Maine Injury Lawyer Blog

Summer will be coming to a close soon so as parents begin to prepare their kids for going back to school, our Maine injury lawyers want to remind parents and children to use precaution when waiting to be picked up at the curb or at bus stops and in school drop-off zones.

School districts have a responsibility to maintain buses, hire responsible drivers and maintain a safe environment for your children. If your child is injured while waiting for a bus at school or is involved in a school bus accident in Bangor or Portland on their way home from school, a personal injury lawyer can help you determine who is to blame for the cause of injuries and what litigation is needed to compensate for damages.

The Portland Press Herald recently reported about the three-vehicle collision involving an SUV, a sedan and a school bus on Interstate 295. An elderly man driving the SUV crossed over the center strip into northbound traffic, according to the report. The SUV hit an oncoming car which spun into a school bus carrying 30 elementary students and 6 staff members. A passenger in the car remains in critical condition but no other life-threatening injuries were reported. The accident is still under investigation.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that over 25 million students are transported on approximately 474,000 school buses each year across the U.S. For the 11 years preceding 2008, an average of 5 students were killed in school bus accidents each year. During the same period, an average of 8 fatal crashes occurred each year in a school bus-related accident. Countless others are injured each year in accidents.

Maine Department of Transportation reports that 80 percent of children in Maine rely on a school bus to transport them to and from home each day, as well as to school-related activities. Maine averages 130 school bus accidents each year.

Motorists are required by law to stop for a school bus with red flashing lights or be fined a minimum of $250 for the first offense. No vehicle may begin motion until signaled by the bus driver or until the bus begins to move again. A bus driver can report illegal activity by other vehicles to law enforcement. The speed limit for school zones during opening, closing or recess is 15 mph unless otherwise marked.

Bus safety tips recommended by Maine DOT:
-Never approach a moving bus while waiting at the curb. Wait for the bus to come to a complete stop, for the lights to start flashing and for the driver to motion it is ok to get on.

-Stay seated during the ride at all times.

-Make eye contact with the bus driver and look both ways before you cross in front.

-Parents should allow plenty of time when getting their kids to school.

-Loading and unloading areas usually have rules. Parents and children should both be aware of loading zone rules in your school.

-Pay attention. One fourth of school bus accidents occur because of driver inattention.

-Never follow school buses too closely as they stop frequently.

Continue reading "School Bus Accidents a Back to School Hazard for Children in Portland, Bangor" »

The U.S. Department of Transportation has issued a summer travel advisory to motorists in Maine and throughout the country to check your tires before heading out on long trips.

Maine car accident lawyers know that low tire pressure or worn tires in extremely hot temperatures are a bad combination and can increase the chances of a serious car accident in Bangor or Portland quite substantially.

Inspecting your tires for proper inflation and tread wear is key in reducing the chances of a tire-blow out or worse, loss of vehicle control that could lead to serious injuries in a vehicle crash. From 2005-2009, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported almost 3,400 deaths in tire-related crashes.There were another estimated 116,000 people injured in these types of accidents.

"While it's true improperly maintained tires can contribute to a crash at any time of year, it is particularly critical for motorists to check tires during hot weather, when families and luggage often overload vehicles for long vacation trips," NHTSA Administrator David Strickland warned. "Underinflated tires spinning on hot asphalt for extended periods of time can be a recipe for disaster."

The hot weather can have an adverse effect on aging and worn tires, especially in extreme temperatures. Not only should you check your tires for proper inflation periodically, but if the treads are worn down you should consider replacing them. Older tires have a higher vulnerability to heat stress which can cause them to explode, especially on long trips. Motorists are encouraged to check their owner's manual or with a tire manufacturer for suggestions on how often or at what point tires need changed.

The good news is proper tire inflation can save you pennies at the pump. According to U.S. Department of Energy, tires that aren't properly inflated can lower gas mileage by .3 percent for every one pound per square inch drop in pressure for all four tires. Gas mileage per gallon can add up on long trips for fuel efficient cars if tire pressure is maintained at an optimal level.

The Rubber Manufacturers Association offers the following summer driving tips:

• Take 5 minutes every month and before long trips to check your tires, even the spare tire located in the trunk.
• Pressure builds up as tires become warm. Never reduce air pressure while tires are hot.
• Follow tire tread and air pressure requirements specified in your vehicle owner's manual.
• Over-inflation of tires causes problems with braking and vehicle control as well as uneven wear on your tires.
• Follow the suggestions in the owner's manual for loading your vehicle. Every vehicle has a weight limit so make sure you know what that is before you start loading.
• Overloading a vehicle's weight capacity can cause stress and excessive heat inside your tires which can lead to severe injury or vehicle damage in an accident.
• Always have your tires rotated and aligned before long trips.
• Remove any debris or objects stuck in tire treads so that the tires can grip the road appropriately.
• Tires come equipped with a "wear bar" which tells when a tire is worn out. This bar typically shows when a tire is worn down to one-sixteenth of an inch and ready for replacement.

Continue reading "Properly Inflated Tires Can Reduce the Risk of Car Accidents in Bangor, Portland" »

A recent release by U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood is giving kudos to Maine for joining the many other states in implementing a tough ban on texting while driving.

Our Portland car accident attorneys congratulate Governor Paul LePage for finally biting the bullet to ban texting in our state in an effort to reduce the number of distracted driving car accidents in Bangor and throughout Maine.

Maine is the 33rd state to ban texting while driving for all drivers. Starting September 2011, Maine drivers caught texting while operating a vehicle will face a minimum of $100 fine for the violation.

"Distracted driving kills thousands of people every year on our roads and injures hundreds of thousands more," said Secretary LaHood. "By signing this tough texting ban into law today, Governor LePage has taken a crucial step to improve safety and save lives on Maine roads."

