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• Merrimack Car Accident Leaves One Injured
  Mar 09, 2010

  A Merrimack car accident involving two vehicles leaves at least one man injured after the vehicles collide during rush-hour traffic. The incident took place at approximately 7:30 AM on Wednesday morning, February 24, 2010, along Back River Road.
  
  According to police, the wreck occurred when 39-year-old Christopher Pederson, who was driving a 2005 Nissan Altima southbound on Back River Road, apparently lost control of his vehicle. Pederson’s car slid into the northbound land and struck a 2008 BMW head-on. The driver of the BMW has been identified as 47-year-old Weir Lundstedt.
  
  Rescue crews transported Pederson to Southern New Hampshire Medical Center in Nashua where he was treated for injuries sustained in the crash. His injuries have been described as non-life threatening.
  
  It was unclear as to whether Lundstedt was injured in the two-vehicle wreck, which occurred near the entrance to Bradford Wood condominium complex.
  
  Morning commuters were inconvenienced for several hours in both directions as crews cleared the accident scene.
  
  The Merrimack accident is still under investigation by local authorities. The cause of the accident has not been determined at this point.
  
  Injuries sustained in a car accident can pose difficulties for those involved. Our thoughts go out to both victims and we wish them both a speedy recovery. - 1 - 10

• Georgia, Vermont Car Accident Sends Man to Hospital
  Feb 24, 2010

  A Georgia, Vermont car accident involving a single vehicle sends one man to the hospital after his vehicle loses control and flips over. The incident took place on Sunday morning, February 14, 2010, along Interstate 89 in Franklin County.
  
  According to police, the driver of a pickup truck lost control and crashed his vehicle. Troopers believe that black ice may have been a contributive factor in the wreck.
  
  The driver has been identified as William Newton, 41, of Swanton. Rescue crews transported Williams to a local hospital where he was treated for injuries sustained in the accident. He was listed in serious condition.
  
  An unidentified passenger was in the vehicle at the time of the accident. The extent of the victim’s injuries and condition were not made available.
  
  “Conditions at the time looked pretty slick during that time frame,” said Vermont State Trooper Dustin Robinson. “He went off the roadway, hit the ledges and then overturned and came up when it was in the roadway.”
  
  The single-vehicle Franklin County car accident is still under investigation by local authorities.
  
  This is an unfortunate accident and our thoughts go out to all of those that have been impacted by the crash. We wish both victims a speedy recovery. - 2 - 10

• Sunderland Auto Accident Leaves Woman Seriously Injured
  Feb 23, 2010

  A Sunderland auto accident leaves one woman with serious injuries and another with minor injuries after two vehicles collide on a snow-covered road in Vermont. The incident took place at approximately 6:15 PM on Tuesday evening, February 16, 2010, on Route 7A.
  
  According to Vermont State Police, the incident occurred when a 2008 Hyundai Accent lost control on a snow-covered road and began to skid sideways and into the northbound lane. The driver of the Hyundai has been identified as Samantha Becker, 17, of Shushan, New York.
  
  A 2000 Toyota sport utility vehicle (SUV), driven by Louise Kelly, 50, of Manchester, was traveling northbound on Route 7A and hit Becker head-on, slamming into the driver’s side of the Hyundai.
  
  Rescue crews transported Becker to Southwestern Vermont Medical Center where she was treated for serious injuries sustained in the two-vehicle wreck. Kelly, the driver of the SUV was treated at the scene. Fortunately she was later released.
  
  The Sunderland accident is still under investigation by local authorities. The Vermont State Police have asked anyone who may have witnessed or any information concerning the two-vehicle crash to contact them.
  
  This is an unfortunate accident and we wish both victims a speedy recovery. - 3 - 10

• Vermont Car Accidents Leave Several Injured
  Feb 20, 2010

  Recent Vermont car accidents leave several people injured and another cited for driving under the influence of drugs. Weather conditions may have been a factor.
  
  A Townshend car accident occurred on Saturday, January 24, 2010, after a vehicle skidded off the road and landed in a brook.  According to Vermont State Police, Wendall L. Darrell, 35, of Springfield, was driving a 2006 Chevrolet Blazer when he lost control of the vehicle at the intersection of Route 35 and Deer Valley Road. Darrell was not injured in the wreck.
  
