Maine Injury Lawyer Blog

The option of mapping the safest route could soon be available for road trippers. Our Maine personal injury lawyers think this could be ideal for tourists visiting the state or just passing through as well as Maine residents making a summer trip down the coast, or into New York or elsewhere.

Unfamiliar roadways can enhance the risk of a car accident in Portland, Bangor, or elsewhere in the state. Innocent motorists are involved in car accidents too frequently when a driver gets distracted from reading a map, asking for directions, or adjusting the GPS.

USA Today recently reported that AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety is working on a pilot program to map the safest roads in eight states which include: New Jersey, Illinois, Michigan, Kentucky, Iowa, Utah, Florida and New Mexico.

The program is expected to take two to three years to implement but would allow motorists to map the nation's deadliest and safest roadways based on which roads have the highest rates of serious injuries and traffic fatalities. Users will log onto a site, input city to city where they want to go, and be given the safest route. It is a similar process to how they can be given the shortest route now on certain map websites. More states will be added later this year.

Public interest was one driving force behind the new technology. The foundation surveyed 2,141 drivers in 2009. The response was overwhelming at 73% when asked if motorists would consider using data to determine which route would likely get them to their destination safely. Most agreed they would use the site, especially in unfamiliar areas where they don't normally travel. Local and state officials would also find the information helpful in determining safety of their roads.

Motorists are reminded of the following safety tips when planning or taking a road trip:

-Before you depart, take your vehicle to a mechanic for a tune-up to make sure it is working in top condition.

-Plan your ideal route ahead of time. You may need to stray from your original plans so have plenty of roadmaps available in the car, especially if no GPS unit is available.

-Once you have determined your route, plan several breaks at designated rest areas or exit ramps.

-Allow extra travel time as you are bound to run into snags and delays due to construction areas and accidents.

-Only put the vehicle in drive once you know everyone and everything is secured by seat belts and straps.

-Drive in comfort. Wear clothes and shoes appropriate for driving on long trips.

-If your road trip involves toll bridges or roadways, have a passenger hand you the money or have it in a convenient location to grab with little distraction from driving.

-Adjust your seat, mirrors, air conditioner, or radio before you put the car in drive.

-Obey all traffic laws and signs on roadways. They were put there for a reason. Follow the posted speed limit, don't pass on double yellow lines, or merge only when it is safe are a few examples.

-Keep an eye out for aggressive motorists, distracted drivers, or worse yet, drivers driving under the influence. They do exist and drivers need to use extra caution when sharing the roadways with them.

-If you become drowsy, stop for a break, stretch your legs, and allow someone else to drive if that is a viable option.

-Be flexible and patient in emergency situations. Things happen so you need to deal with them accordingly.

Continue reading "Road Tripping: New technology could reduce risk of Maine car accidents" »

Elderly drivers with clean driving records should be given the privilege of driving, no matter what their age. Or not?

This question weighs on the minds of most children when they are faced with the decision of when its time to insist on taking the car keys from an elderly parent or loved one. At what point is your elderly loved one at high risk for a car accident in Bangor or elsewhere in the state?

Many elderly drivers want to make their own decision, according to a recent article in Ithaca Journal. The question becomes, can they be a fair judge with good conscious? Are they making the decision based on fear of losing their independence and not on their current health conditions?

Our car accident attorneys in Maine understand the struggles that our elders go through giving up their independence. Yet we know that as we get older and our health diminishes, remaining accident free becomes obsolete.

Caring.com states that Maine law requires license renewal every 4 years for drivers age 65 and older. Renewal can be mailed in or done in person but starting at age 62 a vision test is required every time drivers renew their license. No other requirements, like proving they are still capable of driving, are established for older drivers in Maine.

Giving up their keys not only affects the freedom of the elderly driver, but it could affect a neighbor or friend who relies on them for a ride to doctor's appointments or the grocery store. As adults age, driving skills can diminish. Studies show that fatality rates begin to climb when drivers hit the age of 65. The death rate skyrockets after age 75. At age 85 and older, the death rate becomes almost four times higher than that of teens, who are typically considered to be the most dangerous drivers on the road.

It is predicted that by 2030, there will be 9.6 million people ages 85 and older; which is more than a 70% increase from today's population. With that comes the prediction that by 2030, drivers age 65 and over will be involved in 25% of fatal crashes. By comparison, older drivers account for 11% of fatal crashes today.

Even though the state has nothing in place to test driving skills for elderly drivers, there are organizations that provide some help to your loved one. AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety offers a free evaluation of a drivers risk for crash. Drivers can go online to complete the evaluation. Another alternative is offered by AARP in which drivers can take an online driver-safety course. It is specifically designed for drivers age 50 and over. Members can register for a discounted rate but the course is available to anyone interested for a small fee.

If you are concerned about the driving skills of an elderly person close to you, talk to them about the dangers of driving as they get older. Some elderly drivers may be able to judge when it is time to stop driving but others may need a little nudge. Having the conversation is difficult but a decision you won't regret if it means keeping your elderly loved one safe and free from a tragic car accident.

