Mar 31, 2011

Haverhill MBTA Worker Rescued after Fall Down 30-foot Shaft in Boston

Edward Rowe, 46, of Haverhill fell down a 30-foot shaft near the Red Line tunnel at Charles Circle in Boston early yesterday morning, suffering serious injuries to both of his legs in a work accident. The Eagle Tribune reported today that Rowe is an electrician with the MBTA and had been working on an area in between the Red Line tracks at about 4:30am Wednesday for the Longfellow Bridge construction project. As he was shutting down the electrical power to the third rail, he fell through wooden boards that were covering the hole. He landed 30 feet below the surface onto the concrete floor and waited nearly 3 hours for emergency workers to rescue him and rush him to an area hospital.

Members of the Boston Fire Department’s technical rescue team were able to rappel down the shaft and secure a harness around Rowe in order to pull him back up to the surface. Service to the Red Line was stopped during the rescue and resumed at about 8:00am. MBTA General Manager Richard Davey reported that every shaft covered with wooden boards and planks would now be replaced with metal coverings. Rowe has been an electrician with the MBTA for nearly 30 years.

When to Contact a Massachusetts Personal Injury Lawyer
If you or someone you know has been in an accident in Massachusetts due to someone else’s recklessness, BEFORE you sign any forms or talk to the insurance company, contact the Massachusetts personal injury attorneys with Kiley Law Group to find out about your legal options.

Our personal injury lawyers have 30 years of experience and successful track record of obtaining seven figure wins for our clients in auto accident cases, medical malpractice, child birth injuries, brain injuries, and other personal injury cases. Call 800-410-2769 to receive a free legal consultation.

And while the call is free, the information may be priceless.


DISCLAIMER: The Kiley Law Group is not representing any of the parties mentioned in this article at the time the article was posted. Our information source is cited within the article. If you were involved in this accident or a similar incident and have questions about your rights and legal options, call us at 800-410-2769, or another reputable law firm. Do not act solely upon the information provided herein. Get a legal evaluation. We provide a free, confidential consultation to all not-at-fault persons named in this article and to their family members as well.

Mar 29, 2011

Lawrence Man Dies in Route 213 Accident

Tristan Palmer, 25, of Lawrence died in a tragic crash Saturday morning around 12:30am on Route 213 in Methuen. According to The Eagle Tribune, Palmer was driving his Saturn Ion on the I-495 ramp off Route 213 when he somehow lost control, drove through a guardrail, down an embankment off the highway and landed with the front end of the Saturn on the ground and the roof of the vehicle up against a tree.

Emergency workers responded to the fatal car crash and rushed Palmer to an area hospital before having him transferred by helicopter to a Boston hospital, where he was pronounced dead Saturday evening. Speed has been named as a contributing factor in the crash by authorities, who continue to investigate the crash with reconstruction specialists.

Fatal Car Accidents in Massachusetts
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration manages the Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), which maintains details of all fatal accidents across the U.S. each year. According to FARS, 251 fatal accidents in Massachusetts in 2009 involving single and multiple vehicles occurred while the cars were being driving straight ahead on a roadway or highway. That same year, 31 deadly crashes took place while a car was either merging onto a ramp or highway or changing lanes.

When to Contact a Massachusetts Injury Attorney
If you or someone you know has been in a motor vehicle accident in Massachusetts due to someone else’s recklessness, BEFORE you sign any forms, talk to the insurance company or hire a lawyer, get this free Massachusetts accidents book to learn how to avoid making the 7 fatal mistakes after an accident.

Contact the Massachusetts injury lawyers with Kiley Law Group to find out about your legal options. Our car accident lawyers have 30 years of experience and successful track record of obtaining seven figure wins for our clients in auto accident cases, medical malpractice, child birth injuries, brain injuries, and other personal injury cases. Call 800-410-2769 to receive a free legal consultation.

And while the call is free, the information may be priceless.


