Posts by Breakstone, White & Gluck
Ready to Go? Getting out of Boston Safely for Thanksgiving
Driving to your Thanksgiving destination can be demanding. Read our tips to help you get there safely with a little less stress (if that’s possible).
We all want to know the secret to beating the Thanksgiving week traffic out of Boston. To help, we have put together a few travel tips. Please travel safely, be patient and enjoy this special time of year with your family and friends.
Traffic Apps and Resources. Here are a few websites for travelers: Boston.com/Traffic or Mass511.com. Traffic apps: Google Maps, Waze, AAA or GoTime.
Boston’s Worst Traffic Bottlenecks. AAA is reporting on the Boston region’s 10 top traffic bottlenecks for the Thanksgiving holiday weekend. They include several locations along Interstate 93, Interstate 95 and the MassPike (Interstate 90). Read the full list now before you drive. Try to avoid them if you can.
Check Your Car. Whether you drive your own car or rent a vehicle, spend a few minutes in the driver’s seat before you leave. Make sure you know how to use key features such as the blinkers, headlights and the heating system. Many new vehicles now have complex infotainment systems. Decide now what features you need to use for this trip – and which are distractions.
Essentials. Make sure your motor vehicle registration is in your glove compartment and that you have your health insurance card (or cards if you are a parent traveling with children).
Choose the Best Travel Times. AAA predicts a 3 percent increase in holiday travel this year, so we know to expect more traffic. Tuesday night and Wednesday afternoon will be the most challenging time, according to Waze. Another busy travel time is Thanksgiving Day between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.
Plan to Stop. Take a break to fend off fatigue and let kids burn off energy. Stop once every two hours.
Gas Up and Emergency Kit. Always start your trip with a full tank of gas. Then, make sure you have a strong emergency kit, with jumper cables, a quart of motor oil, coolant, a first aid kit and a toolkit. Find your auto club membership, a safety vest, a flashlight with extra batteries and a roadside flare. Finally, pack warm clothes, blankets and your cell phone charger.
Commit to Use Your Cell Phone Safely. Our best tip for you is to turn your phone off. If you are traveling with someone, ask them to hold your cell phone and receive occasional phone calls or traffic alerts for you.
When traffic is heavy, a driver can cause a multi-car pile-up with a single glance at a cell phone – and that’s on any given day. The traffic is much worse during the Thanksgiving Week. That is why texting while driving is banned in Massachusetts and 46 other states, and why many are pushing to see Massachusetts ban all cell phone use by drivers.
No Drinking and Driving Accidents. Drunk driving accidents increase during the holiday season, starting with Thanksgiving week. Always, always travel with a designated driver who agrees not to drink. Or do not consume alcohol. No one ever regrets making this decision the next morning.
Massachusetts Communities Fight Back Against Traffic Detour Apps
Local communities are restricting road use to stop the flood of drivers who use Waze and other traffic apps.
Commuting is a battle in Massachusetts, full of frustrations and hazards. But residents, communities and lawmakers continue to fight back to improve safety.
On Monday, the state House of Representatives considered a controversial bill proposing new fines for jaywalking and jaywalking while distracted (or as The Boston Globe writes, “Jay-texters”). Meanwhile, WBZ reports communities are closing off roads in response to traffic apps such as Waze and Google Maps.
Jaywalking Bill. On Beacon Hill, Rep. Colleen M. Garry, D-Dracut, has proposed Bill H.1834, which would allow cities and towns to impose stronger penalties against jaywalking. The current penalty is $1, which isn’t much of a deterrent. But this new bill proposes:
- Jaywalkers may be fined $25 for a first offense, $50 for a second offense and $100 for a third or subsequent offense.
- The proposal calls for new and increased fines for pedestrians who violate the jaywalking law and are using mobile devices or earphones. Using a mobile device will increase the fine to $50 for a first offense, $100 for a second offense and $200 for a third or subsequent offense.
Massachusetts is not the only state considering action. In New York, the State Assembly passed a law for New York City to study the problem. As of last month, the City of Honolulu began ticketing pedestrians who are texting or reading from a cell phone. The price? Up to $99 per violation.
While pedestrian texting bans are new, 47 states and Washington D.C. now have laws which ban texting while driving. Puerto Rico, Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands also have bans. Massachusetts passed its texting while driving ban in 2010.
This is a controversial topic. We will be among those watching the State House this week.