Continue reading "Elderly drivers at increased risk for car accidents in Bangor, Portland" »

As we work our way out of the harsh winter, we look forward to Spring and the warm weather activities that we enjoy. As we move the clocks forward this weekend, our days will begin to get longer. As the weather gets warmer, we are bound to see more bicyclists and pedestrians on the roadways. And, of course, summer tourist season is just around the corner.

Our Maine personal injury lawyers want to remind motorists to keep an eye out for cyclists because it only takes a split second of distraction to find yourself involved in a crash. Negligent drivers can cause serious injuries to victims in Bangor bicycle accidents and bicycle and pedestrian crashes elsewhere in the state.

The U.S. Department of Transportation recently published the 2009 data on bicycle accidents. In 2009, there were a total of 630 cyclists killed nationwide, and another 51,000 injured. Cyclists accounted for approximately 2% of all traffic injuries and fatalities in motor vehicle crashes for 2009. The highest percentage of cycling fatalities occurred in urban areas (70%), non-intersections (67%), and between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. (29%).

The average age of cyclists killed in 2009 was 39. However, bicyclists under age 16 accounted for 13% of cycling fatalities and 20% of those injured in 2009 motor vehicle crashes.

The good news is Maine reported no fatalities for cyclists in 2009. The bad news, cycling accidents are unpredictable and can occur at any time so motorists need to be on guard at all times. One way to reduce the risk of a bike accident is to not allow yourself to get distracted behind the wheel. Cyclists are often hard to spot or come from nowhere so getting distracted increases the chances of an accident dramatically.

The Maine Bureau of Highway Safety urges cyclists to wear a helmet. It is a state law that anyone under age 16 is required to wear a helmet when riding a bicycle. Failure to wear a helmet increases the severity of the possible head and spinal cord injuries that can occur. It is reported that most fatalities related to bicycle accidents are from head injuries. Wearing a helmet can reduce the risk of a head injury by 85% in most cases.

The Bureau of Highway Safety offers the following tips when fitting a helmet to purchase:

-Purchase a helmet made specifically for cycling. It must be approved by ASTM, CSA or Snell.

-The best way to measure comfort is to try on several helmets. Helmets are padded differently so some may be more comfortable and fit better than others.

-The helmet must cover the forehead and the chin strap should be adjustable so that it fits tight enough to keep your helmet from moving on your head.

-A light-colored helmet stands out better and is easier to spot than a dark-colored helmet.

-Your helmet should not move in any direction on your head. Movement from side-to-side or back-to front will not provide the proper safety if an accident occurs.

Continue reading "Spring increases risk of bicycle and pedestrian accidents in Portland, Bangor, elsewhere" »

Snowmobiling is a common hobby in Maine for both residents and tourists. In many cases, it is much more than that: It provides reliable transportation during tough winter weather. With over 13,500 miles of snowmobile trails, winter sport hobbyists like to escape cabin fever by getting out and riding their winter toys. Our Maine personal injury lawyers want to remind enthusiasts that snowmobiles present a substantial threat of serious or fatal injury.

One recent snowmobile accident reported by WABI occurred when a rider flipped his snowmobile while traveling 60 or 70 mph. He was rushed to Maine Medical Center when he suffered a fractured skull, broken vertebrae in his back and neck, fractured left eye socket, and a large gash to his head. He was not wearing a helmet when the accident occurred.

In a separate incident, Bangor Daily News reports a tragic fatality resulted when a snowmobiler came over a ridge and hit a broken-down snowmobile trail groomer. The operator of the broken down vehicle had marked the groomer with three orange caution cones, as well as stretched orange tape attached to poles across the front and back of the broken down machine. The victim was wearing a helmet but was traveling too fast to avoid the fatal accident.

In some cases, a premise liability claim may result from a snowmobile accident. In cases involving vehicles, ATVs or other snowmobiles, a motorist or other rider may be at fault. Snowmobile passengers may also have recourse to file a claim in the even of a serious or fatal Maine snowmobiling accident.

All snowmobile accidents are required by law to be reported to the authorities immediately. For a full list of Maine Snowmobile Laws and Rules, information can be obtained at Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.

Snowmobile enthusiasts are reminded to familiarize themselves with Maine Snowmobile Laws and use the following safety tips when riding:
-Notify someone before you leave that you are going to go out on trails and what location you will be riding.

-Wear a helmet at all times.

-Maintain a speed conducive to the conditions you are riding in. Speeding reduces the amount of time you have to react to dangerous situations.

-When traveling in groups, maintain a safe distance between you and other snowmobilers.

-Carry a safety kit on your snowmobile which may include items such as a flashlight, extra clothes, bottled water, and small hand shovel.

-Refrain from traveling on frozen bodies of water if at all possible. Ice can crack and lead to a serious injury or hypothermia.

-When traveling alone, only ride on familiar trails. Exploring new areas alone could lead to getting lost and endanger your safety.

-Before leaving, start with a full tank of gas and mechanically make sure your snowmobile is working properly.

Continue reading "Snowmobiling accidents a serious threat to winter safety in Bangor, Portland" »