Boston Injury Lawyer Blog
A Worcester woman was seriously injured after a hit-and-run crash early this morning.
The victim, 24, was struck around midnight while crossing the street at the intersection of Chandler and Wellington Streets. Police found the young woman lying in the middle of the road with severe hip and facial wounds.
Witnesses who saw the accident reported a small, dark-colored SUV flee the scene toward Main Street. According to police, it appeared that the woman was struck and rolled on top of the car and then fell back onto the ground. The victim was transported to a local hospital where she is currently listed in stable condition. Police are still investigating the accident.
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According to a report by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 4,280 pedestrians were killed as a result of motor-vehicle crashes and 70,000 were injured in pedestrian accidents in 2010. The number of pedestrian fatalities in 2010 accounted for 13% of all motor-vehicle accident fatalities and the number of injuries accounted for 3% of the total amount of individuals injured in a traffic accidents.
Most hit-and-run accidents occur in metropolitan areas where there is a high volume of car and pedestrian traffic. In fact, in 2010, the NHTSA reported that 73% of all pedestrian accidents occurred in urban settings, and typically at non-intersections (79%). Weather conditions, as reported by the NHTSA do not seem to have an impact on the amount of pedestrian fatalities however the majority of these types of accidents usually take place during nighttime hours. About 1 in 5 pedestrians killed in 2010, were the victim of a hit-and-run motor-vehicle accident, the NHTSA reported.
Pedestrian accidents occur for a variety of reasons, and may be attributed to not only the actions of a motor-vehicle operator, but the actions of a pedestrian as well. Driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, speeding and reckless driving, and distracted driving by motor-vehicle operators are the most common factors that cause pedestrian accidents. About 20% of drivers involved in pedestrian accidents fled the scene according to the NHTSA. In some cases, pedestrians’ actions caused accidents. Actions such as alcohol consumption (leading to impaired judgment) was the most prominent factor, as well as failing to follow road signals, such as crosswalk signals, and improperly crossing intersections.
In Boston, where traffic is inevitably busy, it is imperative for pedestrians to do everything they can to protect themselves from an accident. This means walking on sidewalks whenever possible, looking both ways when crossing the street, and crossing at designated crosswalks. Though motor-vehicles and bicycles are supposed to yield to pedestrians, it is always important to look twice before crossing a street, and make sure you are doing everything you can to protect yourself. Additionally, as a motor-vehicle operator, it is imperative for drivers to be diligent of their surroundings and vulnerable parties traveling on foot. Make sure that if you are traveling through a densely populated area to remain undistracted and alert of pedestrians that may suddenly cross the street or act unpredictably.
At the law offices of Altman & Altman our experienced Personal Injury Lawyers have been handling both pedestrian and car accident cases for nearly 50 years. Being involved in a motor-vehicle accident, especially if you were a pedestrian can be extremely traumatic. According to Massachusetts law, parties involved in motor-vehicle accidents must stop and exchange information, or wait for police to arrive. Parties who flee the scene are subject to criminal charges. When a responsible party does flee the scene, it not only makes it harder for investigators to identify the perpetrator, but also for the injured victim to receive compensation for his or her injuries.
If you or a loved one were the victim of a pedestrian accident, call one of our attorneys to schedule a meeting to discuss pursuing a case. Our attorneys are available around the clock to assist you with your case and answer any questions you have. Initial consultations are free, and you may contact us by email or by calling 617-492-3000.
Original Articles by: WCVB.com & National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