Traffic Detour Apps. WBZ reported on Monday that drivers are continuing to make use of apps such as Waze and Google Maps, which help them find the shortest route (Note: Waze was actually acquired by Google in 2013). But regardless of the specific brand name, police departments say these apps are a safety issue because they change traffic flow and draw large amounts of traffic to residential roads.
Now cities, such as Medford, Cambridge, Brookline and Belmont have taken action, by closing off roads or posting no turn signs.
Here are a few notes for your commute:
- In October, Medford Police announced Bracket Street at Elm Street is residents only on weekdays from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
- Belmont has installed no right turn signs off Brighton Street.
- Brookline has restricted access to several roads off Clyde Street.
- In Cambridge, Fresh Pond Parkway is also closed to through traffic.
These are two stories for every commuter to follow. We will write more about both topics in the weeks and months to come.
About Breakstone, White & Gluck
The Boston car accident attorneys at Breakstone, White & Gluck have over 100 years combined experience representing pedestrians, cyclists, drivers and passengers who have been injured by negligent drivers. If you or a loved one has been injured, learn your rights for seeking compensation. After a car accident, you may incur medical expenses, have to take time off from work and no one can predict how long recovery will take. For these reasons, it is important to contact an experienced Boston car accident lawyer.
For a free legal consultation, contact our attorneys at 800-379-1244 or 617-723-7676 or use our contact form.
Attorney Marc Breakstone Reaches $825,000 Settlement for Client Who Slipped on Icy Ramp
Attorney Marc L. Breakstone recently negotiated a settlement for a woman who was seriously injured when she slipped on an icy ramp. The ramp was on a commercial property.
Read about Attorney Breakstone’s work.
Cycling and Pedestrian Safety is Top Concern in Central Square in Cambridge
Safety for pedestrians and cyclists is a top concern in Central Square in Cambridge.
Central Square is located around the intersection of Prospect Street, Massachusetts Avenue and Western Avenue in Cambridge. This area is a commuter hub; the Central Square MBTA subway station and bus stop are located here, near Cambridge City Hall. The state of Massachusetts has designated Central Square as an official cultural district, for its mix of theater and arts, restaurants and history. The NECCO building was long part of that history, but these days, 250 Massachusetts Avenue is now the Novartis’ global headquarters. The Cambridge YMCA is there and MIT is nearby.
Over the years, there have been numerous pedestrian and bicycle accidents in Central Square. Central Square was the #1 location for bike crashes in Massachusetts from 2005-2014, according to the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT). It was the 5th highest pedestrian crash location. The City of Cambridge has worked to improve safety by improving crosswalks and adding bike lanes across the city. In December 2016, new bike lanes were laid down in Central Square, northbound on Massachusetts Avenue between Sydney and Douglass streets.
We recently went up over Central Square. Please take a look and share this blog with anyone who travels in this area, whether they walk, bike, drive or travel by Uber. From a different angle, we hope you gain a better understanding of the traffic in this area.
We also recently visited Inman Square.
About Breakstone, White & Gluck
At Breakstone, White & Gluck, our Boston personal injury lawyers fight for justice for those who have been seriously injured by the negligence and wrongdoing of others. Our lawyers have been recognized as among the top personal injury and medical malpractice lawyers in Massachusetts and New England. We are committed to protecting cyclists through our Project KidSafe campaign, which has donated over 15,000 helmets to children in the first 5 years. If you have been injured, learn your rights. Contact us today at 800-379-1244 or 617-723-7676 or use our contact form.
Breakstone, White & Gluck’s Partners Recognized on the 2017 Massachusetts Super Lawyers List
Breakstone, White & Gluck is pleased to announce that Marc L. Breakstone, David W. White and Ronald E. Gluck have been selected to the 2017 Massachusetts Super Lawyers list. Our attorneys were recognized for their work for clients in personal injury and medical malpractice cases. We are proud to share this news. It marks the 14th year they have been selected to the list, which only recognizes the top 5 percent of attorneys in the state.
The Super Lawyers selection process evaluates attorneys based on 12 areas, including verdicts and settlements, experience, honors and awards, bar and professional activity, pro bono and community service and other achievements. The selection process includes input from the Super Lawyers research department and peer review from other attorneys.
