Fitchburg Car Accident

In 2011, three people were killed in three fatal motor vehicle accidents in Fitchburg. A total of six vehicles were involved in these accidents, and two of the collisions were caused by impaired drivers, according to City Data.

When a motor vehicle collision occurs, it is imperative to determine who is to blame. Those responsible can be sued and required to compensate crash victims or surviving family members. The Fitchburg car accident lawyers at the Jeffrey Glassman Injury Lawyers can evaluate your case, help you to determine who to take action against, and pursue compensation through a lawsuit or settlement. Call today to schedule a consultation and learn more.

The fourth leading cause of deaths from unintentional injuries in Massachusetts in 2009 was motor vehicle collisions. According to Mass.gov, 66 percent of the premature deaths in car accidents resulted in the loss of the driver or vehicle passengers. A total of 15 percent of the unintentional deaths in collisions were motorcycle riders and 18 percent were pedestrians.

Fitchburg is the third largest city in Worcester County. It is the home of Fitchburg State University and is bordered by Lunenburg, Ashby, Westminster, and Leominster. The city’s size means heavy traffic is common, and the high number of college students means that there are inexperienced drivers on the road who may cause collisions.

Drunk driving is also a serious concern in Fitchburg, where the Joint Coalition on Health report indicates that as many as 17.1 percent of adults in the city over age 18 had engaged in binge drinking over the prior 30 days.

In Fitchburg, the police department employs a traffic specialist tasked with helping drivers better understand the rules of the road and focused on identifying and fixing dangerous intersections. According to recent reports, intersections he has identified as high risk in the area include Rollstone Road and Electric Avenue as well as John Fitch Highway and Bemis Road.

Solutions for dangerous intersections that the traffic specialist has suggested include:

• Motorists reviewing their driver’s manual to remind themselves of the rules for right-of-way and intersection safety.
• Removal of shrubs and trees that obstruct motorists’ view of the road and oncoming traffic.
• Lines being painted more clearly if they are set too far back for drivers to see oncoming traffic.
• New signage at dangerous intersections to alert motorists to risks and help them understand obligations.
• Signage at dangerous intersections reminding motorists to approach roundabouts at slow speeds.

Unfortunately, when bad driver behavior becomes standard, problems can perpetuate. For example, at the intersection at the Cleghorn Neighborhood in Fitchburg, all drivers know that vehicles in the rotary have the right-of-way but motorists still fail to slow down and cut off the drivers in the rotary. When police stop them, many drivers indicate that since everyone breaks the rules, they fear being rear-ended if they don’t.

While the roads may be dangerous, this doesn’t absolve drivers of their responsibility to exercise reasonable care. If you or a loved one is injured by a negligent or unsafe driver, it is important to pursue a claim to receive full and fair compensation. An attorney can help you to make your case for damages.

Schedule your free consultation with a Fitchburg car accident lawyer at Jeffrey Glassman Injury Lawyers. Call (617) 777-7777 or contact us online.