March Brings Snowstorm to Merrimack Valley

It is almost spring, but nature has other plans for Massachusetts. The start of March brought a snowstorm to the Merrimack Valley and surrounding areas with about five to six inches of snow, according to The Eagle Tribune. Methuen and Haverhill schools had to close and city workers were on roads salting, sanding, and plowing for hours on end. Police also reported several auto accidents caused by the last minute winter snowfall.

Driving in the Snow

Some schools may have been closed but others remained open, requiring that parents still drive their kids to school. Also, people still had to drive to work. When snow falls, it creates a lot of activity on the road, especially on main streets and highways where city employees head first for plowing and treating with salt and/or sand.

You never know what Mother Nature has up her sleeve as the seasons are about to change, which means you always need to be ready for anything. Here are a few safety reminders about driving in the snow for the last days of winter:

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• Slow down and increase your following distance; rear-end collisions are common on icy roads because drivers don’t leave extra stopping room.


• Brake gently; slamming the brakes can cause skidding.
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• Turn your headlights on.


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• Make sure your windows are clean, inside and out; treating them with a water-repelling/shedding material is also a good idea.


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• Do not pass sand trucks or snow plows; they have limited visibility, and the road in front of them is most likely worse than behind.


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• Be prepared for “black ice;” It is difficult to see, but if you notice a slick-looking or glaring section of the road, expect that it is icy.


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• Be careful not to over-steer; turning the wheel too much can cause the car to slide.

Contacting a Massachusetts Personal Injury Lawyer

Most drivers take driving in snow and ice very seriously. They follow every possible safety measure to ensure that they not only stay in one piece themselves but also keep other motorists safe as well. Unfortunately, there are those who do not take the proper safety precautions on icy roads.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a winter car accident due to another driver’s negligent or reckless operation of their vehicle in snow or otherwise inclement weather, you may be entitled to pursue legal action. The experienced car accident attorneys in Boston at the Kiley Law Group are committed to obtaining maximum compensation for our clients and can help you get the support you need while you recover from your injuries.

To learn more about your legal rights and options, do not hesitate to call us today at (888) 208-1695 for a free legal consultation.

The Big Dig: Facing the Aftermath of Wednesday's Storm in Lawrence

The Merrimack Valley is still digging out from under the snow that hit the region this past Wednesday, right along with many other Massachusetts communities. The City of Lawrence has had an especially tough time clearing streets and sidewalks, according to an article out today.

Lawrence received about 20 inches of snow and had 13 public works crews battling the intense storm, along with 63 private contractors.

Budget cuts rolled into the city over the past year as a sign of the troubling economic times, resulting in fewer public works employees.

Residents voiced frustrations that the snow-covered streets had been significantly narrowed by towering snowdrifts from the storm and created “impassable” roadways in general.  Vehicles were fishtailing and spinning out yesterday afternoon still on the snowy, slushy streets.

In response to the countless complaints that were phoned in following the storm, Mayor William Lantigua called on private plow drivers to submit applications to his office in order to work for the city.

Governor Patrick lifted the state of emergency yesterday that Massachusetts had been under since about 12:00pm on Wednesday. Thankfully, there were no major car accidents on the roadways during the storm and in the hours of plowing after the last flake fell.  Many Massachusetts residents decided to play it safe and stay at home on Wednesday, which clearly helped officials in the majority of the state to clear the roadways. 

When Should You Contact a Massachusetts Auto Accident Attorney?
If you have been seriously injured in a motor vehicle accident in Massachusetts, and want to know if you have a case, call the Massachusetts personal injury lawyers at Kiley Law Group.

BEFORE you talk to an insurance adjustor, sign ANY forms or hire a lawyer, get a FREE copy of attorney Thomas M. Kiley’s Massachusetts accidents book.

For a free case evaluation call 1-800-410-2769.

Winter Weather Keeps Drivers Home and Off Roads

The blizzard that arrived yesterday afternoon and is still lingering in the area left us with a heavy blanket of snow to dig ourselves out of today.  Luckily, many people decided to stay at home for this storm, which resulted in few incidents and problems for the plows to face as they cleared the roadways across the state.

