Maine Injury Lawyer Blog

All-terrain vehicles (ATVs) are gaining popularity in Maine, and so are the number of injuries and deaths caused by ATV accidents in Portland, Bangor and elsewhere in the state.

Riding an ATV can be a fun way to spend the afternoon with friends, but Maine child injury lawyers want to remind riders that these machines are not toys. An accident involving an ATV can often lead to broken bones, internal injuries, head trauma or spinal cord injuries, which can bring a multitude of medical expenses.

The Portland Press Herald reports that not only are ATVs dangerous for children, but adults are just as susceptible to Maine ATV accidents. A 50-year-old man died recently from injuries sustained on an ATV while riding with friends on Folly Road. He lost control of the ATV while trying to pass the other vehicles.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission reports from 1982 through 2009, there were ATV-related 10,281 fatalities nationwide. In 2009, 376 people died in an ATV-related accident in the United States. From 1982 through 2006, Maine reported a total of 107 deaths from an ATV-related accident. From 2007 to 2009, 17 people were killed in ATV accidents in Maine. Nationwide, almost 2,700 deaths of children 15 and under occurred on ATVs from 1982 through 2009. A total of 43 percent of child deaths on ATVs are children 11 and under.

In 2009, there were approximately 132,000 injuries nationwide that needed medical treatment at a hospital emergency room from ATV-related accidents. Of these, 25 percent, or 32,400 were children younger than 16.

Maine's Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife offers these ATV safety tips to riders of all ages:

-Small children should always be supervised and never operate an ATV of 70-90 CCs or higher (appropriate to their age and size).

-Experience with riding should determine the difficulty of the trail in terms of terrain.

-Know the machine you are riding by familiarizing yourself with the brake system, type of starter, clutch, reverse gear, hand grips or what wheel-drive it is (2 or 4).

-Gloves, eye wear, footwear and helmets are all important aspects of clothing and equipment.

-Check your vehicle before you ride for air pressure, brakes, tightened axles, loose cables and lights. Routine maintenance can reduce the risk of injuries due to vehicle malfunction.

-Keep your feet on the footrest to prevent injury.

-Shift to a lower gear and release the throttle to help with braking.

-Keep your momentum moving forward when riding up a hill.

-Never drive under the influence of drugs and alcohol.

-Know the law and take a safety course before you ride for the first time.

Click here to view procedures for ATV registration, laws and rules for riding, and safety course information offered in Maine.

Continue reading "ATV Accidents a Concern for Riders in Portland, Elsewhere" »

We posted previously on our Maine Injury Lawyer Blog that teens are at high risk for tragic accidents during prom and graduation season. Now that Memorial Day has passed and summer has officially begun, teens continue to be at a high risk for Bangor car accidents as this season brings the 100 deadliest days for teen crashes.

Mothers Against Drunk Driving advises parents to set some rules during the 100 deadliest days to prevent what could be an avoidable accident. Portland car accident attorneys understand the devastation families go through when a teen driver is killed in a drunk driving or distracted driving accident.

Nationwide in 2009, about 3,000 teens between the ages of 15 and 19 were killed in car accidents. Nine of the 10 deadliest days for young drivers fall between the months of May and August. More than 350,000 teens nationally were also sent to an emergency room in 2009 for medical treatment of injuries sustained in a motor vehicle crash.

May is deemed National Youth Traffic Safety Month for a reason. Talking to teens about safe driving could help reduce the number of young driver accidents caused by drunk or distracted driving throughout the summer months.

According to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration data for drivers between the ages of 15 and 20, from 1996 to 2006:

-The days between Memorial Day and Labor Day statistically showed 21 of the 25 deadliest days occurred between these holidays.

-June 14, July 3 and August 8 were the three days that reported the most fatal accidents.

-29 percent of all deaths occurred during the months of May, July and August, which are considered the deadliest months of the year for teens.

There is hope if parents have an open dialogue with their teen during the early stages of driving. MADD suggests that parents get involved in their teen's safety by enforcing driving rules. First, never allow them to drink and drive. Communicate the dangers and consequences of what can happen if they get behind the wheel while under the influence. When your teen gets their driver's license, limit the amount of time they drive at night, especially with other teen passengers in the car. Allow them to gain driving experience during late hours a little at a time. You should also ban the use of their cell phone while they are driving. Distracted driving is one of the leading causes of teen accidents, so eliminate as many distractions as possible while they are behind the wheel.

If you have concerns about drunk driving in Maine, contact Maine MADD for assistance.

Continue reading "Summer Marks 100 Deadliest Days for Teens Car Accidents in Bangor" »

June is National Safety Month in Maine and throughout the country. In order to raise awareness, the National Safety Council is urging communities and businesses to practice safe behaviors at work and home to reduce the number of preventable injuries and car accidents in Maine and elsewhere.