Marc L. Breakstone
Attorney Marc L. Breakstone has been recognized to the Top 100 New England Super Lawyers and Top 100 Massachusetts Super Lawyers lists numerous times over his career. He was recognized on the 2017 Massachusetts Super Lawyers list as a top rated medical malpractice attorney, an honor he has received each year since 2004. His settlements and verdicts include a $10.2 million settlement for an infant who suffered severe injuries due to ambulance negligence and $7.5 million for a family who lost a loved one in a propane gas explosion at a construction site. He also won a $7.1 million award for a pedestrian who was hit by an MBTA bus. Attorney Breakstone, a graduate of Northeastern University School of Law, has practiced in Boston for more than 30 years.
David W. White
Attorney David W. White has been selected as a Top 100 New England Super Lawyer, a Top 100 Massachusetts Super Lawyer and Massachusetts Super Lawyer numerous times over his career. He was recognized on the 2017 Massachusetts Super Lawyers list as a top rated personal injury attorney. A past president of the Massachusetts Bar Association, Attorney White has practiced law in Boston for almost 35 years. A graduate of Northeastern University School of Law, Attorney White has been recognized for his work on personal injury cases, as well as in insurance law. Attorney White’s settlements and verdicts include $4.35 million for a construction accident victim and $2.5 million for a client who suffered severe burns due to a homeowner’s negligence.
Ronald E. Gluck
Attorney Ronald E. Gluck is an accomplished, widely respected and results-driven lawyer who has obtained multi-million dollar awards for his clients in a range of serious personal injury cases for over 35 years. Each year since 2005, Mr. Gluck has been named a top rated personal injury “Super Lawyer” in Massachusetts. His career has focused on cases ranging from those involving pedestrians, bicyclists and motorcyclists injured or killed by the negligence of others to disasters involving train crashes, truck accidents and medical malpractice causing wrongful death, traumatic brain injury and severe orthopedic injury. Attorney Gluck’s approach is to get the best results in the most efficient and effective manner for his clients while making sure that the responsible party is held accountable for their negligence. Following the attacks of 9-11, Mr. Gluck donated his time and expertise to represent the family of a young professional who was killed while a passenger aboard the American Airlines plane that crashed into the World Trade Center. Awards and settlements for Mr. Gluck’s clients include a $3.75 million award to a motorcyclist who suffered brain injuries; $2.5 million to a businessman who suffered spinal injuries in an 18-wheel truck crash; $2 million to the family of a child with mental health disabilities who died as a result of medical negligence, and a confidential settlement to the family of a physician who was hit and killed by a truck while she was riding a bicycle. Mr. Gluck is widely known and respected for his technical legal skills as well as his compassion and professionalism.
| Our Results for Clients | |
|---|---|
| $10.2 million | Award for an infant injured by ambulance malpractice |
| $7.5 million | Award for family which lost a loved one in a propane gas explosion |
| $7.5 million | Award for an infant who suffered severe brain injury from medical malpractice during and after anesthesia |
| $7.1 million | Award for a woman who was hit by an MBTA bus |
| $5.7 million | Award for the victim of medical malpractice |
| $4.35 million | Award for a worker who fell as a result of a defective railing |
| $3.75 million | Award for a motorcyclist who was hit by a negligent driver |
About Breakstone, White & Gluck
In 2017, Breakstone, White & Gluck celebrated our 25th year of serving clients who have been injured in personal injury, car accident and medical malpractice cases. We represent clients in Boston, Cambridge, Somerville, Quincy and across Massachusetts. If you have been injured by someone else’s negligence, learn your legal rights. Contact us for a free legal consultation at 800-379-1244 or 617-723-7676. You can also send us a message using our contact form.
Aerial Photos of Cambridge’s Inman Square Show Safety Improvements for Cyclists
We had a fun opportunity to see Inman Square from up high a few weeks ago. Here are some of our photos:
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- Inman Square in Cambridge. The Inman Square Fire House – or Cambridge Fire Department Station 5 – is on the left. Central Square is up ahead.
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- Looking down Hampshire Street from Inman Square. You can see a few birds made our photo, as did a driver in the bike lane. Not where he is supposed to be. Drivers, please stay out of the bike lane!
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- Up high over Inman Square in Cambridge.
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- Looking over Inman Square toward the City of Boston.
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- Directly over the intersection of Hampshire and Cambridge streets.
