Stoughton / Canton Area Personal Injury Lawyer - Automobile Accidents

Car Crashes Into Gulf Station In Stoughton

Chrissie Cole — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 14:15:00 GMT

A vehicle went through the side of a garage at the Gulf Station following a two-car collision.

There was significant damage to the garage and both vehicles, but no one was injured in the crash.

The accident happened near the intersection of Turnpike and Page Streets at 7:45 a.m., when two vehicles, a Ford pickup truck and Saturn collided, according to Stoughton Fire Department. The accident caused the Saturn to crash into the building.

While people were in the garage at the time of the accident, no one was reported near the area of impact. The person in the truck was also uninjured.

The vehicle went through a panel of the garage and ruined some equipment but there was no serious structural damage.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Chrissie Cole

Elderly Driver Bill Proposed In Massachusetts

Chrissie Cole — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 13:47:00 GMT

A new bill would require drivers 75 and older to pass road tests and eye exams in order to renew their driver's licenses in Massachusetts.

The bill would also enable physicians and police offers to report to the Registrar of Motor Vehicles if they believe a driver is unable to safely operate an automobile. The person's license would be suspended and subject to review within 30 days by the registrar. Drivers will be able to appeal the decision.

Older drivers would be required to repeat these same tests each time their license is renewed.

The crackdown follows a string of fatal accidents involving elderly drivers in Massachusetts over the last few months.

Lawmakers could vote on the bill (H 3287) as early as this week.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Chrissie Cole

Managed Competition and Your Personal Injury Coverage

Bruce Bierhans — Fri, 29 May 2009 11:15:06 GMT

With Managed Competition now here in Mass; and liability carrier commercials flooding the airwaves, I thought a little motor vehicle insurance primer was in order.

In this economy, I find that many injured clients have inadequate liability coverage to compensate them for their injuries. In Mass. your motor vehicle coverage is intended to protect your hard earned assets if you or a family member injures another person, and to compensate you if you are injured by a driver who has inadequate or minimal coverage.

Coverage designed to protect you and your family as a result of injuries caused to another is called "bodily injury (BI) to others", or "optional bodily injury to others". State law requires you to carry minimum coverage of $20,000/$40,000, but you should purchase additional coverage through the optional component of the policy of at least $100,000/$300,000 ($50,000/$100,000 and $250,000/$500,000 are also available). Also, you should obtain coverage for "bodily injury caused by an underinsured/uninsured auto (UM)" or optional coverage of the same name. A vehicle is underinsured if the value of your claim exceeds the amount of bodily injury coverage carried by the at-fault driver. For example, if there is $20,000 available per injured person, and your claim is worth $100,000, the at fault vehicle is underinsured by $80,000. This is where carrying adequate uninsured/underinsured coverage becomes crucial.

To be adequately protected in all events, everyone should carry BI coverage to others, as well as UM coverage for themselves of at least $100,000/$300,000. If you or a household member seriously injure another person and only possess minimum coverage, your personal assets could be attached to satisfy a judgment that exceeds policy limits. Conversely, if you are injured and possess minimum UM coverage, your recovery will be limited to the actual amount of coverage held, even if the value of the claim exceeds that coverage. In the above $100,000 example, you would have been able to recover that $80,000 above the $20,000 from your own UM coverage. Without it, you would be limited to a recovery of $20,000 only.

The additional cost involved in purchasing this extra coverage is less than many people believe. Also, I routinely find that many people have never had a discussion with their insurance agents about these coverage issues. "My agent never told me" is a common refrain. Talk to your agent or attorney about these issues before you place your coverage. After the accident, it's too late!

Protect yourself and drive safely.

Bruce Bierhans

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Bruce Bierhans

Teen Killed In Car Accident In Falmouth

Chrissie Cole — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 14:26:00 GMT

A teenager was killed in a car accident when the vehicle he was driving ran off the road, rolled over and landed in the ocean in Falmouth Sunday morning.

According to police, the vehicle crashed at the intersection of Maravista Avenue and Menhant Road. One of the teens, 17, was able to get out of the vehicle and run to a nearby residence to seek help.

The other teen, 18, was trapped in the vehicle submerged in the ocean.

Upon arriving at the scene, two officers jumped into the water and pulled the unresponsive teen to safety. He was rushed to Falmouth Hospital where he was pronounced dead shortly after.

The names of the teens involved in the accident have not been released. And the cause of the crash is currently under investigation. #

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Chrissie Cole

Car Accidents/The Strategy of the Opposing Adjuster

Bruce Bierhans — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 10:22:36 GMT

We read daily about car accidents. All of these accidents, those that are serious with serious injuries, as well as those that are not so serious, have one thing in common. The minute an adjuster for the at fault driver is assigned to the accident, they are working to reduce the value of the no fault bodily injury claim of the injured party.

Often, people come into the office that had accidents weeks or months in the past. They relate their conversations with the adjuster for the at fault driver and tell me, "I spoke to the adjuster, but didn't say anything to hurt my case." WRONG. What they don't understand is that from the moment you first talk to the adjuster, they are asking you carefully crafted questions intended to elicit answers that can be used to make you look like a "malingerer" later on. That is, of course, only after thay have lulled you into a false sense of security. "Don't worry, we'll pay your medical bills; can we help you with your rental car?; can I get your wage loss information so that we can reimburse you?" Then, one year later when you are trying to negotiate your claim, you're likely to hear a comment like, "remember a year ago when you told me you felt you were getting better? You didn't really need that physical therapy, did you?"

