A jury recently found a trucking company responsible for a 2007 multi-vehicle crash involving a big rig belonging to them. The investigation of the accident, which killed two victims and severely injured three others, showed that the rig was in violation of state and federal law because of brakes that were not adjusted properly. The rig crashed into five cars in the opposing highway lane after crashing through a barrier that was dividing the lanes.
]]> As a result of the investigation, the jury ordered that the trucking company should pay the victims and their families a total of $15.7 million in compensation. The driver of the truck could not be held accountable since he was killed in the accident.Federal trucking regulations are extremely strict when it comes to the maintenance and operation of these large trucks. This means that trucking companies should be making sure that their rigs are working properly and that any trucks with violations should be pulled from the fleet until the problems are resolved. Victims of negligent truck drivers and companies may find it helpful to talk with an attorney about their situation.
Source: Connecticut Law Tribune, “Trucking Company To Pay $15.7 Million Verdict In Wake Of Fatal Crash,” April 30, 2013
]]>A motorcycle accident occurred recently in East Wareham. The details are sketchy but an injured 40-something year-old motorcyclist was flown from the area in a Boston MedFlight helicopter; the seriousness of his injuries was unknown. There was another vehicle involved in the crash but there was no information on whether the driver was injured or if anyone else was hurt.
]]> Likely law enforcement is conducting an investigation to figure out what happened. If the driver of the vehicle is found at fault for causing the accident, the person could face criminal charges and the motorcyclist could choose to file a civil lawsuit against the motorist to hold them financially responsible for the accident.Any kind of accident can be expensive and dealing with insurance companies is complicated. One way that an accident victim can find it easier to navigate the system is by obtaining legal counsel. An attorney that is experienced in these kinds of injuries can explain the legal process and help a victim obtain the compensation they need to put their life back on track.
Source: Wareham Week, “Motorcyclist airlifted to hospital after East Wareham accident,” Jaime Rebhan, May 2, 2013
]]>A premises liability lawsuit has been filed, seeking compensation for medical costs and other damages in the wake of a double stabbing at a mall. The mall’s website emphasizes public safety but the lawsuit accuses the owner and the security company of being negligent in providing sufficient security. The stabbing victims were children who were attacked by an unknown male without any apparent motive.
]]> The children, a 13-year-old boy and a 13-year-old girl, survived but received multiple wounds. The lawsuit, filed on behalf of the girl, joins the one filed by the boy’s family, who is facing over $300,000 in medical bills for his care.If the parents of the children are able to show that the mall failed to provide adequate security, then the owner and security company could be ordered to pay for the costs associated with the children’s care. When someone is hurt on public property because of a negligent property owner, it may be in the victim’s best interests to meet with an attorney.
Source: RedondoBeachPatch, “2nd Lawsuit Filed in Galleria Stabbing,” April 9, 2013
]]>Occupational Safety and Health Administration is joining local agencies in Northampton to investigate the cause of a fatal construction accident that killed one worker and injured two others. The three workers were onsite working on a project to build an addition to the Massachusetts Department of Transportation building when they somehow became trapped underneath a couple of modular trailers being used.
]]> One of the injured workers required hospital treatment for the injuries received and it is unknown how serious the injuries were. The reasons for the workers being underneath the modular trailers are not clear. If the one worker has suffered a back injury or broken a limb, it may be some time before that worker is able to return to work.Applying for workers' compensation benefits can be a complicated process and many applications are rejected because of missing information or incorrect information. If the injured worker appeals the denial, they are likely to find themselves in the middle of a complex legal proceeding. One way that they can make sure that they receive the benefits they need is to seek the help of a legal professional experienced in handling these types of claims.
Source: The Republican, "1 dead, another injured after construction accident at Massachusetts Department of Transportation facility in Northampton," Fred Contrada, April 18, 2013
]]>A 57-year-old Fall River man was flown to a nearby hospital after being seriously injured in a motorcycle accident at the state line. Apparently the man was trapped under the SUV that hit him, after his bike skidded. A combined effort from first responders on both sides of the line managed to free him but before he could be taken by MedFlight, he went into cardiac arrest, requiring stabilization at another hospital.
