Articles Posted in Car Accidents

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We all know that driving drunk can result in catastrophic Boston car crashes. Unfortunately, many people still continue to get behind the steering wheel of a vehicle after drinking too much and they risk their lives and the lives of others in the process.

Drunk drivers come from all age demographics and walks of life. New findings, however, are showing that nationally, there has been an increase in the number of women involved in deadly drunk driving accidents. A new report also reveals that it isn’t just young drivers who are prone to binge drinking.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the number of female drunk drivers is becoming a national safety issue. From 1998 – 2007, there has been a 28.8% increase in the number of women arrested for DUI. Currently, impaired women drivers are involved in about 2,000 US traffic deaths each year. In this state, however, between 2008 and 2007 there was a decline in the number of impaired women involved in deadly Massachusetts motor vehicle accidents.

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Even though Boston cab drivers are now banned from using a cell phone while driving, the Boston Herald is reporting that many cabbies are either ignoring the rule or just don’t know about it-or so they say. This behavior is dangerous and can cause Boston injury accidents.

One cab driver, Mohamad Moharam, told the Boston newspaper that he wasn’t aware that talking on a cell phone while operating a taxi was now illegal. He also says that police officers have not been cracking down on him or other cabbies when they’ve been spotted talking on their cellular phones.

Hackney Capt. Robert Ciccolo says he doesn’t believe that many Boston cab drivers are ignorant of the new rule as they say they have been. He does, however, acknowledge that it can be hard to tell whether a taxi driver is using a Bluetooth device to avoid getting caught-cab drivers are now not allowed to use this device while driving either. It also doesn’t help that many taxi passengers don’t like it when police pull over their cab.

Since January 1, 2009, when the ban went into effect, 20 violations have been issued resulting in 28 suspension. 22 taxi customers have complained because their Boston cab drivers were talking on cell phones while driving.

Many taxi drivers are reportedly not happy with the ban. Talking on a cell phone while driving has been a way for some of them to relieve the monotony of having to sit behind the wheel of their cab for 12 hours at a time while allowing them to connect with family and friends. The New York Times reports that some cab drivers have said that because they are professional drivers, they believe that they are less likely to become distracted while driving than regular motorists.

Unfortunately, there are many cell phone-driving related crashes that have occurred, including Boston bus accidents, MBTA train collisions, commercial truck crashes, car accidents, motorcycle collisions, and pedestrian accidents, because a “professional” driver was talking on a cell phone or texting and failed to notice another vehicle that was stopped ahead or a green light that had just turned red.

When people talk on a cell phone or text while driving, this means that less than 100% of their attention is on the road. Engaging in distracted driving always increases the chances that the driver will become involved in or cause a Boston traffic crash.

Cabbies turn deaf ear to cell ban, Boston Herald, August 14, 2009
Cabbies Stay on Their Phones Despite Ban, NY Times, August 3, 2009

Related Web Resources:
Cell phones as dangerous as drunk driving, CNET
Boston Licensed Hackney Carriages, City of Boston Continue reading

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In Quincy District Court, 29-year-old Eric Lum has pleaded innocent to a number of criminal charges over the Milton, Massachusetts car accident death of a 25-year-old special needs teacher. Lum is accused of driving the sport utility vehicle that crashed into Alison Regan’s car in a head-on crash on Route 28 right before midnight on Sunday. Police then say that Lum fled the auto accident site on foot.

Charges against Lum include motor vehicle homicide, larceny of a motor vehicle, operating under the influence of drugs resulting in death, possession of a Cllass A substance, and leaving the scene of a crash resulting in death. He was ordered held on $100,0000 bail.

Lum was driving with a suspended license on the night of the crash. According to prosecutors, he has an extensive criminal record, which includes seven probation violations, 15 defaults, six convictions for driving while his license was suspended, and two prior convictions for leaving a crash site.

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A deadly wrong-way driving crash claimed the lives of 8 people in New York on Sunday afternoon after a minivan traveled the wrong way on a suburban parkway for almost 2 miles before striking another car. Killed in the deadly motor vehicle collision were the minivan’s driver, 36-year-old Diane Schuler, her 2-year-old daughter Erin, three of her nieces, Emma, 9, Alison, 7, and Kate, 5 (her three nieces are the daughters of her brother, Warren Hance, who owns the minivan), driver Guy Bastardi, his father Michael, and Daniel Longo. Schuler’s 5-year-old son Brian, who was also riding in the minivan, sustained a head injury and is in a hospital.