Understand one truism. Insurance companies make money by raking in premiums and not paying on claims. When they do pay on claims, they will do anything to pay as little as possible, regardless of the actual value of the claim.

When you represent yourself, the insurance company knows you will not file suit if the case is not settled. They know that you don't know the value of your claim. They know that you are in an inferior negotiating position. Many people think that by representing themselves and eliminating the attorneys' standard 1/3 contingency fee, that they will end up better off. In any case involving anything other than a very minor injury, this will never be the case.

The insurance companies have done a masterful PR job convincing the general public that every plaintiffs' attorney spends their days chasing ambulances and that every injured plaintiff is a malingerer. Every case involves fraud and the world will come to a quick end if a jury awards fair compensation after an accident trial. Clearly, every profession has their bad apples and there is always someone trying to scam the system. However, in my experience, most plaintiffs attorneys do their best to zealously advocate for their clients and can spot the system scammer in a heartbeat.

If you are injured in an accident caused by another, don't try to go it alone. People love to hate trial lawyers...until they need one.

Bruce A. Bierhans

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Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Bruce Bierhans

Deadly Crash In Brockton May Be Result Of Drag Racing

Chrissie Cole — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 13:08:00 GMT

An Easton man was killed and two others were hospitalized in a four-vehicle accident in Brockton that authorities say may have been the result of drag racing on a residential street.

Richard Falzone, 22, was declared dead at the scene of the crash on Torrey Street.

Falzone was headed east in the westbound lane and appeared to be side by side with another vehicle driven by Thomas Burke, 20.

Those two vehicle lost control and struck two westbound cars. Occupants of the other westbound car suffered serious injuries but are expected to be ok.

The investigation is ongoing but it appears Burke was speeding at the time of the crash and may have been racing with Falzone.

Burke was cited for operating to endanger and speeding. His arraignment date has not been set.

Drag racing is punishable by up to two years in prison for first time offenders.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Chrissie Cole

Girl Struck By Car Upraded To Good Condition

Chrissie Cole — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 03:15:00 GMT

A 12-year old girl has been upgraded to good condition at Boston Medical Center after being struck by a car on Canton Street, Tuesday morning.

She suffered broken bones and internal injuries from the accident and was transported by ambulance to the pediatric intensive care unit by Randolph Fire Department on January 20.

The accident happened at 7:55 a.m. Tuesday, not far from the girl’s home, according to police logs.

Middle School Principal John Sheehan said the faculty and staff have been notified of the accident, and social workers have been made available for students looking to talk about the accident.

Chavez was new to the Randolph district and started at the middle school in September, he said.

The driver of the vehicle reported the accident and is identified as John J. McSweeney of Randolph.

At this time the cause of the accident is unknown as officials continue to investigate.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Chrissie Cole

Tanker Fuel Spill Shuts Down I-95

Chrissie Cole — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 19:38:00 GMT

A jet-fuel tanker truck was leaking fuel onto the highway after colliding with a vehicle and rolling over on the southbound side of I-95 near Boston, according to Massachusetts State Police.

The accident occurred when a 21-year-old driver swerved his Volvo to avoid a slower moving vehicle.

“The driver swerved to the left lane, impacted the cement barrier on the bridge then shot across three lanes of traffic, crashing into the truck causing it to rollover” said Trooper Eric Benson, MA State Police.

Some of the 11-thousand gallons of jet fuel in the tanker entered storm drains – and the ground- forcing evacuation of more than twelve nearby homes.

The driver of the truck was taken to Rhode Island Hospital with non-life threatening injuries. The vehicle passengers were taken to Sturdy Memorial Hospital in Attleboro, with minor injuries.

This is the fourth fuel tanker crash to occur in Massachusetts in the past year.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Chrissie Cole

Man Seriously Injured In Stoughton Car Accident

Chrissie Cole — Sun, 26 Oct 2008 11:45:00 GMT

A Freetown man is in serious condition at Massachusetts General Hospital Saturday night after suffering injury in a single-car accident in Stoughton on Friday.

The man, 47, was traveling south on Route 24 around 8:30 p.m. when he lost control of his vehicle and it rolled onto the medial strip near Exit 20.

He was ejected from the vehicle in the accident. Rescue transported him to Massachusetts General by MedFlight.

Route 24 south was partially closed for nearly two hours following the crash. State police are still investigating the cause of the crash, no further information is available.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Chrissie Cole

Car Crashes Into Home, Turns Over

Chrissie Cole — Sun, 28 Sep 2008 00:46:00 GMT

Peabody Police are in search of driver and questioning another person after they allegedly crashed a vehicle into a home and attempted to flee the scene of the accident.

The accident happened late Sunday night on Lowell Street, when the vehicle crashed into a fence, struck one home and then flipped over and landed upside down in front of another house, according to police.

The two people in the vehicle at the time of the accident allegedly ran from the scene. Police caught one person. He was transported to Massachusetts General Hospital for treatment. His condition is unknown at this time.

Police are still in search of the second person involved in the accident.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Chrissie Cole