Top Causes of Car Accidents in Massachusetts

Car accidents are a daily reality on Massachusetts roads. Whether it's a high-speed crash on I-290 in Worcester or a rear-end collision during the morning commute in Boston, car accidents can turn your life upside down in a second.

Worst of all, many of these accidents never should have happened in the first place. That’s because many of the common causes of collisions are preventable. Understanding what contributes to these car crashes is important – for your own safety and when seeking compensation after a collision.

At the Law Offices of Mark E. Salomone, we fight for people who never expected to find themselves in this position. When someone else’s reckless decisions cause serious harm, you deserve a legal team that knows how to hold them accountable and pursue the compensation you’re owed. You deserve the Salomone Advantage.

Speeding

Speeding remains one of the most common and dangerous behaviors on the road. Roughly one-third (32.9 percent) of car accident fatalities in Massachusetts occur each year due to speeding drivers, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

When drivers go over the speed limit, they reduce their ability to react to sudden changes on the road. They have less time and space to slow down and avoid causing a collision. That includes anything from a car braking unexpectedly to a pedestrian stepping into a crosswalk or traffic suddenly backing up.

At high speeds, even a small mistake can turn into a devastating crash. Speeding increases the distance required to stop, reduces the effectiveness of safety features such as seatbelts and airbags, and leads to more severe injuries in the event of a collision.

Driving too fast not only reduces a driver’s ability to react in time, but also makes it harder to control the vehicle, especially in bad weather or on winding roads. These crashes can result in broken bones, spinal injuries, and long-term trauma, all due to someone else’s negligent decision to speed.

Distracted Driving

Texting while driving gets a lot of attention for good reason, but it’s just one example of distracted driving. Distractions can take many forms: eating, adjusting the GPS, talking to passengers, or even letting your mind wander. It only takes a few seconds for a crash to happen.

Massachusetts’s hands-free law makes it illegal to text or use handheld devices while driving. But despite the law, distracted driving remains an issue across the state. Drivers continue to look away from the road, often underestimating how quickly things can go wrong.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), when a driver glances down at their phone for just five seconds while traveling 55 mph, their vehicle covers the length of an entire football field, without their eyes ever seeing what’s ahead.

Distracted drivers often cause crashes like:

Rear-ending a vehicle stopped at a red light.
Drifting into another lane and causing a head-on collision.
Failing to see pedestrians, bikers, or cyclists in their path.

No matter how it happens, distraction behind the wheel puts everyone at risk.

Drunk and Drug-Impaired Driving

Alcohol and drugs don’t just blur vision or slow reflexes; they alter judgment, reduce coordination, and distort perception. These effects make even the simplest driving tasks, like staying in a lane or judging distance, far more dangerous.

When someone drives impaired, their ability to make split-second decisions disappears. They may misjudge the distance between their car and the car in front. They may not notice a red light until it’s too late. Their reactions are slower, and their behavior becomes unpredictable, swerving between lanes, speeding through intersections, or slamming the brakes too late.

In Massachusetts and across the country, law enforcement looks for signs of impaired driving—things like weaving, erratic braking, or delayed responses to traffic signals. But unfortunately, police can’t catch every drunk driver in time. And it only takes one poor decision to forever change someone’s life. Drunk driving accidents often result in head-on collisions, T-bone crashes at intersections, and pedestrian accidents, all of which can result in a fatal situation. It’s no wonder that 33 percent of all car accident fatalities in Massachusetts occur due to impaired drivers, according to the NHTSA.

Drowsy Driving

Tired driving doesn’t always get the same attention as drunk or distracted driving, but it’s just as dangerous. Fatigue affects the brain in similar ways to alcohol, impairing judgment, slowing reaction time, and making it harder to stay focused on the road.

When a driver is tired, their ability to process information is affected. They might miss traffic signs, fail to notice slowing vehicles, or react too late to avoid a hazard. Microsleeps, brief, involuntary moments of nodding off, can last just a few seconds, but at highway speeds, that’s long enough to cause a serious or fatal crash.

Drowsy drivers often struggle to stay in their lane or maintain a consistent speed. They may drift off the road or slam into the back of another vehicle without braking at all. In severe cases, drivers fall asleep completely, leading to head-on collisions or high-speed roadway departures.

Fatigue-related crashes are especially common among overnight drivers, shift workers, truckers, and people with undiagnosed sleep disorders. But the truth is, anyone can be affected. Long days, poor sleep, and extended time behind the wheel all increase the risk of a drowsy driving accident.

