North Andover DUI Mom Had Child in Car All 3 Times

Meghan Thomas, 29, of North Andover, was arrested three times in last week for driving while intoxicated, resisting arrest and assaulting police. Her 7-year-old boy was in the car with her during all three arrests.

Thomas was first arrested on February 14th in a Walmart parking lot after she allegedly struck a snowbank with her car. She resisted the arrest and was charged with assaulting a police office. Her car was impounded, so when she allegedly attempted to break into to the impound lot to get her car with a man, she was arrested again and charged with criminal trespassing, criminal mischief and theft of services.

Three days later Thomas was arrested again, this time for aggravated DWI. According to polce, she said she had been drinking blueberry vodka, Lorazepam and Adderall.
Thomas pleaded not guilty on Wednesday to the drunk driving charges and for assaulting a police officer. She is currently held in jail, though her family is looking for ways to bail her out.

Thomas had a previous DWI arrest in 2003 for drunk driving in New York.

Drunk Driving Accidents
Drunk driving is responsible for about a third of all fatal accidents in the United States. Drunk driving with a child in car is even worse, and points to irresponsible parenting. It not only endangers the life of the mother, but puts an innocent child in great risk of injury or death.

Thomas’s son was lucky he was not injured during his mother’s drunk driving.

To find out more about the drunk driving laws in Massachusetts and New Hampshire, see Melanie’s Law. The future cannot come soon enough when it comes to preventing intoxicated driving.

Haverhill Man Killed, Peabody Man Injured in Route 128 Accident

Wallace Arnott, 56, of Haverhill died in a three-vehicle accident yesterday morning on Route 128 in Peabody. Kenneth Weeden, 52, of Peabody was another driver involved in the accident and he was seriously injured. The third driver involved, Rita Tavarez, 42, of Chelsea did not suffer any injuries in the crash.

The accident occurred at about 6:45am on the northbound side of 128 near the exit for Lowell Street.  Arnott was found unconscious at the scene and was taken to a local hospital before being flown to a Boston hospital, where he was pronounced dead later that day.  Weeden was rushed to an area hospital for serious injuries stemming from the crash.

While the exact cause of the crash is still under investigation, police are reporting that it involved a chain reaction of rear-end collisions with the three vehicles.  Another accident occurred moments afterward on the southbound side of 128, directly opposite of the 3-car northbound crash.

Fatal Accident Statistics
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there were 334 individuals who were killed in 2009 as a result of motor vehicle accidents across Massachusetts.  There were 250 deadly crashes that same year in the state that involved up to two vehicles being driven straight ahead on a highway or other roadway.  Our thoughts and condolences are with the families involved in this multi-vehicle accident in Massachusetts.  

When to Contact a Massachusetts 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 personal injury attorneys 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.

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.       

Haverhill Teen Driver Hits Oncoming Car, 2 in Critical Condition

Aaron Deveau, 17, of Haverhill drove his Chevy Malibu over the center line and into the oncoming lane of traffic at the intersection of River Street and Cliffe Avenue in Haverhill Sunday afternoon, crashing head-on into a Toyota Corolla and leaving both occupants in the Corolla seriously injured.

According to The Eagle Tribune, Donald Bowley, 55, of Danville, NH and Luz Selena Roman, 58 of Haverhill were driving in Bowley’s Corolla around 2:30pm when they were struck by Deveau.  Both Bowley and Roman were transported by helicopter to a Boston hospital for treatment and were listed in critical condition as of Sunday night. 

Police are investigating the cause of the crash.  Charges have not been filed against Deveau at this time.

When to Contact a Massachusetts 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 attorney at 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.       

What is the Driver Fatigue Law in MA?

Driver fatigue doesn’t get the attention that drunk driving does, but it can be equally dangerous.  There are about 56,000 car crashes each year that are directly related to driver fatigue, according to SmartMotorist.com.  These accidents all too often end in fatalities and individuals who suffer serious personal injuries from them.  Thankfully, legislatures across the U.S. are beginning to address the importance of creating laws relative to driver fatigue.  

