Worcester Personal Injury Blog

The dangers of distracted driving in Massachusetts

On behalf of The Law Offices of Joseph J. Cariglia, P.C. posted in Car Accidents on Wednesday, August 14, 2019.

Distracted driving has been in the news in Massachusetts lately, as the state legislature considers a distracted driving bill. Currently, there are restrictions on distracted driving in Massachusetts and it is important for drivers to understand what distracted driving is and that they may be civilly liable to victims they injure in a distracted driving-related car accident.

Distracted driving is dangerous activity that places drivers, passengers and those they share the roadway with in danger. This blog recently discussed the dangers of eating while driving, and that eating while driving is considered distracted driving behavior. Unfortunately, there are a variety of behaviors drivers engage in each day that are considered dangerous distracted driving behaviors. Distracted driving behaviors include any activity drivers engage in that removes their attention and focus from the roadway while driving.

Yes, eating and driving is a dangerous distraction

On behalf of The Law Offices of Joseph J. Cariglia, P.C. on Tuesday, August 6, 2019.

There are many dangerous things that people do behind the wheel, such as looking away from the road to set up a GPS, manipulating the radio or Sirius satellite system, texting someone or merely being absorbed in conversation. Something that is equally dangerous that isn't talked about enough is eating while driving.

When you eat and drive, you're distracted. It's one of the most common forms of distracted driving, too. Eating requires you to use your hands, to think about something other than the road and even to look away.

Legal protection for victims of medical errors

On behalf of The Law Offices of Joseph J. Cariglia, P.C. posted in Medical Malpractice on Thursday, August 1, 2019.

Surgical errors are a type of medical malpractice that can cause significant harm to victims. Because victims of medical malpractice can be seriously harmed, or even killed, by a surgical error, they should be familiar with the legal protections available to them. Legal resources could help them recover compensation for medical expenses, lost wages and pain and suffering damages.

Unfortunately, surgical errors and medical malpractice are not uncommon. According to one study, as many as 195,000 victims could die in U.S. hospitals each year due to preventable medical errors. Medical malpractice legal resources could help victims harmed by medical malpractice and surviving family members of victims killed by medical malpractice recover compensation for the physical, financial and emotional damages they suffered because of a surgical error or other medical malpractice.

How can I get help with my damages after a car accident?

On behalf of The Law Offices of Joseph J. Cariglia, P.C. posted in Vehicle Accidents on Thursday, July 18, 2019.

Victims of car accidents can suffer a wide range of injuries which can set them back physically, financially and emotionally. The legal system recognizes this unfortunate reality for victims and works to ensure that they are made as whole as possible and receive help with their injuries and damages.

A personal injury claim for damages following a car accident can help injured car accident victims recover compensation for their physical, financial and emotional injuries. Car accident damages can include compensation for the injured victim's medical expenses and future medical care expenses as well. Additional types of damages victims may be able to recover for their physical injuries include compensation for disfigurement or permanent disability depending on the nature of the injuries they have suffered.

How to drive more safely with kids

On behalf of The Law Offices of Joseph J. Cariglia, P.C. on Monday, July 15, 2019.

If you are a parent, your biggest priority will naturally be protecting the safety of your children at all times. If you spend a lot of your time in the car with your children, it's important that you do everything you can in order to maximize their safety.

Children have been shown to be a major cause of distracted driving, which can create danger on the roads. It is important that you put provisions in place to enable you to drive competently while making sure that your children are comfortable. The following are some tips for ensuring that your children are as safe as possible when in the car for long periods of time.

Fatigued trucking must be better addressed

On behalf of The Law Offices of Joseph J. Cariglia, P.C. on Wednesday, July 10, 2019.

The average adult requires seven to nine hours of sleep per night. On average, truckers in this country average fewer than five hours of sleep per night. This is causing a serious hazard for people who share the roadways with them.

One out of four truckers report that they have fallen asleep behind the wheel of their rig within the month prior to completing the survey. Around 65% of fatal trucking crashes happen on long hauls that are more than 51 miles from the trucker's home base.

Massachusetts study finds medical errors are not uncommon

On behalf of The Law Offices of Joseph J. Cariglia, P.C. posted in Medical Malpractice on Friday, July 5, 2019.

Medical malpractice can have devastating consequences for victims which is why they should be familiar with the legal protections available to them. A recent report released by a Massachusetts state agency revealed that 20 percent of Massachusetts residents surveyed had experienced a recent medical error. A total of 5,000 Massachusetts residents were surveyed and insurance data from 2013 was used. Researchers calculated that in one year, medical errors in Massachusetts equaled 61,982 and the total cost of follow-up care needed as a result of those errors was conservatively estimated at $617 million.

The findings are similar to findings at the national level and reveal that not much has changed related to medical malpractice and medical errors in the past 20 years. The most common and costly errors according to the study included pressure ulcers and post-surgery infections which was also a finding similar to national studies. In Massachusetts, victims suffered 14,369 pressure ulcers and 4,625 infections following operations during 2013. During the same year, victims also suffered over 15,000 accidental punctures or lacerations during surgery and foreign objects and surgical sponges were left in the bodies of victims 224 times.

Texting at stop signs or red lights isn't as safe as you think

On behalf of The Law Offices of Joseph J. Cariglia, P.C. on Tuesday, June 25, 2019.

Texting at the wheel is a known danger. However, the demand to be constantly available to others is often part of your job or your role as a parent or spouse. That can mean trying to walk a fine line between what you know is safe and what you know will keep your family or your job running smoothly. You aren't the only person juggling the impulse to communicate with the desire for safety.

Many people make the compromise of only using mobile phones for text communication while stopped at a stop sign or a red light. They may think that doing this decreases their risk, but they are still endangering themselves and others through their actions.

Massachusetts car accident results in injuries and death

On behalf of The Law Offices of Joseph J. Cariglia, P.C. posted in Car Accidents on Thursday, June 20, 2019.

Car accident victims can suffer serious, and fatal, injuries in car accidents. In a neighboring Massachusetts community south of Worcester, a car accident recently claimed the life of one and injured another who was taken to a local hospital. The victim who was killed was also taken to the local Worcester hospital but was pronounced dead in the hospital. The accident occurred when an SUV crossed a double yellow center line and struck a pick-up truck and another SUV while traveling in the wrong lane of travel.

The driver of the SUV that crossed the double center line was taken into police custody. The reconstruction team responded to the accident which is under investigation according to authorities. Victims of car accidents need to be familiar with personal injury legal protections which can hold a negligent driver responsible for their injuries accountable and help them recover compensation for their physical, financial and emotional damages.

Don't do these things after a wreck

On behalf of The Law Offices of Joseph J. Cariglia, P.C. on Monday, June 10, 2019.

Imagine driving through Worcester. It's Monday morning and you have a big week ahead at work. So far, things are starting off right. Traffic is light, you're running ahead of schedule and you have plenty of time to stop for a coffee before you get to work. Unfortunately, things go sideways when another driver rear-ends you at an intersection. Now, you have a damaged vehicle, a pain in your neck and back, and you will have to take at least a few days off work.

Car accidents, even minor ones, can be very scary for all individuals involved. In the aftermath, you might find it difficult to focus on what is going on around you and it is possible that you might even feel panic. However, during the moments immediately after a car wreck, it is vital that you remain calm because what you don't do after an accident is just as important as what you do. Here are a few mistakes you should avoid after a motor vehicle collision.