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One in four vehicles purchased in the United States is a sports utility vehicle (SUV). With these statistics, SUVs are extremely profitable for manufacturing companies and dealerships. However, even with such high sales in the US, the standards of design and production safety have been consistently questioned by government and consumer advocacy groups. Since the late 1990’s, SUV manufacturers have marketed these vehicles as exceptionally safe due to their larger size and sturdy structure. Unfortunately, studies conducted by the Insurance Information Institute do not support this claim. In fact, the report indicates that SUVs are responsible for the highest rollover death rate of all vehicles. While SUV accidents make up only 3% of all motor vehicle accidents, fatal rollover accidents involve three times more SUVs than any other type of vehicle. Rollovers cause 63% of SUV fatalities and 46% of SUV injuries annually. SUV’s are also more common in the Northeast and more specifically Massachusetts as we have to deal with very harsh winters and many family’s and businesses have SUV’s to deal with the snow.

High Center of Gravity

One major structural feature making SUVs more vulnerable to rollovers is their high center of gravity. As with large commercial trucks, the tall nature of an SUV often results in extensive damage to the roof-area. Unfortunately, this part of the vehicle is typically most vulnerable to serious damage and collapse. An inward collapse often causes catastrophic injuries, particularly to the victim’s head, neck, and spinal column. Subsequent medical conditions may include permanent brain damage, full or partial paralysis, and lower-cervical neck fractures. The two most common causes of rollovers occur when:

  • The vehicle hits a low obstacle, such as a curb.
  • The driver reacts to a potential hazard with a sudden turn or swerve.

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The severe weather experienced throughout the Boston area last Tuesday has caused widespread damage on a variety of levels. Power lines and trees have fallen down and some people have suffered injuries due to the intense nature of the storm. Certain parts of the state experienced heavy rain and wind that reached over 75 MPH. Other areas of Massachusetts experienced an overwhelming hail storm that has left many vehicles damaged in the aftermath.

Reports have indicated that 2 inch hail crashed down in parts of Massachusetts during the intense storm that was brewing on Tuesday. The hail storm that took place that day is the largest hail storm that Boston has seen since about 1950, according to the weather related data that has been recorded since that time. If residents of these Massachusetts towns left their cars out in the open to brave the elements—they’ll be able to tell you just how extensive this storm was. Jackie Shelton, a resident from an undisclosed nearby town, said in a report that she believed that the windows of her car were going to give way during the heaviest part of the storm. Thankfully, her windows withstood the pummeling but the remainder of her car wasn’t as lucky. Ms. Shelton’s vehicle is now covered in dents as a result of the hail storm, and she’ll have to look into having the dents removed at an auto body now that the weather has returned to normal. Continue reading

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Information is still being collected following an accident that took place this morning in Waltham, Massachusetts. The accident that occurred involved a pedestrian being struck by a trailer that broke free from the back of a truck that was hauling the attachment.

At approximately 9:00 AM Thursday morning a 75 year old woman was hit by a trailer that had become detached from the truck hitch it was connected to. The direct circumstances involving this particular accident have not been made immediately available as the investigation is still ongoing. Initial reports from the scene indicate that the woman, who has not been identified at this time, was walking down the sidewalk when the incident occurred. According to those preliminary reports, the incident happened around the area of School Street and Francis Street in Waltham. After being hit by the trailer, the elderly woman became pinned between the vehicle and hedges lining the sidewalk. Law enforcement officials responding to the scene said that it is very likely that the placement of these hedges saved the woman’s life. The hedges allowed for the woman to be cushioned from the impact of the crash, which dramatically decreased the extent of injuries this woman may have faced otherwise. She was transported from the scene to a local hospital to receive treatment for a broken leg she sustained during the accident. Reports have indicated that the woman is listed in serious but stable condition following her admittance to the hospital. Continue reading

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Dealing with the aftermath of a car accident can be overwhelming, especially while recovering from a subsequent injury. Stress is likely to increase when the driver at fault has inadequate auto insurance coverage or no coverage at all. To protect yourself from unnecessary medical and property damage expenses, it is important to include uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage in your plan. The Insurance Research Council’s latest report reveals that, although the number of uninsured motorists has experienced a downward trend over the past five years, the amount of uninsured claims has increased an estimated 75%. In 2012, insurance companies paid out over $2 million in uninsured / under insured motorist claims.