Maggie’s Law
Maggie’s Law was initially proposed and enacted in New Jersey in 2003 based on a tragic case in which a young woman was killed in a driving fatigue crash.  The driver who struck the young college student’s vehicle had not slept in more than 30 hours.  This law in New Jersey considers this type of driving behavior to be reckless and drowsy drivers could face charges of vehicular homicide.

While there is no driver fatigue law in Massachusetts on the books at the moment, a bill similar to Maggie’s Law was introduced in the Commonwealth’s legislature in 2006.  The majority of the bill failed shortly thereafter, but parts of it did prevail.  One of the successful parts of the bill that passed requires teenage drivers to stay off of the roadways from 12:00am until 5:00am, as younger drivers are at a significantly higher risk to suffer from driver fatigue.  The second aspect of the bill mandates driver fatigue awareness programs for teenagers in order to educate them on the very real dangers of driving while drowsy.

Truck Driver Fatigue
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration regulates transportation companies and their truck drivers around the country.  Truck drivers, by law, are only permitted to drive for a specified number of hours each day and each week and are required to take breaks between demanding drives.  If you’ve been in an accident where the truck driver involved was suffering from driver fatigue, you may be able to pursue damages from not only the truck driver but the parent company for your injuries as well.

Special Commission on Drowsy Driving
This commission was established in Massachusetts to analyze driving fatigue across the state.  In the commission’s report, several risk factors were pinpointed and another bill has since been proposed to the legislature.  If this new bill is passed, it would consider drivers suffering from driver fatigue to be in the same category as intoxicated drivers. 

When to Contact a Massachusetts Injury Lawyer
If you have been seriously injured in a car crash in Massachusetts you should contact a Massachusetts injury attorney to learn about your rights and determine liability. When you are interviewing personal injury attorneys ask critical questions, such as: how long have you been practicing; what is the largest settlement or verdict you’ve obtained, and do you have experience with driver fatigue accidents?

Kiley Law Group takes time when speaking with you about your case and works with you on a contingent fee basis so there are NO FEES unless our trained personal injury lawyers wins your case. Call us now to schedule a FREE evaluation of your case - 1-800-410-2769.

If you have lost someone you love in a motor vehicle accident in Massachusetts, BEFORE you sign any forms, talk to the insurance company or hire any lawyer, get this free Massachusetts accidents book to learn how to avoid making the 7 fatal mistakes after an accident.

Five Myths About Massachusetts Accident Claims

Before pursuing an accident injury claim in Massachusetts on your own, it is worth remembering the five most common myths regarding accident injury claims in Massachusetts, which can only hurt your case.

Myth No. 1

Writing a letter to the insurance company ensures that you will receive a fair settlement proposal.

Well, not really. Unless you own an insurance company, rest assured that the insurance company does not work for you. Like any other business, the insurance company exists to make a profit. Your injury claim gets in the way of that, so their insurance adjusters and lawyers will do anything to make sure you receive the least possible settlement. Do not face them alone. If the insurance company has a lawyer, shouldn’t you as well?

Myth No. 2

You are obliged to give a recorded statement to the insurance company if it requests it, or they won’t settle with you.

Do not be bullied by the insurance company. You are only obliged to give them a recorded statement ONLY if you are under oath in a legally sanctioned interview. DO NOT give any statements until you talk to your lawyer.

Myth No. 3

The defendant’s insurance company is obligated to cover your medical bills.

The defendant’s insurance company is only obligated to pay your medical bills if:

1. They fall under the guidelines of a policy; or,
2. They are ordered to do so by a court of law.

Myth No. 4

There must be some insurance company that will pay your medical bills, lost wages and injuries if someone else caused your accident.

This depends on your and the defendant’s insurance. If you do not have the right coverage for your injuries, and the defendant is uninsured or under-insured, no one is automatically obligated to pay for your injury-related expenses.

Learn about the different types of auto insurance in Massachusetts.

Myth No. 5

Massachusetts juries are generous.

No jury is generous by nature, and insurance companies will spend big money to make sure their voice is heard. Lately, due to propaganda campaigns waged by insurance companies, few juries are naturally generous to accident injury victims, even if they happen to be children.

