Boston Bicycle Rider Injuries A Common Risk
Boston accident attorneys know that according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Association’s 2012 report, there were 58 Walker fatalities in the Massachusetts that year, accounting for more than 18 percent of the total traffic deaths. This was far higher than the national average of 13 percent.
Pedestrian fatalities cause for concern in Boston
Urban areas like Boston are far more likely to see the majority of these incidents. A 2012 report by the National Alliance for Biking and Walking found that Boston had an annual average of 8.3 Pedestrians killed annually, accounting for nearly 35 percent of all its traffic fatalities – more than one-third.
Of course, some urban areas fared worse – in New York, Pedestrian deaths amounted to 54 percent of the total, in San Francisco 49 percent, in Honolulu 45 percent. Still, it’s high enough that further attention on this issue is warranted – particularly when we have 8-year-olds who are paying the price.
NHTSA says Crosswalk accident fatalities on the rise
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The good news is that Massachusetts state officials have begun to prioritize prevention of Walker crashes, with 5 percent of the state transportation budget dedicating to projects that underscore Crosswalk and cyclist safety. That’s compared to about 0.5 percent of state transportation budgets dedicated for the same purpose by states like Florida and Louisiana, which also have a major Walker fatality problem.
Are Massachusetts Drivers and Cyclists Having Difficulty Sharing the Roads?
Bicycle riders and drivers are being forced to coexist more on the roads as people increasingly turn to bicycling as a method of commuting or getting exercise. This is especially true in Boston, which has been named one of America’s Best Cities for Biking. Unfortunately, even in bike-friendly cities like Boston, tensions can arise when bicycle riders and drivers have to co-exist on crowded city roads.
Just recently, the Washington Post published several articles with a long list of complaints about different behaviors that bicycle riders are doing that creates problems for drivers and that may be making the roads dangerous for both drivers and Walkers. Bicycle riders, for their part, are trying to get accommodations made to ensure they are safe even as the death toll rises.
When a bicycle accident occurs, it is likely there will be lots of finger-pointing regarding who is to blame. A personal injury attorney can help victims to investigate the cause of the crash and prove liability.
Are Bicycle Riders Sharing the Roads?
Springfield Motorcycle Collisions a Spring & Summer Risk
A Massachusetts man involved in a motorcycle accident two years ago is sharing his story with others and urging caution on the roads. According to ABC, the man was riding his motorcycle at about 10:00 in the morning in September 2012. He had a helmet on and was heading to meet a friend for breakfast. His motorcycle was struck out of nowhere, sending him flying 30 feet in the air. The driver hit the gas and ran him over, resulting in 38 broken bones. He is now paralyzed from the sternum down.
Unfortunately, his story is not unusual. Drivers often fail to follow safety rules or to share the road in a careful way to protect motorcyclists. Victims injured by a motorcycle collision can speak with accident attorneys in Springfield, MA for help making an injury claim.
Motorcycle Collisions are an Real Risk
The Governors Highway Safety Association reports a seven percent decline in the number of people killed in motorcycle accidents nationwide in the first part of 2013, as compared with the same time period in 2012.
Massachusetts also saw a major decrease in motorcycle fatalities during this time. In the first half of 2013, there were just nine motorcyclist deaths in the state as compared with 20 fatalities in the first six months of 2012. This is a decrease of 55 percent. Unfortunately, more fatalities occurred over the next several months. Within the first nine months of 2013, there were a total of 28 motorcycle rider fatalities in Massachusetts. This was still a 39 percent decrease from the 46 deaths that had occurred in the prior year.
At first glance, this decrease in fatalities may seem to suggest that the roads are becoming safer for motorcycle riders. Unfortunately, an article on Forbes indicates that this is not the case. While it is true that fewer motorcyclists were killed in 2013, this happened not because of increased safety but instead because the weather was worse over the course of this year. It was both colder and wetter in 2013 as compared with the same time period in 2012. The bad weather discouraged riders and, with fewer motorcyclists on the road, there were fewer fatalities.
If you or a loved one has been involved in a motor vehicle accident in Boston, Springfield, or Holyoke, a car and truck accident lawyer with our Massachusetts firm will fight to help you obtain compensation you deserve. At the Law Offices of Mark E. Salomone, serving Massachusetts, our personal injury attorneys have an impressive record of trial verdicts and settlements.
More Articles: Massachusetts Bar Association – Press Room
Pedestrian Accident