Uninsured Motorist Coverage

Uninsured motorist coverage allows you to make a claim against your own insurance company when the at-fault driver carries no auto insurance. Although there is an option to sue the at-fault driver, it is likely that he or she will not have the funds to compensate you. Claims against your own insurance company can be as high as the limit of coverage and will cover both property damage and medical expenses.

The statute of limitations for uninsured motorist claims typically provides a very short period during which to file. Therefore, it is in your best interest to report a claim as soon as possible. Try to exchange insurance information with the at-fault driver at the scene of the accident. If the driver does not comply, ask the police officer involved to check the insurance information of everyone involved. Continue reading

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The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that a person is injured in a car accident every 10 seconds. Crashes affect approximately three million Americans annually. From fender benders to catastrophic collisions, car accidents can be costly.  Statistics show that motor vehicle accidents are the leading type of traumatic event for men, and the second most frequent trauma for women in the United States. The psychological effects of even the most minor accident may become debilitating over time. Anxiety, depression, phobias, and post-traumatic stress disorder are the most common conditions experienced by car accident victims. These issues may call for medical attention or time away from work.  Our Massachusetts car accident lawyers have seen how such a trauma can effect accident victims.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

A recent study reveals that post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) affects 10% to 45% of car accident victims. While feelings of fear, loss of control, anxiety, and stress are typical responses after any kind of trauma, they tend to dissipate over time. What differentiates PTSD from these other conditions is the long lasting or recurring nature of the symptoms. These symptoms may include:

  • Re-experiencing Symptoms – Often referred to as flashbacks, this is when a victim has episodes of physically and emotionally re-living the accident. This may also manifest through nightmares and other negative experiences.
  • Avoidance – This is a defense mechanism used to keep the victim from initiating memories of the crash. He or she may avoid the site of the crash, or any people involved that trigger anxiety.
  • Changing beliefs – A traumatic car accident may induce a shift in a victim’s perspective of people, activities, or self-image. This is usually considered as another avoidance mechanism. New feelings of fear, guilt, and shame are common.
  • Hyper-arousal – This is when an accident victim exhibits a nervous, hyper-alert state. He or she has trouble releasing tension and may have difficulty focusing or sleeping.

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Everyone knows the dangers of texting while driving. Currently, 39 states have laws against this growing problem, and anti-texting campaigns can regularly be seen and heard on radio, television, social media, and in print ads. These ads have become increasingly graphic in an attempt to discourage drivers from texting or talking on the phone while behind the wheel.

But do they work?

According to a recent report, there are 660,000 drivers looking at their phones at any given moment. Young people between the ages of 18 and 24 account for the largest percentage of offenders. Unfortunately, this is the same age group with the highest risk of fatal crashes. Young people are less experienced drivers, and have a tendency to engage in riskier behaviors (not wearing a seatbelt, speeding) than their older counterparts. Combining these risk-factors with the added risk of texting while driving proves fatal for thousands of young people every year. Obviously, something needs to be done.

Anti-texting Campaigns Are “Missing the Mark”

Unfortunately, reports show that the surge of anti-texting campaigns is proving largely ineffective. A recent survey found that 97% of teens already know that texting and driving is extremely dangerous. With the dangers of texting and driving being the main focus of just about every ad campaign, it seems as though the campaigns are simply telling people what they already know. Continue reading

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Another unfortunate loss of life serves as a reminder that accidents can happen anywhere and at any time. The saddening incident from Exeter, New Hampshire that took place yesterday has highlighted just how random these accidents may be.

