Recently, a 17-year-old student from Norwell High School was killed in a one-vehicle accident in Marshfield, Massachusetts in the early morning hours when the vehicle in which he and two other teens were in crossed over a double yellow line on Forest Street and crashed into a tree. All three of the occupants were trapped in the vehicle and had to be extricated by police and first responders.
Read MoreIn a car accident caused by the negligence of another motorist, you can make a claim for injuries against the motorist or his insurer. This means having incurred medical expenses of at least $2,000 or having sustained a serious or fatal injuries. There are also many accidents where more than one party or entity may have contributed to the collision including a governmental entity over issues such as defective highway design or road maintenance. But can you sue the state RMV for its alleged negligence over failing to suspend the driver’s license of a man who allegedly caused a tragic and fatal accident?
Read MoreDistracted driving presents a consistent menace to anyone on Massachusetts roadway, including pedestrians and bicyclists. Distracted driving is any activity that takes the driver’s attention away from safely operating a motor vehicle, including texting, grooming, eating, talking, rubbernecking, listening to loud music, or looking for something in the glove compartment or floor.
Read MoreIs there anyone of reasonable intelligence who does not think that wearing a seatbelt protects you from serious injury or death? Still, Massachusetts drivers and passengers are consistently among the worst in the nation in buckling up despite safety campaigns and driving courses that stress its importance. Although our state’s motorists have made a significant effort since 2003 to match the national average of just over 90.1%, we are still the 6th worst in the nation at 81.6%.
Read MoreA recent development by scientists at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) is reported to have effectively measured or detected marijuana impairment. By using a non-invasive brain imaging procedure, researchers claim that the method can distinguish between no or mild impairment and more significant intoxication.
Read MoreIt is probably no surprise that car crashes occur more frequently in Massachusetts during the Spring months. Although wintery conditions certainly make driving hazardous, more people are on the roads in the Spring, and along with the volume of cars on the roadways comes more opportunities for reckless driving, speeding, and other risky behavior.
Read MoreMassachusetts was one of the first states to legalize adult use of cannabis and as a result, our state has reaped millions of dollars in tax revenue from marijuana sales. When legalization was being adopted back in 2016, some legislators and highway safety proponents were concerned about an increase in drugged and impaired driving since the drunk driving laws were not equipped to deal with persons accused of driving under the influence of marijuana.
Read MoreFatal car accidents continue to plague Massachusetts roadways, causing untold trauma to a victim’s family as well as to the defendants and their families in many cases. In one such case last December, a Stoughton man was charged with vehicular homicide, operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol, and other charges in the death of a 64-year-old Bridgewater man.
Read MoreAs part of a 5-year comprehensive $20 million program from the Baker-Polito administration, the City of Worcester, Massachusetts recently received a $250,000 grant to equip their officers with body cameras. Other cities across the commonwealth that have received similar funding include Ashburnham, Brookfield, East Brookfield, Grafton, Lancaster, Ware, Rutland, Warren, and 56 other jurisdictions.
Read MoreIn 2021, Massachusetts there were 390 victims in fatal car accidents, the most since 2009. The next highest was in 2012 when 364 people died. Many attribute the dramatic rise in fatal accidents to the effects of the pandemic. Like the prior year, for most of the year, traffic congestion was way down as many people either lost their jobs, were laid off, or chose to work remotely. Consequently, motorists took advantage of open lanes to – speed. Law enforcement was scarce as officers feared contracting Covid from personal encounters with infected motorists.
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