According to the National Highway traffic Safety Administration, there were an estimated 7,200 motor vehicle deaths in the first quarter of 2013. While this is a decrease from the first quarter of 2012, there was also a decrease in vehicle miles driven.
Read MorePedestrian injuries are, unfortunately, too common in Massachusetts. When it comes to compensating an injured pedestrian, if there is a party at fault, we look to that party’s insurance coverage. When that coverage is insufficient, we look to the pedestrian’s motor vehicle insurance for “underinsurance coverage.”
Read MoreAlmost all cars being manufactured these days have a little black box installed, similar to the infamous ones on airplanes. And they perform a similar function. These simple event data recorders (EDRs) could become major factors in personal injury litigation. Most likely, an experienced car accident lawyer will be asking for the EDR following serious motor vehicle accidents in Massachusetts.
Read MoreThe arrival of summer is often an exciting time for families. There are road trips to make, vacations to go on, and many teenagers who are spreading their wings for the first time. Of course, all of this means that more families are traveling in automobiles, and traveling further distances at a time than during the school year. More automobile travel means more chances of an automobile accident. In fact, between Memorial Day and Labor Day there is a sharp increase in the number of accidents involving children. Many times, those children are young teenagers who are driving for their first summer.
Read MoreWe have represented many victims of negligent truck drivers who caused accidents. Today we explore what is required for securing, and maintaining, a license to drive a truck in Massachusetts. Why? Because often motor vehicle accidents are caused by a truck driver whose license should or will be revoked. Those are often the unsafe drivers.
Read MoreChildren In the Street In a recent study of young children, it was determined that they lack the perceptual skills to interpret street noises that are significant pedestrian safety clues. Street noises, such as motor vehicle engines and tires on pavement which older children and adults understand and react to, are incomprehensible to children younger than 7. Wherefore, the street is a dangerous place for them, resulting in a higher risk to personal injury from a motor vehicle.
Read MoreThe news about Boston taxis is big these days. Apparently there are over 14 million taxi fares each year, with one quarter of a billion dollars in fares in Boston alone. And we pay some of the highest rates for service in the country. As a Boston motor vehicle lawyer, we hear about the collisions; and with taxis, there are a lot. And the taxis have insufficient insurance.
Read MoreWe have represented many clients who were struck by a motor vehicle, or a bicycle, in a crosswalk. “I had the right of way, didn’t I?” they say. You may have had legal permission to go, but to be safe you still need to look because crosswalks are notorious for motor vehicle pedestrian collisions.
Read MoreMost vehicles in Massachusetts have Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance. Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 90, Section 34M is the PIP or no fault law. PIP applies to the owner of the vehicle and the legal occupants in the vehicle. Your vehicle policy will also apply to you and your family if you are injured in a vehicle that does not have PIP coverage. Your household vehicle policy also includes you if you are a pedestrian.
Read MoreIn a New Year’s Eve motor vehicle collision in Salisbury, a Massachusetts driver was charged with motor vehicle homicide. As charged, Mikhael Sarkis of Lawrence, Massachusetts was operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated. According to the limited facts available, Mr. Sarkis is charged with driving his large sedan northbound in the southbound lane of Route One, when he collided, head on, with another large sedan at about 11:30 p.m.
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