Maine Personal Injury Lawyers Blog

New data released by the Governors Highway Safety Administration (GHSA) shows that motorcycle fatalities in the United States rose by about nine percent in 2012. Last year, approximately 5,000 people were killed in a motorcycle crash. Despite the fact that overall traffic deaths have decreased by almost 25 percent since 1997, motorcycle fatalities have increased by almost 240 percent. GHSA data shows that the rate of motorcycle traffic fatalities across the nation rose in 14 out of the last 15 years.

According to GHSA's Deputy Executive Director, Jonathan Adkins, motorcycle accident death rates increased at least in part due to the repeal of helmet laws in a number of states. For example, motorcycle traffic deaths rose by about 18 percent in Michigan following a 2012 repeal of state helmet laws. During the same time frame, overall traffic fatalities across the state only increased by approximately 5.3 percent. In 2011, five motorcycle riders were killed while riding without a helmet across Michigan. In 2012, that number rose to 55. Researchers from the University of Michigan claim at least 26 of those killed would probably have survived if they were wearing a safety helmet.

David Strickland, Director of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), also believes helmet laws save lives. He said every state that has repealed its helmet laws saw a sharp increase in motorcycle fatalities soon after. The NHTSA estimates that 822 motorcyclist deaths across the nation last year could have been prevented by a motorcycle helmet. The Agency also claims that more than 1,800 riders survived a crash as a direct result of helmet use. Currently, only 19 states maintain motorcycle helmet laws.

Other information contained in the GHSA report shows that 42 percent of riders who died in a wreck last year had a blood alcohol content higher than the legal limit of .08 percent. In addition, the GHSA claims added motorcycle safety features such as anti-lock braking technology may significantly reduce the likelihood of a crash. At this time, motorcycle riders are 37 times more likely to be killed in a wreck than an individual who is traveling by passenger vehicle.

Someone who was injured in a motorcycle or other vehicle accident in Maine may be entitled to recover damages for their harm. Before financial compensation may be collected, the victim of a Maine collision must demonstrate that their injury directly resulted from the wreck and that the negligent motorist was more responsible for their harm than they were. If you were injured by another driver anywhere in the State of Maine, you should contact a skilled automobile accident lawyer to discuss your rights.

Continue reading "Report Claims Rate of Motorcycle Crash Deaths Increased in 2012 in Maine and Nationwide " »

A 34-year-old School Administrative District 60 special education teacher was killed in a recent head-on crash with a 17-year-old high school student on Route 4 in Berwick. According to local police, the woman was headed north in a passenger vehicle that was also carrying her two children when the southbound teenager crossed the yellow line and struck her vehicle head-on. Police stated another car reportedly left the roadway and drove into a nearby ditch in order to avoid being involved in the crash.

Sadly, the 34-year-old teacher died at the scene of the accident. Her four-year-old daughter was taken by ambulance to Wentworth-Douglass Hospital in Dover, New Hampshire for treatment. The woman's seven-year-old son was transported to Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston via medical helicopter. Although the 17-year-old motorist was treated at a local hospital, he is expected to make a full recovery.

The exact cause of the fatal wreck is currently under investigation by the Berwick Police Department's Accident Reconstruction Team. Toxicology tests that were reportedly performed on both motorists after the crash are currently pending.

Unfortunately, head-on accidents like this one are common on the many two-lane roadways across Maine. Since head-on traffic wrecks are normally caused by driver negligence, they are generally preventable. Such collisions may be caused by distracted driving, illegal passing, weather, motorist inexperience, road defects, speeding, and even medical emergencies. Data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration suggests that someone is killed in about 82 percent of all head-on accidents.

A driver or passenger who was hurt or certain family members of someone who was killed in an accident in Maine may be entitled to recover financial compensation for lost wages and benefits, any resulting disability, medical expenses, pain and suffering, and the costs associated with their loved one's funeral expenses. Before damages may be collected in Maine, the victim of a traffic wreck must demonstrate that their harm directly resulted from the collision and that a negligent motorist was more responsible for their harm than they were. If you were hurt by another driver, you should contact a quality car accident attorney to discuss your rights in more detail.

