Feb 28, 2012

Risks of 15-Passenger Vans


Group trips and tours can be a lot of fun. Once the planner/coordinator decides on a mode of transportation that can carry the number of people, the trip is practically set. But the best vehicle for the number of people is not necessarily the safest. Buses are usually used for large groups, but what if you only have 10 to 15 people? With a smaller group, 15-passenger vans tend to be the most popular vehicle. Various groups and organizations, from churches, colleges, hotels, airports, and tour companies regularly use these types of vehicles. Though widely used, 15-passenger vans are actually highly unsafe.

The Problems with 15-Passenger Vans

15-passenger vans were not designed to carry passengers originally. These vehicles were manufactured as cargo vans, and, even though they have been used to carry passengers, they were never redesigned to ensure passenger safety.

Passenger Van Specifics

Passenger vans usually have 5 rows of seats to seat up to 15 people, including the driver. They are federally classified as buses due to their size and must comply with bus safety standards, which have, historically, not been strict enough. Passenger vans are wider, longer, and higher off the ground than typical passenger vehicles, resulting in a higher center of gravity, heavier reliance on side mirrors for changing lanes, more difficult handling, and longer braking distances. Due to these issues, these vans are at an increased risk of traffic accidents, especially rollover crashes.

NHTSA Passenger Van Rollover Contributing Factors

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there are three major contributing factors to passenger van rollover accidents: 
  1. Inexperienced drivers;

  2. Improperly sized and/or inflated tires; and

  3. Incorrectly loaded passengers and/or cargo.

 When to Contact a Massachusetts Motor Vehicle Accident Attorney

If you or a loved has been injured in a Massachusetts passenger van accident, the reputed Boston15-passenger van rollover attorneys with the Kiley Law Group can help you pursue financial compensation for the losses and damages you have suffered as the result of negligent drivers and/or auto manufacturers. To speak to one of our lawyers about your potential claim, contact us today for a free legal consultation at (888) 208-1695.

Feb 21, 2012

Methuen Drunk Driver Causes Pelham Rear-End Injury Crash


Harold Medeiros, a 59-year-old man from Tewksbury, Massachusetts, was arrested after causing a rear-end chain reaction crash in Pelham when a police officer attempted to pull him over, according to UnionLeader.com. He is charged with yellow line violations, a traffic light violation, failure to yield to an emergency vehicle, and DWI.

What Happened?

Police received a call from a motorist that there was a possible drunk driver in a gold SUV on Old Gage Hill Road. The motorist had started following the erratic vehicle in Methuen and called police there; however, once he entered Pelham, he lost his connection to Methuen police and called Pelham law enforcement. He was able to give police the license plate number of the vehicle which was a gold Lexus RX 330.

Medeiros sped up as the police attempted to pull him over, and then crashed into a line of cars stopped at a red light. Four occupants of the other vehicles suffered injuries, though two were treated and released at the scene.

Drunk Driving Accident Statistics

Alcohol-impaired driving causes tens of thousands of injuries and fatalities every year. According to the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 32 percent, or 9,811, of all fatal traffic accidents in 2009 involved drunk drivers. This resulted in 10,839 deaths.

How a Massachusetts Personal Injury Attorney Can Help

Drunk drivers make the choice to drink and drive, making them completely at-fault for any accidents they cause. If you or a loved one has been injured in a drunk driving accident, or any other traffic accident that was caused by the negligent or reckless actions of another, the reputed auto accident lawyers in Boston with the Kiley Law Group can help you hold the at-fault party accountable.

Tom Kiley, the Million Dollar Man, is dedicated to obtaining maximum compensation for his clients so that they may have the support and financial security they need during a difficult recovery. To learn more about getting the compensation you deserve, contact us today for a free legal evaluation at (888) 208-1695.

Feb 16, 2012

Pedestrian Struck, Seriously Injured in Andover Accident


The Eagle Tribune reports that an Andover man sustained serious injuries yesterday after he was hit by a vehicle while he was walking across Dascomb Road in Andover.

What Happened

The unidentified 58-year-old pedestrian was crossing Dascomb Road around 6:00 p.m. when a 56-year-old driver struck him with his Honda Civic.  The pedestrian was reportedly stuck underneath the vehicle, which had to be lifted up in order to rescue the injured man.  One of the man’s shoes was found in the middle of the roadway.

Officials have reported that there was extensive damage to the windshield on the passenger side of the vehicle.  The unnamed pedestrian was rushed to an area hospital before he was transported to a Boston hospital for further medical treatment.

The accident happened in the area of Lovejoy Road.  There is a traffic light at the intersection where the accident occurred.  The roadway was shut down for roughly 4 hours to allow for a reconstruction of the accident.  Authorities are continuing to investigate the serious pedestrian accident.

Do You Need Legal Advice?  Contact a Massachusetts Pedestrian Accidents Attorney

If you have been seriously injured by a motor vehicle while walking or biking on a roadway in Massachusetts, contact the dedicated Massachusetts pedestrian accidents attorneys with Kiley Law Group to find out about your legal options before you sign any forms, talk to the insurance company, or hire a lawyer.

Our experienced personal injury lawyers have 30 years of experience and a successful track record of obtaining seven figure wins for our clients in auto accident cases, medical malpractice, child birth injuries, brain injuries, and other injury cases. 

Call us today at 800-410-2769 to receive your 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.

Feb 1, 2012

Massachusetts Takes Step Towards Handheld Cellphone Ban While Driving

According to a recent Boston Globe article, Massachusetts is a step closer to banning drivers in the Commonwealth from using a handheld cellphone while at the wheel.

The Legislature’s Joint Transportation Committee recently approved a bill that would outlaw drivers in Massachusetts from dialing numbers, talking on, or even holding a cellphone while driving.

The Committee unanimously voted 8-0 in favor of the bill, which will now travel to the House and Senate for review. If the bill were to eventually become law, Massachusetts would be the 10th state in the U.S. that prohibits drivers from using their cellphones.

The proposed bill would let drivers communicate using hands-free technology but nothing more. Drivers who have cellphones that aren’t equipped with this type of technology will have to pull over to make a call or will have to wait to talk on their phones once they reach their destination.

Massachusetts passed the Safe Driving Law in September of 2010 which prohibited drivers ages 18 and younger from using a cellphone while at the wheel. The Safe Driving Law also banned all Massachusetts drivers from texting.

Since the Safe Driving Law was put into effect, one of the challenges that law enforcement has faced has been telling the difference between when a driver is dialing a number on a cellphone or when they’re texting. If the newly proposed bill by the Committee is eventually made into law, there would no longer be a need to differentiate the two actions, as both would be illegal.

In the coming months, we should have an update on where this bill stands in the Legislature. Until then, remember to drive safely.

When Should You Call a Massachusetts Car Accidents Attorney? Have you or a loved one experienced serious injuries in a car accident in Massachusetts due to another driver’s distracted driving?

Call a Massachusetts car accidents attorney with Kiley Law Group at 800-410-2769 to find out about your legal options.