A driver is considered to be distracted when he or she is doing anything that could take their attention off of the road. For example, when a driver sends a text message while on the road, he or she may increase the odds of a harmful car accident. Each day in the United States, 1,153 people are injured in distracted driving accidents.
Massachusetts law provides guidelines for drivers attempting to pass through intersections. When multiple drivers arrive at an intersection at about the same time, the driver on the left should yield the right of way to the driver on the right. Any left-turning vehicle should also yield the right of way until it can safely make the turn. Any vehicles already in a rotary intersection have the right of way over vehicles entering the intersection.
In a car accident, it is common for victims to suffer from shoulder injuries. They can be as minor as a joint or muscle strain to a broken shoulder blade or clavicle. Injuries to the shoulder are classified as fractures, dislocations and soft-tissue injuries. Fractures occur when a bone is broken such as the proximal humerus or the scapula.
Every day, there is some level of risk that you may slip and fall and hurt yourself while going about your normal activities around Massachusetts, even if you are paying attention to your surroundings. This is because other people’s negligence can create unexpected or hidden hazards that you are unable to avoid, potentially leading you to suffer emotional, physical and financial damages. This is why it is important to seek compensation for your injuries.
Most Massachusetts motorists understand that driving a vehicle with underinflated or bald tires can compromise handling and increase the chances of a collision. However, they may not be aware that the risks of losing control or being involved in an accident may be significantly higher even when tires still have half of their tread remaining. The scope of the problem was highlighted by tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration that found potentially dangerous tires on almost half of the 11,500 cars, SUVs and pickup trucks they examined.
In the state of Massachusetts, falls were found to be the leading cause of injuries, both fatal and nonfatal, in people over the age of 65. With the elderly population expected to increase to 20.9 percent in 2030, the negative impacts caused by falls are likely to also increase. By 2020, for example, the national cost of fall-related injuries are expected to reach $54.9 billion.
Those who have been in a car accident may feel guilt or shock for a period of time afterwards. For most, these feelings subside over time. However, it is possible that these feelings could linger or even intensify over time. Massachusetts victims of such an occurrence who dread driving or merely getting into a car after an accident may wish to seek treatment as this could be a sign of post-traumatic stress disorder.
A car accident can happen in a matter of seconds on Massachusetts roadways, and a driver may not have enough time to shield their face and head before the impact. Each day, people who are involved in accidents sustain injuries, regardless of how fast a vehicle was traveling at the time of the collision. If an individual begins to have headaches, difficulty balancing when walking or standing, severe pain in the neck or back areas or dizziness, they may have received a whiplash injury.
Despite years of nation-wide enforcement against drinking and driving, car accidents and injuries caused by impaired driving remain a substantial burden on society. Massachusetts, like the rest of the country, shares in the social costs that result when drunk drivers cause car collisions and serious injuries.
Distracted driving occurs in all 50 states, including Massachusetts. Any time a driver does anything that takes their attention off the road and safely piloting the vehicle, distracted driving occurs. Some examples of such behavior include tuning a radio, reading or responding to a text message, talking on a cell phone, applying makeup, and eating or drinking. Distracted driving is one of the most prevalent causes of auto accidents and results in thousands of injuries nationally each year.