Articles Posted in Boston Drunk Driving Accidents

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According to a recent news feature from the Natick Patch, the Massachusetts State Senate is trying once again to pass a bill that would require an ignition interlock device for anyone convicted of drunk driving, and this includes first time offenders. While this sounds like an easy thing to accomplish, there is a lot more to it than one might initially think.

driving9There is currently legislation for repeat offenders to get ignition interlock devices, but this is a plan to greatly expand the current requirements.   First, it would probably be helpful to discuss what the device is before discussing the recent bills.  The device involves the installation of a breath-testing instrument near the steering wheel of the car.  In order to start the car, the driver must blow into the tube and have a score of zero before the car will turn on.  If the driver fails the test, his or her probation officer will likely be notified of the failure, and this can result in jail. Continue reading

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There is no question that a person who is under the influence of intoxicating liquor or drugs cannot safely operate a motor vehicle.  The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has performed extensive research and testing beginning mostly in the 1970s, and after decades of work, they have a fairly accurate idea of the physical and mental effects alcohol has on the human body.

mmsIFfoFor example, at certain levels of intoxication, a person will have blurred or double vision, difficulty concentrating, loss of motor control, poor decision-making, and many other symptoms.  When a person has enough alcohol in his or her bloodstream, there will be a loss of major functions and death can result.  However, while a person may be experiencing the effects of intoxication, they will generally lack the mental capacity to fully appreciate these effects due to the alcohol. Continue reading

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A recent news feature from Inc. is examining the effect of Uber and other ride-sharing services like Lyft have on reducing the number the number of drunk drivers on the roads and, moreover, the total number of drunk driving motor vehicle crashes. The reason they chose now do discuss this is issue is because Memorial Day is not only the unofficial start of summer, but it is also one of the worst times of year in terms of drunk drunk driving arrests and drunk driving driving fatalities.

one-car-key-1149771-mWhile the ride-sharing companies are frequently partnering with Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) chapters across the country, and are boasting that their services are causing a large reduction in the total number of drunk drivers on the road, there is apparently very little statistical data or even research to support that position.  There is not evidence to the contrary, but in terms of actual numbers, it is being argued that we really have no clue about the overall impact of ride-sharing services and drunk driving accidents.  It seems that these claims are merely based on a common sense approach and an educated guess. Continue reading

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Every night in every bar or club in America, there is a good chance there is a person who has had too much to drink and is planning to get behind the wheel of a vehicle where they will be driving under the influence of alcohol.  While many people make this choice time and time again without giving much thought to the consequences, for those who suffer the consequences, they are often lifelong or even deadly.

beerAccording to a recent news article from ABC, the brother of drunk driving crash victim is speaking out with the help of Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) to do whatever he can to stop people from drunk driving. This young advocate chose to speak out about one month after his brother was killed in a fatal drunk driving accident. Continue reading

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Every drunk driving trial, especially ones involving a serious alcohol-related crash that resulted in a serious person injury, should be taken seriously.  Many of these cases will even make the news as a part of a brief public safety story.  However, when a state trooper is arrested for drunk driving following a serious crash, the case can take on a different shape and can become much more newsworthy to the general public.   However, it should be noted that every drunk driving crash is of the highest importance to the victims and their families.

gavel4A recent news article from the Eagle-Tribune involves a drunk driving accident in which the accused is a Massachusetts State Trooper.  This trooper was off-duty at the time of the alleged drunk driving accident, which occurred in Salem, Massachusetts, and it occurred in 2014.  Since this case is being tried as a felony in the Superior Court following an indictment, it is normal for some time to pass before trial, especially in a case such as this, where the trial judge just recused himself to prevent anyone from believing he is deciding on issues in a biased manner. Continue reading

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There is no question that when a person drinks to the point of intoxication and gets behind the wheel of a motor vehicle, he or she is acting in a negligent manner.  This means that he or she is acting in a such a way that shows a disregard for the safety of others, and could cause foreseeable injury to persons or property.  That is the definition of negligence in a personal injury case (including car accident lawsuits) in the Commonwealth.drivefastsaab

In many cases, a person will exercise bad judgment when they drink and then get behind the wheel, and while they will be completely liable for any personal injury or death that results from this negligent action, it does not necessarily mean that the driver is alcoholic.  Sometimes people just make mistakes, and sometimes they have to pay for those mistakes. Continue reading

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A man convicted of motor vehicle homicide and manslaughter while under the influence of alcohol in connection with a deadly drunk driving accident in Worcester last year is appealing his conviction, according to a recent news feature from The Boston Herald.  The reason for his appeal is that he is trying get one of the charges for which his was convicted dismissed, which may shorten his sentence. He is currently serving a 12-to-14-year sentence in a Massachusetts Correctional Institute (MCI).beer

Court documents indicate defendant was driving his car while intoxicated when he hit a 23-year-old man and then continued to drag him for a quarter of a mile. The victim died as a result of the serious injuries sustained when hit by a drunk driver and then dragged under his car. Continue reading

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According to a recent news article from CBS Boston, a woman who was once honored as middle school principal of the year in Dedham has been fired after her arrest for alleged drinking and driving.

mhiFu4IAuthorities say the Dedham middle school teacher was driving her car very early Sunday morning, when an officer from Waltham ended up behind her car.  He noticed that she was weaving on the road and making what he called erratic movements not expected of a sober driver.  He then watched as she pulled into a nearby parking lot. Continue reading

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An appeals court in Ohio has ruled that a strip club may not be held legally responsible for the severe injuries suffered by a third party when one of its dancers drove home from work intoxicated. dancer

Customers at the club routinely purchase drinks for the dancers, who are allowed to drink alcohol while on-the-clock. One of the dancers apparently drank too much before getting into her vehicle to drive home after her shift. She crashed her car on the way back, causing severe injuries to another woman.

At trial, jurors overseeing the dram shop act case held the club liable to pay $1.43 million of a $2.85 million damage award for the injured woman. However, the Second District Court of Appeal reversed, finding in Johnson v. Montgomery that the state’s dram shop law is not applicable to the employee in this case.  That’s because Ohio’s dram shop law only allows an alcohol vendor to be held liable for injuries caused after service of alcohol to either a minor or someone who is visibly intoxicated. The trial court should have accepted the strip club’s request for a directed verdict before the case went to the jury.  Continue reading

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It’s prom season.

High school students across the country are preparing for the biggest bash of the last four years, scouring for the perfect dress, the right date and all the best reservations. While students are generally most concerned with having a memorable night, parents want to make sure they remember it for all the right reasons. teenprom

Far too often, prom night ends in tragedy for those who drink, take drugs and then get behind the wheel. Of course, it’s not just prom night. Late spring is associated with an unusually high number of teen-related drunk driving car accidents. Part of that has to do with the fact there are so many back-to-back celebrations. Teens, who are still by virtue of their age inexperienced drivers, are emboldened by new-found freedoms and the prospect of new beginnings. And when youth are so focused on having a good time, the good judgment they may normally display can take a backseat – particularly when they are driving.

So what can parents do?  Continue reading

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