The City of Cambridge has worked to improve safety for cyclists in Inman Square, recently adding new separated bike lanes on both sides of Cambridge Street, from Inman Square to Quincy Street, which approaches Harvard Square. This is .7 miles of new bike lanes with paint, flex posts and other temporary materials to help cyclists stand out. And the new lanes pass Cambridge Rindge & Latin, which serves more than 1,900 high school students. Last fall, the city also banned drivers from making certain left turns in Inman Square, after many years of bike crashes followed by a fatal bike accident last June.
Hampshire and Cambridge streets cross at Inman Square. In our photos, you can see a stretch of green bike lanes on Hampshire Street. These intersect with the new bike lanes on Cambridge Street, which are less visible, but they are there.
All the bike lanes look great. We hope they make the commute safer for cyclists and everyone on the roads.
More About Inman Square
Inman Square, known for its distinctive shops and restaurants, comes together around Hampshire and Cambridge streets. But there are several other streets that also meet here, making for a complicated intersection. These include Antrium Street, Fayette Street, Inman Street and Springfield Street. Prospect Street is at the other side of the triangle and the Somerville city line is nearby.
Inman Square on Google Maps.
The Inman Square Fire House – or Cambridge Fire Department Station 5 – and the Mayor Alfred E. Vellucci Community Plaza are two Inman Square landmarks. There are also several banks here and a number of businesses named after the neighborhood: Inman Pharmacy, Inman Square Laundromat, Inman Square Hardware, as well as Inman Square Apartments. Restaurants include City Girl Cafe, 1369 Coffee House and Punjabi Dhaba.
This area is not served by a MBTA subway station, so you have to drive, take the bus, walk or bike. The Central Square MBTA is just over a half mile away and Harvard Square is a mile. Because of this, many choose to bike. If you don’t have a bike, Inman Square has a Hubway bike share station.
Cycling is not allowed on the sidewalk (as in most business areas in Massachusetts, unless it is posted otherwise). But riding on the street is not easy. There have been numerous bicycle crashes here over the years. So many that Inman Square has been named the second top bike crash location in Massachusetts (Source: 2014 Top Crash Locations from MassDOT, dated August 2016). Only Central Square in Cambridge sees more bike accidents. In fact, nine out of the 10 top bike crash locations in Massachusetts are in Cambridge and Somerville, which is why the new protected bike lanes are so important.
After years of bike accidents in Inman Square, there was a fatal bike crash in June 2016, when a cyclist was tragically killed right at Hampshire and Cambridge streets. Amanda Phillips, just 27 years old, collided with a Jeep door which was left open. She was then struck by a landscaping truck. A few months later, another cyclist was killed by a truck crash in Porter Square, raising questions about safety there.
Back in Inman Square, the city banned motor vehicle traffic from making left-hand turns on key streets in October 2016. Motorists were banned from turning left from Hampshire Street onto Cambridge Street – and vice versa. They were also prohibited from turning left on Cambridge Street onto Antrium Street southbound. The city has strictly enforced the ban. The Cambridge Police Department issued more than 200 tickets in the first month of the new restriction; 133 drivers alone were ticketed within a 15-day period.
If you haven’t visited Cambridge in a while, you can expect to see a few changes next time you do. Cambridge Street is just one area with new bicycle lanes. For those who live or work in Inman Square – or commute through – you already know these streets well and have seen the changes firsthand. But please take a look at our photos and share them with others. The more drivers, cyclists and pedestrians understand about this intersection, the more prepared they will be to follow traffic rules, which will reduce bike crashes and pedestrian accidents.
About Breakstone, White & Gluck
Breakstone, White & Gluck is a Boston law firm specializing in personal injury. For more than 25 years, we have committed to supporting cyclists and improving safety conditions in Massachusetts. We support numerous bicycle clubs and advocacy groups, including MassBike, Boston Cyclists Union, Charles River Wheelmen, New England Mountain Bike Association (NEMBA) and the Northeast Bicycle Club (NEBC).In 2017, we finished the fifth year of our Project KidSafe campaign, which has donated more than 15,000 bicycle helmets to children. Wearing a helmet is required by law for cyclists 16 and under in Massachusetts, but we want to encourage every cyclist to wear a helmet every time they ride. We have over 40 community partners helping us send out that message, including in Cambridge and Somerville.
In Cambridge, we partner with the Cambridge Police Department, CYCLE Kids and the Windsor Street Care Center to make donations each year. In Somerville, we have long partnered with Kiwanis Club of Somerville, CYCLE Kids and Somerville Public Schools, Groundwork Somerville and Shift Bicycle Community Collective.