DISCLAIMER: The Kiley Law Group is not representing any of the parties mentioned in this article at the time the article was posted. Our information source is cited within the article. If you were involved in this accident or a similar incident and have questions about your rights and legal options, call us at 800-410-2769, or another reputable law firm. Do not act solely upon the information provided herein. Get a legal evaluation. We provide a free, confidential consultation to all not-at-fault persons named in this article and to their family members as well.

Mar 22, 2011

NH Man Dies in 3-Car Crash in North Andover

Raymond Leclerc, 47, of Manchester, N.H. was killed at the scene of a 3-car crash on Route 114 by the intersection of Route 125 in North Andover early yesterday morning just before 5:30am. Leclerc reportedly collided with an electrical supply truck near where the Royal Crest apartments and Merrimack College are located on 114. The driver of the truck, Thomas Dantoni, also of Manchester, was injured in the crash but was able to escape the truck before it caught on fire. Dantoni was treated at an area hospital. A third driver, Brent Thompson, was also involved, though it is unclear at this time exactly how. Thompson suffered minor injuries and was also treated at a local hospital following the deadly crash. Route 114 was shut down by officials for several hours while the investigation was underway.

Statistics on Fatal Accidents
The Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has reported that a total of 334 people were killed in the Bay State in 2009 as a direct result of deadly car accidents across the state. There were 250 fatal crashes that occurred that same year involving one or two vehicles going straight ahead on a highway. Our thoughts are with the families affected by yesterday’s tragic accident.

When to Contact a Massachusetts Auto Accidents Lawyer
If you or someone you know has been in a motor vehicle accident in Massachusetts due to someone else’s recklessness, BEFORE you sign any forms, talk to the insurance company or hire a lawyer, get this free Massachusetts accidents book to learn how to avoid making the 7 fatal mistakes after an accident.

Contact the Massachusetts auto accident lawyers of Kiley Law Group to find out about your legal options. Our car accident lawyers have 30 years of experience and successful track record of obtaining seven figure wins for our clients in auto accident cases, medical malpractice, child birth injuries, brain injuries, and other personal injury cases. Call 800-410-2769 to receive a free legal consultation.

And while the call is free, the information may be priceless.

Mar 21, 2011

Proving Negligence in a Boston Truck Accident

If you are involved in the early stages of a car or truck accident case, here are the 5 elements of a negligence case that you need to know about:

  1. Duty: This is established when the judge determines that the defendant owed a duty of care to the plaintiff, as long as there is an identifiable connection between them. As an example, a driver on the road has a duty to all other drivers to obey the rules of road
  2. Breach of Duty: This is determined when the judge establishes that the defendant broke his duty to the plaintiff. An example of this would be a defendant driving recklessly on a roadway
  3. Cause in Fact: The plaintiff must prove that his injuries were caused solely by the defendant’s negligence
  4. Proximate Cause: This element establishes that the defendant is only responsible for the injuries that the defendant could have foreseen. All drivers know that driving recklessly is dangerous, so if the defendant was driving recklessly, he would therefore be aware that his driving could result in an accident and injuries
  5. Damages: The last element of negligence requires the plaintiff to prove that the defendant’s negligent actions resulted in damages to the plaintiff

In Boston truck accidents, the defendant can be found liable by using the elements of negligence outlined above. A truck driver or the company that he or she works for can be found negligent if the driver did not do enough to avoid the accident or was speeding at the time of the crash. The trucking company could also be found liable if the trucks were not adequately maintained or serviced.

In filing a lawsuit against a trucking company or another driver, you and your attorney will need to prove that the defendant was negligent, which directly resulted in your injuries. Helpful documents to request that will support your case are police reports, medical records, and any witness accounts.

Contact a Boston car accidents lawyer with Kiley Law Group to find out about your legal options. Our attorneys have 30 years of experience and a successful track record of obtaining seven figure wins for our clients in auto accident cases, wrongful death, medical malpractice, child birth injuries, brain injuries, and other personal injury cases. Call 800-410-2769 to receive a free legal consultation. And while the call is free, the information may be priceless.

