Three people were killed in an accident on Route 8 in Massachusetts on Friday afternoon near the Connecticut border. Four cars total were involved in the accident. Three of them were from Connecticut, and one from New York. The road was closed at the border between Massachusetts and Connecticut.

According to Massachusetts State Trooper John Zielinski, a man in a 1999 Chevy Blazer traveling southbound crossed the double yellow line and entered the northbound lane, where he sideswiped a 2006 Jaguar. The Blazer then completely entered the lane and hit a 1993 Chevy pickup truck. A 2007 BMW then rear ended the pickup truck. The driver of the Blazer and two men in the pickup truck were killed at the scene.

Authorities from both Massachusetts and Connecticut have been investigating the scene of the accident. It is still unclear what caused it.

If you or a loved one has been injured in an automobile accident, please contact the Accident Lawyers Network to find an experienced personal injury lawyer in your area.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported today that 2007 can boast the lowest amount of traffic deaths in over a decade. Traffic fatalities dropped 1,600 from 2006 to a relatively low 41, 059. This fatality rate is 1.37 for every 100 million miles traveled, and therefore the lowest on record. Transportation Secretary Mary Peters states the reasons for the drop include "safer vehicles, aggressive law enforcement and [NHTSA] efforts."

California saw the lowest decline with 266 fewer deaths than 2006, but the largest percentage decreases were in South Dakota and Vermont. On the other hand, deaths in North Carolina increased 121 from 2006. Also disappointing for Secretary Peters is that motorcycle deaths have increased for the tenth straight year.

Reasons for the increase in motorcycle fatalities may be attributed to the massive increase in riders and in miles traveled. Because fuel prices are high, many people have traded driving their car or truck for a motorcycle. The inexperience of the riders may also play a part in the fatalities. Officials said they plan on an aggressive anti-drunk driving campaign set to launch before the Labor Day holiday.

President of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety Adrian Lund believes the drop in deaths is due to the economy. Again, gas prices were cited, although they really didn't begin to increase until this year, but the general sluggishness of the economy was also mentioned. Lund believes nest year's fatality rate will drop again.

This report comes amid another report that Americans are driving much less than they did at this time last year, or any year, since the oil embargo of the 1970s.

A 26-foot boat ran aground due to the darkness of night and the shallowness of a Hudson River marsh and overturned early July 29^th near Highland Falls, New York. The boat was carrying five friends who were returning home after eating at a Newburgh restaurant when the accident happened.

One of the five, 25-year-old Steven Vasta, used his cell phone to call 911 as the five were trapped beneath the overturned hull. Vasta let dispatchers know they were trapped. He made two calls, but both were cut off. However, authorities were able to pinpoint the location of the boat and sent in helicopters, boats, and cars from surrounding counties. The wreck was found in waist-high water.

Although the rescuers were able to save four of the five, tragically Vasta died. The pilot of the boat, John Downey III was treated at a hospital and released. His fiancé, Vanessa Santos and another friend, Marco Almeida, were listed in good condition, while Sean Morris was listed in serious condition. Authorities believe all may have died if it wasn't for Vasta making the emergency calls.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a boating accident, please contact the Accident Lawyers Network to find an experienced injury lawyer in your area.

An 18- and a 20-year-old were indicted in the deaths of eight people who were killed during an illegal street race in Maryland last February. Darren Bullock and Tavon Taylor were each charged with eight counts of vehicular manslaughter, street racing, and reckless driving.

Maryland prosecutors allege Bullock was the driver that hit a group of people from behind as they were grouped in the road watching two other cars speed off. They are unsure if Taylor hit anyone. Bullock and Taylor were allegedly driving nearly 110 mph without headlights.

The accident brought to light the illegal street racing subculture in Southern Maryland, and the depth of the attraction surprised state's attorney Glenn Ivey. "I hadn't realized [the attraction] was there," Ivey said.

If you or a loved one has been injured when you were hit by a car, please contact the Accident Lawyers Network to find an experienced injury lawyer in your area.

The 21-year-old driver who struck and killed a pedestrian in May has turned himself in to be charged. Brian Widmayer of Dover Township, Pennsylvania, was texting on his cell phone as he passed through an intersection. Forty-three-year-old David Peters was walking across the street at the time, and was struck and killed.

Investigators found that Peters' body slid over 60 feet after being struck by Widmayer's 2001 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo. Widmayer is estimated to have been driving between 30 and 36 mph; the posted speed limit is 25 mph at the intersection where Peters was killed.

Police have said Widmayer both received and sent a text in the same minute the accident occurred. After striking Peters, Widmayer drove through the intersection, turned the corner, and stopped to call 911.

Widmayer has been charged with reckless driving, careless driving, careless driving resulting in death, driving without a license, and accident involving death or injury while not properly licensed.

Anyone who has their license had to take driver's ed at some point early on. And many people who have been involved in accidents are required to take it again. One of the things we learn in driver's ed is just how quickly things can change. It only takes seconds to become involved in an accident, which is why we're supposed to pay attention. While texting has become an important way to communicate for many people, texting while driving, even if you have the green light (as Widmayer apparently did) is obviously a very stupid thing to do.

If you or a loved one has been hit and injured by a car, please contact the Accident Lawyers Network to find an experienced injury lawyer in your area.