]]> While not all of the details relating to the accident are known, it appears that the woman driving the SUV was in the process of making a left turn from the opposing lane of traffic. It is unknown whether she simply didn't see him in the dark or whether other factors were involved.With the catastrophic injuries the man suffered, he is likely to be in the hospital for some time and likely will lose a considerable amount of income while accumulating bills. Even if the woman is not cited for a criminal action, he may be able to win a compensatory award against her to cover his growing expenses. Motorcyclists that are injured from negligent drivers may want to seek the help of a legal professional to hold those drivers financially responsible.
Source: The Herald News, "Motorcycle rider still in serious condition after SUV collision," Michael Holtzman, April 1, 2013
]]>According to the account she provided the Newburyport Daily News, the piece of metal -- which was eventually identified as a leaf spring that was meant to support the axle of a truck -- ripped apart her vehicle's roof and tore up the passenger seat. Thankfully, no one else was in the car. The leaf spring then hit her hard in the face, causing substantial bruising. She told the newspaper that she shared her story to help make other local drivers aware of how dangerous road debris can be.
]]> This woman's story clearly illustrates the dangers of debris left on the road. If a car hits an object, the occupants can easily suffer serious injuries, if nothing worse. However, a victim who is injured by road debris should not simply have to find a way to deal with medical expenses and car repairs. Someone should be held accountable.In a situation like this, it is not always clear who is at fault. It could be the city for failing to ensure that roads were clear. There's also the possibility that the owner of the vehicle the debris fell from could be considered negligent. When you are not sure who to hold accountable, it may be helpful to work with a personal injury attorney who can help you research the various possibilities.
Source: Newburyport Daily News, "A very scary accident with road debris," Angeljean Chiaramida, April 7, 2013
]]>An 18-year-old woman -- a freshman at Gordon College -- was killed early Saturday morning in Lakeville when her vehicle was hit by an alleged drunk driver. The tragic car accident, which was so forceful it caused both cars to overturn, brought an abrupt end a family's weekend celebration. The young student was visiting home to celebrate Easter.
]]> Police arrested the 23-year-old driver who apparently caused the fatal accident. She reported had a blood alcohol level of nearly twice the legal limit. Police have charged her with motor vehicle homicide while driving under the influence of liquor with negligence, among other charges. The woman has entered a plea of not guilty. The criminal charges leveled against this woman, however, do not rule out the possibility of a wrongful death lawsuit on her behalf.If any accident so clearly illustrates the devastating consequences of drunk driving, it is this one. This young woman led a wholesome life, according to her family. She did not smoke and never drank, they said, and her faith was especially important to her. Hopefully this tragedy will prevent others in Massachusetts from making the poor decision to drive while intoxicated.
Source: The Salem News, "Driver held in crash that killed student," April 2, 2013
]]>As those who live on Great Neck know, the Air Force site is in a residential neighborhood. And while the purpose of demolishing the buildings is to make the land natural again, demolition crews have to deal with some hazardous materials that could cause serious health issues if they are not properly handled. Right now, crews are working on removing asbestos.
]]> As many people in Massachusetts know, asbestos can cause serious health problems if a person is exposed to it. Many people who have been exposed to the material have acquired deadly diseases like mesothelioma and lung cancer. Unfortunately, symptoms often lay dormant for years, so victims may have no idea they need medical attention.In this particular situation, a spokesman for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reassured pedestrians that they would be safe from exposure as long as they stayed out of the construction site. However, the crew has to spend hours exposed to the harmful material. Although knowledge around asbestos exposure has improved greatly over the years, it doesn't mean workers aren't at risk for injury or disease. If a worker has acquired a disease that may have been related to asbestos exposure, his or her employer can be held accountable through workers' compensation. Seeking legal advice is a good way to start learning about the options available.
