Massachusetts Pedestrian
Accident Lawyer
IN NEW ENGLAND?

In 2019, there were 77 pedestrian fatalities in Massachusetts. Many who survived suffered severe injuries and emotional trauma.

Pedestrian accidents can be complex and frequently encompass more than one cause. Looking beyond the statistics, what driver behaviors usually lead to pedestrian accidents?

Distracted drivers

US motorists who took their attention away from driving caused over 3,142 deaths in 2019. Some of the deadly distractors were:

• Cell phones
• Passengers, including children
• GPS, maps, and other navigational devices
• Stereos and entertainment
• Pets
• Food and drinks

Anything that takes your mind or eyes off the roadway is a distraction, but electronics are one especially common problem. In 2020, Massachusetts banned motor vehicle operators from “using any electronic device, including mobile telephones” except for hands-free mode.

Despite the warnings and grave consequences, Mass.gov reported a 170 percent increase in distracted driving crashes between 2014 and 2016. Law enforcement agencies keep imposing fines, mandatory educational programs, and insurance surcharges to encourage people to follow the new regulations, but accidents continue to happen.

Jason Stone Injury Lawyers feel strongly that justice for injured pedestrians should be part of the equation. Distracted drivers must be held responsible for their actions. That’s why our team stands ready to take your call – to get you on the path to justice right away.

You can learn how a personal injury claim may restore your financial losses after a pedestrian accident here online. Start by clicking the “Live Chat” icon at the bottom of your screen.

Impaired drivers

In Massachusetts, driving with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) over the following limits is illegal:

• 0.02 percent for anyone under 21
• 0.04 percent for commercial motor vehicle operators
• 0.08 percent for other drivers

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), alcohol-impaired drivers ignore the law “millions of times each year.” This negligent behavior often ends in disaster. In 2019, some 110 people in Massachusetts died because a person with a BAC over the legal limit got behind the wheel.

According to one study, driving requires the coordination of the central nervous and neuromuscular systems. Such a complex task requires strict focus. Illegal, prescription, and over-the-counter drugs can easily spoil a driver’s ability and attentiveness.

The Fatality Analysis Reporting System revealed that 18 percent of fatally injured drivers were under the influence of drugs such as:

• Depressants: Depressants inhibit central nervous system function, resulting in drowsiness, lowered levels of awareness, and decreased inhibition
• Stimulants: Cocaine, meth, and amphetamines affect brain systems responsible for thinking and motion, while stimulants in general can cause agitation, delusions, paranoia, extreme fatigue, and other dangerous side effects
• Cannabis: Compounds in cannabis (e.g. THC and CBD) bind to the brain and nerves, potentially impairing cognitive and psychomotor skills
• Anabolic steroids: Case reports associate anabolic steroids with irritability and hostility, which could contribute to aggressive driving and road rage
• Inhalants: The gas and vapors used to get high can cause extreme mood swings, hallucinations, convulsions, increased anger, and risk-taking
• Phencyclidine (PCP): Studies associate low to moderate PCP intoxication with confusion, while other symptoms include disorientation, muscle rigidity, hallucinations, and seizures

To find out how personal injury claims offer justice and financial relief after a drug-related pedestrian accident, send us a message to schedule a free case evaluation. Please leave your contact details and a brief message to give us an idea of your situation. If we don’t get back to you within 24 hours – lunch is on us!

Reckless drivers

Massachusetts pedestrians anticipate a certain level of care and competence when they interact with drivers at intersections and in parking lots. Drivers who fall below expected standards are dangerous.

Examples of reckless driving behaviors could include:

• Speeding or racing
• Expressing road rage
• Ignoring a marked crosswalk
• Disregarding traffic signals
• Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
• Driving with an injury or condition that affects vision, motor skills, or judgment
• Allowing dangerous distractions to affect the driver’s focus

Since reckless drivers should be well aware that they could endanger someone, Massachusetts law can hold them liable for pedestrian deaths and injuries.

In other cases, motorists do not put others at risk on purpose. Still, careless driving is a serious matter that carries liability if it causes a pedestrian accident.

Inform a Massachusetts pedestrian accident attorney at Jason Stone Injury Lawyers right away if any of the following factors (or others) contributed to your injuries:

• Following too closely
• Weaving or swerving between lanes
• Disobeying a traffic control signal
• Driving in a bike lane

The various reasons for pedestrian accidents can’t be counted. If you are confused about how the specifics of your case affect liability, please get in touch with our legal team.

It’s important to protect yourself. Some drivers may try to pin the blame on you. Yet, even if you did something that made an accident more likely, comparative negligence laws can still enable you to be compensated for something that is less than 51 percent your fault.

On the other hand, a driver on the accident scene might already regret his or her risky behavior. Yet, those feelings can’t undo the harm, can they?

It’s no question that pedestrian accident injuries bring pain and suffering to victims and their families. The MA pedestrian accident lawyers at Jason Stone Injury Lawyers feel for you, and we can help you maximize your compensation to cover your different accident-related losses.