Mar 18, 2011

Senior Driver Accident Statistics in Massachusetts

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation reports that intersections are the most commonly cited places for car accidents to occur that involve elderly drivers. The two leading causes for these crashes are when a senior driver fails to yield to traffic that has the right of way and when turning left against the opposite lane of travel. These two instances account for the majority of accidents caused by senior drivers in the Commonwealth.

While the department emphasizes that driving is based on one’s physical and mental ability, not one’s age, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has reported that elderly drivers cause about 12% of all fatal crashes in the U.S. and cause just under 20% of all deadly accidents involving pedestrians.

In Massachusetts, drivers who are aged 75 or older and who need to renew their driver’s license are required to do so in person at a Registry of Motor Vehicles branch. A vision test must be passed at that time or proof shown that the driver has a Vision Screening Certificate in order for the license to be renewed.

When to Contact a Massachusetts Personal Injury Lawyer
If you or someone you know has been in a motor vehicle accident in Massachusetts due to someone else’s recklessness, BEFORE you sign any forms, talk to the insurance company or hire a lawyer, get this free Massachusetts accidents book to learn how to avoid making the 7 fatal mistakes after an accident.

Contact the Massachusetts injury lawyers of Kiley Law Group to find out about your legal options. Our car accident lawyers have 30 years of experience and successful track record of obtaining seven figure wins for our clients in auto accident cases, medical malpractice, child birth injuries, brain injuries, and other personal injury cases. Call 800-410-2769 to receive a free legal consultation.

And while the call is free, the information may be priceless.

Mar 11, 2011

Massachusetts Pedestrian Accident Statistics

Even though it’s hard to believe, spring is right around the corner and will be bringing warmer weather back into Massachusetts after another brutal New England winter.  As the nicer weather moves in, more people will be heading outside to enjoy the day, which means more pedestrians on the sidewalks and roadways.  Because of this, we want to remind drivers and pedestrians alike to be that much more aware of their surroundings while they’re out and about as the days get warmer in order to prevent pedestrian fatalities in Massachusetts.

Massachusetts Pedestrian Fatalities
In 2009, 48 pedestrians were killed in the Commonwealth in deadly crashes, as reported by the Fatality Analysis Reporting System of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).  Nearly half of these incidents involved a pedestrian who darted or ran into a roadway and was then struck by a car.  There were 8 pedestrian deaths linked to instances where an individual was walking, playing or working in the street and was hit by a vehicle.  Also that year, two pedestrians died as a result of trying to board or get off of a bus or other form of transportation.  In order to reduce pedestrian accident deaths in Massachusetts, please stay alert while you’re out walking and driving this coming spring.

Contact the Massachusetts personal injury attorneys with Kiley Law Group to find out about your legal options.  Our car accident lawyers have 30 years of experience and successful track record of obtaining seven figure wins for our clients in auto accident cases, wrongful death, medical malpractice, child birth injuries, brain injuries, and other personal injury cases.  Call 800-410-2769 to receive a free legal consultation. 

And while the call is free, the information may be priceless.

Mar 8, 2011

1 Killed, 1 Child Injured in 3-Car Lynnfield Accident

Victor Vargas, 42, a taxi driver from Lynn, Massachusetts was killed Friday night, and a 6-year-old boy suffered injuries in a 3-vehicle OUI accident in Lynnfield, Mass.

The fatal crash occurred when a taxi cab first rear-ended a Chevrolet Cobalt, and while both drivers were in the breakdown lane examining the extent of the collision damage, a Chrysler Pacifica crashed into the Cobalt and the taxi driver.

Vargas, the taxi driver was pronounced dead at the hospital, state police said. The child who suffered injuries was in the Cobalt when the Pacifica crashed into it.
  