Learn more Breakstone, White & Gluck
Visit our website to learn more about our support for cyclists, our Project KidSafe campaign or to meet our lawyers.
Massachusetts Lawmakers Consider Bill to Prevent Insurance Companies from Dog Breed Discrimination
Massachusetts lawmakers are considering a bill to prevent insurance companies from discriminating against homeowners who own certain dog breeds.
Massachusetts lawmakers are considering a bill to prevent insurance companies from discriminating against homeowners based on their dog’s breed.
Rep. Jack M. Lewis (D-Framingham) is the sponsor of H.554, which would ensure dog owners can buy insurance to provide compensation to anyone injured by their pet.
Under the proposed bill, insurance companies would not be allowed to refuse to offer homeowners insurance or renters insurance coverage based on the specific breed of an individual’s dog. The insurer would be prohibited from refusing to issue a policy, renewing a policy, canceling a policy or raising the premium based on the dog’s breed.
The bill provides an exception for a dog which has been designated a “dangerous dog,” by a local community.
At Breakstone, White & Gluck, our attorneys have represented victims of Massachusetts dog bite attacks for more than 30 years. Massachusetts has a strict law when it comes to dog bites. Under M.G.L. c.140 § 155, a dog owner or keeper is strictly liable for injuries inflicted by a dog. Their homeowners insurance policy typically provides compensation to the victim. With the exception of young children, victims have to show they were not teasing or tormenting a dog or trespassing.
Years ago, the cities of Boston, Lowell and Worcester banned certain breeds of dogs, such as pit bills, because they had a reputation for being dangerous. This practice became illegal in Massachusetts in 2012, with passage of St.2012, c.193. Here is a summary of the animal control law written by the Massachusetts Society for Prevention of Cruelty for Animals (MSPCA).
Yet certain insurance companies are still asking about dog breeds. At the State House this week, a representative from the Property and Casualty Insurers Association of America said dogs are the industry’s “single biggest loss.” He was testifying before the Joint Committee on Financial Services.
Meanwhile, the MSPCA supports the Massachusetts bill, saying breed-specific policies are a bad idea. The organization says a better solution is educating the public and dog owners on dog behaviors.
The MSPCA estimates 4.7 million dog bite injuries occur in the U.S. each year, with 800,000 victims requiring medical treatment.
At Breakstone, White & Gluck, we support full compensation for anyone who has been injured by a dog. Young children often suffer dog bite injuries. But others are also at risk. Over the years, our dog bite attorneys have represented clients of all ages who have been bitten suddenly and without warning – including cyclists riding bikes. We have represented clients in the Boston area and across Massachusetts. When a dog bites, medical care is critical – in the hours, days and months following an attack.
This medical care comes with other costs. Victims – or family members – may have to take time off from work to receive medical care and deal with the emotional pain and stress of a dog bite attack. Our attorneys have represented those injured by dogs as well as family members who witnessed the terrifying attack and suffered severe emotional distress as a result. It is a long journey back after a dog bite injury and it’s important for insurance companies to provide compensation.
Our Work for Dog Bite Victims
Read about our results for clients injured by dog bite attacks in Massachusetts.
About Breakstone, White & Gluck
With over 100 years combined experience, Breakstone, White & Gluck specializes in representing those who have been injured by the negligence and wrongdoing of others in Massachusetts. We are experts in handling dog bite and animal attack cases. If you have been injured, learn your rights. For a free legal consultation, contact us at 800-379-1244 or 617-723-7676 or use our contact form.
Parking Lot Accidents Are Common in Massachusetts
There was a sad story in Westford over the weekend, when a woman was hit and killed in a Market Basket parking lot. Police are still investigating, but according to media reports, the 64-year-old woman was putting groceries into the back of her Toyota Highlander SUV, which was hit by another vehicle. The impact caused her SUV to roll back on top of her.
This is not an isolated accident. Parking lot accidents and backovers are frequently reported in every community in Massachusetts, from Boston and Cambridge to Worcester and Framingham. But the latest accident raises the questions: have parking lots become as dangerous as the roads? And what can be done to improve safety? We should all be able to shop safely.
AAA reports 14 percent of all car accidents take place in parking lots. These can range from minor incidents, such as fender benders or someone opening a car door and hitting another vehicle. Other times, someone is seriously injured or killed, from backovers or speeding drivers.
