Maine Injury Lawyer Blog

Reported by WABI-TV5 News Desk June 23rd 2010

Police have determined who was driving the vehicle that was involved in a fatal accident in Enfield last week. The Penobscot County Sheriff's Department says a car driven by 38-year old Leanna Lancaster went off Route 2 last Tuesday night. Lancaster's passengers, 24-year old Kourtney Grindle Murray and 18-year old Christina Pegg, both of Greenbush, were pronounced dead at the scene. A police officer driving by discovered the crash just before 9:30. Sgt. Scott Young says it appears the car was heading south when it strayed into the northbound lane and crashed into a tree. Lancaster, also of Greenbush, was airlifted to Eastern Maine Medical Center. Police are still investigatiing the cause of the accident.

Based on this report, it is apparent that the estates of Ms. Grindle Murray and Ms. Pegg will have claims against Ms. Lancaster's automobile insurance coverage for their injuries. It is possible that underinsured motorist coverage insurance may be available to provide additional compensation to the extent that Ms. Lancaster's coverage for this accident is inadequate. The auto accident specialists at Peter Thompson & Associates have handled thousands of similar claims and recovered millions of dollars in compensation for our clients. We specialize in providing excellent customer service and quick results. For more information, contact Peter Thompson & Associates at 1-800-917-1784 or read more on our website, www.Peter-Thompson-Associates.com, on our car accident practice page.

Reported by Bangor Daily News Staff

WARREN, Maine -- Three people were injured, one critically, after a two-car accident Tuesday, according to the Knox County Sheriff's Office.

At about 4:30 p.m. Howard Taggart, 58, was driving his 2000 Chevy Blazer north on Route 1 in Warren near Loons Cry Campground, when he drifted into oncoming traffic. A black 2000 Mazda MPV operated by Jess Brann, 34, was hit head on. Passengers in the Blazer were sisters Allyson Taggert, 34, and Holly Anderson, 31, according to the Sheriff's Office. No hometowns were given for any of the victims.

Both drivers had to be cut out of their vehicles. Warren and Waldoboro ambulances responded. Brann, who was taken to Miles Memorial Hospital in Damariscotta, was listed in stable condition on Wednesday. Howard Taggart is at Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor and, as of Wednesday morning, was still listed as being in critical condition. Holly Anderson was taken to Penobscot Bay Medical Center in Rockport for a complaint of back pain and was discharged by Wednesday morning.

Based on this report, it is apparent that the passengers in Mr. Taggert's vehicle, Ms. Taggert and Ms. Anderson, will have claims against Mr. Taggert's automobile insurance coverage for their injuries. Ms. Brann, the operator of the Mazda, will also have a claim against Mr. Taggert for his negligence. The auto accident specialists at Peter Thompson & Associates have handled thousands of similar claims and recovered millions of dollars in compensation for our clients. We specialize in providing excellent customer service and quick results. For more information, contact Peter Thompson & Associates at 1-800-917-1784 or read more on our website, www.Peter-Thompson-Associates.com, on our car accident practice page.

Reported by Deborah Mcdermott, seacoastonline.com June 23, 2010 2:00 AM KITTERY, Maine -- Two people were sent to the hospital following an accident Tuesday morning at Route 1 and Lewis Road that caused a vehicle to catch fire and closed Route 1 to traffic until after 10 a.m.

According to police, a 2000 Mercury Grand Marquis, one of two vehicles involved, was fully engulfed in flames when firefighters reached the scene just after 8:30 a.m. The driver, Frederick Sweeney, 82, of York, Maine, was able to get out of the car before it ignited.

According to Detective Sgt. Ron Avery, a white 2000 Ford Ranger XLT heading north on Route 1 was stopped when Sweeney, traveling north behind it, failed to see it and stop safely.

Police said the truck was experiencing mechanical difficulties and came to a stop in the travel lane.

Avery said the truck, driven by Kenneth Vinal, 92, of Kittery, careened into the southern lane of travel and off the road into a ditch when it was hit. The car, after rear-ending the truck, bounced off and then struck and wrapped around a telephone pole before going up in flames.

Preliminary investigation shows there was no indication that the truck was turning and it did not have a signal light on, Avery said.

Kittery firefighters extinguished the vehicle fire and remained on scene to assist with security and cleanup.

Both drivers were taken to York Hospital for non-life-threatening injuries. Sweeney was treated and released, and Vinal was later transported to Maine Medical Center, according to Dawn Fernald, spokeswoman for York Hospital.

The crash remains under investigation.

Based on this report, it is apparent that Mr. Vinal will have a claim for his property damage and personal injuries due to Mr. Sweeney's negligence. The auto accident specialists at Peter Thompson & Associates have handled thousands of similar claims and recovered millions of dollars in compensation for our clients. We specialize in providing excellent customer service and quick results. For more information, contact Peter Thompson & Associates at 1-800-917-1784 or read more on our website, www.Peter-Thompson-Associates.com, on our car accident practice page.

Reported by Deborah McDermott, Seacoastonline.com

June 23, 2010 2:00 AM
ELIOT, Maine -- A two-car accident at the intersection of Route 236 and Beech Street sent two people to the hospital Tuesday morning and caused traffic to be diverted around the scene for at least an hour.

According to police, at 9:19 a.m., a white 2004 Ford pickup truck operated by Danielle Silva, 22, of Hampton, N.H., was traveling south on Route 236 when witnesses said she failed to stop at a red light and continued into the intersection.

The truck hit a black 2004 Ford pickup driven by Mary Ricci, 62, of Wells, Maine, who was in the intersection turning left from Beech Street to Route 236 northbound.

Police Chief Theodor Short said both women were taken to York Hospital, and both vehicles were totaled.

Charges against Silva are pending, police said.

Based on this report, it is apparent that Ms. Ricci will have a claim for her property damage and personal injuries due to Ms. Silva's negligence. The auto accident specialists at Peter Thompson & Associates have handled thousands of similar claims and recovered millions of dollars in compensation for our clients. We specialize in providing excellent customer service and quick results. For more information, contact Peter Thompson & Associates at 1-800-917-1784 or read more on our website, www.Peter-Thompson-Associates.com, on our car accident practice page.