The Pacifica driver, William Halpin III, 25, of Melrose, was arrested and charged with operating under the influence of drugs and vehicular homicide under the influence of drugs. His other charges include: possession of a class D substance with intent to distribute, speeding and marked lanes violation.

According to police, Halpin admitted to smoking marijuana before the accident. If convicted, Halpin could face up to 15 years in prison.

OUI Accidents in Massachusetts
Operating under the influence of drugs is a dangerous activity which often leads to accidents. Together with drunk driving, it is responsible for about a third of all fatal accidents in the United States.

Find out more about the OUI laws in Massachusetts, and ways to prevent intoxicated driving.

How a Massachusetts Wrongful Death Attorney Can Help
If you have lost a loved one in a similar accident in Massachusetts, you may have a legal right to file a wrongful death claim against the negligent party. To find out about your legal options, contact the Boston wrongful death lawyers at the Kiley Law Group for a FREE Legal Evaluation of your accident case.

Call 1-800-410-2769 to schedule your Free Consultation.

DISCLAIMER: The Kiley Law Group is not representing any of the parties mentioned in this article at the time the article was published. If you were involved in this accident or a similar incident and have questions about your rights and legal options, call us at 800-410-2769, or another reputable law firm. Do not act solely upon the information provided herein. Get a legal evaluation. We provide a free, confidential consultation to all not-at-fault persons named in this article and to their family members as well.

Mar 3, 2011

MBTA Train Accident in Gloucester Claims Life of Unknown Man

According to The Gloucester Times, an MBTA commuter rail train on its way to Rockport hit and killed an unknown man last night as the northbound train was traveling through Babson Reservoir in Gloucester at about 7:30pm.  Authorities could not positively identify the victim’s body after the tragic accident occurred and are working on identifying him today.  If police investigating this accident rule that it resulted from the train operator's negligence, the man’s family could potentially pursue a wrongful death lawsuit

Officials were reconstructing the accident at the Babson Reservoir for more than three hours Wednesday night.  Passengers who were on the commuter train that hit the unidentified man were shuttled by bus to Rockport.  Commuters who were waiting at the Gloucester station took buses to Rockport, as the track was shut down between Gloucester and Rockport following the accident.

U.S. Pedestrian Fatalities
Roughly 4,100 pedestrians were killed in deadly accidents in 2009 in the U.S., according to reports by the Fatality Analysis Reporting System of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).  More than 1,000 of these fatal accidents involving pedestrians  happened between 6:00pm and 8:59pm in the evening during that year.  Also in 2009, there were 48 pedestrian accident deaths in Massachusetts and most of these pedestrian fatalities in Massachusetts took place in the morning hours between 6:00am and 8:59am.

When to Contact a Massachusetts Wrongful Death Attorney
Contact a Massachusetts wrongful death lawyer with Kiley Law Group to find out about your legal options.  Our car accident lawyers have 30 years of experience and successful track record of obtaining seven figure wins for our clients in auto accident cases, wrongful death, medical malpractice, child birth injuries, brain injuries, and other personal injury cases.  Call 800-410-2769 to receive a free legal consultation.  And while the call is free, the information may be priceless.

Mar 2, 2011

What Car Insurance Coverage Do You Need?

If you’re trying to find the best insurance coverage for your car or to simply understand the terms in researching the types of coverages available, here is some basic information on the policies offered in Massachusetts.

Bodily Injury to Others
This type of coverage protects you if someone else gets injured because of your negligence behind the wheel or if another operator was carelessly driving your car.  If your policy’s liability limits are the minimum coverage in Massachusetts of $20,000 for every injured individuals and $40,000 for every accident, your insurance provider will not pay one cent over $20,000 for each injured person and $40,000 for a single accident.  If the injuries and damages from an accident exceed these figures, you may be found personally liable for additional bills.  You can protect yourself from this type of situation by buying more coverage.

