Teenager on bicycle injured by motorist in Quincy

Speed limit postings on residential streets in Massachusetts can be as low 15 miles per hour in a school zone to as much as 40 miles per hour or more. Motorists are required to follow the speed limits, but they are also supposed to drive for the existing weather conditions. Drivers should also have safe distances between themselves and the car in front of them so they can stop without running into car in front.

Recently, a car was traveling on a residential road at an unknown speed when the driver was unable to stop in time and instead struck a young bicycle rider. The bicycle and car accident took place on Sea Street near Hobomack Road in Quincy. The 13-year-old bicycle rider suffered serious head injuries.

The view from Google map shows that the accident site is midway between Merrymount Elementary School and the Perkins Playground on the north and Broad Meadows Middle School and Broad Meadows Marsh on the south. According to the news report, the accident site is also near a city-owned property called “The Dike.” Apparently the 13-year-old came out of the wooded city property and was struck by a car which was eastbound on Sea Street.

The 13-year-old struck the sedan on the driver’s side near the windshield. The teenager was taken to an area hospital and little released about his condition other than he had a serious head injury.

The police on the scene indicated that they did not believe alcohol was involved in the accident, although they were investigating the scene of the crash.

Should speed or some other factor point towards negligence on the part of the driver, the family of the 13-year-old could hold the driver liable for damages including pain and suffering.

Source: The Patriot Ledger, “Teen on bike seriously hurt in Quincy accident,” Fred Hanson, July 23, 2012