Boston Car Accident Lawyer Blog

A hit-and-run bicycle accident in Attleboro is under investigation. Just before 11:30 p.m. on Thursday night, a resident of Attleboro, Justin Duphilly, 20, was riding his bike on South Main Street when he was struck from behind by a vehicle that drove up onto the sidewalk and then drove off. Detective Sgt. Arthur Brillon said that the vehicle was a black sedan, which could have been a black Ford Taurus. Police are asking anyone who was near the scene of the hit-and-run accident at 456 South Main Street on Thursday night to contact the authorities.

According to authorities, Duphilly was flung into the air due to the collision and landed on the sidewalk. He was taken to Rhode Island Hospital in Providence for numerous injuries, but none were life-threatening. He was released after treatment for stitches, an abrasion on his back, a gash behind his ear, and multiple bruises.

Duphilly´s cousin was with him at the time of the accident. He was riding his bike behind Duphilly and witnessed the accident but was not injured.

Police report that the driver did not stop after hitting Duphilly and fled the scene of the accident. He continued north on South Main Street in the direction of Attleboro´s city center. Because of the nature of the accident, it is possible that the car sustained damage on the front of the vehicle which could help police to identify both the vehicle and the driver.

The accident continues to be under investigation by officers Joseph Ryan, Brett Poirier, and Sgt. James MacDonald while police search for the vehicle and driver.

The 20-year-old victim stated, "I would like to know what he was on and I want him to get caught."

According to Massachusetts General Law, Part I, Title XIV, Chapter 90, Section 24, the first offense for knowingly fleeing the scene of an accident is: "a fine of not less than fifty dollars nor more than five hundred dollars or by imprisonment for not less than thirty days nor more than two years, or both."

We have seen this spring and summer an increase of bicycle accidents in and around the Commonwealth. The warm weather, the expensive gas prices, and the exercise that bicycle riding provides leads to many more cyclists in the warmer seasons. In this case, the victim was very fortunate that the injuries weren’t life threatening.

The victim will still have to deal with his injuries and damage to his bicycle. There are different insurance avenues that one goes through when hit on a bicycle, and the issues become even more complex when the vehicle leaves the scene. For instance did the bicycle rider have an automobile policy, did a household member have an active insurance policy? Did anyone get the license plate of the vehicle? These among many other issues need to be identified to successfully assist someone that has been hit while riding a bike.

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

Sources:

Bicyclist struck by hit-and-run car, WPRI.com, July 16, 2011

Police seek help in crash probe, The Sun Chronicle, July 16, 2011

Massachusetts General Laws, Part I, Title XIV, Chapter 90, Section 24

Related Blog Posts:

Boy On Bike Hit By Police Cruiser in Avon

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

Keeping Safe on the Roads; May is National Bike Safety Month

74-year-old Bicyclist Killed in Boston

Sedan Injures Boy on Bike in Lowell Traffic Accident

Continue reading "20-Year-Old Bicyclist Victim of Hit-and-Run in Attleboro" »

In Mattapan, Massachusetts, an SUV carrying an off-duty Boston police officer crashed into a Boston fire truck that was on its way to respond to a car accident. The fire truck, Engine 29, reportedly had sirens and lights on but according to witnesses, it went straight through a red light without slowing down. After colliding with the SUV, it crashed into a light pole. The accident occurred on Harvard Street at a very busy intersection.

The police officer who was in the SUV has sustained a serious leg injury from the accident. He was scheduled for a leg operation on Wednesday. The victim’s sister, Allyson Vinson Bowore, said that her brother, Darrell Vinson, has been with the Boston Police Department for twenty years. She said he was off-duty and headed to work when “The light turned green and he went and that’s when he got hit by the fire truck.”

The accident is under investigation by State police and no charges have been filed yet. Investigators are hoping that the traffic camera has captured this accident. Massachusetts state law requires that all emergency vehicles must stop at intersections for a red light even with their sirens and lights on. Officials have confirmed that the driver of Engine 29 has had drug and alcohol tests in the aftermath of the accident.

If you have been involved in an accident, contact on of our experienced Boston car accident attorneys for a free consultation.

Source:

SUV hits Boston fire truck in Mattapan, 7-News / whdh.com, April 6, 2011

Continue reading "Off-Duty Boston Police Officer Collides With Boston Fire Truck" »

A two-car crash in Revere yesterday is under investigation. The driver of a Volkswagen was taken to Massachusetts General Hospital after he was hit by a drunk driver in a Lincoln. Both the driver and passenger of the Lincoln were reported to be drunk but only one of them was arrested as the other fled the scene. The extent of the injured man’s condition is unknown but the jaws of life were needed to extricate him from his vehicle.

Drinking and driving, as well as fleeing the scene of an accident, is illegal and can result in arrest, fines and/or imprisonment. Although it is sometimes impossible to prevent an accident from happening, especially when a drunk driver is involved, it is important to take caution and be a defensive driver. In order to protect yourself from drunk drivers on the road, here are a few tips to keep in mind:

• Always wear your seatbelt and make sure your passengers do the same.

