being Struck By Van in Fitchburg" »

Julio Vaquerano, a 36-year-old from Revere, was killed in a Chelsea hit-and-run Tuesday night. A car hit Vaquerano around 10 p.m. near the intersection of Blossom and Maple streets and fled the scene. Vaquerano died of his injuries at Massachusetts General Hospital. Chelsea and state police are investigating and asking for informational tips.

Source: Boston.com, Man killed by hit-and-run driver in Chelsea

This is a tragic, and unfortunately, largely characteristic pedestrian accident. The vast majority of pedestrian accidents happen in urban areas, like Chelsea, between 6 p.m. and midnight. Fatalities are such a strong possibility in pedestrian accidents because pedestrians don’t have anything protecting their bodies from injury. When a pedestrian is struck by a car and killed, the driver may be liable. Here, in addition to the criminal charges that this driver will ultimately face when caught, he could find himself involved in a wrongful death action.

At Altman & Altman, our Massachusetts wrongful death lawyers have what it takes to handle these complex cases. We understand that if you have lost a family member, no amount of money will ever bring him/her back or ease your emotional pain. We also know that medical treatments, the process of laying your loved one to rest, and losing his/her earnings can put a huge financial burden on you, and damages may help with that.

Continue reading "Pedestrian Killed in Chelsea Hit-and-Run " »

A 14-year-old Andover girl was hit by a car on her way to the bus stop today, Andover police told the Boston Globe. The accident occurred near 200 Andover St. at 7:15 a.m. The girl was sent to Lawrence General Hospital, and her condition is not yet known.

The driver was a 17-year-old girl who has been charged with a school bus violation and impeded operation.

As this news illustrates, car accidents can happen at any given time. You can be on your way to school one minute and be suffering from a serious personal injury the next.

It also raises another common theme in Massachusetts car accidents: teen driver safety (or lack thereof). Teen drivers are uniquely prone to car accidents for many reasons. Inexperience, immaturity, and the sense of invincibility that commonly comes with youth can contribute to accidents involving teen drivers. Teens can also be more susceptible to peer pressure and image concerns and therefore speed, not wear seatbelts, text while driving, or even drink and drive. Because of these and other factors, teenaged drivers frequently find themselves involved in car accidents.

The fact that this teen driver was charged with a school bus violation and impeded operation could indicate that she was negligent or reckless. In Massachusetts, the violation of a statute or ordinance is evidence of negligence where there is a causal connection between the violation and the harm and that kind of harm is the kind that the statute was meant to prevent. Even though this driver is a minor, driving is an adult activity and she will be held to the same standard of care as an adult.

Source: The Boston Globe, Teen struck by vehicle in Andover

Continue reading "Andover Teen Hit by Car on Way to School Bus" »

According to WickedLocal.com, a 2004 Honda Civic hit a 17-year-old pedestrian last week. The accident occurred around 6pm last Thursday near TD Bank in Lexington. The male teen was reportedly crossing Massachusetts Avenue in a crosswalk when he was struck by the car.

The driver involved in the accident said he could not see around the van in front or him and hit the pedestrian’s lower leg. Police officers responding to the accident said the pedestrian may have sustained injuries to his wrist. The incident resulted in minor damage to the Honda’s hood above the left headlight.

Massachusetts law states that drivers are required to yield to pedestrians in a crosswalk. Failure to do so could result in a $100 fine. Massachusetts drivers hit an estimated 10,000 pedestrians each year.

Source: Pedestrian struck on Mass. Ave. in Lexington Center, WickedLocal.com, November 18, 2010

Continue reading "Pedestrian Hit by Car in Lexington Center" »

A 70-year-old Pittsfield man who was involved in a motor vehicle accident last month has died at Albany Medical Center, apparently from serious injuries he sustained in the October 19 accident.

Pittsfield police say they are continuing to investigate the fatal accident, which involved a 49-year-old woman who was cited for failing to stop for a pedestrian in a marked crosswalk. They are asking anyone who witnessed the pedestrian accident to call (413) 448-9700.

Authorities are reviewing the circumstances around the crash to determine if the driver will be held criminally responsible. Cases where a driver may be found criminal responsible include when the driver is found to have been driving too fast, driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, or driving recklessly with willful and wanton disregard for the probability that the driving may cause an accident. Driver negligence is considered less severe than reckless driving.