Our Bangor accident attorneys know that safety is important, but it is often someone else's irresponsible behaviors that can cause serious injury, so be prepared to take action if you are the victim of negligence.

The NSC has dedicated each week of the month to different safety topics. The first week, June 1-4, is dedicated to summertime safety. Numerous Safety & Health Fact Sheets are provided with a concentration on distracted driving, teen driving, workplace safety and home safety.

The focal point of week two, June 5-11, is preventing overexertion. Injuries in the lower back, sprains and strains, are the most prominent example of overexertion injuries. Overexertion is the third-leading cause of preventable injuries that are treated in a hospital emergency room.

June 12-18 is dedicated to teen driving safety. Creating awareness is critical in keeping roadways safe since 5,500 people are killed yearly in accidents with a teen driver involved.

The fourth week, June 19-25 focuses on preventing slips and fall accidents. Falls are a common cause for a trip to the emergency room, especially in older adults (55 and up).

The final week, June 26-30, places attention on driving and cell phone use. It is estimated that 23 percent of car accidents are caused by drivers distracted by cell phones.

A national observance of unintentional injuries and deaths is needed because the number of accidents is escalating to undesirable levels. In 2009, there were more than 128,000 unintentional deaths - a 47 percent increase since 1992. In comparison, the 1992 total (86,777) matched the lowest estimated total since 1924; the 2009 total was the highest estimated total ever recorded.

Each year, families throughout the country spend roughly $5,900 on medical expenses for unintentional injuries and trips to the hospital. These injuries cost Americans and their employers almost $700 billion a year.

As part of overexertion recognition week, the NSC offers the following safety and health tips:

-Keep your home and work environment clutter-free. Store things in a closet or cabinet.

-Refrain from using rolling chairs as a ladder to reach things.

-Stack heavy items near the bottom to avoid them falling on you or straining your back to lift them.

-Make routine visits to the eye doctor to check your vision. Make sure prescription eyeglasses are used when needed.

-Make sure outlets are not overloaded with cords to reduce the risk of a fire hazard.
Visit the website for more safety tips that can be used at work.

Maine residents can reduce the risk of unintentional injuries by being safe drivers, maintaining a safe home and work environment and using a little common sense when it comes to proper safety procedures.

Continue reading "National Safety Month in June Aims to Reduce Unintentional Injuries in Bangor" »

A recent article in USA Today has baby boomers buzzing about the success and ease of the Yellow Dot car program. The first Yellow Dot program began in 2002 in Connecticut, but many states have adopted the program to speed up medical attention given to victims involved in car accidents nationwide. Rescuers can treat victims quickly during the first 60 minutes, which are often crucial, following a serious car accident if they are participants in the Yellow Dot program.

Our Bangor car accident lawyers are hopeful that our state will soon adopt the Yellow Dot car program so that elders involved in Maine car accidents have a better chance of survival with the speed of care that the program offers to victims.

The Status of Transportation Safety in Maine reports there are currently more than 175,000 registered drivers over the age of 65 in Maine. During the last five years, 16 percent of people older than 65 who died were killed in motor vehicle crashes. In 2009, there were almost 4,700 crashes involving a driver between the ages of 65 and 98 in Maine.

The Yellow Dot program is meant for any age group but is particularly helpful to senior citizens involved in a crash who can't communicate pertinent medical information. Emergency medical responders are alerted by looking for a yellow dot sticker placed on the rear window of the vehicle. The Yellow Dot folder found in the glove box of the vehicle assists rescuers who first arrive on the scene with information that can be used to treat the victim who was seriously injured in the crash. The folder contains a personal photo, medical conditions, prescriptions the victim is taking, and other important information such as allergies or blood type.

"It is very nice to see innovative programs to address the unique risks associated with older Americans and car crashes," says Peter Kissinger, president and CEO of AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety. "Since older individuals tend to have more medical conditions, are on more medications and are generally more fragile, this sounds like a well-justified program, especially in light of the growing number of older Americans."

Kansas, Illinois, Iowa, New York, Alabama, Virginia, Massachusetts, Minnesota and Connecticut all participate in the Yellow Dot car program. Alabama has the highest percentage of participants with about 30,000 to 40,000 citizens enrolled in the free program. Many other states are considering joining the program in the future.

Medical attention given in the "golden hour" is crucial to increasing the survival rate of most victims critically injured in a car accident. Motorists involved in a severe car accident are reminded to call 911, remain calm and wait for help to arrive before trying to move away from the vehicle.

Continue reading "National program aimed to improve rescue time Bangor car accident victims" »