Continue reading "Teacher Killed in Head-On Wreck With Negligent Teen Driver" »

A 37-year-old Sidney woman was recently charged with leaving the scene of an injury accident after she allegedly struck two bicyclists with her automobile. According to Captain Daniel Davies of the Kennebec County Sheriff's Office, two men were riding their bicycles north on Middle Road around 12:30 pm in Sidney when the motorist hit them from behind with a Nissan Maxima. After striking the men, the woman allegedly continued driving north without stopping. The force of the impact knocked the 27-year-old and 71-year-old bicyclists to the ground. It also caused a bumper cover and passenger side mirror to come off of the vehicle.

Following the crash, emergency responders treated both men for a number of minor injuries they sustained in the wreck. Later, investigators from the Sheriff's Office purportedly found the Nissan parked in an apartment parking lot. When Sheriff's Deputy Jeremy Day asked the owner of the vehicle about the damage to her car, she allegedly told him it was struck in a Wal-Mart parking lot in another town. The driver also reportedly claimed that she had no knowledge of the bicycle accident.

Thankfully, the men involved in this particular bicycle accident were not severely hurt. Unfortunately, a bicycle wreck in Maine and elsewhere can cause a number of devastating injuries. For example, many victims of bike crashes sustain a traumatic brain injury. Although a head injury may result in a mild concussion, it can also be life threatening. In Maine, car accidents are one of the leading causes of traumatic brain injuries. The costs associated with treating and caring for someone with a traumatic brain injury can be exceedingly high. If you or a loved sustained a traumatic brain injury in a bicycle or other accident, you may be entitled to receive financial compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages and benefits, any resulting temporary or permanent disability, and other damages. In the State of Maine, certain relatives of a person who was killed as a result of someone else's negligent act may also be eligible to file a wrongful death lawsuit. If you were hurt in a bicycle crash, you are advised to contact a quality Maine personal injury lawyer to discuss your options for recovery.

Continue reading "Sidney Motorist Arrested Following Negligent Hit-and-Run Bicycle Crash in Kennebec County" »

According to researchers at Texas A&M University's Transportation Institute, motorists who utilize voice-to-text technology such as Siri and Vlingo on their mobile phones while driving are no safer than those who use traditional manual texting methods. As part of the study, researchers asked 43 drivers to drive on a closed course while typing a text message. Researchers then asked the drivers to repeat the course while sending a message using voice-to-text technology. As each driver navigated the course, the study authors measured the amount of time it took them to respond to a random light and the amount of time their eyes remained fixed on the roadway. Researchers reportedly found that motorist response times were delayed regardless of the type of text messaging technology used.

The study authors found that while drivers spent about 37.3 seconds looking at the road when they were not texting, their eyes spent an average of 27.2 seconds on the roadway while manually texting, 28.6 seconds while using Siri, and 25.8 seconds while using Vlingo. Interestingly, researchers stated although driver performance remained fairly constant, manual texting actually took some motorists less time than utilizing a voice-to-text system. In addition, more drivers stated they felt their level of safety increased when using voice-to-text technology.

Although no motor vehicle manufacturers currently provide voice-to-text technology in their car or trucks, some are reportedly experimenting with placing such systems in future models. The safety results from studies like this one may have an impact the future of voice-to-text systems. According to lead researcher Christine Yager, the Transportation Institute study was designed to be a step towards fully understanding distracted driving.

