Massachusetts Injury Lawyer Blog

A ban on using hand-held cell phones behind the wheel was approved by the Massachusetts Legislature's Joint Transportation Committee this week.

On Thursday, the committee voted 8-0 to move forward the bill which advocates say will reduce car accidents, driving injuries and motor vehicle deaths. Some lawmakers did not vote on the ban, which was also discussed in 2010. That year, a new law took effect to reduce motor vehicle accidents by banning drivers under 18 from using cell phones to talk or text. All other drivers were banned from texting while driving.

Under the proposed cell phone ban, drivers would still be allowed to use hands-free cell phones with Bluetooth and other devices. Many safety advocates say hands-free cell phones are safer and this type of ban will help police better enforce the law. Right now, police say it is difficult to differentiate between drivers dialing a phone number and sending a text message.

As a result, police only wrote 1,100 tickets for texting while driving in the law's first year, according to the Department of Transportation. This averages one for every 200 speeding tickets issued among Massachusetts' 4.7 million drivers in the same period.

The hand-held cell phone ban will now be sent to the Massachusetts House of Representatives and Senate. The Ways and Means Committee may also consider the financial aspects of it.

If approved, Massachusetts will become the 10th state to ban any type of cell phone use while driving.

The national debate over cell phone use and car accidents has been growing stronger.
In December, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) called for a nationwide ban on driver use of portable electronic devices (PEDs) while operating a motor vehicle. U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood said he opposed including hands-free cell phones.

Click here to read more about the proposed hand-held cell phone ban in The Boston Globe.

Continue reading "Car Accidents in Massachusetts Would Be Reduced Under Cell Phone Ban" »

Massachusetts lawmakers will consider tougher laws this week to reduce car accidents associated with cell phone use.

The Legislature's Joint Commission on Transportation will hold a hearing Tuesday to discuss several bills. One proposed measure would only allow drivers to use hands-free cell phones. Another would ban drivers from using any type of cell phone within school zones.

Just nine states and the District of Columbia prohibit all cell phone use while driving. Massachusetts joins 34 other states and the District of Columbia in banning texting while driving for all drivers.

In December, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) called for a nationwide ban on driver use of portable electronic devices (PEDs) while operating a motor vehicle. U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood is opposed to including hands-free cell phones.

Texting while driving, cell phone use and other distracted driving behavior causes a large number of car accidents across the country each year. In 2009, 16 percent of fatal motor vehicle accidents involved texting while driving and other distracted behavior. Twenty percent of car accidents resulting in injury involved distracted driving.

Massachusetts' ban on texting while driving took effect Sept. 30, 2010. But Massachusetts, like other states, has found its ban hard to enforce. The law bans texting while driving in a moving car, as well as when behind the wheel at intersections. But critics say it is often difficult to tell whether a driver is texting or dialing a number.

Another challenge is Americans are sending more text messages than in the past. In June 2011, more than 196 billion text messages were sent in this country, a 50 percent increase from June 2009, according to CTIA, the international association for the wireless telecommunications industry.

There is research suggesting any type of cell phone use engages a driver enough to create a dangerous distraction. A Carnegie Mellon University study found using a cell phone behind the wheel reduces the amount of brain activity associated with driving by 37 percent. And a study from the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute (VTTI) found that headset cell phone use is not substantially safer than hand-held use.

But when drivers text behind the wheel, they are 23 times more likely to get into a car crash than normal, the VTTI study found. Sending or receiving a text takes a driver's eyes off from the road for an average of 4.6 seconds, which is the full-length of a football field for a car traveling at 55 mph.

Click here to read more about Massachusetts' proposed bans on cell phone use.

Continue reading "Massachusetts Considers Ban on Cell Phone Use While Driving" »

Dangers increase for drivers in the period between Christmas Eve and New Year's Day. There is more traffic on the road, drivers are often growing accustomed again to operating in the snow and many people are drinking and driving. These factors often lead to an increase in motor vehicle accidents.

The Boston motor vehicle accident lawyers at Breakstone, White & Gluck, urge you to drive safely and offer these tips:

For Drivers and Passengers

• The driver and all passengers should wear seat belts.


• Have a Designated Driver.


• Carry the phone number for a cab company. Call them beforehand to ask any questions so you are not reluctant to call them later.


• Consider taking public transportation, such as a bus or subway if available.


• Stop drinking a few hours before you plan to leave.


• Stay where you are until you are sober enough to drive.