Source: Pittsfield Fatal Accident Police continue investigation, The Berkshire Eagle, November 19, 2010

Continue reading "Police Investigating Fatal Pittsfield Car Accident" »

The Massachusetts State Police are currently on the lookout for a hit-and-run driver that struck a police cruiser and injured a civilian. The accident occurred on I-395 in Chicopee early Saturday morning.

A state police trooper was stooped on the side of the Chicopee stretch of the highway near exit 4 assisting a motorist with a flat tire. A few moments later, as the motorist stood by the driver’s side window of the state police cruiser speaking with the trooper, an SUV swerved into the breakdown lane on I-395, colliding with not only the state police cruiser, but also the pedestrian standing at the window.

Following the accident, the SUV fled the scene of the crash. Police have described the SUV as being light in color and it will likely have heavy front-end damage as the result of the accident.

Continue reading "Hit-and-run Driver Collides with a Police Cruiser, Injuring a Civilian" »

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 " »

An 80-year-old driver was injured yesterday when his car struck a utility pole before coming to rest on the lawn of a Quincy home. The car accident occurred around 11 a.m. on Beal Street. The driver had to be removed from his Buick LeSabre by rescue workers utilizing the Jaws of Life.

The operator of the vehicle, a resident of nearby Milton, is currently in fair condition at Boston Medical Center. The man reportedly suffered head trauma in the collision. The Quincy Police stated that the lack of skid marks at the scene indicate that there was no attempt made by the driver to stop the vehicle. The authorities further stated that the 80-year-old driver likely suffers from a medical condition which caused him to veer off the road.

Witnesses reported that the LeSabre jumped a curb, hit a utility pole and then struck the hedges on the front lawn of a Beal Street home. Fortunately, the vehicle did not collide with any of the pedestrians that were walking along the street at the time of the accident.

Continue reading "80-Year-Old Driver Injured Following Quincy Car Crash onto Front Lawn of Home" »

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" »

Our Boston car accident lawyers have learned that a Lynn man is charged with leaving the scene of personal injury, unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, motor vehicle lights violation, unregistered motor vehicle, uninsured motor vehicle, failure to stop and or yield, crosswalk violation, number plate violation and failure to appear upon recognizance. He allegedly hit another vehicle and injured a pedestrian on Monday evening as officers pursued him.

The motorist reportedly jumped out of the 1995 Honda Civic he was driving and attempted to flee the scene before being caught by several officers. Police also tended to the 22-year-old pedestrian accident victim, who sustained serious injuries and was taken to Massachusetts General Hospital.

The driver was arraigned at Lynn District Court and ordered held in lieu of $20,000 cash bail. His pre-trail hearing is scheduled for early September.

Source: Driver arraigned after accident injures pedestrian, The Daily Item of Lynn, August 11. 2010

Continue reading "Lynn Driver Accused of Injuring Pedestrian" »

On Sunday afternoon, a traffic accident in Newburyport, Massachusetts injured three people. Fortunately, no one was seriously injured. Authorities are investigating the minivan accident to find out why the 91-year-old driver lost control of the vehicle just after the Yankee Homecoming Parade.

A husband and wife were hit as they crossed High Street. They were in a cross walk. The wife was listed in serious but stable condition at a local hospital, and the husband was treated and released from the hospital. A third person was hit by the minivan but refused medical attention.

It’s unclear whether the car crash was caused by driver error or a mechanical issue, so investigator inspected the vehicle earlier this week for possible accelerator problems.

Source: Police continue to investigate Sunday's minivan accident, WickedLocal.com, August 2

Continue reading "Newburyport Minivan Accident Under Investigation" »

Earlier this week, Massachusetts police were called to the scene of a deadly hit-and-run accident on Route I-495. The accident occurred early Monday morning near Exit 23B in Westborough, where a 40-something male pedestrian was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident.

Police did not find a disabled vehicle near the scene of the accident, so it’s unclear why the pedestrian was on the highway. They have not released the victim’s identify and they have asked for the public’s help in investigating the hit-and-run.

Traffic along I-495 was backed up for several hours following the fatal accident; however, traffic had resumed in all lanes as of 10am that morning.