In Maine, distracted driving is not only dangerous, but it is also illegal. According to a survey conducted by the nation's Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 11 percent of drivers across the country were distracted at the time of a fatal traffic wreck in 2009. In addition, more than 15 people are killed and an estimated 1,200 are reportedly hurt in collisions that involve a distracted driver each day. Someone who was injured by a distracted motorist in Maine may be eligible to recover financial compensation for their physical harm, emotional injuries, and lost wages. Certain family members of someone who was killed by a distracted motorist may also be able to collect additional damages. If you were hurt in an unexpected automobile collision, you should contact a skilled car accident attorney to discuss your case.

Continue reading "Study Claims Voice-to-Text Technology Leads to Distracted Driving in Maine and Nationwide" »

Currently, the State of Maine has one of the oldest populations in the country. According to a 2013 Alzheimer's Association report, an estimated 25,000 Maine residents suffer from Alzheimer's disease, and thousands more are directly affected by the dementia disorder through their friends and loved ones. In addition, the rate of death from Alzheimer's disease in Maine is significantly higher than the national average. In fact, about 38 Maine residents per 100,000 people reportedly die each year as a result of the disease, while an average of 27 per 100,000 Americans across the country succumb to the illness. By 2025, an estimated 7 million people nationwide are expected to be affected by Alzheimer's disease.

Alzheimer's disease causes brain cells to malfunction and die. As a result, it can have a dramatic effect on a person's behavior, memory, and overall thought processes. Caring for Alzheimer's patients can be costly and emotionally burdensome. In 2012, about 68,000 people in Maine spent approximately 77 million hours caring for someone afflicted with the disorder. As symptoms progress, many families throughout our state find they are unable to safely care for loved ones who suffer from Alzheimer's disease. According to Maine Long-Term Care Ombudsman Brenda Gallant, funding for adult day care and in-home elder care services is currently inadequate. Consequently, many families turn to nursing homes and other long-term residential care facilities.

Unfortunately, some skilled nursing facility patients are neglected or abused by the very people who are paid to care for them. Nursing home residents may experience broken bones, over-medication, bedsores, verbal abuse, falls, theft of personal items, and other abuse. Additionally, simple neglect often results when an insufficient number of properly trained staff is employed by a facility. The State of Maine has established a number of special procedures for bringing an abuse or negligence claim against a nursing home or other health care facility. If your friend or family member was the victim of neglect or abuse at a Maine skilled nursing facility, you should contact a quality nursing home neglect attorney to discuss your case.

Continue reading "Maine Alzheimer's Disease Patients are Often at Risk for Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect" »

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that the average American has a 30 percent chance of being involved in a serious automobile accident in their lifetime. However, few of us are actually prepared for such an event. Many of us do not understand the nuts and bolts of the personal injury legal process until faced with it out of necessity- for ourselves or our loved ones.

For these reasons, the attorneys at Briggs & Wholey have authored a book in an effort to assist accident victims with personal injury claims. Maine Injury Law: A Reference Guide for Accident Victims has been written to help empower victims and their families when they have been affected by any type of serious personal injury, by offering insight into the world of civil personal injury law.

Whether you're a victim of medical malpractice, a slip and fall, a trucking accident, a birthing injury, nursing home neglect, or in an automobile accident--this book is for you!

Continue reading "Accident Victims in Maine have a New Resource to Guide Them Through the Process of a Personal Injury Claim" »

A recent three-car accident in Bangor left three people, including a child, hurt. According to Bangor Police Sergeant Jim Buckley, a 47-year-old woman was headed east in a Subaru on Mount Hope Avenue when she struck a Ford F-350 pick-up truck that was headed south on Hogan Road around 11:30 am. The force of the impact reportedly caused the pick-up to roll onto the hood of a nearby Toyota that was waiting to turn left. Buckley said the pick-up truck then bounced off of the Toyota and landed on its passenger side.

Following the crash, the 47-year-old driver of the pick-up and a child who was riding in the vehicle were apparently taken by ambulance to Eastern Maine Medical Center with non-life threatening injuries. Two other passengers in the truck were purportedly uninjured in the wreck. Buckley said the 18-year-old driver of the Toyota was also transported by ambulance to the hospital for treatment.