• Travel slow. More drivers and pedestrians may be on the roads for the holidays.


• If possible, familiarize yourself with your driving route during daylight hours and before the holiday.


• Parents should limit the driving of teenagers on the holidays to avoid car accidents.

For Party Hosts

• Offer both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.


• Have a cab company's phone number ready.


• Stop serving alcohol early.


• In Massachusetts, you have a legal responsibility to make sure your guests do not leave your home under the influence. If you are hosting a party and serving alcohol, learn about the Massachusetts social host liability law.

Continue reading "Safe Driving Must Be a Priority During Holiday Season" »

Massachusetts police officers assigned to protect public safety at roadside construction details are increasingly becoming the victims of car accidents themselves.

On Dec. 5, a Peabody police officer was struck by a 1991 Chevrolet pick-up truck while working on a Rte. 1 construction detail. He was thrown over the truck's hood and transported to Massachusetts General Hospital with serious personal injuries. An initial police investigation found the driver was speeding, but it remains ongoing.

In recent years, negligent drivers have struck police officers on several construction details in Massachusetts and caused life-threatening personal injuries. In June 2010, state police Sgt. Douglas Weddleton was killed while working on a construction detail on Interstate 95 in Mansfield. The driver was charged with operating under the influence as well as other driving infractions.

Police officers are not the only ones vulnerable in construction site accidents. Construction workers as well as pedestrians, homeowners and others nearby are also at risk for injury, especially during night construction.

Drivers have a responsibility to operate with care in construction areas. Here are a few ways to make your travel safer:

Avoid Construction Zones If Possible. When you find a construction project on your daily commute, see if you can find an alternate route until work is complete. For projects in your local community, pay attention to your town's government website and contact the police department's business line if you have questions.

Identify Who Is In Charge of Traffic. Detail police officers typically direct traffic on many sites, but other work sites utilize civilian flaggers. The civilian flaggers should be dressed in fluorescent clothing and carrying traffic direction signs.

Give Other Drivers Space. Do not travel too closely behind other vehicles. It can be difficult to anticipate when another vehicle may stop short.

Slow Down. We all want to reach our destinations on time, but once you are stuck in construction traffic, it is best to take a deep breath and be as patient as possible to avoid a car accident.

Keep Your Eye on the Traffic. When there is a lot of activity going on at a construction site, there is a natural tendency to look at the crew and different machinery. But it is important to keep your eyes on the road.

Do Not Stop to Talk to the Detail Officer. Even if traffic volume is low, do not stop and ask the detail officer for help or directions. You are putting the officer at risk and confusing other drivers.

Avoid Construction Work Zones At Night. A large number of car accidents occur during night construction work because drivers are speeding, fatigued, operating under the influence or poor lighting.

Pedestrians and Cyclists. Like cars, it is also important for pedestrians and cyclists to follow the detail officer's instructions for when to pass.

Continue reading "Motor Vehicle Accidents at Massachusetts Police Details" »

Thanksgiving is a special time of year when family and friends gather for tasty food and warm conversation. But before the turkey can be carved, many people have to travel. The majority of holiday travelers are driving. As they plan their trips, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is urging travelers to buckle up through its campaign, "Buckle Up America. Every Trip. Every Time." Other government agencies are stressing good planning to help drivers avoid motor vehicle accidents.

Seat Belt Use
During the 2009 Thanksgiving holiday travel weekend, 303 passenger vehicle occupants died in motor vehicle crashes, according to the NHTSA. The majority of these deaths occurred at night, making it important to buckle up at all hours.

Plan Travel Times
The Wednesday before the holiday and Sunday following are the busiest travel days. If possible, plan to travel at other times.

Massachusetts 511 Traffic Updates
Visit the Massachusetts 511 website before you travel. It reports on traffic, car accidents and travel conditions throughout the state. Click here for more information.

Fuel Up
Make sure your gas tank is full before you start traveling.

Slow Down
Expect to have to travel below the speed limit in heavy traffic and make sure not to follow other vehicles too closely.

Stay Calm
Expect to see aggressive drivers on the road. Move away and never engage them.

Drowsy Driving
Drowsy driving causes more than 100,000 car crashes each year, resulting in 40,000 injuries and 1,550 deaths, according to the NHTSA. Rest up before making the drive.

Continue reading "Thanksgiving Driving Safety " »

Attention is on seat belts and occupant protection as the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) observes National Teen Driver Safety Week from October 16 through October 22.

Each year, the government agency hosts this week to educate the public on protecting teens behind the wheel.

