Drunk driving is one of the highest causes of injuries and fatalities in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (“CDC”), roughly 30 people die each day in a motor vehicle collision that involves an intoxicated driver. Also, the estimated yearly costs associated with alcohol-induced…
The Massachusetts legislature is set to consider a number of bills that would provide greater protections for bicyclists throughout the state. First, the Vulnerable Users Bill would impose a three-feet law on motorists when passing or operating a vehicle near a so-called “vulnerable user,” even if doing so would require the…
In a recent car accident case, a Massachusetts federal judge held that the defendant was not entitled to obtain copies of the plaintiff’s mental health records. In Conklin v. Feitelberg, a woman suffered severe injuries as the result of a car crash that occurred in June 2011 involving the defendant. In her complaint,…
New England is no stranger to severe winters that bring several feet of snow in one storm. For many Massachusetts residents, this poses serious problems when it comes to handling our daily chores and getting to work on time. As the snow piles up on the roadways and is removed…
One of the most common issues that arises in a car accident case is a dispute between the injured victim and the responsible driver’s insurance company. In many instances, the defendant’s insurer will try to avoid paying benefits to the injured plaintiff, causing many headaches for everyone involved. Although you’d…
In the recent case of Rose v. Farina, a Massachusetts Court of Appeals was presented with the question of whether a jury was inconsistent in the way that it answered three targeted questions presented to them in a motor vehicle accident case. The facts of the case are as follows. During 2007,…
Many people are familiar with the concept of driving while drunk, which is commonly referred to as driving under the influence. In Massachusetts, however, the technical name for this offense is operating a motor vehicle under the influence of drugs or alcohol. This important distinction is intended to cover those drivers who…
Massachusetts is one of 17 states that require motorists to obtain Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage as part of their auto insurance coverage policies. The benefits provided under PIP are called no-fault insurance coverage, meaning that you have a right to make a claim with your insurer to receive PIP benefits after…
In August 2015, the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) levied its largest fine to date against Fiat Chrysler for the car company’s failure to fix unsafe automobiles according to the U.S. Motor Vehicle Safety Act. Pursuant to the court’s order, Fiat Chrysler’s civil penalties totaled roughly $105 million. Until…
Earlier this year, a Massachusetts Court of Appeal issued an opinion providing clarification for the State’s premises liability law. The court’s ruling can be viewed as a win for plaintiffs who suffer injuries as the result of unsafe conditions on a commercial property. Back in 2007, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial…