How Does Boston Traffic Congestion Impact Car Accident Liability and Claims?
Published in Car Accidents on October 2, 2025
Reading Time: 4 minutes
Boston drivers face some of the worst traffic conditions in the nation. The average driver loses 79 hours sitting in traffic, according to the INRIX Global Traffic Scorecard. This gridlock doesn’t just waste time. It creates problems when determining fault and liability after car accidents.
The experienced attorneys at Sweeney Merrigan Law, LLP, have spent decades helping car accident victims. In this article, we will explain how traffic may affect your car accident claim.
Boston’s Traffic and Causes of Congestion
Boston’s traffic problems stem from multiple factors. The city consistently ranks among the worst in the nation for traffic delays. Boston’s road conditions may often lead to more traffic accidents.
The colonial-era street layout wasn’t designed for modern traffic volumes. Streets originally built for horse-drawn carriages now handle thousands of vehicles daily.
Many of these roads lack the following:
- Proper shoulders for disabled vehicles or emergency stops
- Merge lanes that force sudden lane changes in heavy traffic
- Enough turning space at intersections designed for smaller vehicles
- Wide lane widths that leave room for error between vehicles
Primary causes of Boston’s traffic problems
Several factors combine to create Boston’s notorious congestion. Some causes of congestion in Boston include:
- High population density with over 630,000 residents packed into just 48 square miles, as of 2025
- Limited highway capacity, with major routes like I-93 and I-95 carrying far more traffic than designed
- Constant construction as the city updates aging infrastructure, while traffic continues
- High commuter volume from surrounding suburbs funneling into the downtown core
How weather amplifies traffic dangers
Boston is known for its humid summers and snowy winters. Some weather-related factors that increase accident risks include:
- Snow and ice, which make narrow streets even more dangerous
- Rain, if it reduces visibility on roads that already have poor sight lines
- Minor weather events that double commute times and increase accident risks
- Snow removal equipment, if it takes up valuable road space during the winter months
- Snowbanks that narrow already tight lanes for extended periods
- Salt and sand, which create slippery conditions that last long after storms end
These factors combine with heavy traffic to create perfect conditions for multi-vehicle accidents.
What Congestion Looks Like on Different Boston Roads
Traffic congestion is different depending on the type of road. Each road type has its own liability complications. The differences below can help you understand fault in Boston traffic accidents.
One-way street congestion patterns
Boston has an extensive one-way street network. During rush hour, these streets become narrow channels packed with vehicles.
Common problems on one-way streets include:
- Sudden illegal turns when drivers realize they are going the wrong way
- Double parking with delivery vehicles blocking entire lanes
- Aggressive lane changes as drivers try to position for upcoming turns
- Pedestrian conflicts at crosswalks where visibility is limited by stopped traffic
- Emergency vehicle access problems when traffic has nowhere to move
Highway congestion challenges
Major highways like I-93 and Route 1 have some of the worst congestion in the country. Highway traffic dangers that drivers need to watch for include:
- Sudden stops from highway speeds making rear-end crashes more severe than usual
- Unexpected lane shifts catching drivers by surprise in construction zones
- Blocked breakdown lanes trapping disabled cars in traffic
- Narrowed lanes forcing large trucks and cars into dangerously tight spaces
Regular street traffic problems
Boston’s surface streets were never meant to handle current traffic volumes. Some traffic hazards that lead to congestion include:
- Narrow lanes forcing vehicles dangerously close together
- Parallel parking reducing lane width even further
- Cyclists, pedestrians, and vehicles competing for limited space with predictable results
- Overwhelmed traffic signals leading to gridlock at intersections
- Blocked crosswalks and intersections trapping other vehicles and creating dangerous situations for pedestrians
- Chain reaction backups spreading congestion for blocks in every direction
How Congestion Affects Liability for Commercial Trucks
Large trucks need more space to stop, turn, and maneuver safely. Dense traffic often prevents them from operating within normal safety margins.
Federal and state regulations govern commercial vehicle operations regardless of traffic conditions. If truck drivers break these laws, they may be held liable:
- Hours of service violations exceeding legal driving time limits
- Improper routing through areas with size or weight restrictions
- Poor maintenance, causing mechanical failures during heavy traffic
- Company policies to meet delivery schedules
How a Lawyer Can Protect Your Interests Against Insurance Companies
Insurance companies might use Boston’s traffic reputation to minimize payouts to accident victims. They could argue that congestion makes certain accident types “normal” and not worthy of full compensation. Experienced attorneys know how to fight these tactics.
A car accident lawyer can offer:
- Evidence preservation before it disappears from busy accident scenes
- Expert witnesses who can help strengthen your case
- Insurance law knowledge, including knowledge of Massachusetts’ no-fault requirements
- Experience with municipal liability rules when road design contributes to accidents
Contact an Experienced Boston Car Accident Lawyer
If you have been hurt in a Boston traffic accident, you shouldn’t have to fight the insurance companies alone. Boston’s roads are different from anywhere else. Your case requires an attorney who understands these local challenges.
Sweeney Merrigan Personal Injury Lawyers has almost 50 years of experience with Boston accident cases. Our attorneys know the city’s worst intersections and most dangerous roadways. We have handled thousands of cases involving Boston’s traffic problems over the decades.
You’re already dealing with pain and medical bills. Don’t let insurance companies use Boston’s traffic reputation against you to pay less than you deserve. Contact Sweeney Merrigan Law, LLP, to schedule a free case review. We’ll fight for the compensation you deserve while you focus on getting better.