Month: September 2019

Uber Accidents In Massachusetts and the New 911 App

Victims of motor vehicle accidents in Massachusetts, and especially Greater Boston where there is a higher concentration of ride sharing services, have a new, helpful and potentially life saving feature in their Uber app. Uber Now Has 911 Built Into Uber App in Massachusetts In a great step toward more safety in accidents, Uber has initiated a new program, to start in Massachusetts before any other state, which is an updated 911 feature built into the Uber app.  Upon calling 911 thorough the app, the app sends the 911 operator the vehicle information, license place, and the location of the vehicle automatically.  Thus, if you need to make a 911 call, you don’t even need to provide that information – first responders will have it instantly.  And they can find you faster, especially on busy streets.

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Massachusetts RMV Takes Action Suspends 1100 Licenses

An astonishing lack of oversight of out-of-state license violations that have sat for over a year or more has led the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) to implement an en masse suspension of drivers’ licenses. Massachusetts Governor Baker, Lt. Governor Karyn Polito, and Transportation Secretary Stephanie Pollack had gathered to announce the action earlier this summer once the backlog was discovered. An external audit of the department was also announced and that all Massachusetts driver licenses will be checked against a national driver registry for other out-of-state violations that could lead to additional suspensions.

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Distracted Driving Deadly for Motorcyclists

Summer, especially in the Northeast, brings out the motorcyclists in droves. Riding a motorcycle can be fun and exciting as well as a cheaper and often faster way to get around town or to head to the Cape. They are quick off the draw, agile and highly maneuverable, and easy to park in congested downtown areas. However, riders have no protection between them and the roadway or another vehicle, and their smaller size means they are nearly invisible to other motorists, especially those who are distracted. Even a minor collision where motorists and passengers would simply walk away with no injuries can result in catastrophic injuries to a motorcycle rider and passenger. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 80% of all motorcycle accidents result in either an injury or death to the rider or passenger.

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Norwell Fire Chief in Hot Water After Distracted Driving Accident

A particularly embarrassing incident occurred this summer when the fire chief for the city of Norwell, Massachusetts, was cited for distracted driving after apparently causing an accident on Washington Street in Hanover. Fire Chief Reardon of Norwell was in his city owned vehicle around 9:00 a.m. when he admittedly received a text. While looking at the message, he failed to notice that traffic had stopped in front of him. His Chevrolet Tahoe rear-ended an Isuzu box truck with two occupants, which in turn rear-ended a Toyota Camry. All who were involved suffered injuries and were treated at South Shore Hospital. The extent of their injuries was not reported.

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Uber Passenger Faces Lawsuit by Massachusetts Cyclist

Uber is one of two highly recognized ridesharing or ride-hailing services that is ubiquitous in most cities and larger towns throughout the U.S. and abroad. Each state requires these services to maintain a one-million-dollar liability policy in the event of an accident where the Uber or Lyft app is activated, and a passenger is on-board. These policies provide substantial coverage for the drivers if they cause an accident or they or their passengers are injured while being transported. But what if a third party asserts that the Uber passenger was at least partially at fault for their injuries? Would Uber insurance cover the passenger?

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Teen Driver Killed in Rollover Accident

A tragic rollover accident occurred in early June that took the life of a 16-year old who had just completed his junior year in high school. The young driver had been traveling on I-93 in Andover, Massachusetts, around 5:00 p.m. when his 2018 Mitsubishi SUV rolled over and crashed into a signpost. He later succumbed to his injuries.

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