Source: Authorities ask for public's help in solving I-495 hit-and-run, Boston Globe, June 14, 2010

Continue reading "Pedestrian Killed in Westborough Accident" »

Early Saturday morning, Massachusetts state troopers rushed to the scene of a traffic accident on Route 195 near exit 2 in Rehoboth. According to preliminary reports, a 20-year-old pedestrian was hit by a 2004 Nissan 360Z. The pedestrian accident victim was reportedly outside a disabled vehicle in the middle travel lane when the accident occurred around 2:40am.

The Nissan’s driver, 21-year-old man from Fall River, was not injured.

Emergency responders took the injured pedestrian to Rhode Island Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead. Authorities are still investigating the cause of this fatal pedestrian accident.

Source: Fatal pedestrian crash on Route 195 in Rehoboth, Mass, NECN.com, April 3, 2010

Continue reading "Pedestrian Killed in Rehoboth Accident " »

Earlier this week, two separate highway accidents in eastern Massachusetts killed pedestrians, report state police. The first pedestrian accident occurred around 7:30pm Tuesday evening when a 46-year-old Salisbury man stepped into the right lane on Route 95 South in Newbury. He was hit by a car and fatally injured.

On Wednesday, the second pedestrian fatality occurred on Woburn Street in Wilmington when an unidentified man was hit by a commercial vehicle. Police believe the man may have jumped from an overpass before the vehicle hit him.

Authorities are still investigating the fatal accidents.

Source: Two killed in pedestrian accidents on highways, Boston Globe, March 17, 2010

Continue reading "Two Pedestrians Die in Massachusetts Highway Accidents" »

On Monday evening around 6pm, a plow driver in Plympton, Massachusetts reportedly hit a 47-year-old woman and drove off. The pedestrian accident victim was apparently walking in the street when she was hit. The plow was not plowing snow at the time of the accident.

Police say they are searching for a small SUV with a plow attached to the front. Officials at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston report that the woman who survived the hit and run is in fair condition.

Because pedestrians have no protection against vehicles like cars, trucks, or SUVs, they are extremely vulnerable to injury if they are involved in an accident. Potential injuries include broken bones, brain injuries, internal bleeding, and sometimes death.

Source: MA police search for plow driver who allegedly hit woman and drove off, NECN.com, December 22, 2009

Continue reading "Plympton Police Searing for Plow Driver Who Injured Pedestrian" »

A bus crash last week near Boston's Copley Place injured a 54-year-old pedestrian. According to a press release issued by the Suffolk district attorney's office, the MBTA bus accident occurred just after midnight near the intersection of Ring Road and Huntington Avenue.

The Route 9 bus was headed west on Huntington Avenue and did not have any passengers at the time of the bus crash. As of Friday, the pedestrian was still in the intensive care unit at Boston Medical Center.

The bus driver will be tested for drug or alcohol impairment in accordance with the MBTA's standard policy, but investigators say he did not show any signs of impairment following the collision.

Source: Pedestrian critical after MBTA bus collision in Back Bay, Boston Globe, December 11, 2009

Continue reading "MBTA Bus Crash in Boston Injures Pedestrian" »

In Massachusetts, a Pioneer Valley Transit Authority bus hit a pedestrian who was attempting to cross the street a few weeks ago. Police report that the bus accident victim was transported to the hospital with minor injuries. The accident occurred just after 7am at the intersection of Main and Liberty Street in Springfield.

According to witnesses, the man was struck by the eastbound bus when he crossed the street against a green light. The names of the victim and the bus driver have not been released to the media.

While fortunately this bus accident resulted in minor injuries to the pedestrian, other motor vehicle accidents can result in more serious injuries such as broken bones, spinal cord injuries, and sometimes even death.

Sources: PVTA bus strikes pedestrian in Springfield, WGGB.com, November 20, 2009

Pedestrian, struck by bus in downtown Springfield, taken to hospital, MassLive.com, November 20, 2009

Continue reading "Bus Injures Pedestrian in Springfield " »

A Boston pedestrian was killed on Friday afternoon near his home in the Back Bay. Police say the 84-year-old man stepped out into traffic to cross the street when he was hit by a 22-year-old bicyclist from Randolph.

The bicyclist was traveling northbound on Massachusetts Avenue when he collided with the pedestrian, who fell to the ground and hit his head. The pedestrian died later that night at Boston Medical Center.

According to a Boston police spokesman, the bicyclist stayed at the scene of the pedestrian accident and will probably not be charged because the pedestrian had stepped into traffic. There was no crosswalk.