Although the cause of the traffic collision is still under investigation by the Bangor Police Department, Buckley stated an initial investigation indicated the driver of the pick-up truck failed to stop at a red traffic light. He said charges are expected to be filed following the results of the pending police investigation. Buckley also added that everyone involved in the accident was wearing a safety belt.

It was fortunate that everyone involved in this collision was wearing a seat belt. Otherwise, the traffic accident may have ended in tragedy. Despite laws that require drivers and passengers traveling on roadways in Maine and across the United States to wear safety belts, an estimated one in seven individuals still fails to do so. Data from the nation's Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) claims 53 percent of people killed in a car accident in 2009 were not wearing a safety belt. CDC facts also reportedly show that wearing a seat belt can reduce the risk of death or serious injury for everyone riding in the front seat of a vehicle by nearly 50 percent. In fact, the CDC estimates that about 4,000 lives would have been saved in 2009 if more motorists and passengers had simply buckled up.

Continue reading "Three Injured in Negligent Three-Vehicle Crash in Bangor" »

The Portland City Council is reportedly considering changes to a congested and troublesome intersection near the University of Southern Maine. The Council's Transportation, Sustainability, and Energy Committee is scheduled to provide feedback regarding a proposed reconfiguration of the six-way intersection of Falmouth Street, Brighton Avenue, and Deering Avenue, as well as review proposed new signs that would guide motorists through the area.

The intersection at issue connects two arterial roadways with another street that purportedly carries a great deal of traffic to the university. According to officials, the intersection is troubling as drivers are often left stranded in long traffic lines or blocking the intersection when traffic lights change. In addition, traffic snarls are reportedly exacerbated when the area's many pedestrians attempt to cross at the location. Portland officials stated the intersection has a 17 percent higher collision rate than others with a similar level of motor vehicle traffic. In addition, the Maine Department of Transportation has designated the intersection a "high-accident location."

In 2012, the city began evaluating options to redesign the allegedly dangerous intersection using funds from the Portland Area Comprehensive Transportation System. One of the concepts reportedly being considered would place a roundabout in the intersection. The other would purportedly add another traffic signal. Both proposals would allegedly eliminate a section of Brighton Avenue between Bedford and Falmouth Streets. Portland city planners have reportedly recommended installing the roundabouts, but the opinion of area citizens is allegedly mixed. Although the university has reportedly promised to provide $250,000 of the nearly $1.5 million in funds needed for intersection improvements, University of Southern Maine Public Affairs Executive Director Bob Caswell stated the school is in favor of any solution that may be approved.

Motor vehicle crashes in Maine can be caused by a number of factors, including driver negligence and poorly designed intersections and roadways. An individual who was hurt in a traffic accident that was caused by another motorist may be eligible to receive compensation for their medical costs, lost benefits and wages, suffering and pain, and any temporary or permanent disability that results.

Car accident responsibility in Maine is determined based upon modified comparative fault. This means a motorist who was more than 50 percent responsible for his or her traffic wreck injuries cannot collect damages from another driver. In addition, any damages that are received following a collision will be reduced based on the injured person's percentage of fault. If you were hurt in a Maine automobile crash, you should contact a skilled car accident lawyer to discuss your options for recovery.

Continue reading "Portland Considers Redesigning Dangerous Intersection Near the University of Southern Maine" »

A 65-year-old Thorndike woman is reportedly in critical condition following a recent collision with a semi in Benton. According to Maine State Police Trooper John Lacoste, the woman was driving a sport utility vehicle on Route 139 just after noon when her vehicle slid into the path of oncoming traffic. Her SUV was allegedly hit on the passenger side by a tractor trailer that was carrying a load of salt. Following the crash, the woman was purportedly transported to the Maine Medical Center in Portland with critical injuries. The 31-year-old driver of the semi was reportedly uninjured in the accident.