• Be an alert driver and try to stay away from other drivers who appear to be intoxicated or distracted and/or are swerving.

• Stop driving if you are tired or weary. This not only causes you to be a potentially unsafe driver, but you also might not notice drunk drivers around you.

• Make sure your car’s safety features have recently been inspected and are fully functioning.

• Be aware of what time you are driving. In 2004, 39.6% of drunk driving accidents happened between 10pm and 2am, and 37.5% of drunk driving accidents happened on Friday or Saturday nights.

Our lawyers have over 25 years of experience representing car accident victims throughout Massachusetts. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have a question on a case or would like a free consultation.

Sources:

Drunk driving likely cause of 2-car crash in Revere, 7-News whdh.com, March 1, 2011

How to Protect Yourself from Drunk Drivers, DrunkDriving.com

Continue reading "Revere Accident Caused By Drunk Driver" »

The intersection of Plymouth Avenue and Rodman Street in Fall River is number one on a new list of dangerous intersections in southeastern Massachusetts. According to the report, the intersection averages a crash every nine days.

The study was conducted by the Southeastern Regional Planning and Economic Development District. The data which was used was gathered from the Massachusetts Department of Transportation.

The report found that one of the more serious problems plaguing the area is red-light runners. The number of crashes caused by drivers running red lights more than doubled between 2006 and 2008.

Continue reading "Fall River Intersection Tops List of Most Dangerous Intersections in Southeastern Massachusetts " »

This past Thursday afternoon, a motorcyclist sustained serious injuries when he was struck by a 2005 Nissan. The crash occurred at 1 p.m. at the intersection of Main Street and Forest Avenue in Brockton.

The motorcyclist sustained serious injuries to his left leg, which was pinned underneath the Nissan after the collision. The injured 23-year-old man was taken by ambulance to Signature Healthcare Brockton Hospital and was then transferred to New England Medical Center in Boston.

A preliminary investigation has revealed that the driver of the Nissan was traveling on Forest Avenue when he stopped at a stop sign and took a left, colliding with the motorcyclist. According to the local authorities, the Nissan driver, a 23-year-old Taunton resident, will be cited for failure to yield and operating a vehicle with a suspended driver’s license.

Continue reading "Plymouth Man Seriously Injured in Brockton Motorcycle Accident" »

Two individuals were rushed to Massachusetts General Hospital following a car accident in Arlington. The accident occurred on Milford Road near Mystic Valley Parkway at approximately 7 a.m. Monday morning. Arlington firefighters arrived at the scene to find a 2001 Ford Crown Victoria taxi cab in a wooded area off of the road. The taxi cab was on fire and the flames were beginning to spread to the surrounding trees and bushes.

According to the Massachusetts State Police, the cab driver was traveling at a high rate of speed when his vehicle went off the road. The cab driver then struck another vehicle, a Toyota Camry, in the rear before completely losing control of the cab.

There was a passenger inside of the cab at the time of the accident. The passenger was thrown forward into the front seat of the cab and was inside of the vehicle when it caught fire. Luckily, an MBTA Green Line instructor saw the vehicle and pulled the passenger from the flame engulfed taxi cab. The cab driver was found lying by the side of Mystic River and was suffering from serious injuries.

Continue reading "Two Injured in Arlington Car Accident Involving a Taxi Cab" »

Two motorists were killed this past Tuesday afternoon in Westport. The fatal car accident, which occurred on Route 195, involved two-vehicles.

One of the drivers, a 75-year-old resident of Fall River, suffered severe injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash. The other motorist, a 61-year-old woman from Somerset, was airlifted to Rhode Island hospital for treatment. Unfortunately, the woman succumbed to her injuries and was pronounced dead at the hospital later that evening.

The accident occurred at approximately 4:25 p.m. According to the preliminary investigation, the individual from Fall River was traveling in the eastbound lane of Route 195 in a Nissan Quest when the vehicle crossed the grass median onto the westbound lanes. The Nissan then struck the 2007 Chevrolet Equinox being operated by the Somerset women.

The accident caused that section of the highway to be shut down for approximately two hours. The Massachusetts State Police are currently investigating the automobile accident.

Continue reading "Two Killed in Fatal Car Accident in Westport" »

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" »

A Lynn man was seriously injured when the moped which he was operating was struck by an allegedly drunk driver. The collision took place at the intersection of North Street and Liberty Hill Avenue in Salem at approximately 1:30 a.m. this past Saturday morning.

Following the accident, the driver of the moped was transported to North Shore Medical Center before being transferred to Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston.

The operator of the moped was struck by an allegedly drunk Peabody woman driving a Volkswagen Passat. Police reported that they smelled an odor of alcohol on the 25-year-old driver’s breath and that her speech was slurred and her eyes were both bloodshot and glassy.

Continue reading "Moped Rider Seriously Injured Following Collision with an Alleged Drunk Driver" »

Saturday morning, a police chase that began in Chelsea resulted in the deaths of two individuals in Revere. The preliminary investigation states that the suspect was being pursued by the Chelsea Police Department prior to the collision.

