Massachusetts Personal Injury Lawyer Blog

Proving Driver Fatigue

Driver fatigue in Massachusetts can be a difficult claim to prove, but an experienced Andover personal injury or wrongful death lawyer can build a successful case.

This may hinge on what you and the alleged offender say at the accident scene. If you've been injured in a car or truck accident in Massachusetts in which the other driver seems impaired, first recall your own eyewitness details.

Did the other driver:

• Claim to be tired or sleepy?
• Claim to have dozed off?
• Claim to be on medication?

If police tests find that alcohol was not a factor, you may have a personal injury case based on recklessness induced by driver fatigue.

Browse our library for more information on accidents caused by driver fatigue.

When you are interviewing Boston personal injury attorneys ask critical questions, like: how long have you been practicing; what is the largest settlement or verdict you've obtained, and do you have experience with driver fatigue accident injuries?

The Law Office of Thomas M. Kiley, located in Andover, Massachusetts 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 now for a FREE evaluation of your case - 1-800-410-2769.

Proving Truck Driver Fatigue

Truck driver fatigue is a condition that federal law considers hazardous to driving. Truck accidents occur when reaction time and spatial judgment are impaired, and the high-speed roads that truckers travel increase the likelihood of disastrous or fatal injuries.

Wrongful death and personal injury lawyers gather plenty of evidence, including eyewitness and expert testimony, company log books, time-stamped gas receipts, bills of lading and more.

These can show whether a truck driver had been on the road too long or falsified information to cover the truth. Both the driver and the motor carrier can be held liable in Massachusetts court for personal injury damages.

Visit our library to get more information about truck driver fatigue.

When you are interviewing Boston personal injury attorneys ask critical questions, like: how long have you been practicing; what is the largest settlement or verdict you've obtained, and do you have experience with Massachusetts driver fatigue accidents?

The Law Office of Thomas M. Kiley, located in Andover, Massachusetts 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 now for a FREE evaluation of your case - 1-800-410-2769.

Drunk Driving Lawsuits: What You Need to Know

A Limo or Taxi Service May Be Liable For Your Drunk Driving Injuries

New Hampshire fire station crash sends two to hospital

A Sunday morning accident in Pelham, New Hampshire, resulted in two injuries and substantial damage to a Pelham Fire Department building.

The accident took place at approximately 8:17 a.m. at the intersection of Old Bridge Street and Marsh Road. Officers are still investigating the circumstances of the accident. However a Toyota Camry was one of the two cars involved in the crash and according to the Union Leader, it was pushed into the center bay of a fire station garage building.

The operator of the Toyota, Leon Moreau, 78, of Somerville, Massachusetts, was transported to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries. The driver of the second vehicle, Frederick Pepe, was also sent to the hospital.

If you've been injured in a car crash, you may want to consult an attorney.

When you are interviewing personal injury attorneys ask critical questions, like: how long have you been practicing; what is the largest settlement or verdict you've obtained, and do you have experience with similar accident cases? The Law Office of Thomas M. Kiley, a law firm in Andover, Massachusetts, 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 now for a FREE evaluation of your case - 1-800-410-2769.

British Public Service Announcement on Driving While Texting Goes Viral

A Public Service Announcement (PSA) produced by a police department in England is taking the internet by storm. The more than four minute long PSA highlights the problem of driving while texting, using a teen driver to illustrate the dangers of this rapidly going problem.

The graphic video is being shown to high school students across England, and concerned citizens and government officials in the United States are screening the video. The video follows a female teen driver who is distracted while driving and texting with two friends in the car. The driver hits another vehicle head-on, and is subsequently "t-boned." After the accident, her friends lay bloodied and lifeless, along with multiple victims in the other vehicles involved in the crash.

View the graphic video and learn more about distracted drivers by reading our article, "Watch out for Distracted Drivers."

If you or your loved one has been injured by a distracted driver you should contact a personal injury attorney immediately to learn about your rights and determine liability. When you are interviewing personal injury attorneys ask critical questions, like: how long have you been practicing; what is the largest settlement or verdict you've obtained, and do you have experience with driving while texting cases? The Law Office of Thomas M. Kiley, a law firm in Andover, Massachusetts, 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 now for a FREE evaluation of your case - 1-800-410-2769.

