Articles Posted in Auto Accidents

When a driver speeds on the road, they place themselves and everyone else in danger of a serious car accident. In particular, driving at high speeds can lead drivers to lose control of their vehicles, striking another driver as a result. When a person suffers injuries from a driver’s high speeds, they may bring a negligence lawsuit against the responsible driver.

In one extreme example, a man who caused a high-speed police chase died after striking another driver in Gray, Maine. The incident began in Leeds when police noticed a man driving erratically. Soon after, police in Oxford observed the same man speeding on the highway. An officer followed him south before eventually ending his pursuit because of the unsafe speed at which the man was driving. Then, the man crashed into an oncoming vehicle. Due to his high speed, the other driver could not get his vehicle out of the way in time. The driver was unharmed, but the man who crashed into the driver died at the scene.

What Damages Are Available After a Maine High-Speed Accident?

When a speeding driver crashes into your vehicle, you may be able to seek several types of damages. When bringing a negligence lawsuit, plaintiffs often seek compensatory damages. These damages are intended to place an accident victim in the same position as if the accident had never occurred. Examples of compensatory damages may include medical expenses—including for psychological treatment—funeral expenses, and lost earnings. If the accident damages a plaintiff’s vehicle, they may also seek compensation for property damage. Finally, compensatory damages can cover the emotional harm a person has suffered from the accident, often referred to as “pain and suffering.” Finally, an accident victim’s spouse can sue for loss of consortium, which accounts for the loss of a spouse’s companionship.

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Wrong-way accidents occur when a vehicle crosses into the wrong lane, colliding with oncoming traffic. These accidents can lead to serious injury or damage to a vehicle. Too often, wrong-way accidents occur because a driver is operating their vehicle negligently. These types of wrong-way accidents are especially devastating because they are often preventable.

For example, a recent news article reported on a wrong-way accident involving three vehicles in Kennebunk, Maine. According to local police, the accident occurred when a driver crossed the center line into the wrong lane. As result, he and two other drivers crashed on the roadway. While no one suffered injuries from the accident, all three vehicles suffered heavy damage. Police charged the driver with driving to endanger and imprudent speed.

What Are the Causes of Wrong-Way Injuries?

Wrong-way injuries may have several overlapping causes. First, as the NTSB has reported, a significant portion of wrong-way drivers operated their vehicles under the influence. To avoid a wrong-way accident, is it imperative to avoid drinking while driving. Even if a driver refrains from driving under the influence, they may cause a wrong-way accident if they are distracted. Distracted driving diverts attention from the road, which may increase the risk of veering into the wrong lane. To stay focused on the road, drivers should refrain from using their cellphones, eating, or otherwise “multi-tasking.” Finally, in attempting to pass a vehicle, a driver may cross into the wrong lane intentionally. Drivers should refrain from this practice at all times. A driver may not initially see another vehicle in the opposite lane, but one can appear at any time. Drivers should leave with plenty of time in advance to arrive to their destination safely and on time.

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When a driver commits a hit-and-run accident, they leave an injured victim completely helpless. If the driver fails to contact emergency personnel to assist the victim, they may worsen the victim’s condition and cause further harm. Too often, the injuries resulting from a hit-and-run would have been preventable, or at least less severe, had the driver who caused the accident contacted police and emergency medical personnel. When a driver fails to take these steps, they may suffer consequences under both criminal and civil law.

As a recent news article reported, police arrested a man involved in a Maine hit-and-run that left one woman seriously injured. Police discovered the hit-and-run accident when they arrived at the scene to find a pedestrian lying injured near the road. She was transported to the hospital to treat her serious injuries. According to local police, the suspect allegedly contacted emergency services for the pedestrian. However, he allegedly lied to law enforcement and emergency personnel about his involvement in the hit-and-run. Eventually, police arrested this driver and charged him with failing to report an accident involving personal injury.

What Are the Civil and Criminal Penalties for a Maine Hit-and-Run Accident?

When a person commits a Maine hit-and-run, they may have to pay both criminal fines and civil damages. Under Maine law, if an accident results in property damage, the drivers must immediately stop and return to the scene of the accident. If an accident causes bodily injury, death, or significant property damage, the responsible driver must report the accident to state or local police. Failure to take these steps constitutes a Class E felony, which carries up to six months in prison time and a $1,000 fine.

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Unfortunately, many car accidents can lead to severe injuries or fatalities. Too often, if a driver speeds or operates their vehicle carelessly, it is the passenger who suffers the consequences. When a passenger dies in a car accident, the deceased’s family may wish to seek justice for their loved one. While no amount of money will bring a loved one back, a wrongful death suit can provide a way to seek redress for your harm. It can also help you recover from the financial burdens that resulted from the fatal accident.