At approximately 1:20 PM Wednesday, July 22nd, 64 year old Margaret Rugg of Exeter, New Hampshire fell off her bike and was subsequently hit and killed by a container truck. The accident took place on Epping Road, according to the preliminary reports provided by law enforcement officials investigating the matter. The container truck which struck Margaret Rugg was owned by Pinard Waste Management Systems and was operated by a man from Milton at the time of the accident. The name of the driver of the container truck has not been disclosed at this time, and he also has not been charged with anything as of yet. The driver of the garbage vehicle did not suffer any apparent injuries from the accident. Initial reports for the investigation indicate that law enforcement officials on scene did not believe that drugs or alcohol played a role in what took place.

Route 27, the area surrounding where the accident took place on Epping Road, was closed until approximately 7:30 PM as the investigation continued. Officers in the area redirected the flow of traffic through the town of Exeter and to nearby Exit 9 on Highway 101. The State Police Collision Analysis and Reconstruction unit as well as the Exeter New Hampshire police department are working together closely to investigate the accident. Continue reading

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Tragedy struck in San Francisco on Sunday when two motorcycle racers from Spain were killed during a World Superbike Race. The race took place at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, according to a statement given by a sheriff’s spokesman for Monterey County. A crash occurred that caused a chain-reaction during the first lap of the race. Twenty eight riders took part in the occasion, and witnesses from the event have said that five competitors collided on the pathway which led to many of them being thrown into the dirt surrounding the track. Additional injuries to other riders have not been provided, but sources state that four of the five injured riders received treatment for their injuries while they were still at the venue where the race was taking place. Their identities have not been released at the current time.

The two men who were killed have been positively identified as 35 year old Bernat Martinez of Alberic, Valencia, Spain, and 27 year old Daniel Rivas Fernandez of Moana Galicia, Spain. Each of the men was transported from Mazda Raceway to undisclosed hospitals where they both later died from their injuries. The severity of their wounds has not been made available.

The spokesman for the Monterey County sheriff’s office, Cmdr. John Thornburg, has also stated that the sheriff’s office is not planning to investigate the incident that took place at the MotoAmerica Superbike/Superstock 1000 race. Thornburg has stated that it appears to be an accident and nothing further. Continue reading

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Whiplash is the most common motor vehicle accident-related injury. However, it is also widely misunderstood. Unfortunately, the term “whiplash” has become associated with exaggerated personal injury claims. In fact, most attorneys refrain from using the term whiplash in the courtroom, instead referring to the specific injury’s technical name. Whiplash-related injuries may include hyperextension/hyperflexion or myofascial injury, neck strain or sprain, and cervical strain or sprain.

The term whiplash encompasses a number of neck injuries that are most commonly suffered as a result of a rear-end collision. When the body is propelled forward but the head and neck stay in place, such as in a rear-end auto accident, damage to the soft tissue of the neck may occur. This sudden jerking and stretching of the neck muscles occurs in a whip-like motion, hence the name.

Common Causes of Whiplash

Although rear-end collisions are the main cause of whiplash injuries, damage to the soft tissue of the neck can occur under many circumstances. These may include:

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A fatal truck crash in Mansfield, Massachusetts has left state police officials asking the public for additional help with their investigation into the accident. A man from Norton who was driving the vehicle was killed in the accident that took place Monday July 13th, 2015, around 3:15 PM. The driver, who has yet to be identified pending family notification, was traveling on Route 495 South (south of Exit 12 for Mansfield) at the time of the accident. Preliminary reports suggest that the man, who was driving a box truck, veered off the right side of the highway and then rolled over into the woods nearby.

State police officers from the Foxborough barracks were called to the scene shortly after the accident took place. One of the state troopers investigating the incident, Christopher Booth, has said that initial reports indicate that the 55 year old driver of the 2003 Ford box truck appeared to have lost control of his vehicle before he swerved off the highway and into the surrounding trees. The Norton man who was driving the vehicle was the only person inside of the truck. Members of the Mansfield Fire Department had to extricate the victim from his car before he was transported by an ambulance to nearby Morton Hospital in Taunton. It was upon his arrival at the Morton Hospital that the unidentified driver of the vehicle was pronounced dead. The extent and nature of his injuries has not been made available yet. Continue reading

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