AAA reports distracted drivers are contributing to parking lot accidents. Drivers are more focused on talking to other passengers, turning the radio dial or checking their cell phone. Others are too focused on finding the best parking spot.
In Massachusetts, parking lot car accidents have been reported in Acton, Wilmington and Natick.
- Acton Pedestrian Death at Trader Joe’s. In March 2017, an employee leaving Trader Joe’s in Acton was hit by a customer backing an SUV out of a parking space.
- Wilmington Parking Lot Accident. In September 2016, an elderly woman hit and killed a 52-year-old woman in a crosswalk near Rite Aid in Wilmington, then struck two parked cars.
- Natick Shopping Plaza Parking Lot Death. In November 2015, a speeding driver tore through the parking lot outside the Cloverleaf Mall in Natick, just across the street from the Natick Collection (or the old Natick Mall). She went right up onto the sidewalk, hitting and killing a pedestrian outside Harbor Freight Tools. Several others were seriously injured in the car crash.
- Snow Plow Parking Lot Accidents. Snow plow drivers often neglect to look for pedestrians on streets, parking lots and around snowbanks. Vehicles with engines are much easier for snow plow operators to see, but snow plow operators have a responsibility to use reasonable care and look for pedestrians as well as other vehicles. Massachusetts has seen several cases of snow plow drivers operating negligently and causing pedestrians fatal injuries. In 2015, two pedestrians in the Boston area were killed in parking lots by snow plow trucks. A 60-year-old employee at the Whole Foods store in Medford was struck and killed in the store’s parking lot. A few days earlier, a Weymouth woman was killed in the parking lot outside her condo complex.
Parking Lot Safety Tips for Drivers
Carefully pick your space. Make sure you have enough room to park and open your vehicle’s doors. When possible, back into a space so you have a full view of the parking lot when you leave. Also, try to avoid parking next to parents who have to get children in and out of car seats.
Plan your holiday shopping carefully. The days before Thanksgiving and the Friday before Christmas are two of the highest days for auto claims each year, according to AAA. These claims include parking lot accidents.
Take steps to avoid backover accidents. Many parking lot accidents result when drivers back out onto pedestrians without checking their blindspots or mirrors. Drivers can avoid accidents by coming up with a safety checklist for parking lots.
Make it a priority to look around your vehicle and under before you get in the car. Turn off your radio and turn off your cell phone. Instead, open your windows so you can hear any activity outside. Be prepared to stop. Do not rely on your vehicle’s cameras and sensors.
When in doubt, remember it may be better to wait until the parking lot clears out.
Distance yourself. Travel a safe distance behind other vehicles in a parking lot. How many times do you see a driver change their mind about where they want to park or quickly try to beat another car to a space?
Expect pedestrians. This is really the first rule of safety, but we include it last because we want you to remember it. You can always count on pedestrians being in a parking lot. Even though you may be in a rush, you need to slow down and travel with as much care as you would in a school zone, school parking lot or near a senior center.
Beware of snow plows and snow removal equipment. Drivers want to avoid the combination of snow banks, busy shopping times and parking lots, where snow plows and removal equipment are working. There are a lot of elements here and it may be easier to do your shopping another time.
About Breakstone, White & Gluck
With more than 100 years combined experience, the lawyers of Breakstone, White & Gluck specialize in representing those who have been injured in motor vehicle crashes. If you have been injured, learn your rights. For a free legal consultation, call 800-379-1244 or 617-723-7676 or use our contact form.
Redesign Ahead for Waltham’s Most Dangerous Roads and Intersections
Some of the region’s most dangerous roads and intersections are about to be redesigned in Waltham.
The City of Waltham released its 180-page transportation master plan last January. Some of the steps will drastically change the roads – for example, removing a traffic lane on Lexington Street, acquiring land to expand a road and a “super crosswalk.” The goal is to reduce Waltham car accidents and make it easier to travel the city. This is a 10-year master plan, but some changes have already been made.
Over the summer, the city removed a lane of traffic on Lexington Street, from Curve Street to Lake Street. The city’s goal was to reduce car accidents caused by speeding. The speed limit is 30 mph, but drivers often travel 40 to 45 mph.
The street was repainted with two southbound lanes and one northbound lane. Over the first few days, there was a lot of confusion. Some drivers continued to travel on the old lane – head-on into traffic in the new lane – putting vehicles at risk for a collision, according to a news report.