These myths should not stop you from seeking legal advice. Having an experienced personal injury attorney is your best chance of obtaining a fair settlement, so don’t be afraid to look for one. Personal injury lawyers in Massachusetts work for contingency fees, which means that if they don’t win your case, you don’t have to pay them anything. There are no upfront costs for you.

If you have any questions about how to successfully pursue an accident injury claim in Massachusetts, call 1-800-410-2769 for a Free Consultation with the experienced Massachusetts accident lawyers at Kiley Law Group, LLC.

How Massachusetts Could Put an End to Drunk Driving

In a recent article, Massachusetts was dubbed as one of the worst states in the country by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) because the Commonwealth has only been following 4 of the 11 recommendations made by the NTSB to help stop drunk driving. The federal agency reports that 22 other states, besides Massachusetts, have also only agreed to follow fewer than five of the 11 suggestions. There are six states that currently follow eight or more of the recommendations, but not a single state has adhered to all 11.

This federal effort to curb the nation’s drunk driving problem includes assigning all of the drunk driving cases within a state to one court to handle these types of cases. This would allow for a more consistent approach in sentencing. The NTSB also wants states to stop using plea bargains in drunk driving cases and for an offender’s record to stay as is, instead of states “erasing” charges after an offender has completed a treatment program.

Some of the other recommendations include installing a device that would lock an offender’s ignition in his or her car if alcohol was sensed, and for repeat offenders to have their blood alcohol concentration (BAC) ring in at zero. The federal agency also strongly suggests for states to impound a drunk driver’s vehicle, while confiscating the license plates to that vehicle. Random screens for alcohol are also highly recommended for repeat offenders.

According to the NTSB, the 11 guidelines will translate to fewer incidents involving repeat offenders, fewer deadly motor vehicle crashes and serious injuries that happen far too often in Massachusetts and across the country.

When to Contact a Massachusetts Auto Accidents Lawyer
If you or someone you know has been seriously injured in a motor vehicle accident in Massachusetts because of a drunk driver, BEFORE you sign any forms, talk to the insurance company or hire any 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 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.

Methuen School Bus Takes Turn, Tips Over

This morning around 7:45am a Methuen school bus on its way to the Tenney School tipped over as the bus driver attempted to turn left and ended up getting stuck against a Methuen sewer truck, as workers checked on a manhole in the street.

The accident occurred where Westland Street and Madison Street meet, near Route 110.

Students who were on the school bus were uninjured and were able to catch another bus to make it to school while the scene was cleared.

School Bus Statistics
Each year, school buses across the U.S. pick up 24 million students at bus stops and drop them off at school. On average, the nation’s school buses log over 4 billion miles within a school year.

When to Contact a Massachusetts Auto Accidents Lawyer
Contact the Massachusetts personal 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.

If you have lost someone you love in a motor vehicle accident in Massachusetts, BEFORE you sign any forms, talk to the insurance company or hire any lawyer, get this free Massachusetts accidents book to learn how to avoid making the 7 fatal mistakes after an accident.

MBTA Unveils First New Locomotive in 23 Years

The MBTA unveiled a newly purchased locomotive during a ceremony at South Station in Boston on Monday. The locomotive is the first new purchase in the last 23 years.

Two years ago, the MBTA announced that it will not buy new locomotives for the commuter rail service due to financial difficulties and problems with the two companies that were competing for the contract.

The newly purchased diesel-electric locomotive is one of two new trains obtained from the Utah Transit Authority, MBTA officials said.

The new locomotive addition is one of the ways the MBTA is trying to improve the commuter rail service, which has been recently plagued by delays and breakdowns due to the harsh winter.

According to officials, the new locomotive’s engine is more fuel-efficient and prevents unnecessary idling. Also, the new locomotives will reduce air pollutant levels by 20 tons per engine annually, officials said.

A recent press release stated that existing locomotives burn 228,000 gallons of fuel per year each, resulting in the release of 241 tons of pollutants. The new locomotives will burn about 36,500 less gallons of fuel while generating more horsepower, thus resulting in energy savings of about $78,000 a year per locomotive.