Schuler’s Ford Windstar reportedly entered the Taconic State Parkway through it’s exit ramp. The minivan then crossed three lanes and drove around oncoming traffic for 1.7 miles before striking the Chevy Trailblazer that was transporting the three men. Six motorists reportedly contacted 911 to tell them that the minivan was going the wrong way. The Windstar also hit another vehicle, but fortunately, the driver and passenger only sustained minor injuries.

Police say that Schuler was not under any medication and did not have a history of medical problems that could have contributed to causing the fatal wrong-way crash. Hance says his sister told him just two hours before the fatal crash that she wasn’t feeling well. He says he told her to pull over but he doesn’t know what happened after their phone conversation.

Wrong-Way Driving Crashes
The Fatality Analysis Reporting System says about 350 people die in wrong-driving crashes every year. A wrong-way driving accident can be extremely dangerous not just for motorists and pedestrians that may be caught by surprise when they see a motorist coming toward them while in the same lane, but also for the driver who is driving the wrong-way and for his or her passengers. Wrong-way crashes can lead to fatal head-on collisions.

Boston wrong-way driving crashes can lead to serious injury accidents and deaths.

Cops: NY driver in deadly wrong-way crash felt ill, Boston Herald, July 27, 2009
5-year-old survivor of wrong-way N.Y. crash critical, USA Today, July 26, 2009
Van Drove Wrong Way for 2 Miles Before Crash, NY Times, July 27, 2009
Related Web Resource:
FARS

Car Accidents Overview, Justia Continue reading

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The holiday weekend turned tragic for a number of Massachusetts car accident victims and their families when eight people were killed and one person was seriously injured in Quincy, Walpole, Attleboro, and Sudbury. According to the Boston Globe, Massachusetts State Police Lieutenant David Wilson said that in his more than two decades reconstructing car accidents, he doesn’t remember so many fatalities in one night.

Amanda Murray, 23, and 20-year-olds Anna Dubois and Nicholas Kelly died early Saturday morning in a Walpole drunk driving accident. The driver of the Jeep Cherokee that they were riding, 31-year-old Jason Spurlin, was Murray’s fiancé. They just had a baby together in May.

Spurlin, who was taken to Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center following the deadly crash, was arraigned for motor vehicle homicide and drunken driving charges. According to Norfolk prosecutor George Papachristos, Spurlin was driving 70mph in a 30mph zone when he crashed into a tree. There were alcohol bottles in the vehicle.

Another three people died early Saturday morning in an Attleboro rollover accident on 95 North. According to police, Gleidson Pereira, 23, lost control of a 2003 Mazda sedan, which rolled over, striking a number of tree stumps.

Pereira and passengers Lavdeir De Silva, 29, and Ivanildo De Souza, 27, sustained fatal injuries. All of them were declared dead at the Massachusetts site. Another passenger, Samuel Torres-Mendes, sustained serious injuries. All four Plymouth residents victims were not wearing seat belts and were ejected from the motor vehicle during the rollover crash.

Also on July 4, Michael Lally, 19, died in a Quincy traffic accident involving four vehicles. According to police, Lally, who was driving, hit another vehicle. At least two other vehicles somehow became involved in the Massachusetts car accident that caused Lally and his 18-year-old cousin, who was one of the three people riding with him, to get ejected from the vehicle. Lally’s cousin, who was seriously injured, and several others were taken to the hospital following the catastrophic crash.

The 8th fatality was a 22-year-old motorist who lost control of his vehicle in a Sudbury single-crash collision. Investigators say the motorist was driving his vehicle at a high speed when he lost control of his BMW, causing it to go around a guardrail and rolled over.

Eight killed in wrecks before dawn, Boston Herald, July 5, 2009
Horrific night on Mass. roads: 4 crashes, 8 dead, Boston.com, July 5, 2009

Related Web Resources:
Kin of young mom killed in crash rail at driver, Boston Herald, July 6, 2009
What to do after a car accident, MSN Continue reading

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The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is reporting a 16% drop in the number of Massachusetts traffic deaths between 2007 and 2008. 363 people died in traffic accidents throughout the state last year. 434 people died in 2007.

Worcester County and Middlesex County tied for first place as the counties with the most traffic fatalities-56 deaths each. The state of Massachusetts also saw a decline in the number of drunk driving-related deaths by 20% from 155 fatalities in 2007 to 124 deaths in 2008.

More 2008 Massachusetts Traffic Facts:
227 vehicle occupant deaths 422 drivers that died At least 61 of the drivers were younger than 21 At least 120 of these victims were not properly restrained at the time of their deaths 42 motorcycle deaths-a drop from the 62 Massachusetts motorcycle rider fatalities in 2007 75 pedestrian deaths

Nationally, the US Department of Transportation reported a 9.7% decline in traffic deaths between 2007 and 2008. 37,261 people died in US traffic accidents last year, with substantial drops in nearly every major category, including light truck occupant fatalities and passenger car occupant deaths.

US Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood also noted that the country had implemented major steps to improve road and vehicle safety, increase seat belt use, and decrease the number of drunk driving accidents.

More 2008 US Traffic Statistics:
2,346,000 injuries 11,773 alcohol impaired-related fatalities 5,811,000 traffic accidents 677 large truck deaths
5,290 motorcycle fatalities 4.378 pedestrian deaths 716 pedalcyclist fatalities 23,000 large truck injuries 96,000 motorcycle injuries 69,000 pedestrian injuries 52,000 pedalcyclist injuries
While the overall decline in traffic deaths is of positive note, there are still too many people getting hurt or dying in Massachusetts traffic crashes. In many instances, an injured person’s own motor vehicle or medical insurance is not enough to cover all recovery costs, medical expenses, and lost wages.

Mass. traffic deaths drop 16 percent in 2008, Boston.com, July 3, 2009
Overall Traffic Fatalities Reach Record Low in 2008, NHTSA
Related Web Resources:
View State-by-State 2008 Data, NHTSA
2008 Traffic Safety Annual Assessment- Highlights (PDF)
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In Boston, lawmakers are considering whether to impose stricter driving regulations on elderly senior drivers. The debate comes in the wake of several high profile Massachusetts car accidents this month involving senior motorists.

Just today, an 83-year-old Malden driver faces negligent operation charges following an accident that left a 78-year-old woman with life-threatening injuries. Police want the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles to evaluate whether the man’s license needs to be revoked.

Already this week the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles took away the driver’s license of Virginia Nelson, an 86-year-old Malden motorist. She is accused of hitting and seriously hurting an 84-year-old Medford pedestrian in Melrose over the weekend.

The pedestrian, Francis Blomerth, is in critical condition at Massachusetts General Hospital. Melrose officials believe that Blomerth was in the crosswalk when Nelson’s vehicle struck him.

Massachusetts and local police are investigating the Melrose pedestrian accident. At this time, Nelson has not been cited for any crime.

On June 15, elderly motorists were involved in separate Massachusetts auto crashes in Lawrence and Andover. The drivers lost control of their vehicles, striking a lamp post, trees, and cars.

On June 3, a 73-year-old Middleboro driver accidentally drove her minivan into a crowd of people attending a Vietnam War Memorial in Plymouth. Eight people went to the hospital.

On June 2, a 93-year-old driver hurt a mother and toddler in a stroller when he drove his car into a Danvers Wal-Mart. He stepped on the gas pedal because he thought he was stepping on the brake.

Representative Chairman Joseph Wagner says lawmakers are going to put together a comprehensive bill and place it on the “fast track” so that it is ready for a floor vote by September.

The bill calls for elderly drivers to pass a road and vision test every five years after they turn 85 if they want to renew their Massachusett’s driver’s license. Under current state law, individuals must only pass a vision test every 10 years.

There are many reasons why a Massachusetts jury might find a motorist liable for causing your Boston car accident.

Lawmakers hear call for more regulation of elderly drivers, Boston.com, June 30, 2009
Legislators discuss proposed elderly driving bill tomorrow, The Eagle Tribune, June 29, 2009
Driver, 86, has license revoked after allegedly hitting pedestrian, Boston.com, June 29, 2009

Related Web Resources:
Senior Drivers, Insurance Information Institute
Elderly Drivers, DRDriving.org Continue reading

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Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick says he’ll support legislation mandating that drivers, 85 and older, must pass road and eye tests every year before their driver’s licenses can be renewed.

With people living longer, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety says that by 2025, 25% of all US drivers will be at least 65, and there is a growing concern that some older drivers may become less safe drivers as their reflexes get slower, their vision blurs, or their health deteriorates.

In Massachusetts last Friday, seven people got hurt in a Plymouth car crash involving a 73-year-old driver who drove over a curb and into a crowd of people that were attending a war memorial. This was the third car accident that the elderly driver was involved in since she turned 70.

In Danvers, on Thursday, a mother and a toddler got hurt when a 93-year-old motorist accidentally drove his car into a Wal-Mart in Danvers.

NHTSA 2007 Older Population (65 and Older) Traffic Statistics:
• There were 30 million older drivers with licenses.
• There were 38 million people age 65 and older in the US.
• 196,000 older people got hurt in US traffic accidents.
• 79% of deadly traffic accidents involving older drivers occurred during the day.
• 71% of these fatal crashes involved other motor vehicles.
• 64 of the 551 drivers involved in deadly Massachusetts traffic crashes belonged to this older population.