Report: Motor Vehicle Crashes Claimed More Lives in 2016
Fatal car crashes in the U.S. rose more than 5 percent in 2016, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
The roads were far more dangerous in 2016, with 37,461 people killed in motor vehicle crashes across the U.S. This represents a 5.6 percent increase over 2015. Passenger and motorcyclist deaths reached an 8-year high. More cyclists and pedestrians were killed than in any year since the early 1990s.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recently released the 2016 figures from the Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS).
Pedestrian and Cyclist Injuries
Nationwide, 5,987 pedestrians were killed in 2016, representing a 9 percent increase. This is the highest number of pedestrian deaths since 1990. That’s right – the highest in nearly 18 years. Cyclists (called pedalcyclists in the NHTSA report) were also in harm’s way. Across the country, 840 cyclists were killed last year. This is the highest number of cyclist deaths since 1991.
Rise in Passenger Deaths
Last year brought the most passenger deaths in the U.S. since 2008. There was a 4.7 percent increase – or 1,075 more lives lost – over 2015. This counts passengers of passenger cars, SUVs, vans and pick-up trucks. Passengers were only wearing seatbelts in 48 percent of car accidents where seat belt status was known, even though 49 of 50 states have seat belt laws. All 50 states have child passenger safety seat laws.
A good reason to wear a seatbelt: nearly 90 percent of victims who survived fatal daytime crashes last year were buckled in. About 84 percent of nighttime crash survivors were wearing seatbelts.
In Massachusetts, the law requires drivers and passengers to wear seat belts. This law is M.G.L. c.90 § 13A.
Failure to wear a seat belt in Massachusetts is an offense with secondary enforcement. Police officers must have another cause to pull your vehicle over, but if they do and you are not wearing a seat belt, you can be fined $25 for each offense and the violation could impact your insurance rate. You can be fined an additional $25 for each passenger under 16 who is not wearing a seat belt. Older passengers will receive their own $25 fine. But more important than fines, if you are not wearing a seatbelt, you really are putting yourself at great risk.
5 Percent Increase in Motorcycle Fatalities
More than 5,280 motorcyclists were killed in motorcycle crashes last year, a 5.1 percent increase. Again, this was the highest number of motorcycle deaths since 2008. This report did not include a state-by-state breakdown, but motorcyclist deaths in Massachusetts have been climbing in recent years. The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety has reported 44 motorcyclists were killed in Massachusetts in 2015. This was an increase from 2014 and accounted for 14 percent of all traffic deaths in Massachusetts.
Alcohol-Impaired Driving: 28 Percent of All Car Accident Deaths
Drunk drivers killed 37,461 people across the country in 2016, a 1.7 increase over 2015. In Massachusetts, 119 people died in crashes caused by drunk drivers in 2016. This was a 9.2 percent increase. Massachusetts was not alone; 38 states and Washington D.C. saw motor vehicle fatalities caused by drunk drivers rise last year. The other 12 states saw a reduction in fatalities.
Drivers of passenger vehicles were most likely to cause fatal drunk driving crashes; 4,250 drunk drivers caused crashes in 2016, up 3 percent from 2015. Drivers of light pick-up trucks caused 2,052 of these deaths. Drivers of light utility trucks, motorcyclists, vans and large trucks accounted for the rest of fatal crashes. Alcohol-impaired drivers of large trucks caused 58 deaths last year.
Distracted Driving Now Causes 9 Percent of All Motor Vehicle Crash Deaths
Distracted driving caused 9.2 percent of all motor vehicle crash fatalities in the U.S. last year. But the actual number of distracted driving deaths dropped 2.2 percent last year, to 3,450 deaths.
Teens Involved in Fatal Crashes Rise
Drivers age 16 to 20 were involved in 3.6 more fatal crashes in 2016. The actual number of young drivers who died was up .1 percent. But there were 3.6 percent more young drivers, ages 16 to 20, involved in fatal vehicle crashes last year.
About Breakstone, White & Gluck
The Boston car accident lawyers of Breakstone, White & Gluck have over 100 years combined experience representing those who have been injured by negligent or reckless driving. Our attorneys provide aggressive representation and represent those who have been injured by car accidents across Massachusetts, including in Boston, Cambridge, Somerville, Arlington, Waltham and Quincy. If you have been injured, contact our firm for a free legal consultation. Call us at 800-379-1244 or 617-723-7676 or use our contact form.