Source: The Salem News, "Workers cleaning up asbestos at old antenna-testing site," Jonathan Phelps, March 25, 2013
]]>When a Massachusetts collision involves a truck, the results can be devastating. The monstrous vehicles can leave a wake of destruction in their path if they somehow get off course. If other cars are in the way, it can lead to serious injuries that can be very expensive to treat. For this reason, accident victims should make sure to understand exactly who or what caused an accident. This information can be extremely helpful should they choose to file a personal injury lawsuit.
]]> Fortunately, no one in Tuesday's crash was seriously injured. However, it does seem clear that one vehicle caused the crash. Massachusetts State Police said that a car that was driving in front of the tractor-trailer left its lane and hit a guardrail. It was pushed back onto the Turnpike and into the truck's path. The truck jackknifed, and its trailer swung out across all three lanes. A car that was traveling behind it could not stop in time and crashed into the truck. The vehicle became stuck under the trailer.As of right now, police are still investigation the accident, so charges have not been filed. The absence of criminal charges, however, does not eliminate the possibility of a personal injury lawsuit. When a car accident is caused by a negligent driver, the victims should not end up burdened with medical debt. A successful personal injury lawsuit can result in compensation for medical bills and other expenses related to a car accident.
Source: North of Boston, "Everett driver & Malden passenger lodged under tanker truck in Mass Pike crash," March 20, 2013
]]>According to the Eagle-Tribune, a Haverhill Public Schools van was transporting multiple special-needs students to the Pentucket Lake Elementary School when it was rear-ended by another vehicle. The van was stopped because of traffic at the time of the collision. It's not clear if the driver who caused the collision will face charges.
]]> The Haverhill Fire Department responded to the accident and took four children and the bus monitor to Merrimack Valley Hospital. They received medical attention as a precaution, but it is not clear if any of the children were injured. The Eagle-Tribune reported that both the bus driver and the monitor were uninjured.A situation like this can be very overwhelming for parents. Even if their child seems to be uninjured, rear-end collisions have a tendency to cause injuries that appear over time, such as neck and back injuries. And even if their child is uninjured, parents may now be stuck with a huge bill for an ambulance ride and emergency care -- costs that many parents cannot afford. Circumstances like this, however, are why personal injury laws exist in Massachusetts. An experienced attorney can help parents whose children have been injured in a car accident seek compensation through a personal injury claim.
Source: The Eagle-Tribune, "Four children taken to hospital as Haverhill special needs van is rear-ended on Main Street," March 13, 2013
]]>Although Massachusetts State Police are still investigating the car accident, we do have a few details to share. The accident occurred around 8:30 last night on Route 125. According to police, a car and an SUV collided head-on, causing catastrophic damage to the sedan -- its occupants had to be cut free from the vehicle by firefighters. As of right now, it's unclear how severe the injuries were or how the crash occurred.
]]> Sometimes it seems like we read about car accidents like this one in our local papers all the time. Often, we scan the headline then flip to the next page, looking for something more interesting to read. What we fail to think, however, about is how a crash like this one affects its victims and their family members.Car accidents often leave a massive wake of destruction from totaled vehicles to expensive medical bills. In this case, a family had a loved one stolen from them in a matter of minutes. While nothing can ever replace the loss of a loved one, a grieving family should know that they have legal options.
Through a wrongful death lawsuit, a family can hold a negligent driver accountable for his or actions, even if the driver is never charged by police. A successful wrongful death suit can lead to compensation for funeral costs, medical bills and other related damages. An experienced attorney can help a family get started.
Source: Lowell Sun, "One dead in Wilmington crash," Robert Mills, March 4, 2013
]]>Car accidents are all too common when winter weather hits. Not only do drivers have to look out for pedestrians, as we discussed in a post two weeks ago, but they also have to look out for each other and be sure to drive in a manner that is appropriate for conditions. Going too fast or taking sharp turns can cause a driver to lose control of his or her vehicle, possibly leading to a car accident.
