Auto Accidents

August 2, 2023

Stay Awake, Stay Safe: Understanding Accidents Caused by Drowsy Driving

Accidents have the unsettling ability to disrupt lives in an instant, leaving a trail of devastation in their wake. A recent article from CentralMaine.come serves as a sobering reminder of just how swiftly lives can be transformed by a catastrophic collision. In Norridgewock, a driver fell asleep at the wheel and crossed over the center line, striking two other cars, injuring four people. All three vehicles were completely destroyed in the crash. Thankfully, there were no fatalities.

The Alarming Reality:

Drowsy driving is more than just a momentary lapse in attention; it is a leading cause of accidents on our roadways. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), drowsy driving is responsible for an estimated 72,000 crashes and 800 fatalities annually in the United States. Maine, despite its serene landscapes and tranquil settings, is not immune to the perils of drowsy driving.

July 12, 2023

Tragic ATV Accident Leaves One Dead

by Peter Thompson & Associates

ATV (All-Terrain Vehicle) accidents can lead to severe injuries and tragic consequences. As a personal injury law firm based in Maine, we understand the devastating impact these accidents can have on individuals and their families.

According to a recent news article, a 16-year-old individual from Oakland, Maine tragically lost their life in an ATV accident on Manchester Road. The accident occurred when the ATV veered off the road and struck a tree. Emergency responders were called to the scene, but unfortunately, the teenager succumbed to their injuries.

The Prevalence of ATV Accidents in Maine:

ATVs are popular recreational vehicles in Maine, providing an exciting way to explore the state’s beautiful landscapes. However, with increased usage comes an inherent risk of accidents. According to the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, ATV accidents have been a recurring issue in recent years, resulting in injuries and fatalities.

June 30, 2023

Understanding Maine Car Insurance Requirements

by Peter Thompson & Associates

In the event of a Maine car accident, your vehicle may endure serious property damage. To avoid paying significant out-of-pocket costs, it is important to protect yourself with auto insurance. In addition to purchasing auto insurance, you should learn more about Maine’s insurance laws to make sure you have adequate coverage in every situation you may encounter.

What Types of Auto Insurance Do You Have to Buy in Maine?

Under Maine’s insurance laws, anyone who owns or operates a vehicle in the state must carry minimum policy amounts for several types of insurance. These coverage limits do not represent the amount you pay upfront. Rather, the limits are the maximum amount your insurance company will pay in the event of an accident. Specifically, drivers must carry liability insurance, medical payments coverage, and uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. If you are at fault for an accident, liability insurance will pay for another person’s injuries and property damage resulting from the crash. Under Maine law, drivers must carry $50,000 per person/$100,000 per accident for bodily injury liability, as well as $25,000 for property damage. Additionally, medical payments cover your medical expenses and your passengers’ medical expenses in the event of an auto accident. The law requires Maine drivers to purchase at least $2,000 per person in medical payments coverage. Drivers can also purchase $5,000, $10,000, and $25,000 coverage limits without a significant bump in cost.

June 26, 2023

Protecting Pedestrians in Maine: Understanding the Dangers of Pedestrian Accidents

by Peter Thompson & Associates

Pedestrian accidents can have devastating consequences, causing severe injuries and even fatalities. Maine’s picturesque landscapes and bustling communities make it important for both pedestrians and drivers to be aware of their surroundings and prioritize safety.

According to a recent article, a 13-year-old student was struck by a tractor-trailer while crossing the road after getting off a school bus in Gray. This unfortunate accident occurred during a critical moment when the bus’s stop-arm was extended to indicate that children were entering or exiting the vehicle. The student sustained severe injuries, requiring immediate medical attention.

Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents

Understanding the common causes of pedestrian accidents is crucial in raising awareness and implementing effective safety measures. Some key factors that contribute to such accidents include:

June 20, 2023

How to Get a Maine Accident Report

by Peter Thompson & Associates

If you are involved in a Maine car accident, you will often notice that the responding officer will interview you and other witnesses, inspect the scene, and record notes. These notes will form the basis of an accident report, which contains a police officer’s observations in the aftermath of a crash. Crucially, the report may also include the officer’s opinions about the accident, including the person they believe was responsible. If you or a loved one has suffered injuries in a Maine car accident, you should request a copy of the accident report as soon as possible.

Why Should You Request an Accident Report?

In the event that you sue the responsible party for negligence, the accident report could support your version of events. If an officer believes that another party’s negligent behavior contributed to the crash, you can introduce the accident report as evidence to support your claim. In addition to helping your claim, an accident report can also negate a defendant’s alternative story of the accident. For example, the defendant may claim you struck their vehicle, but the officer may reach the opposite conclusion. An accident report can thus provide powerful, unbiased evidence from a neutral third party that you were not at fault, or the defendant was more at fault.

In addition to helping your case in a negligence lawsuit, accident reports can also prove helpful in the insurance process. If your vehicle suffers property damage from an accident, you can use the accident report to file a claim with your insurance carrier. If the officer concluded you were not at fault for the accident, you could have a stronger claim for your insurance carrier to cover your expenses.

June 7, 2023

Two Injured in Maine Head-On Collision

by Peter Thompson & Associates

Head-on collisions occur when two vehicles traveling in opposite directions crash into each other. This type of car accident can result in severe injury to drivers and passengers. A recent Maine accident demonstrates the serious consequences of a head-on collision.

As a recent news article reported, a head-on collision in Woolwich, Maine, injured two people and killed a dog. The accident occurred when a seafood delivery driver suddenly veered across the roadway and into oncoming traffic. As a result, his delivery van collided with a Subaru head-on. First responders had to remove both drivers from their vehicles. They were transported to the hospital for serious injuries. The Subaru driver’s dog died from the crash. According to local officials, the crash occurred during a period of steady rain.

What Are the Causes of a Head-On Collision?

Many contributing factors can lead to a head-on collision. First, inclement weather may cause the roads to become more slippery, making it harder for drivers to control their vehicles. To prevent a head-on collision, avoid driving in dangerous weather conditions when possible. If you must drive in inclement weather, be sure to drive slowly and look out for any slippery patches on the road. Second, a head-on collision may occur when a driver speeds or attempts to pass a vehicle by veering into the opposite lane. Too often, a driver does not see an oncoming vehicle until it is too late. To stay safe, leave early for your destination so you can resist the urge to speed. Finally, a collision may occur when drivers fail to give their full attention to the road. Distracted driving, drowsy driving, and driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol can all place you and other drivers at serious risk of a head-on collision. When you get behind the wheel, make sure you focus on the road to avoid a collision.

June 5, 2023

Understanding Maine Comparative Fault Laws

by Peter Thompson & Associates

Comparative fault refers to each party’s degree of responsibility for a specific plaintiff’s harm. The issue of comparative fault often arises when plaintiffs share some portion of responsibility for their harm or when multiple defendants are at fault for the same plaintiff’s harm. When apportioning fault in a negligence lawsuit, Maine follows a modified comparative negligence scheme. Through this system, Maine plaintiffs can recover damages even if they were partially at fault for the accident that caused their harm. The majority of states have adopted modified comparative negligence instead of pure contributory negligence, which would prohibit plaintiffs from recovering any damages if they were even 1% at fault. Maine passed its modified comparative negligence rules into law at Title 14, Section 156 of its Revised Code.

Under Maine’s modified comparative negligence system, a plaintiff can recover damages so long as they were less than 50% at fault for the accident. If a plaintiff is equally at fault or more compared to the defendant, the plaintiff cannot recover any damages. This is one important way that Maine differs from other states. Some states allow plaintiffs to recover damages if they are 50% at fault or less, but a Maine plaintiff must be 49% at fault or less. Additionally, a jury or judge will reduce a plaintiff’s damages award based on the plaintiff’s degree of fault. For example, if a plaintiff is 10% at fault, the jury or judge would reduce the plaintiff’s $100,000 award to $90,000.

