It may be easy to assume you will know the right things to do if you are in a car wreck. However, when you do have an accident, and the adrenaline is pumping, it may be difficult to know what exactly you should do to protect yourself both physically and legally. Here are some tips… Read More
Massachusetts Social Host Law
When a loved one is injured or killed by the careless acts of a drunk driver, the impact is nothing short of devastating. Because of the destruction and life-changing impact something like this has on a family, Massachusetts offers some avenues of justice either through the civil or criminal courts. Many people assume that only… Read More
Road Rage in Massachusetts
Road Rage vs. Aggressive Driving Although distracted drivers and negligent drivers are more common, a third growing cause of vehicle collisions is “road rage.” Some people confuse aggressive driving with road rage. They are both dangerous, but road rage is distinguished by the perpetrating driver’s specific intent to harm another person. It includes aggressive driving… Read More
Massachusetts Trucking Regulations Help Prevent Accidents
Commercial Motor Vehicles (CMV) Those of us driving common passenger vehicles share the road with very large vehicles such as 18-wheel trucks and semi-trucks. These are generally known as commercial motor vehicles (CMV). The drivers of CMVs face particular stresses, such as long driving hours and roads that are not built to accommodate large vehicles,… Read More
Elderly Pedestrian Deaths
Earlier this month in Shrewsbury, an elderly pedestrian was struck by a silver motor vehicle in a hit-and-run collision. Police are still looking for the suspect. Did you know that elderly pedestrians have a higher risk than others of dying from motor vehicle collisions? The CDC analyzed ten years of data from the National Vital Statistics System and discovered… Read More
Driving With Pets
Distracted driving causes a lot of accidents. One area that few people consider when thinking about distracted driving is the ways in which driving with pets can lead to a problem. A large pet in your lap could make it harder to see the road. A barking dog in the cabin can startle or annoy… Read More
Dealing with an Independent Medical Exam
Under certain conditions, if you have been injured in a traffic accident, your insurance policy may require that you see a doctor to verify your injuries. These are called “independent medical exams” (IMEs) and the doctors are called “independent medical examiners.” These are potentially dangerous, but there are some things you can do to protect… Read More
The Dangers of Driving While Older
People are living longer. The elderly segment of our population is growing the fastest. The time is coming when every Baby Boomer will be a senior citizen. According to the RAND Institute for Civil Justice, by 2025 drivers over 65 years old will be involved in 25% of all traffic fatalities. Even now, elderly drivers cause… Read More
What is the Unreasonable Use Defense to a Product Liability Claim
Product liability law protects people who are harmed by dangerous or defective products. Generally, manufacturers have a responsibility not to harm the public with their products. However, in Massachusetts product liability law is more difficult for plaintiffs than it is in other states and manufacturers have effective defenses available to them in Massachusetts that would… Read More
How To Stay Safe in Crowded Places
Festivals, concerts, and parks are fun, but crowds can be dangerous. We have all heard the stories of people crushed during large gatherings like music concerts or a Black Friday sale. Here are some tips on how to stay safe in crowds. Prepare Your Children A missing child is a parent’s worst nightmare. The best… Read More