Personal Injury Law

Four People Injured in Jamaica Plain Car Accident When Driver Strikes Boston Fire Department Vehicle After Running Red Light

By Altman & Altman

Four people were injured on Monday in a Jamaica Plane car accident when a motorist ran a red light, striking a Boston Fire Department vehicle. The driver of the 1998 Audi, Victor Cowart, was trying to get to his fiancé?s home after finding out the kitchen had caught fire.

Cowart struck the 2005 Chevrolet Tahoe SUV, a District 9 Vehicle, at Atherton and Amory at around 4pm. According to the Boston Herald, the SUV, which was transporting the fire chief and his driver, was also headed to the fire site and its flashing red lights were activated at the time of the Massachusetts traffic crash.

Injured in the Jamaica Plain motor vehicle crash were Cowart, a 6-year-old girl who was riding in the car with him, fire chief Robert Dowling, and firefighter Russell Boone. All of them were taken to hospitals for injuries that fortunately do not appear to be life threatening.

Cowart received a traffic citation for failing to yield to an emergency vehicle. His fiancé was reportedly following the Audi in another vehicle.

Motorists are supposed to yield the right of way to emergency vehicles. They are not supposed to run a red light, neglect to make a full stop at a stop sign, drive above the speed limit, or commit any other traffic violations. Traffic laws exist not just to keep order on the streets but also to prevent Boston motor vehicle accidents from happening.

Red Light Running
Running a red light is one of the most dangerous traffic violations that a driver can commit. Examples of the kinds of Boston car crashes that can occur during a red light running accident:

Side-swipe: One car strikes the driver?s side of another vehicle.

T-bone: The front of one vehicle collides with a side door of the other vehicle, potentially causing serious injury to the person seated on that side.

When a Boston car accident occurs because a driver ran a red light, the vehicles following behind the negligent motorist may have to step on their brakes abruptly, potentially causing at least one or more rear-end crashes?again, resulting in personal injury or wrongful death.

Man hits BFD SUV on way to Jamaica Plain fire, Boston Herald, September 8, 2009

Fire chief, 3 others injured in crash, Boston Globe, September 8, 2009

Related Web Resources:
Dangers of Running Red Lights

Red Light Running, Insurance Institute for Highway Safety

Full post as published by Boston Injury Lawyer Blog on September 09, 2009 (boomark / email).