Auto AccidentFatal Single-Car Accident in Massachusetts Highlights the Dangers of Well-Traveled Highway

September 22, 20200

Single car accidents can lead to some of the most painful and devastating injuries for the victim. In some cases, the accident may take place as a result of the driver’s inattention, intoxication, or some other factor. But there are certain circumstances where the driver may have lost control due to factors like poorly designed roadways, road hazards, and more. At Mass Injury Group, our committed team of Boston car accident lawyers is prepared to assist you with determining whether you have a right to compensation following an injury accident.

It was a somber day for Hyde Park residents recently when a single-car collision resulted in the death of the driver, according to a local report. The accident took place around 5:30 p.m. on American Legion Highway and Hyde Park Avenue. According to investigators who researched the matter, a sedan was traveling at a high rate of speed before it eventually collided with a pole adjacent to the roadway. Witnesses said that three young children who had seen the accident from a nearby apartment building rushed outside and removed the driver from the vehicle. The witnesses stated that the driver suffered “horrific facial injuries” while the EMTs who reported to the scene stated that the driver was likely killed upon impact.

The Hyde Park community has witnessed an increase in accidents recently on what many describe as a dangerous stretch of roadway. Many view the flow of traffic on the road as entirely too fast and refer to it as a drag strip. Others describe how the American Legion Highway slopes in the particular area where the accident took place, allowing vehicles traveling along it to pick up additional speed.

 

If you were injured in an accident and believe that unsafe road design may be to blame, you may be able to pursue compensation against the municipality that is responsible for managing the roadway. Cities, counties, and states bear responsibility for managing roads within their jurisdictions. Sometimes the responsibility is shared. A state might have the responsibility to fill potholes and pave roads, for example, while the city may be responsible for ensuring that ice is removed after an inclement weather event. A seasoned lawyer can help you determine the parties who may be liable for your injuries.

To recover compensation, a plaintiff generally has to show that the agency responsible for maintaining the roadway was negligent in doing so. You must also typically prove that the agency had reasonable notice about the dangerous condition on the roadway and failed to take steps to address it. In other situations, it may be enough to show that there was a safety-related defect with the design and execution of the roadway’s planning and construction. An example of this would be open and obvious erosion happening along a cliffside above a roadway near a lake. If there had been multiple reports of problems and the municipality took no action, it may be liable for damages to the parties injured in the accident.

At Mass Injury Group, we have assisted countless Massachusetts residents with seeking the compensation they need and deserve after an injury accident. Our team offers a free consultation to help you learn more about car accidents in Boston and whether you are entitled to compensation. Call our office today at 617-263-0060 or contact us online to get started.

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