Pedestrians are at serious risk of suffering injuries from distracted and negligent motorists especially in a crowded and busy place like Boston. Although a car accident can be just as stressful and damaging, pedestrian accidents often result in catastrophic injuries simply because of the damage that a vehicle can cause to an unprotected person. At The Law Office of Michael O. Smith, we are ready to help you explore your legal rights following a sudden and avoidable Boston pedestrian injury accident.
Boston and Sommerville have experienced pedestrian accidents recently, with a van reportedly striking two pedestrians at an intersection causing one of the victims to later die from her injuries. The following day, a woman was severely injured after being allegedly struck by a garbage truck on McGrath Highway in Sommerville while using a marked crosswalk. There are countless questions that are being raised in the investigations for both accidents. City officials including Mayor Marty Walsh have already indicated that there will be changes coming to some of the most feared intersections.
This has been a serious problem according to a local news report, which identified that the traffic signal involved in the fatal pedestrian accident on Summer Street was providing pedestrians with the walk sign while also giving drivers on the intersecting street the green light to turn. Although a sign warned drivers that they must yield to pedestrians, businesses and residents argued that this was not enough to provide adequate protection.
This is an ongoing theme in Massachusetts. In February, a woman was hit and killed in a pedestrian accident where the driver left the scene to get dinner immediately after. The accident took place in a marked crosswalk at the intersection of Powder House Boulevard and Hardan Road in Sommerville.
A pedestrian accident is a type of personal injury claim, which means the plaintiff must show that the defendant owed the plaintiff a duty to drive with due care and failed to operate his or her vehicle according to that duty. The plaintiff must also show that this failure was the direct cause of your injuries. If the defendant can show that some other factor was the major cause of your injuries, or that you were also negligent at the time of the crash, you may not be able to recover compensation. You must also provide information and evidence supporting the amount of damages you are claiming in the lawsuit including medical bills, lost wages, reduced quality of life, and pain and suffering.
If you or someone you love was involved in a Boston pedestrian accident, you deserve seasoned and diligent legal representation to help you ensure that you receive the compensation you need to cover your damages and losses. We offer a free consultation to discuss your potential claim and whether we may be able to assist you with securing the judgment or settlement that you deserve. We know firsthand how stressful and overwhelming this situation can be, especially if you are dealing with debilitating and potentially permanent injuries or the sudden loss of a loved one. Call us today at 617-263-0060 or contact us online to schedule your free consultation.