The two vehicles collided when the driver, who was fleeing from the police moments before, ran a red light and struck a vehicle driven by a 65-year-old Revere man.

Following the crash, which occurred at the intersection of Revere Parkway and Route 145, both drivers were ejected from their cars. One of the men was pronounced dead at the scene while the other was pronounced dead at Whidden Memorial Hospital in Everett.

Continue reading "Two Killed in high-speed collision in Revere " »

An 81-year-old Beverly Farms woman operating a Honda Civic collided with a 14-wheel trash truck around noon yesterday afternoon. The operator of the Honda crossed the center line on Hart Street in Beverly and was struck by the truck as a result.

The local authorities have stated the victim of the crash lost consciousness following the accident and was taken by ambulance to Beverly hospital following the administration of CPR by firefighters at the scene of the crash.

According to the Beverly Police Department, the operator of the Honda was conscious and talking to rescue workers immediately after the crash, but lost consciousness moments after the firefighters arrived. The rescue workers utilized a portable defibrillator to try and revive the woman. Beverly Hospital reported that the 81-year-old woman passed away yesterday afternoon as a result of the injuries which she sustained in the crash.

The trash truck was being operated by a 47-year-old Rockport man when the accident occurred. The driver of the trash truck sustained a minor wrist injury in the collision. The truck belongs to a Peabody hauling and recycling company.

Continue reading "14 -wheel Trash Truck Collides with Honda Civic in Beverly, Killing the Driver" »

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 " »

Last Friday afternoon, a man driving a blue Buick sedan rear-ended a couple driving in a Toyota as they were making a left turn onto Tisdale Street in Leominster. Two of the individuals were rushed to UMass Memorial Hospital in Worcester with life threatening injuries. The third individual involved in the accident was taken to HealthAliiance Hospital in Leominster for treatment.

The local fire department used the Jaws of Life to rescue the couple trapped inside of the Toyota. Unfortunately, the couple was unable to be airlifted from the scene since all of the helicopters operating out of surrounding Worcester and Boston were tied up. As a result, the injured couple was transported to UMass Memorial Hospital in Worcester by ambulance.

Police stated that the driver of the blue Buick sedan will be charged with operating under the influence of liquor, operating a motor vehicle negligently, a marked lanes violation and speeding.

Continue reading "Three Injured in Leominster Car Accident " »

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" »

Two sisters from Revere were rescued from their 1995 Oldsmobile Cutlass after their vehicle rolled over the Fox Hill Bridge on Route 107 in Lynn. The vehicle is thought to have struck an angled concrete barrier at the end of the bridge which caused the Oldsmobile to flip.

Three Lynn men are being credited for rescuing the women from the car, which slid down the road on its roof until coming to a stop. The men witnessed the accident as they were fishing nearby.

One of the witnesses rushed to the car, kicked in the passenger side window, and pulled one of the sisters from the wreck. The men then attempted to remove the second victim, but had a difficult time.

Following the arrival of rescue workers, one of the sisters was transported to Massachusetts General Hospital for treatment of her head injuries which she sustained in the crash. The woman is currently listed in stable condition. The other passenger in the vehicle was taken to Salem Hospital where she was treated and released for her injuries.

Continue reading "Revere Sisters Pulled From Rollover Accident in Lynn" »

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 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" »

A 23-year old passenger was killed in Lynn when a flat bed tow truck struck the Honda Civic he was riding in from behind. The two remaining occupants of the Honda Civic who were riding in the front seat were taken to Salem Hospital for treatment of their injuries.

The accident occurred at 4:32 pm on the southbound side of the Lynnway at the Harding Street red-light. The occupants of the Civic were stopped at a red-light when the impact occurred.

Following the collision, both the tow truck, which was owned and operated by a Revere towing company, and the Honda Civic caught fire. The operator of the flat bed tow truck was not injured and has not been charged by the local police. Authorities are currently investigating the incident.

If you or a loved one has been injured or killed in a car accident, you may be entitled to compensation. Please contact the experienced attorneys at the law firm of Altman & Altman for an initial consultation free of charge.

Source: Tow truck rear-ends car, killing passenger, The Boston Globe, July 31, 2010

A Brockton teen was injured in a snowboarding accident earlier this week. The 14 year old suffered a concussion and broken wrist after a hard landing at the terrain park at Nashoba Valley Ski Area in Westford, Massachusetts.

The general manager of the ski area said the teen was not wearing a helmet at the time of the snowboarding accident. Of course, statistics from the National Ski Area Association suggests that a helmet doesn't necessarily prevent injury in case of an accident, particularly when the skier is traveling more than 12 mph.

The injured teen was transported by ambulance to Emerson Hospital in Concord. He is expected to be OK.

Source: Mass. teen injured in snowboarding accident, NECN.com, February 16, 2010

Continue reading "Westford Snowboarding Accident Injures Massachusetts Teen" »