Investigation Underway After Pedestrian Left Critically Injured in Fairhaven Collision Near Howland Road and Garrison Street
FAIRHAVEN, MASSACHUSETTS (February 1, 2026) – A pedestrian was seriously injured in a Fairhaven car accident near the intersection of Howland Road and Garrison Street.
Bristol County officials are saying that the collision took place around 6:00 p.m. on Saturday. A pedestrian was crossing the street, and they were hit by a motor vehicle.
Paramedics were called to the scene of the accident to help the victim. They encountered an adult pedestrian suffering from major injuries.
That person was transported to the hospital to receive treatment. An investigation into the accident is currently being conducted by the Massachusetts State Police Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Section.
Liability for Fairhaven Pedestrian Accidents
Drivers must use caution to avoid colliding with any pedestrians in the roadway. Pursuant to Massachusetts General Laws, Part I, Title XIV, Chapter 89, Section 11, the driver of any vehicle approaching a pedestrian in a marked crosswalk shall yield the right of way to the pedestrian by slowing down or stopping. There are many ways in which a driver may have acted negligently in a pedestrian accident.
- A driver may have failed to reduce their speed to avoid coming into contact with a pedestrian.
- A driver may have failed to check their blind spots before making a turn at an intersection.
- A driver may have made a left turn at an intersection while a pedestrian was in a crosswalk.
When drivers fail to slow down to avoid coming into contact with pedestrians, this could be construed as negligence. Even if a pedestrian is in the middle of the roadway, this does not relieve a driver of their duty of care to use caution to avoid coming into contact with them. Any person injured in a pedestrian accident may be able to pursue damages through a personal injury claim. Damages can help cover lost wages, medical bills, and pain and suffering.
Common Injuries Associated With Pedestrian Accidents
Car accidents remain a major cause of preventable injury and death for pedestrians. According to the Governors Highway Safety Association, “U.S. drivers struck and killed 7,148 pedestrians in 2024, enough to fill more than 30 Boeing 737 jets at maximum capacity. Year-over-year, pedestrian deaths were down 4.3%, the second consecutive annual decline. However, pedestrian fatalities remain nearly 20% above the 2016 level and reached a 40-year high in 2022.” Victims of pedestrian accidents tend to suffer very serious injuries.
- Broken Bones: Being hit by a car can cause major fractures all over a person’s body. This is particularly common in a victim’s arms and legs.
- Organ Damage: The blunt force trauma of being hit by a car can cause major damage to a person’s internal organs.
- Head Injuries: A large number of pedestrians are knocked to the ground after being hit by a car. This leaves some at great risk of hitting their head and sustaining a traumatic brain injury.
- Spinal Cord Injuries: Victims of pedestrian accidents routinely sustained damage to their spinal column. This can cause temporary or even permanent paralysis.
Pedestrian accidents tend to be highly preventable. In many cases, drivers are not properly scanning the road ahead of them. They may be distracted by their phone or other devices. Unfortunately, drivers and their insurance providers will virtually never accept responsibility when a pedestrian is injured in a crash. This is why it is so important that these incidents are properly investigated by a Boston pedestrian accident attorney.
Investigating Massachusetts Pedestrian Accidents
We at DiBella Law extend our best wishes to the pedestrian injured in this accident. It is our sincere hope that they will be able to make a full recovery. Any person that may have more information about what happened should reach out to the police. There needs to be a thorough investigation into what went wrong.
Do you need more information about a Fairhaven pedestrian accident? Our team of Boston pedestrian accident attorneys is here for you. We are committed to helping victims get the medical and financial support that they need to move forward with their lives. Whether you just have legal questions or are wondering how an attorney might be able to help with your particular situation, we are here to assist you. You can contact us anytime at (617) 870-0907.