Just about a foot of snow has fallen in the Merrimack Valley region, with other parts of the state experiencing up to nearly 20 inches of snow. 

There was a power outage in Groveland when a tree fell on top of wires, leaving up to 300 houses without power at approximately 7:00am this morning.  Repair crews were fixing the wiring and were expected to have power back on before long.  Some homes in Boxford also experienced a power outage.

Houses in Norfolk and Plymouth counties saw significantly worse outages, leaving about 18,000 National Grid customers without power early this morning.  Around 11,000 NStar customers were also without power on the South Shore and Cape Cod.  Some coastal towns experienced flooding and affected homes were evacuated in the towns of Scituate, Quincy, and Rockport.  There still is a flood warning in effect along some of the Massachusetts coastline.

Overall, the roadways in the area of the Merrimack Valley have been kept in relatively good condition.  Back roadways and streets less traveled will require more attention from plows, but the main streets are being kept cleared. 

Governor Patrick announced yesterday that all nonessential state workers should stay at home today and private companies should try to keep their employees at home as well.  For those who are expected to report for work, they are being encouraged to take some form of public transportation for safety and to stay off of the roadways until the storm has completely moved out of the area.

Snow and ice conditions resulted in nearly 600 fatalities nationwide last year on the roadways.  Thankfully, many residents across the state decided to stay indoors during this snowstorm instead of out on the roadways. 

When Should You Contact a Massachusetts Auto Accident Attorney?
If you have been seriously injured in a motor vehicle accident in Massachusetts, and want to know if you have a case, call the Massachusetts personal injury lawyers at Kiley Law Group.

BEFORE you talk to an insurance adjustor, sign ANY forms or hire a lawyer, get a FREE copy of attorney Thomas M. Kiley’s Massachusetts accidents book.

For a free case evaluation call 1-800-410-2769.

Tips for Safe Driving This Holiday Season

This time of year should bring us all lots of cheer, including festive parties to attend and friends and family to see. Unfortunately, alcohol can play a leading role on the roadways during these next few weeks. Throw a snowstorm in the mix and driving to and from your celebrations can take a treacherous turn. Inexperienced and elderly drivers may also have a more challenging time navigating through the snowy streets.

Last year in Massachusetts, 108 people were killed in car accidents where the driver had a blood alcohol concentration (or BAC) of more than .08. There were an additional 130 fatalities in car accidents across the state where the driver had a BAC of over .01. In the U.S. in 2009, there were approximately 600 fatal car accidents resulting from either snow or sleet. 

There were 77 people killed in Massachusetts car accidents last year, who ranged in age from 16 to 24, while 25 elderly drivers aged 74 and older died in fatal accidents in the Commonwealth the same year.

Now that the first snow has fallen in Massachusetts, it’s time to go over some tips on staying safe on the wintry roads during this holiday season.

• Be sure to check your car’s fluid levels (windshield washer fluid, anti-freeze)
• Clear your car of snow and ice as much as possible to prevent snow from flying off onto other cars
• Keep your windshield wipers completely cleared of snow and ice
• Try to keep your gas tank half-full during this season to account for heavy traffic delays
• If there are winter road advisories and you don’t have to go anywhere, try to just stay home
• Allow more space between your car and the car in front of you than you would under normal conditions
• Give yourself more time to come to a safe and complete stop on slippery roads
• Posted speed limits are for dry conditions only, not for snowy and icy conditions, so take it slow
• Bridges freeze quicker than other roadways, so take extra care
• Be aware of black ice
• Make sure your cell phone is charged with each trip or have a cell phone charger for your car
• Put together an emergency kit to keep in your car. This should include jumper cables, a spare tire, a shovel, flashlight, a heavy blanket, an ice scraper, and flares to warn other drivers
• Always choose a designated driver before your night begins

With these in mind, you should be well on your way to having a very merry holiday season.

Happy Holidays!

When to Contact a Massachusetts Car Accidents Lawyer
If you’ve been in a car accident during the holidays 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 personal injury law firm the 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.