Maine Injury Lawyer Blog

According to Bangor Daily News, nearly 50 police agencies throughout Maine were granted federal funding to strengthen enforcement efforts against drunk drivers and alcohol-related car accidents in Bangor and elsewhere during the holiday season.

More than 40 police departments, five sheriffs' offices and the Maine State Police each received a share of the $200,000 that was distributed by the Maine Bureau of Highway Safety. This money is being used to pay for the overtime OUI patrols through the rest of December.

Our Bangor drunk driving car accident attorneys understand that the number of alcohol-related car accidents is expected to increase as we head into the holiday season.

But police officers in Maine aren't the only ones making the effort to stop this problem. Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) has launched the fifth anniversary of its Campaign to Eliminate Drunk Driving. This campaign takes place every year right before the holiday season. Unfortunately, Christmas and New Year's brings out drunk drivers on roadways across the state. This year, MADD released a report that ranks every state in a one- to five-star type of system that rates the staes' efforts in combating drunk driving. The U.S. as a whole only ranked three out of five stars.

"While we have made great strides over the last 30 years, drunk driving is still the deadliest epidemic on America's roads, killing approximately 11,000 people every year," added U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood.

Maine received four out of five stars in the new report. Our state was applauded for enacting an ignition interlock device law back in 2008, but scolded for penalizing only repeat offenders with the devices. The report suggests that Maine should consider requiring these devices for all offenders. MADD's report also applauded our state for beefing up the penalties for those who have been busted for driving under the influence of alcohol with a child present in the vehicle.

Maine Drunk Driving Facts, according to the Bureau of Highway Safety:

-Drivers who were arrested for OUIs had a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) average of 0.15, which is twice the legal limit in the state.

-More than a third of college students admit to having driven while intoxicated at least once within the last year.

-More than a half of the people who are arrested for OUIs are repeat offenders.

An OUI is expensive too, assuming you haven't been in an accident. The average cost for an OUI in Maine is estimated to be about $7,000, according to the Department of Motor Vehicles. In the U.S., drunk-driving accidents ring up a total of more than $130 billion every year. Drivers are urged to be careful on our roadways through the holiday season and to never get behind the wheel of a motor vehicle after consuming alcohol. Have a safe and happy holiday!

Continue reading "Officers on the Prowl for Intoxicated Drivers to Reduce Drunk-Driving Accidents in Maine through Holiday Season" »

It was a horrendous Labor Day holiday weekend for those traveling on Maine roadways with five fatal accidents and many more resulting in injuries.

Portland car accident attorneys remind us that school resuming, fall tourist season, upcoming holidays, and winter weather will all make the next few months especially dangerous. Common causes of Bangor car accidents include distracted driving, speeding, aggressive driving, drunk driving and accidents involving teen drivers.

The Saturday of the Labor Day weekend, in Yarmouth, a one car accident left a motorist dead. A 36-year-old man driving his pickup left the road due to unknown causes, crashed into a tree stump and then flipped his vehicle. The victim was ejected from the vehicle which caused the fatal injuries.

That same day, a two-car crash in Mars Hill caused the death of one man and injured three others.

On Sunday, a resident of Mars Hill was arrested and charged with operating a motor vehicle while under the influence that resulted in a fatal two-car crash that caused the death of a Medway man. The suspect also had in his possession methamphetamine, according to police. The 51-year-old Medway man was a passenger in his son's vehicle when it was hit head-on on Route 1 in the accident, killing him instantly. The impact was so severe it sent the victim's vehicle rolling into a ditch and ending up on its side. There was another passenger in the car that sustained life-threatening injuries. All occupants were trapped in their vehicles and rescue workers had to use the Jaws of Life to extricate them.

Also that Sunday, in Lamoine, police discovered the body of a woman inside a car that apparently had driven into the ocean. According to police, the roof of the vehicle was spotted in the water by a passer-by. The incident happened at the end of Route 184 that leads to the ocean's edge. The 48-year-old victim was from Florida and was returning to her hotel after attending a family wedding. Authorities believe she got lost in her unfamiliar surroundings.

Also on Labor Day Sunday, a man was killed when he was ejected from a pickup in Hudson. The crash on Route 43 killed a 19-year-old male, when, after missing a turn, his pickup truck overturned into a field and ejected him into the woods. Police are still investigating the crash and it remains unknown if the victim was the driver or the passenger of the truck. Thus far it appears that alcohol and speed contributed to the crash.

Police in an early morning Labor Day Sunday incident in Turner found a car on fire with someone inside. It is unclear what caused the one-car crash that happened around 3 a.m. There has been a tentative ID of the victim but the name is not being released until family has been notified.

As you can see, many people were affected by these terrible accidents -- both the victims themselves, but also many friends and family. Don't mix alcohol and driving and always avoid aggressive driving, which can lead to accidents.

Continue reading "Holiday Travel a Danger to Maine Motorists Causing a High Risk of Severe Injury in Bangor Car Accidents" »

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" »

Prom night is one of the most dangerous nights of the year for teens -- who are at high risk of being involved in drunk driving accidents in Maine and elsewhere in the country.

Portland personal injury attorneys want to remind teens not to do a dance with alcohol on this special night because it could put you and your friends at a high risk for a tragedy.

East Hampton-Portland Patch reports about a teenager recently involved in a single vehicle crash who is fighting for his life at Hartford Hospital. The teen struck a tree and was ejected from his vehicle. Authorities are still investigating the events leading up to the accident. Teens are at high risk for all types of accidents, not just those caused by drunk driving.

Many high schools throughout the country are currently conducting mock drunk driving accidents on prom night for their students to witness according to Bangor Daily News.