Personal Injury Protection (PIP)
This option can provide up to $8,000 medical bills or lost wages from your job.  Your provider will pay expenses of medical treatment for any person who was hurt in an accident while in your car.  This coverage does not take into account who was at fault.  A pedestrian with this coverage who is hit by a car could also benefit from PIP.  However, this coverage does not provide for those who are hurt while riding a motorcycle.  

Property Damage Liability
This covers payments for damage to another person’s property that was a result of negligent or reckless driving.  Massachusetts has a minimum requirement for this type of coverage set at $5,000, which may not cover repairs to a car or a house, for example.  You are able to buy more PDL coverage and it is typically affordable.

Uninsured Motorist (UM) and Underinsured Motorist Coverage (UIM)
UM plans protect you in the event you are hurt by a negligent driver who was either unknown or did not carry insurance.  UIM coverage protects you if a negligent or reckless driver has insufficient insurance and can’t cover your expenses from the accident.

Medical Payment Coverage
This option pays for expenses directly stemming from an accident, such as medical bills and funeral arrangements.  Limits of $5,000 are available and can cover you, your family, and others who are in your car at the time of the crash.  Motorcyclists are encouraged to purchase this coverage as the PIP option is unavailable. 

Comprehensive
It helps to have this option if your car is damaged by anything other than a car accident, such as a fire, fallen trees, thefts, or acts of vandalism.  Deductibles are common with this option, so a $50 deductible would mean that you pay $50 towards the damage and your insurance provider would cover the rest.

Collision
With this option, your insurance provider will pay for any damage to your car as a result of a crash.  Deductibles are also common with this type of coverage.

When to Contact a Massachusetts Personal Injury Lawyer

If you or someone you know has been in a motor vehicle accident in Massachusetts due to someone else’s recklessness, BEFORE you sign any forms, talk to the insurance company or hire a lawyer, get this free Massachusetts accidents book to learn how to avoid making the 7 fatal mistakes after an accident.

Contact a Massachusetts injury lawyer with Kiley Law Group to find out about your legal options.  Our car accident lawyers have 30 years of experience and successful track record of obtaining seven figure wins for our clients in auto accident cases, medical malpractice, child birth injuries, brain injuries, and other personal injury cases.  Call 800-410-2769 to receive a free legal consultation. 

And while the call is free, the information may be priceless.

Mar 1, 2011

Gas Prices Soar Amid Unrest in Middle East, North Africa

The turbulence continuing in the Middle East and in North Africa has caused U.S. gasoline prices to skyrocket over the past few weeks. According to an article in The Eagle Tribune, regular gasoline has gone up nearly 20 cents in Massachusetts since the political protests began abroad and soon spread to other surrounding countries. The price for regular gas per gallon is now averaging about $3.30 in the Commonwealth with no end in sight, making it quite a painful experience to fill up the tank, especially for those who drive SUVs.

The national average for a gallon of regular gas is $3.36, compared with $2.70 a year ago. The highest average recorded on the national level was in July of 2008, with regular gas at a staggering $4.11 for a gallon. As of now, the price of a barrel of crude oil is about $100. If it reaches $120 a barrel, the price we pay at the pump could jump up to $4 per gallon.

Local economists and professors report that it’s too early to tell how much we’ll be paying over the next few months, but if the unrest continues abroad, drivers here and around the country will only be going out when they need to and rather than whenever they want to.

When to Contact a Massachusetts Personal Injury Attorney
If you or someone you know has been in a motor vehicle accident in Massachusetts due to someone else’s recklessness, BEFORE you sign any forms, talk to the insurance company or hire a lawyer, get this free Massachusetts accidents book to learn how to avoid making the 7 fatal mistakes after an accident.

Contact the Massachusetts personal injury lawyers with Kiley Law Group to find out about your legal options. Our car accident lawyers have 30 years of experience and successful track record of obtaining seven figure wins for our clients in auto accident cases, medical malpractice, child birth injuries, brain injuries, and other personal injury cases. Call 800-410-2769 to receive a free legal consultation.

And while the call is free, the information may be priceless.