Brooks & Crowley November 2019

Sometimes, They (Insurance Companies) Need to See It to Believe It!

We have also represented a client who was in an accident with a mechanic who was test-driving a vehicle after repairing it. The mechanic caused an accident that totaled both cars. His repair shop attempted to cover up the accident and deny that anyone from the shop was involved. Again, thanks to a smart client who took photographs, the truth was uncovered. It’s difficult to imagine such wild denials taking place, but we were thankful that our client had the presence of mind to take pictures at the scene. In our 25 years of practice, we have seen it all.

for a statement. The owner of the vehicle said she was at work at the time and that the vehicle was in the shop being repaired. The shop owner denied the vehicle was at the accident scene. The insurance company denied the claim based on the story they were told. You see, following the accident, one of the repair shop’s tow trucks immediately took the offending vehicle back to the shop. Presumably, they wanted to repair the damage without the owner of the car finding out. Fortunately, our client had taken pictures at the scene. Once the investigation revealed that it was the shop owner’s son behind the wheel, we were ultimately able to resolve the claim to our client’s satisfaction.

We always tell folks how important it is for them to take pictures of the scene if they are involved in an auto accident. There are many reasons: The other person could challenge how the accident occurred, or, if the impact caused the cars to spin or otherwise move, it could create a liability dispute. You should always take pictures of the cars and the drivers of the cars in the accident. One time, the son of an auto repair shop owner took his girlfriend for a joyride in a vehicle that had been left in the shop for repairs and caused an accident with our client.

When the claim was reported, the vehicle owner’s insurance company called the owner

Are Electric Scooters Coming to Boston? What to Know Before You Ride

Boston without some auxiliary rules in place. In Brookline, for example, riders are mandated to wear helmets and not ride on the sidewalk. However, with dedicated bike lanes not yet a widespread reality, some residents want to amend the law to allow for sidewalk riding outside of main thoroughfares. If and when scooters debut in Boston proper, they will certainly do so with specific rules you’ll want to heed. If you do end up riding a scooter, we hope you do so safely. When accidents happen, no matter the mode of transportation, you can count on the attorneys at Brooks & Crowley to ensure your rights are protected and justice is served. Please don’t hesitate to call us on behalf of yourself or a loved one.

Easily, the most talked about and controversial form of public transportation to arrive in American cities over the past couple years has been electric scooters, often called e-scooters. Seemingly overnight, companies like Bird and Lime dumped hundreds of scooters on the sidewalks of densely populated areas without any public fanfare — and in some cases, even without any warning to local governments.

these devices aren’t going to have your back in the event of an accident. Barring a malfunction of the scooter, you are on your own. We are used to agreeing to terms of service without reading them — how many times have you checked the box without so much as looking at the terms? — but in the case of something you could be seriously injured on, it’s best to exercise precaution. In an approach befitting of the Commonwealth’s reputation for regulation, it’s unlikely that scooters will arrive in

While Boston has been one of the last big cities to welcome the devices, it seems poised to at least toy with the idea of introducing them, especially after a largely successful pilot program of Lime scooters in Brookline earlier this year. Whether you regard these scooters as a fun diversion, an eco-friendly commuting alternative, or an all-around pain in the butt, it behooves you to know a bit about them before you consider riding one. Before you hop on a scooter, it’s important to understand that the companies who produce

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