The exact cause of the injury accident is currently under investigation by Maine State Police. Lacoste stated weather likely played a role in the crash. According to a Maine transportation official, the roadway was mostly wet with very little danger of freezing at the time of the traffic wreck.

Data compiled by the Maine Department of Public Safety shows that 161 people died and 775 others were severely hurt in traffic accidents that occurred on Maine highways in 2010. Tragically, 41 of the individuals killed in Maine vehicle accidents were not wearing a seat belt and 83 reportedly died in a crash that involved speeding. Anyone who was hurt in a Maine car accident that was caused by a negligent driver may be eligible to recover damages related to their physical harm, lost wages, emotional injuries, and more.

Drivers in our state must maintain a reasonable speed based upon the current roadway conditions and other factors. Too often, motorists who choose to speed or engage in other unsafe behaviors on the many two-lane roadways throughout Maine injure innocent victims. In order to recover compensation for any harm sustained in a Maine traffic wreck, an accident victim must demonstrate that the other driver was more responsible than they were for the crash and their harm or lost wages directly resulted from the collision. If you were injured in an unexpected traffic accident, you should speak with a skilled personal injury lawyer to discuss your options for recovery.

Continue reading "Thorndike Woman in Critical Condition After Losing Control of SUV in Benton" »

Former University of Maine women's basketball player Samantha Wheeler was reportedly forced to stop playing after two concussions left her on the sidelines. The 23-year-old woman said she suffered a season-ending concussion during her junior year when she hit her head on a wall during practice. The following year, the star player purportedly suffered yet another head injury during a game early on in the season. Wheeler, who now serves as Director of Basketball Operations at the school, also allegedly suffered two additional concussions since she stopped playing. One was reportedly happened when a basketball unexpectedly struck her during a team practice. The other purportedly occurred when the University of Maine women's basketball team was involved in a bus crash in early March.

According to Wheeler, she is now physically limited as a result of the concussions she suffered. She claims most physical activity leaves her with severe and debilitating headaches. Coach Richard Barron stated Wheeler's decision to stop playing basketball was necessary in order to avoid a more severe brain injury.

A brain may be injured while playing sports or in an unexpected accident. Although such an injury can result in a mild concussion, many brain injuries cause serious and life-threatening trauma. A concussion or other head injury may limit a victim's daily activities, cause permanent disability, or even result in death. A concussion occurs when a trauma to the head causes the brain to move inside of the skull. Any head trauma has the potential to result in a concussion. Although it is unclear whether or not Wheeler plans to pursue any legal action, if you sustained a concussion as a result of negligence, filing a claim for compensation may be an appropriate measure to take to obtain compensation for your injury.

Unfortunately, the symptoms of a concussion are not always readily apparent. In many cases, the victim of a concussion or other head trauma may suffer from a lifelong and debilitating injury even if he or she does not lose consciousness. A brain injury victim may suffer headaches, mood swings, memory difficulties, vision problems, and a number of other symptoms. If you suffered a concussion or other traumatic brain injury through no fault of your own, you should contact a qualified Maine personal injury lawyer as soon as you are able.

Continue reading "Head Injuries Force University of Maine Athlete to the Sidelines" »

In December, a 23-year-old Buxton man was arrested on suspicion of operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol (OUI) following a collision in Saco. According to Saco Deputy Chief Jeff Holland, authorities responded to a two-vehicle accident on Mast Hill Road around 11 pm. When officers arrived, they reportedly discovered wires in the roadway and a damaged power pole. In addition, a Mercedes that was purportedly involved in the crash was on fire. A Lincoln sedan that was allegedly driven by a 25-year-old Saco man also sustained significant damage.

Following the accident, the 23-year-old motorist was purportedly taken to Southern Maine Medical Center for minor injuries. After the man was released from the hospital, he was allegedly taken into custody on four active York County arrest warrants. In addition, Holland stated the driver received a summons for OUI, driving on a suspended license, and refusing to sign a criminal summons in connection with the Saco wreck. The man was reportedly later released on bail.