Mock accidents are a way of portraying the horrific events that can take place during and after a drunk driving accident. Meant to scare teens away from drinking and driving, the event often simulates an alcohol-related crash taking place, rescue efforts to save a life, bodies being transported away, and a funeral ceremony for the teenage victim who died in the crash. Research has shown that 70 percent of juniors and seniors expect their peers to drink on prom night.

Prom night is just the start of a long season of drinking opportunities for teens. Once prom is over, students begin end-of- the-school-year parties, graduation parties, and summer activities.

Knowing what a dangerous time of year it is for teens, Mothers Against Drunk Driving hope that parents are initiating conversations with their teenager about the dangers of alcohol. MADD created the 'Power of Parents, It's Your Influence' program to help parents communicate with their teens about making good choices, living a healthy lifestyle and not driving under the influence. Over 6,000 teens are killed each year from alcohol-related incidents. Talking to your teens is the first step in possibly saving their lives.

MADD offers 5 simple steps to take at home for high school parents:

-Pretend you're a coach by sharing information, discussing how to handle challenging situations and using positive reinforcement when your child makes smart and safe choices.

-Get involved in a series of conversations with your teen about alcohol's side effects, health dangers related to alcohol, respecting the law, and ways to resist peer pressure.

-Monitor your teen's whereabouts after school, evenings and on weekends. Set rules, limits, and consequences when rules are broken.

-Be respectful of your teens opinions and ideas. Not shooting them down will let them feel more adult and let them know you care.

-Always set a good example for your teen by practicing what you preach.

Continue reading " Teens at high risk of drunk driving accidents in Maine during spring and summer events" »

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is optimistic about new technology that officials say has the potential to eliminate the danger of drunk driving accidents in Maine and across the country.

Our Portland personal injury attorneys know that drunk driving can be a habitual problem and this new technology should help reduce the risks associated with chronic offenders getting behind the wheel after having too much to drink.

The NHTSA is working to develop a new in-vehicle technology that would keep intoxicated drivers from being able to start their engine. The Driver Alcohol Detection System for Safety (DADSS) is currently in the development phases at the QinetiQ lab in Waltham, MA. Once the project is completed, DADSS could be installed by the manufacturer in new model vehicles voluntarily, with the intent of keeping drivers who have tested over the legal limit of .08 from operating their vehicle.

The mechanism is designed to detect alcohol levels either by testing a driver's breath, or having a touch-based approach to detect a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 or higher.

While the government calls installation voluntary, so were seat belts at one time. It could be the first step toward having such equipment as a standard feature in all new automobiles.

"Drunk driving continues to be a national tragedy that needlessly claims the lives of thousands of people on our highways each year," said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. "We need to put an end to it."

In 2009, the NHTSA reported 10,839 fatalities in crashes with a driver over the legal limit of .08. This accounted for 32% of total traffic fatalities for the year.

Maine reported a total of 159 traffic fatalities in 2009. Over a third of these fatalities occurred in crashes when a BAC of .01 or higher was detected by at least one driver. And there were 47 fatalities in Maine when at least one driver was driving over the legal limit of .08.

Federal data shows that a deadly drunk driving accidents occurs about every 48 minutes in the United States. In addition, drivers in fatal accidents over the legal limit are 8 times more likely to have a previous DUI offense than drivers without any alcohol detected at the time of the crash.

The DADSS technology is expected to consume about $10 million in development costs and take approximately 5 years to fine tune and complete. The next phase will be practical demonstrations of the touch-based and breath-based technologies.

"The technology we are seeing here today could quite simply signal a new frontier in the fight against drunk driving," said NHTSA Administrator Strickland. "Whatever the future holds for these advanced drunk driving prevention technologies, one thing remains clear; no technology can, or should, ever replace a driver's personal responsibility not to drive drunk."

Continue reading "Technology Takes Aim at Drunk Driving Accidents in Maine, elsewhere" »

Maine is a long way from Super Bowl XLV in Texas this weekend but football fans are still going to tune into the game -- whether its the commercials or one last football fix your're after, Super Bowl parties have become an American tradition.

However, they also increase the risk of car accidents in Portland, Bangor and elsewhere in the state.

We wish you a safe and enjoyable weekend of parties, good snacks, lots of laughs, and great memories. Our Maine personal injury attorneys at Peter Thompson & Associates also encourage fans to drink and drive responsibly this Super Bowl Sunday.

In 2009, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported a total of 159 total traffic fatalities in Maine. Just over a third of these fatalities occurred as a result of one driver having a BAC of .01 or higher. There were 106 traffic fatalities reported in which no BAC level was present.

Nationally, 32% of all traffic fatalities (33,808) involved an alcohol-impaired driver with a BAC of .08 or higher. An alcohol-related traffic fatality occurred on average about every 48 minutes in the U.S. in 2009. The age group most at risk nationally for alcohol-related crashes is 21-24 year-olds. In this age group, 35% of the drivers in fatal crashes had a BAC over the legal limit.

"Football is one of America's favorite pastimes, but fans can put themselves in serious danger if they don't plan ahead," NHTSA Administrator David Strickland said. "Whether you're at the game or watching from a sports bar or a friend's house, designate a sober driver before the game. And remember, Fans Don't Let Fans Drive Drunk."

Fans attending a Super Bowl party or watching from a restaurant or bar should practice the following suggestions:

-Before the party begins, designate the driver who will remain sober.

-If you plan to drink, leave your keys at home so there is no temptation to get behind the wheel while you are intoxicated.

-If you drink, pace yourself by not drinking too fast, alternating between non-alcoholic beverages, and stopping plenty early before you drive home.

-Place the number of a friend or cab company in your wallet who you can call if you have had too much to drink.

Continue reading "Super Bowl Weekend Increases risk of Car Accidents in Portland, Bangor" »