Truck Accident

September 10, 2014

New Ordinance Could Protect Boston Bicyclists By Requiring Protective Side Guards, Convex Mirrors on City Trucks

A new ordinance, The Act to Protect Vulnerable Road Users, could make the roads safer for local cyclists, especially during a Boston bicycle accident. If approved, all trucks over 10,000 pounds that are owned or contracted by the city would be obligated to install new safety features on their vehicles.

Among the added features are protective side guards, which should prevent a cyclist from getting pulled under a truck’s wheels during a Boston truck accident. Trucks would also have to install convex mirrors, which would make it easier for truckers to see more of the road. Meantime, reflective, bright stickers notifying of a truck’s blind spots would let pedestrians and bicyclists know that the driver might not be able to see them.

According to the Boston’s Cyclist Safety Report, between the Summer and Fall of ’12 alone, five Boston area bicyclists were killed. One reason for this is that there has been an increase in the number of bicyclists, which is even more of a reason to make sure that cyclists are getting the protections they need in the event of any kind of Massachusetts traffic crash. The rise in bicycle riders has definitely been enhanced by the New Balance Hubway, which is a bicycle sharing system that gives members access to bicycles located at more than 100 stations throughout the Greater Boston area. Councilor-at-Large Ayanna Pressley, who is one of the lawmakers spearheading the act, called the problem of inadequate bicyclist safety a “public health issue,” said The Globe.

June 16, 2014

Deadly Accident Shifts Spotlight to Truck Driver Fatigue

by Altman & Altman

Comedian Tracy Morgan as well as several other passengers remain in critical condition following a serious accident involving the Mercedes Sprinter van in which they were travelling. Morgan’s friend and writer James “Jimmy Mack” McNair was killed when a Wal-Mart tractor slammed into the back of a Mercedes luxury bus containing the comedian and his fellow performers, causing it to roll and careen out of control and into other cars.

What began initially as a tragic accident grabbed national attention when more details of the dramatic scene were released. Officials believe the accident was caused when Wal-Mart truck driver Kevin Roper failed to observe slow moving traffic in front of him and swerved at the last second in an attempt to avoid hitting the vehicle in front of him. As photos and video from the crash site reveal, the truck slammed into the Mercedes carrying Morgan with his friends and fellow performers with enough force to flip the vehicle on its roof, causing a chain-reaction crash with four other cars.
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May 19, 2014

Appeals Court: Runaway Dump Truck $10.1 Million Verdict Stands

by Altman & Altman

A massive multimillion dollar verdict was upheld by a Pennsylvania appeals court in the case of a dump truck losing control, causing a multivehicle accident resulting in serious injuries. The original case revolved around a dump truck which lost control and barreled down a hill at 45 miles per hour, slamming into one car and causing it to rear-end another. Court documents allege the truck did not have adequate working breaks and was not properly inspected before the construction vehicle left the garage, ultimately resulting in serious, life-altering injuries to the victims.

According to the National Trial Lawyers, Theodus Williams was operating the vehicle owned by Valvano Construction, Inc. when he “became lost, the brakes failed, and the truck barreled down a hill in excess of 45 miles per hour, striking [Doreen and Steven] Mazur, who rear-ended [Holly Ann] Kuchwara.” Holly Ann Kuchwara filed suit against the truck driver and the construction company, citing numerous injuries including, “lacerations to her face and fractures to her leg, ankle, and back.” The injuries were severe enough to be considered life altering according to court documents. She has since undergone several procedures and suffers from chronic pain, embarrassing facial scars, and a noticeable limp.
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October 9, 2013

No Charges Against Truck Driver Involved in May Bike Accident

by Altman & Altman

Prosecutors will not be pressing charges against the Amherst truck driver who struck and killed a bicyclist last May.

Livingston Pangburn, a Hampshire College student, was fatally injured when he collided with an Amherst College box truck. According to the Northwestern district attorney’s office, Pangburn was traveling in heavy traffic along College Street, and did not stop with the traffic to allow the westbound truck to make a left turn onto the college’s campus.

Police reports stated that the driver of the truck did not see the cyclist in time to stop, and Pangburn was not able to maneuver around the truck in time to avoid the crash. Prosecutors do not believe that any impairment, cell phone use, or mechanical defects with the vehicle played a role in the accident.

While this is undoubtedly a tragic story, it also puts into perspective the dangers cyclists face when riding their bikes. Because bicyclists are extremely vulnerable compared to passengers to a motor vehicles due to their lack of physical barriers to protect themselves, it is crucial for them to do their part to prevent a serious accident from occurring.

5 Tips to Stay Safe on Your Bike

1. Always, always, always wear a helmet. While it seems to be a phrase engrained in everyone’s head, so many individuals do not understand how important helmets are in preventing serious head injuries. Some people dismiss the idea of wearing a helmet because of atheistic reasons, or because they feel their short commute doesn’t warrant wearing one. But wearing a helmet could make all the difference, and could even save a life.