The NHTSA reports teenage drivers and passengers are the least likely to wear seat belts. But seat belts are one of the most effective ways to travel safe. Most people who die in motor vehicle accidents are vehicle occupants, many of whom were not wearing seat belts. Less than 25 percent of traffic accident fatalities are pedestrians, bicyclists and motorcyclists, according to the NHTSA.

By contrast, in 2006 seat belts saved over 1,5000 lives nationwide among passengers over 4 years old, according to the NHTSA.

The NHTSA urges parents and teens to practice safety through seat belt use, by following graduated licensing laws, developing parent-teen contracts and avoiding alcohol consumption.

Massachusetts Junior Operator Law. Many states have implemented graduated licensing laws to place restrictions on teen driving. Under the Massachusetts Junior Operator Law, in the first six months of holding a license, operators under 18 cannot drive with another passenger under 18 years old. The lone exception is they can drive with a sibling as passenger. Teen drivers are also not allowed to drive between 12:30 a.m. and 5 a.m.

Parent-teen contracts. Standard contracts are available from many insurance companies, auto clubs, state offices or you can develop your own. Click here for a parent-teen contract produced by the state of Massachusetts.

Address all areas of concern, including seat belt use, how many passengers are allowed in the car and how late teens can drive. This is important even if the state's junior operator law covers all of your concerns. The contract is between you and your teenager to create an extra level of accountability.

Alcohol. While teens are below the minimum drinking age, they carry the greatest risk for death in an alcohol-related crash. In 2006, 31 percent 15- to 20-year-old drivers involved in fatal crashes had been drinking. This increases the importance of a no-tolerance attitude and accountability among parents, teachers, sports coaches and other respected adults.

Continue reading "Focus on Seat Belt Use During National Teen Driver Safety Week" »

Unsecured truck loads are a growing problem endangering drivers across the country. Massachusetts has seen two of these fatal car accidents in the past two months.

In 2004, the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety reported 25,000 motor vehicle accidents are caused each year by unsecured materials on highways.

The problem is most prevalent in California, which had 32 million registered vehicles in 2007 - more than twice the number of any other state, according to the New York Times. The California state transportation department reported that over a two-year period between 2005 and 2007, 155 people were killed as the result of debris from unsecured truck loads.

In some of these fatal trucking accidents, authorities file criminal charges against drivers and other employees. When these motor vehicle accidents result from negligence, drivers and companies may also face wrongful death lawsuits in civil court.

Some states have strengthened the penalty for accidents involving tractor-trailers carrying unsecured loads such as construction equipment, building supplies, wood and furniture. Several years ago, Washington state passed Maria's Law, named for Maria Federici, a young woman in her 20s who was blinded and disfigured when a piece of furniture flew off a trailer and smashed her windshield.

Maria's Law made hauling an unsecured load causing injury a gross misdemeanor, carrying maximum penalty of one year in jail and a $5,000 fine.

In Massachusetts, a 27-year-old Lynn man died Sept. 19 when a 400-pound tire being hauled by a truck broke loose on Interstate 93 in Somerville. The truck was owned by Ryder Truck in Braintree and leased to Sullivan Tire. The tires spilled across the median and smashed the windshield of the Lynn man's car, throwing his car toward a retaining wall.

The 2005 Freightliner M2 flatbed truck was carrying tires containing a tire fill. This material made them heavier than standard tires filled with air.

On Aug. 12, a backhoe fell off a National Grid truck traveling on Interstate 495 in Southborough. The backhoe struck a van, killing an elderly passenger and causing serious personal injuries to others in the vehicle.

Click here to read a 2007 New York Times article about unsecured truck loads.

Continue reading "Unsecured Truck Load Accidents Are Growing Problem in Massachusetts, Nationwide" »

To parents, there is nothing more important than their children's safety. In the car, safety starts with child passenger safety seats.

This week, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is observing Child Passenger Safety Week. This weekend is National Seat Check Saturday, an opportunity for parents to have their child's safety seat inspected free of charge.

Motor vehicle accidents are the leading cause of death among children in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Child passenger safety seats have been shown to reduce these deaths. For infants, child safety seats result in a 71 percent reduction in motor vehicle accident deaths.

All 50 states have child passenger protection laws. Violations are a primary offense in Massachusetts and 47 other states, meaning police can stop drivers solely for non-compliance. In Colorado and Nevada, child passenger safety violations are a secondary offense.