]]> If you end up being hit by a car during winter weather, you may think that the weather is to blame, not the other driver. However, if you were injured, you should know that the other driver may have contributed to the crash. Driving too fast for conditions or driving recklessly can cause a car accident that might otherwise not have happened, even with bad weather conditions. If this was the case, it may be appropriate to seek compensation through a personal injury lawsuit.There is a winter weather advisory in effect for our area until midnight tonight. Although we have warmer temperatures today, we are expected to get more snow tonight and tomorrow. Hopefully drivers in our area will do their best to operate their vehicles safely through the difficult conditions.
Source: Eagle-Tribune, "Late storm makes for a slippery night," Jill Harmacinski, Feb. 25, 2013
]]>Sadly, an elderly man died one afternoon late last month after being hit by a car in that very crosswalk. His tragic death prompted city councilors to hold a meeting last week to discuss how to handle the dangerous crosswalk. Several people have requested that a light be put in place to stop traffic for pedestrians, and the reverend said he could get a thousand people to sign a petition for one. Others, however, are not sure that will be enough.
]]> Distracted driving and speeding on Lowell Street were both cited by parishioners and Peabody residents as serious concerns that may not be easily deterred by a traffic light. At the meeting, residents told stories of seeing people try to text and drive while passing through the crosswalk. Others said the road is so straight that many people driver faster than the speed limit.While previous efforts to get a light installed at the crosswalk have been shut down by the state, the mayor of Peabody said he thinks the city can come up with some solutions that don't need to be approved by the state. He suggested setting up a solar-powered trailer that would warn drivers when their speed was too high as something they could do before a traffic light is approved.
As Peabody residents and the city council work to find a solution to this very serious problem, hopefully local drivers will begin to understand the gravity of driving negligently in busy areas. If drivers make an effort to slow down and avoid distractions, the Lowell Street crosswalk and other areas of the city could become much safer for both pedestrians and drivers.
Source: The Salem News, "Lowell Street light urged," Alan Burke, Feb. 13, 2013
]]>A recent article in the Lowell Sun raised the issue of being a pedestrian after a snowstorm. When sidewalks don't get plowed, many people opt for walking on the streets that have already been cleared. This, however, puts pedestrians in danger of being hit by a car.
]]> While many of think that snow-filled sidewalks are just something we have to deal with during winter, that is actually not true. Property owners are mandated by a city ordinance to clear no less than half of the sidewalk that surrounds their property. This must be done within 12 hours of a storm or they will be fined. Unfortunately, many property owners do not adhere to this, putting pedestrians at risk.While sometimes there is no good way to avoid an accident during difficult winter conditions, pedestrians should not be put at risk of injury or even death by car accident because property owners fail to keep their sidewalks cleared. In a situation like this, responsibility lies with more than one entity. Property owners must follow the law and clear their sidewalks, and the city must enforce their laws, holding negligent property owners accountable. Doing so will make for a much safer city.
Source: Lowell Sun, "Pedestrian? You're in peril," Evan Lips, Feb. 13, 2013
]]>According to the Salem News, the crash involved five cars and took place around where Route 95 and Route 128 split. One vehicle rolled due to the crash. Unfortunately, two drivers were injured in the multicar collision that backed up northbound traffic for close to an hour. They are expected to recover.
]]> Troopers did not give any details immediately after the crash about what caused the accident or whether the stalled vehicle was somehow involved. The only information readily available was that no arrests had yet been made.A five-car accident is nothing to laugh about, and often large collisions like this one are prompted by something in particular -- whether it be bad weather or driver error. As those involved await the details of the incident, they may want to pay close attention to what police rule to be the cause.
People who are injured in car accidents cause by other drivers often have the right to seek compensation through a personal injury claim. Dealing with injuries after a car accident is often expensive and time-consuming. Some people are even left unable to work for some time. A successful personal injury claim can help an accident victim obtain compensation to help cover these costs. Speaking to an experienced personal injury attorney is a good first step if you are considering legal action after a car accident.
Source: The Salem News, "2 hospitalized after 5-car crash on Route 128 in Peabody," Neil H. Dempsey, Feb. 2, 2013
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