  According to police, there were two passengers in the Chevrolet at the time of the accident. They have been identified as Paula Martin, 54, of Rockingham, and Thomas Moody, 53, also from Rockingham.  They both suffered bruised ribs and facial injuries. It was unclear whether anyone was transported to the hospital.
  
  Fortunately, according to reports, all three victims had seatbelts on at the time the vehicle skidded off the road. Police believe that icy conditions may have contributed to the accident.
  
  A few days later, on Saturday, January 30, 2010, Jeremy Damon, 33, of Rockingham, was cited in a Rockingham rollover accident that totaled his 2000 Chevrolet Cavalier. The incident took place on Back Westminster Road.
  
  Vermont State Police cited Damon for driving under the influence of drugs. Damon was not seriously injured. No other injuries were reported.
  
  Being involved in a car accident is a serious matter and our thoughts go out to all those involved in these accidents. - 4 - 10

• Young Girl Injured in Rochester Car Accident - Driver Runs Red Light
  Feb 10, 2010

  A Rochester car accident resulted in a 9-year-old child being injured.  According to a preliminary investigation, a 2000 Chevy Blazer was traveling north on Salmon Falls Road when it struck a 1992 Toyota Camry.  The collision occurred at the intersection of Highland Street and Salmon Falls Road on Sunday, February 7, 2010.
  
  Police have reported that the driver of the Chevy, 51-year-old Ellen Daigle, ran a red light and hit the Camry, which was driven by 30-year-old Kenneth Smith.  Smith’s 9-year-old daughter was a passenger in the car at the time of the crash.
  
  The Chevy rolled over onto its roof, as a result of the impact. Frisbie Memorial Hospital EMS, police and firefighters responded to the crash.
  
  Daigle and Smith did not suffer any injuries, but the young girl was injured.  Fortunately, her injuries were reported as non life-threatening, according to police. It was reported that all of the occupants in the vehicles were wearing seat belts at the time of the accident.
  
  Both vehicles were badly damaged and had to be towed from the scene of the accident.  Diagle was cited for a traffic light violation.
  
  Our thoughts go out to the Smith family, as we wish the young girl a speedy recovery.
  - 5 - 10

• Rochester Car Accident Leaves Woman Charged With DWI
  Feb 03, 2010

  A Rochester car accident involving a single vehicle that left a trail of damage and debris ends with a woman facing DWI charges. The incident took place early Monday morning, February 1, 2010, in the 100 block of Franklin Street.
  
  According to the Rochester Police Department, a woman who was apparently drunk rolled her car in a ditch. She was able to drive her car home after her vehicle rolled back over onto its tires.
  
  The suspect has been identified as Leighanne Page, 21, of Rochester. Page was apparently wearing her seatbelt at the time of the accident. Though, she was treated by Frisbie EMS, she did not suffer any major injuries in the crash. It was unclear whether she was hospitalized.
  
  When police arrived on the scene, they found damaged mailboxes, car parts and debris along Franklin Street. They suspected that these items were a result of the crash and that the debris along the road came from inside Page’s car.
  
  Page is facing a DWI charge. She was later released after she made bailed. She is scheduled to be arraigned on March 1, 2010, at the Rochester District Court. Her arraignment is set for 8:00 AM.
  
  The Rochester accident is still under investigation by local authorities.
  
  Every year, thousands of people are injured in car accidents involving drunk drivers.  If you have been injured in a New Hampshire drunk driving accident, you do have rights and should contact a New Hampshire car accident attorney. - 6 - 10

• Helmet Law Debated in New Hampshire
  Jan 31, 2010

  Not for the first time a bill has been proposed that would require all bikers to wear helmets when riding.  New Hampshire legislature has defeated similar bills each time they were filed. 

  It looks as though this bill does not have a lot of support either.  Over 250 people came out to argue against the bill.  The new law would require that all bikers wear helmets.  Currently only those under the age of 18 are required to wear a helmet.

  One concerned citizen attending the meeting, John Wilkins of Gilmanton, believes that the bill infringes on his personal freedoms.