2. Travel with the traffic, not against it. Always ride on the right side of the road, and go with the flow of traffic. Remember that bicycles are considered vehicles too, and cyclists are responsible for adhering to the same rules of the road as drivers. If you come to a stop sign or red light, you are legally bound to stop. In addition, you are responsible for yielding to pedestrians at crosswalks, just as motorists are.
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May 31, 2013

Marlborough Truck-Bicycle Accident Sends Cyclist to the Hospital

by Altman & Altman

State Police are looking into a Marlborough, MA box truck accident involving a bicyclist. The rider had to be flown by hair to UMass Memorial Medical Center in Worcester following the morning traffic crash.

The trucker has not been criminally charged. However, he was cited for driving with an expired inspection sticker, not yielding to oncoming traffic, and marked lanes violation. Efforts are being made by the State Police to reconstruct what happened.

Massachusetts Bicycle Accident Cases

February 14, 2013

Danvers, MA Man Hurt in Crash with Dump Truck

by Altman & Altman

A Danvers man was severely injured after crashing his vehicle into a state dump truck on Interstate 95. Franco Carullo, 35, was traveling in a northbound lane before 2:00 a.m. when he rear-ended a Massachusetts Department of Transportation dump truck, said state police spokesman Thomas Murphy. The dump truck was removing snow from the breakdown lane around Exit 47 at the time of the accident.

An unidentified “civilian witness” pulled Carullo from his 2008 Jeep Wrangler shortly before it burst into flames, Murphy said. Murphy was unable to confirm whether the witness was the driver of the dump truck or a passing motorist. By the time emergency responders arrived, the Jeep was “fully engulfed in flames,” he said.

Emergency responders transported Carullo by ambulance to Massachusetts General Hospital, but a representative of the hospital said their directory didn’t have him listed as a patient. The dump truck driver did not sustain any reported injuries.

Officials briefly closed all lanes of I-95 while firefighters put out the blaze. Engine 3, Engine 7, and Car 2 responded to the accident and crews used 1,500 gallons of water to extinguish the fire, said Deputy Chief Richard Nelson. The Fire Department received a report of the crash at 1:53 a.m. and was at the scene by 2:05, he said.
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March 6, 2012

Truck Rollover in Freetown, MA Injures Two

by Altman & Altman

A tractor trailer rollover around 5:30pm on Monday night in Freetown, MA-located about 12 miles from Fall River-seriously injured the trailer driver and left the driver of a second vehicle with minor injuries. The truck driver was traveling on Route 24 Southbound near Exit 8 and had been carrying seafood. It apparently tipped over and landed on the dividing guard-rails across the highway median. The driver of the second vehicle, a 2001 Honda accord, thankfully escaped with minor injuries, but his car had to be dug out from the wood with special equipment.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, rollover accidents have a higher fatality rate than other types of crashes-accounting for about 33% of all passenger vehicle fatalities.Although convenient, tractor trailers, like the one involved in this accident, may be more prone to rollovers due to their height. Tall vehicles (trucks, buses, vans) have a high center of gravity, lessening their stability, and speeding, sudden turns, and bad weather can lessen their stability ever further. Other causes of rollovers may be driver fatigue, equipment failure, or negligent maintenance of the vehicle.

The cause of the Freetown accident is still unknown. However, there have been no reports of speeding or other foul play.

February 17, 2012

Brighton Woman Struck by Company Tow Truck & Dies

by Altman & Altman

A woman from Brighton was struck by a tow truck as she was crossing the street on Thursday evening. The woman was rushed to Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center for treatment, but was pronounced dead today. The name of the trucking company has not been given, but the company is believed to be based in Brighton or Allston. According to reports, the woman was hit crossing market street, near the intersection of Chestnut Hill Avenue and Washington Street.

According to a passenger in the tow truck at the time of the accident, the tow truck allegedly had the green light to turn from Chestnut Hill Avenue to Washington Street but had already begun to turn when it saw the woman and was unable to stop. Further details, including whether or not the trucking driver/company will face charges, have not been released. The case is being investigated by the Suffolk County District Attorney’s office.

Our sympathies are with the family of the deceased. If you or a loved one has been injured as a driver or pedestrian in a car or truck crash in Massachusetts, you should contact an experienced car accident attorney to determine whether you may be able to financially recover.

August 10, 2011

Foxboro Man Seriously Injured in Rollover Accident

by Altman & Altman

A 40-year-old man from Foxboro was ejected from his pickup truck after it rolled over multiple times due to a crash with another vehicle. He was airlifted by medical helicopter to Massachusetts General in Boston on Tuesday afternoon. The two-car crash happened at approximately 4:30 p.m. at the intersection of South and West streets in Foxboro.

Deputy Fire Chief Steve Bagley confirmed that the driver of the pickup truck seemed have chest injuries and also difficulty breathing. Acting Fire Captain David Laracy said that the pickup driver “suffered serious head and chest injuries.”