Mock Funeral to Educate Teens on Drunk-Driving Dangers

Drunk-Driving Accidents: Funeral Planning Tips

• Ask for help from family and friends
  
• Determine the type of service you'd like to have
  
• Consult with your spiritual advisor (pastor, rabbi, etc) who can provide counseling and assistance
  
• Participate in local drunk driving victim support groups
  
• Consider the deceased's final wishes, if known
  
• Take it one step and one moment at a time
  
  

Website Memorials Honor DUI Crash Victims

OUI Victim Services

• Help with the Justice System
  
• Help with Financial Issues
  
• Direct You to Resources
  
• Local Support Groups
  
  

Melanie’s Law is Making Massachusetts Safer

Melanie’s Law Increases the Use of Breathalyzers

Melanie’s Law Increases the Use of Breathalyzers

Details released on Wednesday’s I-495 Accident in Westford

Details are emerging in the tragic accident that occurred on I-495, near the Westford Exit 32, yesterday morning.

According to the Eagle Tribune, John Cousineau, 21, was driving a Chevrolet Malibu southbound on I-495 when he struck a Honda CRV. The CRV, driven by Henry Obrien, 40, swerved into northbound traffic after being struck by Cousineau's car.

Henry Obrien and his passenger, Gregory Butler, 46, of Fitchburg, were killed after the CRV was struck by a mini-van, driven by Joseph Dainis, and then a semi-truck, driven by Joseph Poirier.

John Cousineau and Gregory Butler sustained minor injuries in the accident and were taken to a nearby hospital.

Investigators from the following agencies are looking into what caused the crash and determining whether charges should be filed: 

• Massachusetts State Police
• State Police Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Section
• State Police Crime Scene Services Section
• State Police Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Section

 
Our condolences go out to those injured, and the families of those killed in this multi-car collision.

If you or your loved one has been injured in a highway accident you should contact a personal injury attorney immediately to learn about your rights and determine liability. When you are interviewing personal injury attorneys ask critical questions, like: how long have you been practicing; what is the largest settlement or verdict you've obtained, and do you have experience with complex accident cases? The Law Office of Thomas M. Kiley, a law firm in Andover, Massachusetts, 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 now for a FREE evaluation of your case - 1-800-410-2769.

Two die in Wednesday morning crash on I-495

The driver and passenger riding in a Honda CRV were killed today in an accident on Interstate 495. The accident took place around 6:30 a.m. on I-495 in Westford, near Exit 32.

According to the Boston Globe, the Honda was traveling southbound when the vehicle veered to the right, struck another vehicle, swerved to the left across the highway median, and passed under a tractor trailer before being hit by a vehicle headed northbound.

Drivers of two other vehicles were seriously injured and taken to Emerson Hospital. The occupants in the Honda were taken to Lowell General Hospital and pronounced dead. Their names have not yet been released.

Portions of the highway were closed until 9:30 a.m., causing major delays during the morning rush hour.

Our condolences go out to the family of those killed in this tragic accident.

If you or your loved one has been injured or killed in a highway accident you should contact a personal injury attorney immediately to learn about your rights and determine liability. When you are interviewing personal injury attorneys ask critical questions, like: how long have you been practicing; what is the largest settlement or verdict you've obtained, and do you have experience with complex accident cases? The Law Office of Thomas M. Kiley, a law firm in Andover, Massachusetts, 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 now for a FREE evaluation of your case - 1-800-410-2769.

Tips on Filing a Wrongful Death Lawsuit After an SUV Rollover Accident

Coping with the loss of a loved one can be a very distressing and overwhelming experience, particularly if the loss was because of a traumatic incident, such as an SUV rollover.

If you are considering filing a wrongful death lawsuit in the case of an SUV rollover accident, there are a few steps you can take with your wrongful death attorney in order to prepare for the trial:

• Ask your wrongful death lawyer to inform you about the wrongful death laws and statute of limitations in Massachusetts.

• Examine the details of the accident to determine liability or negligence.

• Locate expert witnesses - such as traffic safety experts - to give important testimony about the safety concerns for SUVs, particularly the model involved in the SUV rollover accident.