The danger lies in how easy it is to underestimate drowsiness. Many drivers assume they can power through fatigue by rolling down the window, turning up the radio, or drinking caffeine. But these tricks only mask the problem, they don’t restore alertness. Drowsy driving isn’t just about feeling sleepy. It’s a real threat to road safety that puts everyone in harm’s way. And like other forms of negligence, it’s preventable.

Reckless Driving

Unlike isolated mistakes, reckless driving is typically intentional or done with a clear lack of concern for consequences. In cities like Worcester and Springfield, busy intersections see frequent collisions caused by drivers who:

Race through yellow lights
Don’t yield to oncoming traffic when turning left
Fail to stop for pedestrians in crosswalks
Cutting off other drivers
Change lanes without warning

Drivers who speed up to beat a yellow light often enter intersections just as the light turns red, putting them in direct conflict with cross traffic that has a green light. This reckless gamble is a common cause of T-bone crashes, which are especially dangerous due to the limited protection on the sides of vehicles.

When drivers make a left turn without waiting for a clear gap in oncoming traffic, they force oncoming vehicles to brake suddenly, or worse, crash directly into the side of the turning vehicle. These collisions are often high-speed and result in serious injuries, particularly to the driver or passenger on the impacted side.

Ignoring crosswalks puts pedestrians in immediate danger. A driver who fails to stop may strike someone who is legally crossing the road. Pedestrian accidents often result in severe or fatal injuries due to the complete lack of protection for those on foot.

Abruptly merging or turning in front of another vehicle without enough space can cause rear-end collisions or force the other driver to swerve into another lane, increasing the risk of multi-car accidents. This behavior is especially dangerous on highways or in heavy traffic. And worst of all, such accidents never should have happened in the first place.

Weather Conditions

Massachusetts is known for its brutal winters and unpredictable weather. Snow, ice, fog, and heavy rain all increase the risk of accidents, especially for drivers who fail to adjust their speed and behavior accordingly.

Examples include:

Slippery roads can cause spinouts or rear-end crashes.
Poor visibility can contribute to multi-car pileups.
Hydroplaning on wet roads.
Multi-vehicle accidents on snow or ice-covered roads.

While the weather itself isn’t a legal cause of action, negligent driving in poor conditions can be. If someone was speeding or failed to properly maintain their tires or brakes, they could still be held responsible for an accident, even if weather played a role. And many times during blizzards or ice storms, state officials lower the speed limit on the road due to inclement weather. Drivers who drive too fast during such hazardous conditions should be held accountable for their actions when they cause a crash.

What To Do If You’ve Been Injured in a Crash

If you were involved in a car accident in Massachusetts, here are a few important steps to take:

Seek medical attention: Even if you feel fine, some injuries like whiplash or internal trauma may not show symptoms right away. A medical exam can also provide a direct link between your injury and your accident, which is important when filing a car accident claim or lawsuit.
Call the police: Make sure a report is filed at the scene, especially if you or anyone else was injured. It is an important piece of evidence.
Document the scene: Take photos of vehicle damage, the surrounding area, and any visible injuries. Crash scene photos can be critical pieces of evidence in a car accident case.
Get witness information: If anyone saw the crash, ask for their name and contact details.
Report the accident to your insurance company: Notify them as soon as possible, ideally within 24 hours. Provide only basic facts, don’t admit fault, or speculate.
Talk to a car accident attorney: Speak with a lawyer before giving any statements to the other driver’s insurance company. Anything you say could later be used to reduce or deny your accident claim.

Talk to a Massachusetts Car Accident Lawyer Today

Car accidents can happen in an instant, but the effects can last a lifetime. From medical bills and lost income to pain, stress, and long-term recovery, all of this can take a toll.

If you’ve been injured in a crash caused by someone else’s reckless behavior, you don’t have to deal with the insurance companies alone. The Law Offices of Mark E. Salomone has a proven track record of results in Massachusetts, with offices conveniently located across the state to serve you.

You have enough to worry about after your accident. Focus on getting better. We can take care of everything else. Contact us and learn how an experienced Massachusetts car accident attorney can make a difference with your case. Schedule a free case evaluation today. There’s no cost and no obligation, just answers and support from the legal team that knows how to win.

“I had the best experience working with the Law Offices of Mark E. Salomone. I was involved in a car accident last year and contacted them right away. I cannot say enough good things about this team. From start to finish, everyone I worked with was absolutely amazing, especially Kesha. They were always quick to respond, incredibly professional, and genuinely kind. Every question I had was answered thoroughly and thoughtfully, which made the entire process so much less stressful. I truly felt supported every step of the way. If you’re looking for a team that combines professionalism with compassion, I highly recommend them!” – Michael B., ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

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