According to the Insurance for Highway Safety’s 2007 Fatality Facts Involving Older People:
• Auto collisions make up 1% of deaths involving people age 70 and above.
• Today’s older drivers are keeping their licenses longer and traveling more miles via roads.
• Per mile traveled, fatality crash rates go up at age 75 and after age 80.

Pressure mounts to test elder drivers, Boston.com, June 8, 2009
Older people 2007 Fatality Facts, IIHS.org
Traffic Safety Fact Sheets, NHTSA
Related Web Resources:
Safe Roads Now, AARP.org, Senior Drivers
Insurance Information Institute
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A Massachusetts mother and her one-year-old daughter had to be taken to local hospitals for treatment of their injuries sustained after a 93-year-old driver rode his car into a Danvers Wal-Mart on Tuesday. According to police, the driver may have intended to step on the brake but instead placed his foot on the gas pedal. Four other people, including the driver’s 90-year-old wife, were taken to the hospital following the Danvers car accident. The three other victims were suffering from shock following the incident.

The car, which entered through the store entrance, struck two cash register stations.

Senior Drivers
According to Helpguide.org, senior drivers are at higher risk than younger drivers of becoming involved in multi-vehicle car accidents. Of course, it is important not to generalize, as there are many senior drivers that can drive safely and capably well into their golden years. It is also important to note that a senior injured in a car crash is more likely than younger persons to sustain injuries that could prove fatal. The deadly crash rate for a driver in his or her 70’s increases dramatically.

Factors of Aging that Can Impair Driving Include:
• Failed vision • Loss of hearing • Slower reflexes • Limited mobility • Health conditions, such as Parkinson’s, rheumatoid arthritis, or sleep apnea • Impairment caused by medication • Drowsy driving • Dementia
With more people living longer these days-by 2050, one out of five Americans is expected to be age 65 or older-the number of senior drivers in Boston and on other roads throughout Massachusetts is likely to grow. However, there may come a time in an elderly person’s life when it is time to stop driving or risk causing injury or death to others.

Mother and baby injured as car crashes into Danvers Wal-Mart, Boston.com, June 2, 2009
Senior Citizen Driving, Helpguide.org

Related Web Resources:
Senior Drivers, Insurance Information Institute
Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles
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Last Thursday, the Massachusetts Senate included and approved in its version of the state budget an amendment banning Internet use while driving-this includes text messaging, emailing, or surfing the Web while operating a motor vehicle. Bus drivers, train operators, trolley drivers, and the drivers of other public transit vehicles would be banned from holding a cell phone while driving and would only be allowed to carry the device for emergency purposes. Transit drivers that violate the ban would be fined $500. Drivers would have to pay an insurance surcharge, in addition to a $75 fine.

The amendment is intended to prevent Massachusetts motor vehicle accidents from occurring because motorists are texting while driving and comes one day after Rebecca Solomon, a Methuen teen driver, died in a single-car collision. Police are trying to determine whether the 18-year-old high school senior was texting while driving.

Earlier this month, the MBTA imposed an emergency cell phone ban on its vehicle operators following a multi-trolley crash occurred right after the trolley driver had been text messaging with his girlfriend. Nearly 50 people were injured in the Boston MBTA accident.

According to a study commissioned by Vlingo, a Cambridge, Massachusetts speech-recognition technology maker for cell phones, 1 in 4 US drivers say they text message while driving, with younger drivers more likely to engage in this form of distracted driving behavior than their older counterparts. Among those surveyed:

• Almost 60% of teen drivers say they text and drive.
• 49% of 20 – 29 year-olds send and receive texts while operating a motor vehicle.
• 13% of motorists over 50 text while driving.
• 83% of the 4,816 online survey participants think texting while driving should be banned.

Time and again, texting while driving is proving to be a dangerous habit that can cause serious motor vehicle injuries or deaths. Teenagers that text while driving are a high-risk group when it comes to getting involved in or causing a Boston motor vehicle crash. A new Nielsen study says the average teen sends almost 80-text messages daily. The habit, which even adults find hard to break, can prove fatal when an inexperience teen driver is texting while behind the steering wheel of a car.

Massachusetts Senate Budget Bans Texting while Driving, Insurance Journal, May 26, 2009
Mass. high school student dies in car crash, Telegram.com, May 21, 2009
Driving While Texting Still Popular Despite Bans: Survey, VOXEO, May 20, 2009
Related Web Resources:
Cell Phone Driving Laws, GHSA
National Safety Council
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