In Massachusetts, children must travel in a federally approved child passenger safety seat restraint until they are 8 years old or over 4'9" tall.

Parents often use child safety seats incorrectly. In one study observing nearly 3,500 child safety seats, 72 percent were misused, according to the CDC. This increases the chance for motor vehicle accident injuries and deaths.

Massachusetts parents can ensure their child safety seat is properly fastened on Saturday, when police departments and not-for-profit organizations will provide free checks.

If you are a parent of a young child, click here to find an inspection station near you.

Click here for information on the Enhanced Child Passenger Safety Law in Massachusetts.

Continue reading "Child Passenger Safety Week Highlights Need to Protect Children" »

There is much to plan as students return to school each September. Buying new school supplies and clothes often makes the top of the to-do list, but even more important is planning how your child will travel to and from school safely.

Approximately 17,000 children are sent to U.S. emergency rooms each year in school bus accidents, according to a 2006 report in the journal Pediatrics. Some 42 percent of student bus accident injuries and deaths result from crashes. But nearly 25 percent of school bus injuries occur during the everyday activity of boarding and stepping down from the bus.

There are many ways students travel to school: the school bus, parent car pools, walking and bicycling. All of these carry a risk for injuries and accidents - but this can be greatly reduced when drivers and students follow the rules of safety. Here the Boston personal injury lawyers at Breakstone, White & Gluck offer parents tips to keep their children safe:

Avoiding School Bus Accidents:

• Most Massachusetts school districts do not have seat belts on school buses, but if yours does, explain the importance of wearing one to your child.
• Instruct your child to wait until the bus is completely stopped before trying to board or exit.
• Tell your child to stand at least six feet back from the curb as the bus approaches.
• Explain to children they should never cross the street behind a bus because it may result in a pedestrian accident.
• Wait at the bus stop with young children. If you cannot do this every day, ask another parent to share the responsibility with you.

Avoiding Student Pedestrian Accidents:

• If possible, walk to school with your child. Arrange a neighborhood school walk and have parents take turns supervising.
• If your child is walking alone, explain that he must cross the street in the crosswalk under the supervision of a school crossing guard.
• Have your child wear bright colored clothing to avoid car accidents.

Avoiding Student Carpool Accidents:

• All children should wear seat belts. In Massachusetts, children ages five to seven or up to 4'9" tall are required to travel in a child safety seat.
• Children under the age of 13 should ride in the back seat.
• Explain to children they should talk softly and let the driver concentrate on the road.

Avoiding Student Bicycle Accidents:

• In Massachusetts, children and teens age 16 and under are required to wear bike helmets.


• Do not allow young children to bicycle to school.


• Make sure your child has the appropriate experience on a bicycle and is familiar with traveling the route to school.
• Teach children to ride in the same direction as traffic on the right side of the road.
• Children and teens bicycling to school should wear bright colored clothing.

Continue reading "Protecting Students Traveling To School" »

September is the month when thousands of college students across Massachusetts settle into campus life. And many students enjoy the extra freedom of bringing a car from home to school.

But students often forget one essential step in the transition to college life and this mistake can be costly. Students who have Massachusetts car insurance policies are required to inform their insurance companies about where the car is primarily kept. Otherwise, if there is a car accident, the insurance company might disclaim coverage, leaving the accident underinsured or uninsured completely.

Even if a student is relocating a short distance, such as from Dedham to a dorm in Boston, he or she must inform his car insurance of the new location where his vehicle will be kept. The reason? Car insurance companies rate the coverage -- and therefore the cost -- on where the car is principally kept. If the car moves from a low-rated area (with fewer accidents) to a higher-rated area, the cost goes up. And if you are not paying the premium for the place where the car is principally kept, the insurance company has the legal right to disclaim coverage. And that can be nasty. 

Students who fail to report their change of address and get into a car accident can be denied the Optional Insurance coverages on their policy. Optional Insurance coverages include:

Bodily Injury: This protects you from claims against your personal property if you cause a serious car accident.

Uninsured Auto: This coverage protects you and the people in your car if the person who causes the motor vehicle accident has no insurance.

Medical Payments: The first $8,000 in medical bills and lost wages are covered under the Personal Injury Protection (PIP), part of the Compulsory Coverage all Massachusetts drivers must purchase. Medical Payments provides policy holders extra protection for medical and health insurance.

Collision Comprehensive: If you are involved in a car accident, this coverage insures the damage to your vehicle.

Insurance issues can be very complicated, and you should not hesitate to call your agent if you have any questions. 