According to the Foxboro Police Department, a 13-year-old boy who was also in the pickup was taken to Norwood Hospital. He was not severely injured.

Witnesses reported to police that the pickup truck rolled over twice before coming to a complete stop. Officials confirmed that the truck was driving North on South Street when it crashed with a sedan which was turning from West Street onto North Street. The truck rolled over twice and landed on its wheels. The driver of the sedan was examined at the scene of the accident but did not sustain any injuries. Truck rollover accidents are frightening and sometimes fatal. While we may never know the exact cause of this accident, we know significant damages were caused by this event.

Due to the accident, the intersection was closed for an hour. The cause of the accident is under investigation.

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation reports that in 2006, 15% of all Massachusetts fatal crashes were rollovers.

Driving while exhausted, distracted, or under the influence of alcohol or drugs can increase your chances of a rollover accident. If your tires are not properly inflated or if your cargo weight is too heavy for your vehicle´s recommended weight, your chances of a rollover are also increased.

A tripped rollover, such as the case above, or a rollover caused by the tires digging into soft soil or hitting an object, can occur due to any of the following circumstances:

• Soft soil on the side of the road • Guardrail • A collision with another vehicle • Steep slope or ditch
If you have been involved in a road accident, it is in your best interest to contact an experienced Massachusetts car accident lawyer as soon as possible.

Sources:

Man airlifted in Foxboro crash, The Sun Chronicle, August 10, 2011
Roadway Safety Tips, Massachusetts Department of Transportation
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July 29, 2011

Blaze in Saugus Caused by Crashed Gas Tanker

by Altman & Altman

The driver of a gasoline tanker truck has died after his tanker crashed into a median in Saugus on Route 1 and exploded. Neal Michaud, 59, from Manchester, N.H., lost control of the vehicle at approximately 2:15 a.m. on Sunday morning. David Procopio, a State Police spokesman, reported that the truck hit the median before rolling over the barrier and into the opposite lane of traffic. Six cars collided into the gasoline truck and an explosion ignited from the leaking oil. It is approximated that the truck was holding up to 11,000 gallons of fuel.

Michaud could not escape from the cab of the truck and he died at the scene of the accident. He was driving the truck for PJ Murphy Transportation of Methuen. The truck was burned to its frame. Several vehicles were also severely damaged and many had their tires burned completely off of their wheels. Three motorists sustained minor injuries and were treated at local hospitals. Procopio confirmed that one motorist, Kevin Fitzgerald, 60, a resident of South Hamilton, sustained severe burns and had emergency surgery at Massachusetts General Hospital.

Approximately 45 minutes after the truck crashed, a second explosion ignited in a nearby creek due to the spilt gasoline leaking into storm-drains. Fire Chief James L. Blanchard said that this fire sent burning embers into a neighborhood, catching fire to a house, two greenhouse buildings, fences, and numerous areas of brush. Blanchard said, “Lights were shaking from the ceilings of homes, and people woke up to see flames in the back of their house.”

Saugus resident Michael Shaw, 41, woke up to the sounds of explosions: “They sounded like transformers popping off. That’s what I thought it was first, but then three more came…I looked out the window again and I saw a ball of flame rising.” His wife, Nicole, 36, said, “There were explosions going down and the embers were flying on top of our house…I grabbed my kids and the dogs and put them in the car.”

The residential neighborhood was evacuated and 120 residents had to find shelter in the early morning until they were allowed to return home later that day. The Saugus Fire Department reported an eight-alarm response and fire crews from Boston, Revere, Chelsea, Woburn, Somerville, Belmont, Cambridge, Lynn, Lynnfield, Burlington, Danvers, Stoneham, Malden, Winchester, Medford, Wakefield, Everett, and Winthrop responded. Special units from Massport Fire Rescue helped to contain the gasoline fire with chemical foam equipment that is used for putting out airplane fires. Fire Chief Blanchard said, “We had to get foam in there, and we needed lots of it…Without foam, there’s no hope of controlling the fire.”

Officials confirmed that most of the gas had burned off in the fires and that drinking water was not affected. Edmund Coletta, a spokesman for the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection said “It appears that the gasoline was consumed by the fire…Even though it was released into the environment, it appears to have been consumed at this point.”

State Representative Donald Wong, who toured the scene of the accident and subsequent fire, said, “We’re fortunate that it happened when it happened…If it happened on a weekday when Route 1 is filled with traffic it would have been much worse.”

State Police are investigating the accident and the cause of the crash. Procopio said the company has a sound safety record and that “Our commercial vehicle team has had interactions with the company in a positive manner. They have a very good safety record.”

If you have been involved in a Massachusetts car accident, it is in your best interest to contact an experienced Massachusetts car accident lawyer.

Source:

Gas tanker crash creates Route 1 inferno, The Boston Globe, July 24, 2011
Related Blog Posts:

Multiple Vehicle Accident Involving Dump Truck Leaves Several Injured in Uxbridge

Off-Duty Boston Police Officer Collides With Boston Fire Truck

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