As a recent news article reported, a teenage passenger was killed, and two others were injured after a car accident in Saco, Maine. Shortly after midnight, police officers responded to a call from a nearby resident who heard a cry for help. When the officers arrived at the scene, they found that a car had veered off the road and crashed into a tree. Sadly, the front-seat passenger was found dead at the scene. The driver was transported to the hospital with life-threatening injuries. The passenger who made the initial cry for help was also taken to the hospital with minor injuries. A police investigation into the accident found the car had crashed after speeding and passing another vehicle.

Can a Grieving Family Recover Damages for a Passenger’s Death?

In Maine, a person can bring a wrongful death lawsuit to seek damages after a fatal accident. Under Maine’s wrongful death statute, the administrator of the deceased person’s estate can sue the driver responsible for the passenger’s death. The resulting damages award then goes to the beneficiaries of the victim’s estate. Maine law allows a person to bring a wrongful death claim as long as the deceased could have done so if they survived the accident. Finally, a person must bring a wrongful death suit within two years of the fatal accident.

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Between the stress of busy workdays and commitments at home, drivers may have little time for sleep. However, getting enough sleep is critical to operating your vehicle safely. Drowsy driving can lead to falling asleep at the wheel, which often results in serious injury to other drivers. Even if a driver does not fall asleep, their drowsy driving can lead to distracted driving. When drivers are not alert enough to stay focused on the road, they place themselves and others at risk of physical injury and significant property damage. As a result, avoiding drowsy driving is a key step drivers should take to stay safe.

As a recent news article reported, a drowsy tractor-trailer driver caused extensive damage in Hopkinton, New Hampshire. The tractor-trailer driver was traveling on Route 127 when he hit a guardrail, causing extensive damage to both the tractor-trailer and the guardrail. When police investigated the incident, they learned the driver had caused a second accident. Just hours earlier, the driver had previously hit another tractor-trailer. Though no one was harmed, the other tractor-trailer endured severe property damage. The driver received an out-of-service order for violating safety conditions on the road, which temporarily prohibited him from driving. Police blamed the accident on drowsy driving and inattention.

How Can You Avoid Drowsy Driving?

Due to the sheer force of a head-on collision, these accidents can be particularly dangerous for drivers and their passengers. When people suffer injuries in a head-on collision, they may seek to hold another driver responsible for their harm. However, determining who is at fault for a head-on collision can grow even more complicated when an accident involves more than two vehicles. In these scenarios, more than one driver could have caused the injured person’s harm.

For example, a recent news article reported that two people suffered severe injuries following a head-on collision involving three vehicles in Peru, Maine. A truck was driving on the highway when it passed a car; it then collided with a second truck traveling in the opposite direction. Two of the three drivers were transported to the hospital for serious injuries.

What Damages Can You Recover in a Head-On Collision?

After a head-on collision, an injured plaintiff can file a negligence claim for civil damages. Typically, plaintiffs will receive an award for compensatory damages. This type of damages award is meant to put the injured plaintiff in the same position as if the accident never occurred. Compensatory damages can include medical expenses resulting from the accident, property damage repair, and redress for emotional and psychological harm.

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When a pedestrian accident occurs at a busy intersection, there may be several possible causes. For example, a vehicle may fail to yield to pedestrians at a designated crosswalk. On the other hand, a pedestrian may fail to use a crosswalk or sidewalk and collide with oncoming traffic. In other cases, a pedestrian may lack a designated crosswalk and have no choice but to walk near traffic. Under these complex circumstances, injured pedestrians may be unsure whom to sue for their injuries or how to prove fault.

For example, according to a recent news article, a pedestrian suffered injuries after being struck at an intersection in Augusta, Maine. It is unclear whether the pedestrian was using a crosswalk when the accident occurred. An ambulance transported the pedestrian to the hospital for his injuries, where he was then flown to a Portland hospital for further treatment. The crash comes three years after Augusta officials implemented changes to improve pedestrian safety near the same intersection where the pedestrian was struck. The changes came in response to a previous pedestrian accident there. These additional safety measures included reducing the number of lanes pedestrians had to cross, and installing flashing lights to warn oncoming vehicles that a pedestrian would be crossing.

Who Has the Right of Way at an Intersection?

Maine law requires drivers to yield the right-of-way to pedestrians at a crosswalk or sidewalk. However, in the absence of marked crosswalks, pedestrians must yield right-of-way to drivers when crossing an intersection. Pedestrians who seek to establish a driver’s fault for an accident may present evidence that they were crossing within a designated crosswalk, requiring the driver to yield to them. In fact, Maine law requires drivers to exercise due care by leaving distance between their vehicle and the pedestrian when passing through a public road. Accordingly, if a driver fails to do so, a pedestrian plaintiff can develop an argument that the driver failed to exercise ordinary care, a key component of a successful negligence lawsuit.

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