Click here to read our article, "Understanding and Buying Massachusetts Car Accident Insurance."

Continue reading "Massachusetts Car Insurance Tips for College Students" »

A new pilot program shows drivers in three Massachusetts communities are failing to stop for school buses, a violation of state law and a safety concern as students prepare to head back to school.

The program is underway in Medford, Quincy and Seekonk, where school buses have been equipped with video cameras behind the vehicle's long stop-sign arm. The cameras capture the license plates of cars which violate the law and cause school bus accidents.

In Medford, the cameras captured 112 motor vehicle violations in 105 days, according to The Boston Globe. Some 57 violations were recorded over 55 days in Quincy while Seekonk had 45 violations over 53 days.

Under Massachusetts law, drivers cannot be issued citations based solely on video evidence. A police officer or bus driver must observe the violation and testify to it. Fines start at $250 and drivers with two or more offenses can have their license revoked.

Massachusetts is one of many states that allow traffic cameras, but they are currently only used to catch toll-evading drivers on the Massachusetts Turnpike. Proposed legislation aims to prevent school bus accidents by allowing cities and towns to submit video footage as evidence.

Drivers can keep children safe and avoid motor vehicle citations by paying close attention this September. The Boston personal injury lawyers at Breakstone, White & Gluck offer these safety tips to prevent school bus accidents:

• State law requires drivers to stay at least 100 feet behind a school bus at all times.
• Drive slowly and watch for children walking in the street, especially in areas with no sidewalks.
• Watch for children playing at bus stops.
• Yellow flashing lights signal the bus is slowing down to stop.
• Red flashing lights and an extended arm indicate the bus is stopped to let children on or off.
• Do not start driving again until the stop arm folds back up and the bus starts moving.
• Do not attempt to pass a school bus.
• Watch for children when backing out of your driveway. If you see children, ask them to move to the sidewalk until you drive away.

Click here for the state law on driving near school buses in Massachusetts.

Click here for The Boston Globe article about the new pilot program.

Continue reading "Massachusetts Drivers Not Stopping for School Buses" »

A deadly motor vehicle crash involving a National Grid truck hauling a backhoe on I-495 has put the focus on the safety measures commercial trucks must take to protect other drivers.

The National Grid dump truck was being taken on a test drive Friday, Aug. 12, 2011 when the 2007 Case backhoe/front-end loader it was hauling rolled off and landed on top of a 2000 Toyota Sienna van. The backhoe and the van were sent down a 20-foot embankment off I-495 in Southborough.

The van was carrying four people. A Westford woman in her 70s was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver, a 10-year-old and a 13-year-old, were transported to UMass Memorial Medical Center in Worcester with serious personal injuries.

The driver of the National Grid truck did not sustain injuries. The Registry of Motor Vehicles has suspended his license indefinitely, pending the outcome of the investigation of the National Grid backhoe accident. Prior to the truck accident, he had no recent driving violations, but minor infractions in the 1980s, including citations for speeding, failure to stop, an unregistered or improper equipment, reported the Boston Herald.

The Worcester County District Attorney's Office and State Police are investigating the National Grid truck accident. A National Grid spokesman told the Telegram & Gazette of Worcester that the truck was being taken on a test drive because employees had identified safety considerations with the vehicle.

State Police are investigating whether the vehicle, a 2010 Freightliner truck, had been recalled by Daimler Trucks North America, according to local media reports.

State Police are also investigating whether driver error and mechanical problems were involved, as well as whether the backhoe was properly secured.

Continue reading "National Grid Backhoe Accident on I-495 Puts Focus On Safety" »

You may think winter snowfall makes for treacherous driving. But government figures show August is actually the most dangerous month on the roads, making it an important time to take precautions.

Based on records dating back to 1994, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports more Americans die in car crashes in August than at any other time of the year. In August 2009, that number totaled 2,864 deaths.

September had the next highest rate of traffic fatalities, followed by July. Weekends are the deadliest time on the roads throughout the year. Nationwide in 2009, there were an average of 123 deaths each day on Saturdays and 107 deaths on Sunday.

Experts say motor vehicle deaths rise in August because more people are on the road traveling for vacation, taking day trips and attending summer events.