Because a reduced damages award would allow defendants to pay less in damages, a defendant will often argue that the plaintiff shares responsibility for the accident. An experienced Maine personal injury attorney can help plaintiffs show they were not at fault in order to hold defendants accountable for their negligence.

May 31, 2023

Four People Killed in Maine DUI Accident

by Peter Thompson & Associates

Driving under the influence (DUI) places the intoxicated driver and everyone else on the road at risk of injury or death. Intoxicated drivers lack the physical and mental capacity to control their vehicles, increasing the risk of a serious accident. When a DUI accident does occur, the victim or their loved ones may decide to hold the driver accountable by filing a negligence lawsuit.

According to a recent news article, four Maine Maritime students were killed, and three were injured in a DUI accident in Castine, Maine. The driver and six passengers were leaving from a night out around 2a.m. when he veered off Route 166. The driver hit a tree, and the vehicle burst into flames. Four passengers died in the crash. Three others, including the driver, were injured. Following an investigation, local police determined that the driver was speeding and driving under the influence. The driver faces several criminal charges, including four counts of manslaughter.

How Can You Sue for Wrongful Death After a Maine DUI Accident?

Maine allows negligence lawsuits for wrongful death after an accident. According to Maine law, the deceased’s personal representative or special administrator can bring a wrongful death action. However, the deceased’s dependents receive the ultimate damages award. A plaintiff can bring a wrongful death claim against a defendant so long as the deceased could have sued the defendant if they survived. Consequently, the plaintiff must prove the same elements of negligence against the defendant as if the deceased brought the claim. To find the defendant liable for damages, the jury or judge must find that the defendant’s negligence led to the victim’s harm by a preponderance of the evidence, meaning it is more likely than not.

May 31, 2023

Maine Head-On Collision Leaves Two Dead

by Peter Thompson & Associates

Head-on collisions are among the most devastating types of car accidents, often resulting in severe injuries and fatalities. For residents of Maine, where highways like I-295 and the Maine Turnpike are frequently traveled, understanding the causes and consequences of head-on collisions is crucial.

According to a recent article, a tragic head-on collision occurred on I-295 near Falmouth Exit 9 on the northbound highway over Memorial Day weekend that left two dead and one injured. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the potential dangers posed by head-on collisions, as two vehicles collided with great force. Such incidents highlight the urgent need for increased awareness, safety measures, and legal protection for victims involved in head-on collisions.

Causes of Head-On Collisions

May 18, 2023

Recovering Compensation for a Maine Passenger Injury

by Peter Thompson & Associates

When passengers suffer injuries in a car accident, they may pursue a negligence lawsuit against the driver. In many situations, a passenger must bring a claim against someone they know personally. A passenger’s relationship to the driver may pose complicated questions for the passenger’s theory of recovery. An experienced Maine personal injury attorney can help passengers gather evidence and make out the best possible claim for relief.

As a recent news article reported, a driver and his passenger were injured in a single-vehicle crash in Clinton, Maine. The accident occurred when the driver lost control of his vehicle and crashed into several trees. As a result, the passenger was ejected from the vehicle. Both the passenger and driver were transported to the hospital for their injuries. According to local police, the impact of the crash was so severe that the vehicle’s engine broke loose.

Can You Sue the Driver for a Maine Passenger Injury?

Maine law allows passengers to sue drivers for negligence. In many situations, the passenger knows the driver personally, and filing a lawsuit may place a passenger in an uncomfortable situation. However, passengers should know that many insurance policies cover liability for personal injury claims up to a certain amount. In fact, Maine auto insurance laws require drivers to have liability insurance should they have to pay damages in a lawsuit. As a result, passengers who wish to seek compensation for their injuries can feel assured that the driver often will not pay a damages award entirely out of pocket.