Despite 32 other states enacting the texting ban previously, ABC News reports that Maine legislatures feel that they are setting the mark higher for other states to follow. A new bill has been proposed in U.S. Senate that if passed, would make it illegal to read, write or send a text message while driving any moving vehicle. Studies have shown that texting while driving has proven to be as dangerous, if not more, than driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. If federal law passes, states would lose 25 percent of annual highway funding if they fail to comply.

"I certainly support anything that is going to make our roads safer, but I think Maine did it ... in a more common sense way," said State Senator Bill Diamond. "We didn't try to eliminate cell phones, we didn't try to eliminate any other type of technology. We simply said no matter what you're doing, if you're distracted then it's a violation of the law."
Maine's newly passed law doesn't ban texting and driving but it penalizes drivers if texting causes them to get in an accident or drive recklessly.

We posted previously on our Maine Injury Lawyer Blog that young drivers are in the midst of the 100 deadliest days of the year for teen crashes. Distracted driving and driving under the influence are among the top reasons that this age groups is at such a high risk.

AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety offers the following safety tips in their distracted driving brochure:

• Refrain from touching all dials or buttons while in motion, including the radio, GPS unit, window control, air conditioning, or seat positions.
• Despite the convenience of cup holders and drive thru windows, eating in your vehicle while you drive is never a good idea.
• Rather than responding to a text message or phone call, let the messages stay in your inbox until it is safe to check them. Cell phones are the leading cause of distraction so eliminate the temptation by turning them off before you drive.
• If children need attended to, pull over into a safe spot rather than take your eyes off the road to address the situation.
• Multi-tasking is a bad idea. Never perform multiple tasks when you are behind the wheel.

Continue reading "New Texting Law Aims to Reduce Distracted Driving Accidents in Bangor" »

Our Maine personal injury attorneys would like to wish you a happy and safe Fourth of July holiday weekend. We would also like to ask you to be extra cautious, no matter what your plans are, as many residents are exposed to an increased risk for accidents and injuries.

Residents and visitors are more likely to experience an injury in Maine during this holiday weekend, whether you're celebrating on the water, at the pool or lighting off fireworks. With the proper safety precautions, residents can help to keep themselves and their loved ones safe and injury-free this Independence Day weekend.

Celebrating the weekend on the water? Be sure you follow these safety tips, provided by Discover Boating, to help keep you and other boaters safe:

-Check the weather reports before venturing out. If you're out on a boat and you see bad weather approaching, play it safe and get to land. It is encouraged that you get off the water if you notice darkening clouds, volatile and rough changing winds or sudden drops in temperature.

-Be sure to operate at a safe speed all the time, especially in crowded areas.

-Stay away from large vessels that can be restricted in their ability to stop or turn.

-Be respectful of buoys and other navigational aids. These signals have been placed there to help ensure your boating safety.

-Make sure more than one person on board knows every aspect of your boat's handling, operations and other boating safety tips.

-Make sure that everyone on board has a life jacket. A majority of drowning victims were the result of boating accidents in which passengers were found to not be wearing a life jacket.

-Never boat and drive. You're twice as likely to be involved in a boating accident when alcohol is involved.

-Get a free vessel safety check. The US Coast Guard offers free boat examinations to verify the presence and condition of certain safety equipment required by state and federal regulations.

What's the Fourth of July without fireworks? Using fireworks is as traditional as Independence Day parades and barbecues. According to the National Council on Firework Safety, there were approximately 5,900 fireworks-related injuries during the Fourth of July season in 2009. Dr. John Steinberg, a member of the Board of Directors of the National Council on Firework Safety, suggests that everyone uses a little common sense to reduce the risks of injury this year.

The Council offers these tips to help keep residents safe this Fourth of July:

-Always supervise teens when they are using fireworks.

-Do not allow children to handle fireworks.

-Only use fireworks outdoors.

-Always have water ready. You should keep a bucket of water or a hose nearby.

-Do not drink alcohol and light off fireworks. Always have a designated lighter.

-Make sure you're wearing safety glasses whenever lighting off fireworks.

-Do not attempt to relight a dud firework. Instead, let it sit for 20 minutes and then soak it in water.

-Do not combine or alter fireworks in any way. Only use them as instructed.

As summer provides perfect weather for outdoor celebrations, many residents will be relaxing poolside and barbecuing with family and friends, but with the pool comes great risks for injuries -- and death.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 10 people die every day from unintentional drowning. Two of these deaths that occur every day occur to children that are under the age of 15. As a matter of fact, drowning is the sixth leading cause of unintentional injury death for people of all ages. It is the second leading cause of death for children ages 14 and younger.

There were nearly 3,500 fatal unintentional drownings in 2007 alone. These were non-boating related drownings. More than half of the drowning victims were taken to and treated in emergency rooms and eventually were transferred to higher levels or care of hospitalized. Many times, injuries from nonfatal drownings can be sever and life altering. A victim can suffer brain damage that may result in long-term disabilities. These disabilities can include memory problems, learning disabilities, and permanent loss of basic functioning.

The CDC offers these safety tips to help ensure everyone's safety this holiday weekend at the pool:

-Supervise children around water at all times.

-Always use the buddy system. Never swim, or let anyone swim, alone.

-Do not use air-filled or foam toys in place of life jackets. These toys are not designed to keep swimmers safe.

-Avoid drinking alcohol before or during swimming.

-Learn cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). In the time it might take for paramedics to arrive, your CPR skills could help to save someone's life.

Again, have a safe and fun Independence Day and remember to practice all safety tips, regardless of your weekend plans.

Continue reading "Our Maine Injury Attorneys Ask You to be Cautious This Independence Day" »