  "I don't believe it is your job to take care of me, to protect me from myself," said Wilkins.

  Though the majority of the public at the meeting were against the bill, Katherine Dawson came out to support it.  Her husband was severely injured in a motorcycle accident.  He was not wearing a helmet and his injuries were extensive.

  "He'll never walk again.  He'll never speak again.  He'll never be himself again."

  If the bill is not passed, New Hampshire will face sanctions, losing federal highway dollars.

   

  - 7 - 10

• In New Britain, CT Multiple Accidents Involve Emergency Vehicles
  Jan 30, 2010

  Three separate accidents in New Britain, Ct involved emergency workers and their vehicles. 

  The first occurred when a fire truck assisting at a crash scene collided with a city vehicle that was sanding the roads.  The firefighters involved were taken to the hospital and treated for minor wounds.

  Shortly after the first accident a police officer was rear-ended as he was responding to a crash.  The officer was sitting in his vehicle at the time.  According to Sgt. Jeanette Saccente the officer, "did receive minor injuries."

  The final accident occurred when an ambulance was responding to a separate accident.  The ambulance crashed head-on into a car at the intersection of Black Rock Avenue and New Hampshire Drive.  The EMT's and driver of the other vehicle were taken to area hospitals.

  Police and firefighters in the area responded to about 20 crashes as a winter storm passed over the city.  State police were also inundated with calls regarding accidents.  Their officers responded to 150 crashes across the state.

  First responders are often in direct danger as they stop along busy roads and congested areas to help accident victims.

   

  The staff and attorneys at Van Dorn & Curtiss are glad to hear that all involved received only minor injuries.  We hope that the injured parties all have speedy and complete recoveries.

  - 8 - 10

• Accident in Merrimack Highlights Residents Concerns Over Roads Safety
  Jan 29, 2010

  Daniel Stone, of Merrimack, was headed east on Lawrence Road when he came upon two young boys riding their bikes in the same direction.  When Stone attempted to pass the children one of them moved into his lane, causing him to swerve to avoid him.  However, the correction was not enough and he struck one of the boys.

  Police have said that they do not plan on filing charges and have deemed the crash an accident.  The 11-year-old boy was taken to Southern New Hampshire Medical Center with non-life-threatening injuries. 

  The child was fortuante to survive the crash on a road that residents have been concerned about for some time.  A new transfer station on the road has casued traffic to increse dramitically.  Rick Barnes and his family live on Lawerence Road.  He was at the scene shortly after the accident and his concerns about the street have increased.

  "My biggest concern is this is an area leading to the transfer station," Barnes said.  "It kind of forms an ‘s,' and people come flying through there."

  Barnes is hopeful that the city council will take another look at the road.  Though modifications, including major roadway construction  have been made, residents of Lawernce Road are still concerned about the safety of the street.

   

  The staff and attorneys at Van Dorn & Curtiss hope that the young boy injured in the accident makes a full and speedy recovery.  

  - 9 - 10

• Texting Ban in New Hampshire Begins in January
  Dec 31, 2009

  Tonight at midnight text messaging and driving will be illegal in New Hampshire.  The new law will forbid texting and tickets will cost violators $100.

  The law expands on a 2002 negligent and distracted driver law.  Assistant Safety Commissioner Earl Sweeney says that the distracted driver law is more difficult to prove as police have to show that the driver knew their actions were negligent in putting others at risk. 

  Lawmakers decided to enact the new law as more and more accidents blamed on text messaging were reported.  Many studies have been done on just how dangerous text messaging and driving is. 

  A Virginia Tech Transportation Institute study showed that the collision risk was 23 times greater when drivers of heavy trucks texted while driving.  In comparison dialing a cell phone or reaching for an electronic device only increased the risk by 6 times. 

  The bill was sponsored by State Rep. Richard Drisko, R-Hollis. 

  "Some of the texting is just amazing, using two hands and holding the wheel with your knees.  That's crazy," he said.  "Some kids have a keyboard on their dashboard so they can text."

   

  The staff and attorneys at Van Dorn & Curtiss hope that every time you drive, you drive safe.  Even one accident avoided, one injury prevented, would make the New Year brighter for all of New Hampshire.    

  - 10 - 10

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