Protecting Those Injured in Boston Distracted Driving Accidents

When Feinberg & Alban PC was founded seven decades ago, drivers had few distractions to take their attention away from driving. Now cell phones are ubiquitous on Boston’s streets and are a major factor in car accidents. Our firm can help you recover damages from a distracted driver. We also are staunch advocates for laws and policies that prevent distracted driving crashes from causing injuries in the first place.

Massachusetts may soon ban handheld phones while driving

Even as Boston auto accidents and traffic fatalities decline, distracted driving-related crashes are increasing. Prohibiting drivers from using cell phones while driving is a common-sense way to further reduce crashes and the resulting injuries and deaths.

Massachusetts prohibits all drivers from texting and emailing, and bans cellphone use by drivers who are younger than 18 years old. However, adults still have the right to hold their phones while driving, thereby putting others at serious risk of injury.

The Massachusetts Senate passed a bill in 2016 that expands the law to prohibit writing or reading any type of electronic message, inputting information into a GPS system, and holding the phone to talk while driving. The law would still permit drivers to use hands-free technology to dial or talk. Our law firm supports this bill and urges the House to pass the bill and the Governor to sign it into law.

Experts blame distracted driving for surge in Massachusetts car crashes

Official estimates indicate that 399 people died in car accidents in 2016. This was an increase of 13 percent from 2015, when 354 people were killed, and an increase of 15 percent over 2014, when 348 people were killed.

Why the surge in traffic accidents? According to a spokeswoman for the American Automobile Association of Southern New England, distracted driving is a major factor.

Drivers can reverse this trend by putting their phones away. Our firm holds those drivers who insist upon putting others at risk accountable for their actions.

Boston roads where drivers are most distracted

In an alarming study, Cambridge Mobile Telematics found that the areas of Boston where people most often used their phones were also the locations most congested during rush hour, when drivers are distracted by their phones while sitting in traffic. The top Boston roads where drivers are most distracted are:

1. Massachusetts Avenue from Shawmut Avenue to Harrison Avenue
2. Columbia Road from Stoughton Street to Roseclair Street
3. Congress Street from Purchase Street to North Street
4. Beacon Street and Commonwealth Avenue intersection
5. Charlestown Bridge and New Rutherford Avenue

Our lawyers have handled cases involving distracted driving accidents in these locations. You cannot simply avoid these major areas of the city. Instead, drivers have a responsibility to put their phones away.

Tips for managing your own driver distractions

You have a duty to drive without distraction. The Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) offers these tips for doing so:

• Turn off your phone before you get in your car.
• Use your phone’s messaging system to respond to calls when you are driving.
• Pull over if you need to make or accept a call.
• Ask a passenger in your vehicle to place the call for you.
• Do not text, email, tweet, Instagram, watch videos or surf the Internet while driving.
• Know the local ordinances and state laws regarding texting and phone use.
• Prepare for your trip by learning the directions before you leave.
• Secure pets for their safety as well as yours.
• Protect your children by waiting to address issues once you have pulled over.
• Do not eat, drink, smoke, read or engage in any other inappropriate task.

Distractions put you at risk, and, should you be involved in an accident, you may be held liable for damages if your distraction was a factor.

Learn more about distracted driving regulations in Boston

Feinberg & Alban PC can represent you in a distracted driving accident. Schedule your free consultation with Feinberg & Alban PC by calling 617-232-5950 or contacting our firm online today.