 
Learn more about SUV rollovers and what you can do after losing a loved one.

If you've lost a loved one because of an SUV rollover accident, you should contact a wrongful death attorney immediately to learn about your rights and determine liability. When you are interviewing wrongful death attorneys ask critical questions, like: how long have you been practicing; what is the largest settlement or verdict you've obtained, and do you have experience with wrongful death lawsuits and SUV rollover accidents?

The Law Office of Thomas M. Kiley, a law firm in Andover, Massachusetts, 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 wrongful death lawyers wins your case. Call now for a FREE evaluation of your case - 1-800-410-2769.

SUV Rollover Accident s: An Easy-to-Follow Guide for Filing a Wrongful Death Lawsuit

If your loved one has been killed in a tragic SUV rollover accident in the Boston area, you might be considering filing a wrongful death lawsuit against the manufacturer of the vehicle or other negligent parties involved in the fatal SUV crash.

Wrongful death lawsuits act as a punitive measure against negligent and liable parties and provide victims' families with a monetary award that can be used for the reasons listed below:

•  To offset funeral costs
• To pay off any medical or hospital bills for the victim
• As an acknowledgment of pain and suffering of both the victim and his or her loved ones

If you are preparing to contact a personal injury attorney in order to file a wrongful death lawsuit, it might ease the process to review a few guidelines about wrongful death lawsuits.

Find an easy-to-follow guide in our new article, Filing a Wrongful Death Lawsuit in the Case of an SUV Rollover Accident.

When you are interviewing wrongful death attorneys ask critical questions, like: how long have you been practicing; what is the largest settlement or verdict you've obtained, and do you have experience with SUV rollover accidents and wrongful death lawsuits?

The Law Office of Thomas M. Kiley, a law firm in Andover, Massachusetts, 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 wrongful death lawyers wins your case. Call now for a FREE evaluation of your case - 1-800-410-2769

Methuen police officer disciplined for July 4 crash

A police officer from the Methuen Police Department has been disciplined for his role in a crash that took place in the early evening hours on July 4.

Officer Matthew Tarness crashed a new $37,000 Dodge Charger into a passenger van carrying ten people as he rushed to respond to the scene of a domestic abuse call. According to the Department's police chief, Tarness failed  to sufficiently stop at the intersection at Madison and Westland streets.

Paul Destine was driving the Chevy van that Tarness's cruiser collided with in the accident. There were five adults and four children in the van at the time of the crash and five of them were transported to local hospitals with minor injuries. Tarness, and his passenger, Reserve Officer David Souther also sustained minor injuries in the accident.

The Dodge Charger was totaled in the accident. No criminal charges or serious injuries occurred as a result of the domestic disturbance call that Officer Tarness was racing to when he hit the van.

Read more about the Methuen police car crash.

If you or your loved one has been injured in an accident caused by a negligent driver you should contact a personal injury attorney immediately to learn about your rights and determine liability. When you are interviewing personal injury attorneys ask critical questions, like: how long have you been practicing; what is the largest settlement or verdict you've obtained, and do you have experience with complex accident cases? The Law Office of Thomas M. Kiley, a law firm in Andover, Massachusetts, 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 now for a FREE evaluation of your case - 1-800-410-2769.

DUI Enforcement Officer Charged With Drinking and Driving

Signs of a Driver Fatigue Accident

Driver fatigue accidents caused by negligence injure or kill innocent drivers every year. A personal injury or wrongful death lawyer who specializes in driver fatigue-related truck accidents can help you spot the signs of a collision in which someone fell asleep at the wheel.

Police who respond to car or truck accident reports are trained to notice: 

• if a lone car or truck runs off the road
• if the area speed limit was high
• if a driver obviously didn't try to stop

Severe nighttime car accidents or those in which a lone driver appears to be at fault may also be due to negligence and driver fatigue.

Visit our library to get more information on Driver Fatigue.

When you are interviewing personal injury attorneys ask critical questions, like: how long have you been practicing; what is the largest settlement or verdict you've obtained, and do you have experience with driver fatigue accident cases?

The Law Office of Thomas M. Kiley, located in Andover, Massachusetts 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 now for a FREE evaluation of your case - 1-800-410-2769.

Impairment and Driver Fatigue Accidents

After a driver fatigue accident in which a drowsy driver hit your car, you may notice the offender behaving strangely at the scene.

Tests show that 18 hours of nonstop wakefulness has the same effect on the body as 0.08 percent blood alcohol content. No wonder a drowsy driver resembles a drunken driver, with bleary eyes and an unsteady gait! Police and personal injury lawyers know how to distinguish the two states-up to a point.

In the absence of blood alcohol content, proving driver fatigue and negligence takes an experienced personal injury attorney and expert testimony. Get the names of any onsite witnesses and attend to your injuries to help aid in your defense.

Visit our library to get more information on Driver Fatigue.

When you are interviewing personal injury attorneys ask critical questions, like: how long have you been practicing; what is the largest settlement or verdict you've obtained, and do you have experience with driver fatigue accident cases?

The Law Office of Thomas M. Kiley, located in Andover, Massachusetts 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 now for a FREE evaluation of your case - 1-800-410-2769.

When Do Driver Fatigue Accidents Happen?

In driver fatigue accidents, time of day and other factors become clues to proving negligence, and thus, liability in court. Collisions and close calls are most prevalent after midnight and before 6 a.m., and between 2 and 4 p.m.

Night-driving and "road trance", account for many of the after-dark drowsy driving accidents. The afternoon spike may be due to low blood sugar making already fatigued drivers sleepier.

Personal injury and wrongful death attorneys see a majority of driver fatigue car and truck accidents on rural or high-speed highways. If you've been injured in such a crash, a personal injury law firm can help you determine negligence and file a lawsuit.

Visit our library to learn more about Driver Fatigue.

When you are interviewing personal injury attorneys ask critical questions, like: 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?

The Law Office of Thomas M. Kiley, located in Andover, Massachusetts 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 now for a FREE evaluation of your case - 1-800-410-2769.

Who Causes Driver Fatigue Accidents?

Driver fatigue habitually occurs in certain risk groups and can lead to very serious accidents or death. Young men ages 16 to 26 and commercial truck drivers tend to engage in long stretches of driving, often when fatigued.

Drivers often perceive their stamina and alertness to be greater than they really are, resulting in a driver fatigue accident.

Other risk groups include business travelers who must drive while tired and jet-lagged, shift workers whose sleep patterns are affected, and those with medical conditions that induce fatigue. Personal injury lawyers help to prove a drowsy driver's negligence.

Browse our library for more information on driver fatigue accidents.

When you are interviewing personal injury attorneys ask critical questions, like: how long have you been practicing; what is the largest settlement or verdict you've obtained, and do you have experience with driver fatigue cases?

The Law Office of Thomas M. Kiley, located in Andover, Massachusetts 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 now for a FREE evaluation of your case - 1-800-410-2769.

Elderly driver hits Deputy Fire Chief in Falmouth

If you or your loved one has been injured by an elderly driver you should contact a personal injury attorney immediately to learn about your rights and determine liability. When you are interviewing personal injury attorneys ask critical questions, like: how long have you been practicing; what is the largest settlement or verdict you've obtained, and do you have experience with auto accident cases? The Law Office of Thomas M. Kiley, a law firm in Andover, Massachusetts, 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 now for a FREE evaluation of your case - 1-800-410-2769.

Join an OUI Victim Impact Panel

When a loved one dies unexpectedly from a drunk-driving accident, family members can feel extreme grief. One of the ways a survivor can move through their grief is by sharing their feelings with the driver who killed their loved one while driving under the influence (DUI).

Victim impact panels exist throughout the country, offering survivors a chance to voice their pain directly to the person who was operating under the influence (OUI) and caused the injuries and/or wrongful deaths. The panels originated in Massachusetts in 1982 and have gained widespread use.

Browse our library to learn more about how to cope with grief after an OUI death.

If you or a loved one has been a drunk-driving victim, contact an experienced DUI personal injury lawyer, who can assist you with seeking the restitution you deserve for your injuries or wrongful death.

The Law Office of Thomas M. Kiley, located in Andover, Massachusetts 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 win your case.