Boston Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer Blog

Graduation, summer, and the end of the school year means parties and more inexperienced drivers on the road. This excitement combined with alcohol use and parties can make summer a dangerous time for teen drivers and anyone else sharing the road. In a recent accident, a 17-year-old driver was headed to graduation rehearsal when he slammed into two women on their morning walk around 7 a.m. Authorities say he was intoxicated at the time of the collision. The New Hampshire teen is now facing criminal charges, including aggravated driving while intoxicated.

Drunk driving can be deadly, especially when accidents occur at high speeds or on the interstate. Fortunately, the victims in this case survived the accident, but they suffered serious, possibly life-altering injuries. Our Boston drunk driving injury attorneys understand the severe loss and impact suffered by accident victims and their loved ones. We know that recovery is a long road and can take months or years. Our priority is to help victims recover maximum compensation for medical expenses, pain and suffering, long-term care needs and any other additional costs associated with an accident.
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Campaigns warning of the dangers of getting into a car with someone who has been drinking have largely been effective. Unfortunately, the same stigma is not necessarily attached to driving while impaired by marijuana. A recent press release from a researcher at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst reports that underage college men tend to discount the dangers of getting into the car with someone who is high.

Driving under the influence of marijuana is just as dangerous, and just as illegal, as driving under the influence of someone who has consumed alcohol. Victims injured by an impaired driver should consult with an experienced Boston injury lawyer for more information and for assistance with a claim to recover compensation for losses.
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Motor vehicle collisions are a leading cause of death among children in the United States. Unfortunately, in about 20 percent of cases, there is at least one legally intoxicated driver involved in the fatal accident that costs the child his life. A study in the June 2014 issue of Pediatrics called “Child Passenger Deaths Involving Alcohol-Impaired Drivers” shed some light on who these children are.

The data showed a surprising fact: many of the children killed by impaired drivers were actually passengers in the car of the person who was driving drunk. As Medical Daily reports, this is contrary to what many people believe about drunk driving crashes that kill children, as most tend to believe that kids are killed when a drunk hits the family car out of nowhere.
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When a driver causes a fatal collision while impaired, he may be charged with homicide or vehicular manslaughter. However, as a recent article in The Intelligencer indicated, not every death in a DUI crash leads to a homicide charge. This is because, in some cases, the victim who is killed in the collision may have been engaging in behaviors that led to the crash. Prosecutors generally have to prove that the intoxication was the cause of the accident in order for someone to be charged with homicide for driving drunk, and they may be unable to meet this burden of proof if the victim of the collision was partly to blame for the accident.

The rules for civil lawsuits, however, are different from the rules for criminal cases. In Massachusetts, as long as the drunk driver is at least 51 percent responsible for causing the collision, the victims or surviving family members can pursue legal action to obtain compensation. This means that a wrongful death or personal injury claim could be brought even in cases where the drunk driving is not criminally charged with causing the accident or the death. Victims injured by a drunk driver should consult with an experienced Boston drunk driving attorney for more information on how to pursue a damage claim.
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Many young people look up to athletes, especially football players who are in the NFL and others who play pro sports. Unfortunately, some of the biggest stars in the NFL may be bad role models as there is a “sustained” and “pervasive” drunk driving problem within the National Football League.

USA Today Sports recently wrote about this problem, highlighting the unusually high number of people who are affiliated with the NFL and who have been arrested for drunk driving or who have been involved in drunk driving collisions. Unfortunately, these famous people who are involved with pro sports and who get drunk are not only putting themselves and others at risk but could also be making young people believe it is OK to drive while intoxicated.
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In Massachusetts, drivers are required by law to purchase auto insurance protection. But when you truly need it, you may find that the insurance company will fight tooth-and-nail to avoid a payout.

If an insurance compensation claim is rejected or delayed without good cause, or if the consumer is bullied into a low-ball settlement, a court may find that the firm has acted in bad faith. That can result in penalties that are paid to the victim over and above what would otherwise be owed, regardless of policy limits.

Boston drunk driving injury lawyers know that if it’s possible to reach a fair settlement prior to trial, that’s often the preferable route. But if your insurer is playing hardball, know that we’re ready to fight back aggressively on your behalf.
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The family of a choir minister killed on his way home from church after being struck by a drunk driver recently suffered another blow when the $37 million dram shop verdict against the establishment that served alcohol to that driver was overturned – on a technicality.

Boston drunk driving injury lawyers know that while having a strong case is certainly important, how a legal team pursues it can be equally critical.

In Volcano Enterprises, Inc. v. Rush, the issue the Alabama Supreme Court addressed was the lack of notice service to the defendant prior to trial.
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In the event of a drunk-driving collision, investigators at the scene will likely arrest the suspect, unless he or she needs medical treatment. Depending on the severity of the accident and whether other passengers were injured, the alleged drunk driver will face DUI or more serious charges, including manslaughter or homicide.

In addition to criminal charges, defendants and other liable parties could also face civil penalties for negligence. In a recent case, a drunk driver has been found guilty of homicide after killing a motorcyclist in 2011.

A Worcester Superior Court judge sentenced the 37-year-old driver to 12 to 14 years in state prison. The facts of this case were particularly gruesome and tragic, as the driver failed to stop and dragged the body of the 23-year-old victim for nearly a quarter mile. Our Boston drunk driving injury attorneys are committed to providing strategic representation to individuals impacted by DUI injuries. In addition to representing the victims of drunk driving collisions, we are also committed to raising awareness to prevent future tragedies.
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Memorial Day means the start to the summer season and kicks off months of barbecues, parties, and visits with family and friends. The national holiday intended to commemorate those who fought for our freedoms also means time off and relaxation. This Memorial Day, whether you are going camping, throwing a backyard barbecue, or visiting loved ones, be wary of drunk drivers on the road and don’t forget to celebrate responsibly.

For Americans in Boston and throughout New England, Memorial Day will involve consuming alcoholic beverages. This upcoming holiday weekend, make sure you don’t drink and drive and remember the risk of drunk drivers when sharing road. Our Boston drunk driving accident attorneys have extensive experience representing individuals who have been impacted by drunk driving collisions. We understand the tragedies faced by victims and are dedicated to raising awareness to prevent future injuries and accidents. Here are some tips to stay safe this Memorial Day weekend:
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Drunk drivers pose an ongoing threat to motorists sharing the road. Even the most unsuspecting drivers may be the ones that are over the legal limit. In a recent case, an off-duty Massachusetts state-trooper was involved in an alleged drunk driving accident. His case made headlines after he refused to give the name of his critically injured passenger and did not cooperate with police after the collision. According to officers at the scene, the drunk off-duty officer refused to take a breath test.

At the scene of an accident, emergency responders must act quickly to help victims get medical treatment. In the event of an alcohol-related accident, getting a drunk driver to cooperate can be difficult. Our Boston drunk driving accident attorneys are dedicated to helping victims get the compensation they need and deserve after an injury or loss of a loved one. In addition to providing strategic counsel and support to victims, we are also abreast of local developments involving alcohol-related accidents.
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