Pedestrian, 84, dies after being hit by bicyclist, Boston Globe, November 16, 2009

Continue reading "Pedestrian Accident Kills Boston Man" »

On Monday evening, a freshman at the University of Massachusetts was injured after being hit by a vehicle and landing on the vehicle's hood. The 18-year-old student was crossing Commonwealth Avenue around 6:22pm when she was hit by a southbound vehicle driven by an 18-year-old New Bedford woman.

The injured pedestrian was transported in an Amherst Fire Department ambulance to Cooley Dickinson Hospital in Northampton and treated for non-life-threatening injuries. A spokeswoman for the hospital said she has already been released from the hospital.

Charges have not been filed in the pedestrian accident, which remains under investigation. Commonwealth Avenue has been the site of several previous pedestrian accidents, including a 1999 incident where a student killed crossing the street. In light of these accidents, officials from University of Massachusetts and Amherst police are working together to raise awareness about safety in crosswalks.

UMass student injured when struck by vehicle in risky campus crosswalk, GazetteNet.com, November 4, 2009

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Last week, a motor vehicle accident on Route 28 North in Medford injured a pedestrian, who later died at the hospital. According to state police reports, the pedestrian was hit by a 2003 BMW X5 in the right lane. The 33-year-old driver was not injured.

The pedestrian, a 53-year-old man from Medford, was transported to Massachusetts General Hospital and died at the hospital. Medford's Deputy Fire Chief said that stretch of roadway is particularly prone to accidents, although they usually do not involve pedestrians.

Police closed Route 28 for three hours following the motor vehicle crash so they could investigate and reconstruct the accident. It is clear if the driver will face any charges.

Pedestrian killed on Fellsway in Medford, Boston Globe, October 9, 2009

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According to a recent study, hybrid cars are a greater risk to pedestrians than vehicles with internal combustion engines because of their quieter engines. Blind pedestrians are especially at risk, because they rely more heavily on auditory cues. In fact, a blind woman in Kansas City last year had her cane run over and broken by what she suspects was a hybrid vehicle.

Because of this heightened risk of a pedestrian accident, automakers are exploring ways to create noise and warn pedestrians, especially when a vehicle is driving under 10 miles per hour, when tires on pavement and other road noises are barely audible.

Congress also passed the Pedestrian Safety Enhancement Act, which ordered a federal agency to examine the issue and potentially recommend a minimum amount of sound. Already, American drivers kill approximately 4,500 pedestrian and injure 70,000 others each year. And as hybrid cars gain in popularity, the issue of safety becomes even more important.

Safety experts fear electric cars too quiet, KansasCity.com, September 26, 2009

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On Monday, an 83-year-old Brockton resident was injured in a pedestrian accident on North Montello Street in Brockton. Adilino Monteiro reportedly suffered a head injury when he walked into the side of car traveling southbound.

According to police, Monteiro was crossing in a westerly direction when a northbound car stopped to let him cross. Then he walked into the front quarter panel and side mirror of a Chrysler.

He was taken to Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston for medical treatment. As of Wednesday, his condition had been upgraded from critical to fair, according to a hospital spokeswoman.

Police said there are no plans to file charges in this pedestrian accident.

Brockton man’s condition improving following Monday pedestrian accident, Enterprise News, June 25, 2009

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Last week, a 55-year-old pedestrian from Harwich was hit by a truck on Route 28 in West Yarmouth. David C. Nickerson is in critical condition at Massachusetts General Hospital after sustaining life-threatening injuries. Yarmouth Fire and Rescue took Nickerson by ambulance to the Dennis-Yarmouth Regional High School baseball fields, and he was flown by MedFlight helicopter to Mass General in Boston.

According to Yarmouth police, Jason Yanna, 23, was driving the white Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck that hit Nickerson. Police do not consider drugs or alcohol to be a factor in the accident. No charges have been filed against the driver, but the pedestrian accident is still under investigation.

Anyone who may have witnessed the crash or have knowledge of the operator or pedestrian's activities before the crash is urged to contact Patrol Investigator Gibbons at 508-775-0445 extension 3613.

Harwich man critical after Yarmouth accident, Cape Cod Times, April 1, 2009

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On Saturday, a car accident in Manchester seriously injured a 6-year old boy and resulted in non-life threatening injuries in his grandfather. The grandfather, 64-year old Kubirlal Adhikari, was pushing Maousham Adhikari in a toy vehicle as they crossed Conant Street. The boy suffered serious head injuries after he was hit by a Volkswagon near their Notre Dame Avenue home.

The younger Adhikari was taken to Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, where he was listed in critical condition. However, his father said that the kindergartener’s condition was improving. The family are refugees from Bhutan, and although they admitted that Maosham’s injury has saddened them, it does not make them regret immigrating to the United States earlier this year.

Police have identified the driver of the Volkswagon as 19-year old Joshua Bouchard. They said speed and alcohol do not appear to be factors in this auto accident.

Boy, grandpa hurt in city crash, UnionLeader.com, December 6, 2008

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Earlier this week, a Suffolk Superior Court jury reached its verdict in a civil suit involving a Boston woman who was struck by an MBTA bus in 2005 and lost her right leg as a result of the bus accident. Rita Traybman, 61, was awarded at least $3.9 million in a judgment that her lawyer says could the largest of its kind in Massachusetts history.

According to an article in The Boston Globe, Traybman was crossing an intersection in Boston’s South End when an MBTA bus struck her from behind, causing massive injuries. MBTA policies and Massachusetts law state that, as a pedestrian, Traybman had the right of way and the driver should have stopped for her.

The bus driver was cited and fined for violating a pedestrian crosswalk. It is unclear whether he is still employed by the MBTA.

Traybman is a Ukrainian immigrant who became a US citizen. At the time of the bus accident, she was her mother’s caregiver. Now on lifelong disability, she is dependent on others for her care.

The MBTA said it is considering filing post-trial motions and possibly an appeal.

Jury awards woman hit by T bus $3.9m, Boston Globe, December 2, 2008

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As the result of a traffic accident earlier this year that injured a graduate student as she was trying to the cross the street, the University of Massachusetts is renewing its focus on pedestrian safety on campus. The ongoing efforts include adding new warnings for motorists and pedestrians on Massachusetts Avenue, which were implemented in November.

Work crews added “PED XING” lettering on the westbound side of Massachusetts Avenue and temporary grooved sections of pavement. These “rumble strips” are aimed at warning drivers as they cross the east and westbound lanes near crosswalks.

Also as a result of the pedestrian accident, the UMass Police Department has ramped up its educational efforts. They distributed door hangers and pamphlets throughout campus building to remind visitors and employees of pedestrian safety. Plainclothes officers are also enforcing traffic laws along Massachusetts Avenue and crossing guards have become a regular feature along that street.

"The sense of urgency was heightened by the accident, but the plans had been in the works for some time," said Jim Hunt from Facilities and Campus Planning.

Mass. Ave goes pedestrian-friendly, The Daily Collegian, November 26, 2008

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A Wareham, Massachusetts teen was struck by a train and seriously injured on Friday afternoon, according to police. The teen’s identify has not been released to the press, but police say he was walking along the railroad tracks near Main Avenue when a train operated by the Massachusetts Coastal Railroad came up behind him.

The train engineer blew the horn, and the Wareham teen did not react, because he was wearing headphones. The engineer used the emergency brakes and blasted the whistle, but the teen still did not respond. The train hit the teen in the back before the teen disappeared under the train. With only one foot of clearance between the bottom of the train and the ground, the boy stayed underneath the train as it passed over him.

Wareham police and rescue workers and the Onset Fire Department responded to the train accident at 4:20pm. The accident victim was still lying on the railroad tracks. He was treated at the scene of the railroad accident and taken to Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. His condition was unknown and injuries were unspecified.

Teen struck by train in Wareham, Cape Cod Times, October 25, 2008

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In Dighton, Massachusetts, a Bristol County Agricultural High School student was hit by a car on Center Street around 9am last Friday morning. Dighton Police Sgt. Edward Dutra said the student, 15, was crossing Center Street on way to homeroom when the driver of a 2002 Plymouth Seabring hit her.

Fortunately, the student suffered no broken bones and remained conscious at the scene of the car accident. She was taken to Hasbro Children’s Hospital, but she is now resting at home. Dutra believes that the student’s backpack may have absorbed the impact of her fall and saved her from more serious injuries.

Because two bridges in the area are currently under construction, Center Street and the area surrounding the school has become more heavily trafficked. Dutra and the Massachusetts Reconstruction Unit are investigating the auto accident.

Aggie student hit by car, Taunton Daily Gazette, October 6, 2008

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