More train purchases are to be expected, since last June, the MassDOT Board of Directors approved the purchase of 20 additional diesel-electric locomotives from Motive Power Inc. of Boise, Idaho at a cost of $114 million. The 20 new locomotives are expected to be brought into service in 2013 as replacements for the 20 oldest units in the fleet.

As Boston accident lawyers, we would like to remind all motorists, motorcyclists, truck drivers, and especially pedestrians, to be extra cautious when approaching train tracks. Even if you are confident that a train is not approaching a crossing, this is not enough to be sure you are safe to cross without using caution. Always check both ways before approaching to cross train tracks and only do so in designated crossing areas.

Super Bowl 2011 Safety Tips

The Super Bowl is one of America’s biggest national sporting events, when friends and families gather to watch the big game and socialize.

However, as with any event where beer is involved, Super Bowl Sunday is one of the most notorious days for drunk driving accidents.

Impaired driving is the underlining cause for about a third of all fatal motor vehicle accidents in the United States, so having a designated driver for your Super Bowl party should be at the top of the list.

Always remember that any fatal accidents can be prevented by simply not allowing a drunk person to get behind the wheel. Fans Don't Let Fans Drive Drunk.

Here’s what you can do to prevent injury and death to your loved ones on Super Bowl Sunday:

1. Don’t Drink and Drive. Designate a sober driver to take you home, or just call a cab at the end of the night.
2. Avoid drinking too much. Pace yourself by eating, alternating with non-alcoholic drinks, and take a break every once in a while.
3. If your friend is driving, don’t let them drink. Also, if you suspect a friend is about to drive while drunk, don’t let them leave your sight. Take the keys away from anyone who intends to drive while impaired.
4. Always wear a seatbelt. It’s your best defense against other impaired drivers.
5. If you are hosting a Super Bowl Party, remember that you can be held liable and prosecuted if someone you served ends up in a drunk-driving accident. Serve more food than alcohol, and be sure to include plenty of non-alcoholic drinks at the party. Stop serving alcohol at the end of the third quarter of the game and start serving coffee and dessert. Make sure that all of your guests leave your house with a sober driver.

With these common sense safety tips in mind, your Super Bowl party will be remembered for the great game, the great people and food, and not for that terrible drunk driving accident.

Have an awesome Super Bowl Sunday!!!

Driver Identified in Update on Car, Body Found in Merrimack River

Charles Moncousky, 64, of North Hampton, NH has been identified by police as the driver who plunged 100 feet off of the Whittier Bridge into the Merrimack River in Newburyport on Route 95 Monday night at about 10:00pm.

Rescue teams searched the frigid water and located Moncousky around 12:00am inside his Toyota Camry that was submerged 20 feet below the river’s surface. State police and various other authorities are involved in the on-going investigation into the fatal crash.

When to Contact a Massachusetts Car Accidents Lawyer
If you have lost a loved one 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 any lawyer, get this free Massachusetts accidents book to learn how to avoid making the 7 fatal mistakes after an accident.

Contact the Boston car accident lawyers at 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.

Toyota Plummets into Merrimack River in Newburyport, Body Found in Car

The identity of a body found in the Merrimack River has yet to be identified, but authorities are continuing to investigate the tragic crash that occurred last night around 8:00pm when the Toyota the individual was in reportedly drove off of the Whittier Bridge in Newburyport and landed in the icy water below. 

The barriers on the side of the bridge were covered in snow and officials involved are looking into if they played a role in the deadly crash.  Emergency personnel and the Coast Guard searched the freezing Merrimack and eventually located the body in the submerged Toyota some time after 12:00am this morning. 

Only one lane was open on 95 north for several hours following the crash while workers searched for the vehicle and individual involved.

Deadly Crashes in Massachusetts
In Massachusetts in 2009, 334 people died in car crashes.  Of those deadly crashes, about 50 percent involved passenger cars. 

While the investigation is on-going, we hope that the questions surrounding this accident will be answered in the days ahead.

When to Contact a Boston Car Accident Lawyer
If you or someone you know has been seriously injured 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 any lawyer, get this free Massachusetts accidents book to learn how to avoid making the 7 fatal mistakes after an accident.

Contact the Boston car 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.

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.