According to the results of a recent survey, drivers in Lowell, Massachusetts, are the "rudest" drivers in Massachusetts. The survey said Lowell drivers are 55% ruder than drivers in other parts of the state, and about 42 out of every 1,000 have received citations for bad driving behavior. The researchers examined driving behaviors that included traffic violations such as failure to yield, failure to stop, tailgating, illegal passing, and street racing.
Our Lowell car accident attorneys know all too well these types of reckless driving incidents can lead to serious and fatal car crashes and leave innocent victims with severe and permanent injuries. Worse, these crashes often end tragically with the death of an innocent motorist, passenger, pedestrian, or bicyclist.
If you or someone you love has been hurt in a car crash in Lowell, we can help. You could be entitled to compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages.
Many people think they cannot afford a lawyer to handle their car accident claims. However, our law firm offers free legal consultations and accepts cases on a "no-win, no-pay" basis. Under this arrangement, you pay nothing until we win your case and recover money for you.
Navigating Car Accidents Risks in Lowell, MALocated in Middlesex County, Lowell, the fourth-largest city in Massachusetts, is populated by 116,861 people. Lowell was incorporated in 1826 and became known as the cradle of the Industrial Revolution. The city is located near Andover, Tewksbury, Billerica, Lexington, Lawrence, and Cambridge. It can be accessed via U.S. Route 3, Interstate 495, the Lowell Connector, and Massachusetts Routes 3A, 38, 110, and 133. In addition, six bridges cross the Merrimack River in Lowell, and four cross the Concord River allowing access to the city.
The roads in Lowell can be dangerous to navigate. According to data from the Massachusetts Department of Transportation, from 2019 to 2021, 8,138 car crashes occurred in Lowell, including 16 that resulted in fatal injuries and 159 that resulted in serious injuries. Of those crashes, 217 involved pedestrians, 115 involved cyclists, and 97 involved motorcyclists. About one-fourth involved drivers who were either older or younger and inexperienced.
The Most Dangerous Intersections in LowellLowell is known for having the most dangerous intersection in Massachusetts:
Veterans of Foreign Wars Highway and Bridge Street
At this intersection, 124 crashes took place from 2015 to 2017. According to data from MassDOT, twenty-eight of these wrecks resulted in injuries and fatalities.
Other intersections in Lowell that made MassDOT's list of the 50 most crash-prone intersections in the state are:
About half of all car crashes occur at intersections. The safety of an intersection is based on various factors, including roadway width, traffic volume, the type of traffic signals used, and the sharpness of any turns. In addition, drivers who cannot see because of overgrown landscaping or other objects that block sight lines run the risk of striking another car, a pedestrian, or a bicyclist, which are smaller and, therefore, harder to spot.
Veterans of Foreign Wars Highway, also known as VFW Highway, has more dangerous intersections than any other roadway in Lowell. In recent years, VFW Highway has undergone some safety improvements to try and protect motorists, pedestrians, and bicyclists. Construction crews widened the highway and added exclusive turn lanes and bicycle accommodations. They also simplified the intersection, improved the road surface, and added new signs and pavement markings.
In addition to driver behavior, poor road surfaces, missing signs, and malfunctioning traffic lights can all contribute to collisions at intersections. Government entities responsible for designing and maintaining roadways can be held liable when their negligence leads to an accident.
How to Obtain an Accident Report in LowellIf you have been in a car accident in Lowell, you should contact Lowell police so they can respond to the scene. Wait until they arrive and provide details as to what occurred. They will be able to write a police report documenting the incident. This document is crucial evidence when pursuing an accident claim in many cases.
Accident reports can be picked up Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. until midnight at the Main Desk of the Lowell Police Department, which is located at 50 Arcand Drive in Lowell. The department states on its website that accident reports will be available the following day. You can help the Records Staff retrieve your report by knowing the date and location of the accident, the officer's name, and the names of any individuals involved. They may charge a small fee to obtain a copy of the report.
If you have questions about obtaining a police report in Lowell, call their Records Department at (978) 674-4508.
Frequently Asked Questions About Car Accidents in LowellQ: What is the most dangerous road in Lowell?
A: The most dangerous road in Lowell is Veterans of Foreign Wars Highway because this road has multiple intersections that are the site of many serious and fatal car accidents each year. Many University of Massachusetts Lowell students cross the highway daily to access the North, South, and East Campuses.
Q: Is Lowell safe for pedestrians?
A: Compared to other Massachusetts cities, Lowell is not safe for pedestrians. According to WalkBoston, of the 47 fatal pedestrian crashes in Massachusetts in 2021, half took place in four cities—Springfield, Boston, Lowell, and Brockton.
Q: Are drivers in Lowell safe drivers?
A: If you consider results from a recent survey that found that Lowell drivers are more likely than drivers in other parts of Massachusetts to engage in "rude" and risky driving behaviors, it is easy to conclude that drivers in Lowell are not safe drivers. The risky driving behaviors include failing to yield or stop, tailgating, illegal passing, and street racing.
In 2021, a driver racing with another car on Pawtucket Boulevard in Lowell lost control of their vehicle, veered onto the sidewalk, and killed two pedestrians.
Drivers who engage in these and other reckless driving behaviors should be held liable for the devastation they cause.
Jeffrey Glassman Injury Lawyers Can Help With a Car Accident in LowellOur Lowell car accident lawyers know that serious crashes are frequently caused by motorists who refuse to obey traffic laws or make dangerous driving choices. When a motor vehicle collision occurs, especially at a high rate of speed, it can cause severe injuries, including brain damage or spinal cord damage. These injuries affect accident victims and their families for the rest of their lives. The cost of treating these injuries can be staggeringly expensive. Millions of Americans have lifelong disabilities due to brain injuries, and treatment can cost millions of dollars during a person's life.
When a driver is unreasonably careless or breaks the law, victims may pursue a claim for compensation from the motorist who caused the crash. Depending on the facts of the accident, at-fault drivers may be liable for an accident victim's medical bills, lost income, and pain and suffering.
Family members of a loved one killed in a crash may be able to pursue a wrongful death claim against the negligent driver. An attorney can explain your rights under Massachusetts law and advise on the next steps.
It is imperative to get legal help as soon as possible after a collision so the person or company responsible can be held accountable and made to pay damages.
Schedule your free consultation with a Lowell car accident lawyer at Jeffrey Glassman Injury Lawyers LLC by calling (617) 777-7777 or filling out our online form.