Because of these factors, it is paramount to practice safe driving. Here, our Massachusetts personal injury lawyers offer safety tips to protect you and your family:

• Do not drink and drive.
• Travel slowly at night and make sure you are familiar with your route.
• Reduce distractions by putting away your cell phone and GPS.
• When traveling with children, explain you must concentrate on the road.
• On the highway, make sure children have distractions such as books and games.
• Never leave a child unattended in a vehicle.
• Wear your seat belt.
• Do not speed.
• Talk to teenagers about taking safety precautions such as limiting passengers and avoiding night driving.

Continue reading "Drive Safe in August as Motor Vehicle Accidents Rise" »

You are probably familiar with the list of distractions usually responsible for car accidents: texting while driving, talking on your cell phone, eating, the GPS and your children fooling around in the car.

Well here's another one to consider: if you are taking your family dog with you, there are additional things you should think about to avoid motor vehicle accidents.

Many people think about their dogs as affectionate friends, not as distractions on the road. But a new survey finds many drivers allow their dogs to ride with them in the car without restraints, increasing the risk for car accidents and serious injury to themselves and others, including the dogs.

The online survey by AAA and Kurgo, a manufacturer of pet travel products, polled 1,000 dog owners who had driven with their pets in the past year. More than half (56 percent) of the respondents reported driving with their dog at least once in the past month and 19 percent had taken their hands off the steering wheel to prevent their dog from jumping into the front seat.

Some 17 percent of the dog owners admitted to letting their dog sit on their laps as they drove and 13 percent said they fed their dog treats. Most alarming, 3 percent reported they had taken pictures of their dog while driving.

Only 16 percent reported putting their dog in a restraint while driving. Nearly 40 percent said they never considered buying a restraint and 42 percent said they believe their dogs are calm enough to ride without restraint.

While many of us have smiled at the sight of a dog hanging his head out of a car window, the survey highlights the fact that our dogs are becoming an increasing distraction on the roads. It is in everybody's best interest to restrain animals in the car to avoid accidents.

The bottom line: Be your dog's best friend. Get a proper restraint and avoid letting your dog be a dangerous distraction, even when just traveling around town on errands.

Continue reading "Driving With Dogs Is An Increasing Distraction On The Roads" »

As summer stretches on, teenagers are on the search for ways to spend their newfound free time. Those with their license are eager to get behind the wheel and drive around with friends. But we all must remember the risks they pose to themselves and others so we can try to take precautions.

Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for teens in Massachusetts and across the country. In 2009, eight teenagers ages 16 to 19 died each day from motor vehicle injuries. When teenagers survive accidents, they may be left to cope with painful injuries that require years of recovery. And others are likely to be seriously injured as well.

The majority of teen car accidents happen within the first year a teen holds a license. The risk increases when teens drive with their friends or when they drive at night. While many associate drowsy driving with truck drivers, teen drivers are also likely to drive with sleep deprivation, increasing the likelihood of car accidents.

Many auto accidents result from driver inexperience. Because of this, teen drivers should stay on familiar roads for a few years. For example, a teenager from Framingham should not attempt to drive in Boston, Cambridge or Quincy.

But many teen driving mistakes are the result of recklessness, immaturity, ignoring safety laws, driving drunk, driving while distracted. Distracted driving behavior includes driving to loud music, being overly involved in conversations with friends, eating and drinking, talking on a cell phone and texting while driving.

The reckless behavior includes drag racing and car surfing on the exterior of a motor vehicle.
This thrill-seeking behavior often leads to teens falling off the car and suffering head injuries. This behavior is dangerous anytime a vehicle is moving, even at low speeds of 5 mph.

Massachusetts has a graduated licensing law addressing concern over teen car accidents. Operators must hold a driver's permit for six months before applying for a Junior Operator's License at 16 1/2. They graduate up to a full license at 18.

For the first six months of holding a license, junior operators cannot ride with anyone under 18 in the car, except for family members. Among the other rules is teens cannot use cell phones or drive between the hours of 12:30 a.m. to 5 a.m.They face stiff penalties if caught operating under the influence of alcohol.

The state has a strong law, but parents must speak to their teens before and after they receive their license about concentrating on the road, wearing seat belts and using good judgment when driving or riding as a passenger. Because teens are out of school and looking for things to do, summer is the most important time of year to have this discussion.

Resources for Parents

The Boston personal injury lawyers at Breakstone, White & Gluck have compiled a few resources to help parents talk to teenagers about avoiding car accidents:

Teen Safety Materials from the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention

Facts about Learner's Permits and Junior Operators License from the Massachusetts Department of Transportation.

Teen Driving Tips for Parents from the National Safety Council

Continue reading "Prevent Teen Driving Accidents This Summer" »