Our Boston drunk driving accident lawyers understand that in many cases, the surviving heirs of deceased victims must open a probate estate before bringing a lawsuit in Superior Court.

drinking-565345-m.jpgAccording to a recent story from WGN, two occupants of a car were killed after the drunk driver behind the wheel ran off the road, through a barrier, and the car fell nearly 50 feet into a water-filled quarry. This occurred near Chicago.

The two passengers were not able to escape from the submerged car, and police divers recovered their bodies. It has been further reported that the driver was able to escape from the car and swim to shore. All occupants of the car were 21 years of age. Police have charged the driver with crimes related to a drunk driving fatality.
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Our Boston drunk driving car accident attorneys know that many of the worst alcohol-related car accidents involve young drivers.

beer2.jpgA recent feature on Boston.com looks at the history and effects of having a national drinking of age of 21. This July marks three decades since the National Minimum Drinking Age Act took effect when President Ronald Regan signed it into law.

As the article notes, this national act required all states to raise the drinking age to 21. Any state that did not comply with the provisions of the act would face a significant cut in its federal highway budget.

While, normally, the federal government does not have the authority to force a state to enact a local law, the government does have the power to withhold federal funding for various programs if the state does not comply. This was the method used to mandate compliance with the Drinking Age Act. Though some states were initially reluctant, every state eventually complied with the act’s requirements, and the drinking age was 21 throughout the nation in the summer of 1984.
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Our Boston drunk driving accident lawyers know that an alcohol-related car accident can result in serious injury or death.

prison-1431136-m.jpgThe Boston Globe is reporting that Bridgewater woman has been sentenced to two and half years in prison in connection with a fatal drunk driving accident that occurred in Norfolk County Massachusetts in 2011.

The driver was charged with operating under the influence (OUI), which is the term for a DUI in Massachusetts General Laws, homicide while operating a motor vehicle under the influence of intoxicating liquor of drugs, negligent operation of a motor vehicle, and other related serious traffic offenses.

Accord to court documents, the driver was operating her motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol when she crashed her car into another vehicle. Two people were seriously injured and another victim was killed in the tragic crash.
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Football season will be starting soon enough, and unfortunately this means that there may be more drunk drivers on the roads. People who attend games or parties, or who watch sports at friend’s houses, may have a few drinks too many and may decide to drive home after the game. This creates a significant danger for themselves and for others on the roads. football-1415503-m.jpg

If you or a loved one is harmed by an intoxicated driver, you need to understand your rights. A Boston drunk driving accident attorney can help you to take legal action after a drunk driving collision. While victims can receive monetary compensation; however, it is always better to find innovative ideas to strop drunk driving before it occurs. Mothers Against Drunk Driving has found one novel approach, joining with National Football League (NFL) teams to try to prevent intoxicated driving.
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The wife of a man who drove drunk and killed a father of two has been held civilly liable for $25 million in damages for negligent entrustment of her vehicle to her husband.
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The Texas case of Casas v. Noreiga sends a powerful message to loved ones of alcoholics and addicts. When these individuals are granted access to motor vehicles, often without insurance, they present a potentially fatal hazard to everyone with whom they share the road. Boston drunk driving accident attorneys know negligent entrustment is one way the courts can ensure those who handed over the keys are held responsible.

An allegation of negligent entrustment can apply not only to spouses, but also parents of children who drive recklessly or cohabiting partners, siblings and even friends.
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Stopping drunk driving is difficult because police cannot pull a motorist over or ask him to submit to a breath or blood test unless the officer has reasonable cause to believe the driver is drunk. Sometimes, it can be difficult to tell a driver is intoxicated as a car passes quickly by. Further, police cannot be everywhere at all times, so not every drunk driver is caught by law enforcement. club-2-1147774-m.jpg

A new technology could make it much easier for law enforcement officers to identify drunk drivers. According to the Huffington Post, this new technology could be “a drunk driver’s worst nightmare.”
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The case of Pierson v. Service America Corp. could create a new level of accountability for booze vendors at sporting events.
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The Indiana Court of Appeals has ruled the family of a 12-year-old girl struck and killed by a drunk driver who had been imbibing at a football game just prior to the crash may continue with their negligence lawsuit against the vendor who served him alcohol.

Boston drunk driving accident lawyers know that while this case takes place in Indiana, the vendor is based in South Carolina and holds contracts with stadiums across the world, including at stadiums in Washington, D.C., New Orleans, San Diego and San Francisco. Undoubtedly, other vendors are carefully watching the development of this case through the court system.
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The Fourth of July is a dangerous time for drunk drivers. According to Mothers Against Drunk Driving, 161 people were killed in intoxicated driving collisions just over the Fourth of July weekend in 2011. This was a 70 percent increase in the average number of drunk driving fatalities per day. dry-zone-553050-m.jpg

While Independence Day is a time for barbeques, fireworks and picnics with friends, it does not have to be a time when motorists take their lives into their hands and get behind the wheel drunk. Motorists should make the smart choice this holiday season to stay sober and avoid intoxicated driving so they don’t hurt or kill themselves or someone else on the road. Victims who are injured by an intoxicated driver need to understand their legal rights and should contact a Boston drunk driving accident attorney for help.
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In the full swing of summer, there are a greater number of gatherings at which under-21 guests are consuming alcohol. Adults who host these parties or provide the alcohol need to know they may not only face criminal sanctions, they could be held civilly liable should an injury result.
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Boston drunk driving accident lawyers are familiar with M.G.L.c. 138, § 34, passed in 2000, which holds social hosts liable for injury to innocent third parties by an intoxicated guest when the host supplied or provided alcohol.

There are few cases in which the courts have allowed a person to be held liable for injuries sustained by the guest – even if that guest is underage.
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Drinking alcohol and getting behind the wheel can be dangerous. While beer and wine can also create the risk of DUI, hard alcohol, can be especially deadly for drivers, particularly teens. According a recent publication, underage binge drinkers prefer hard alcohol, especially vodka. Binge drinking is popular among teens and college students and can pose a significant risk of health problems. Those who regularly binge drink are more likely to suffer injuries and falls, alcohol poisoning, and other consequences, including drinking and driving accidents.

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Researchers found that beer is consumed in less than one third of binge-driving episodes among drinkers aged 13 to 20. Researchers also found that binge drinking was more likely when teens were consuming specific brands. The study sheds light on certain binge drinking practices and is a reminder to parents and teens that drinking can be a dangerous pastime, especially if teens decide to get behind the wheel. Our Boston drunk driving attorneys are familiar with drinking trends among teens and young people. We are dedicated to raising awareness to prevent drinking and driving accidents and to keep roads safer for all motorists.
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