The exact cause of the Saco accident is now under investigation by the Saco Police Department. The driver of the Lincoln was allegedly uninjured in the collision.

According to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in excess of 16,000 people were killed across the country in alcohol-related accidents in 2005. In Maine, 10,569 people were charged with OUI in 2006. Anyone over age 21 who is arrested for OUI with a blood alcohol content higher than Maine's .08 legal limit will have their license to drive a vehicle immediately suspended by the Secretary of State. In addition, motorists under age 21 with a measurable amount of alcohol in their system will have their operator's license suspended for at least one year. If another individual under age 21 is traveling as a passenger in the vehicle, the suspension is extended to 180 days. Anyone who refuses a blood alcohol test in Maine will reportedly receive a harsher penalty including jail time if later convicted of OUI.

Each year, thousands of people are hurt by drivers who make the choice to get behind the wheel of a vehicle while impaired. Alcohol and other drugs can cause poor judgment and other driving difficulties. In addition to criminal charges, an impaired driver may also be held financially responsible for any personal injuries he or she caused. If you were hurt in a traffic accident that was caused by a drunk or otherwise impaired motorist, you may be eligible to recover for your medical expenses, pain and suffering, and other damages. If you have questions about your rights following an injury accident, you should contact a quality Maine car crash attorney to discuss your options for recovery.

Continue reading "Buxton Man Charged with OUI Following Saco Traffic Accident" »

A Union man was hospitalized after he was struck by a vehicle while crossing a road in Friendship. According to Tim Carroll, Knox County Sheriff's Office Chief Deputy, the 19-year-old was crossing Route 97 around 10 am when he was struck by a Toyota van driven by a 48-year-old Friendship woman. Although paramedics initially transported the injured but conscious man to Pen Bay Medical Center in Rockport, he was reportedly taken by emergency helicopter to Eastern Maine Medical Center for further treatment. The driver of the van was purportedly uninjured in the collision.

The exact cause of the pedestrian accident is currently under investigation by local law enforcement officials. The injured man allegedly told officers he did not look before crossing the roadway. Knox County Sheriff's Office Deputy Michael Sprague stated a nearby security camera showed the driver who struck the man was unable to avoid the crash as a result of poor roadway conditions.

Data from the Maine Department of Transportation states there were nearly 1,300 pedestrian accidents reported throughout our state between 2006 and 2010. Sadly, 56 of those collisions were fatal and 240 resulted in an incapacitating injury to a pedestrian. In almost all Maine pedestrian crashes reported, the individual who was walking was hurt. Despite the fact that most pedestrian accidents occurred in a town or city, more than half of the 56 fatalities took place in a rural setting.

Oftentimes, individuals who are hit by a motor vehicle suffer catastrophic or life-threatening harm. The victim of a pedestrian accident may sustain a spinal cord, neck, traumatic brain, or other debilitating injury. If you were hurt in a Maine pedestrian accident, you may be eligible to recover compensation for your medical expenses, physical therapy, lost wages, pain, suffering, and other damages. Because accident responsibility in the State of Maine is attributed based upon modified comparative fault, a pedestrian or other accident victim may not collect damages if he or she was more than 50 percent responsible. Additionally, any damages a victim may receive will be reduced based on his or her percentage of fault. If you were injured in an unexpected traffic wreck, you should contact a qualified car accident attorney to discuss your options for recovery.

Continue reading "Pedestrian Injured by Negligent Driver While Crossing Route 97 in Friendship" »

At Waterville's Oak Grove Center Nursing Home, many of the facility's 130 employees reportedly work overtime without additional pay. According to facility Administrator Sara Sylvester, the long-term care facility is currently working hard to deal with chronic underfunding by the state. She said the skilled nursing home provides around the clock care for about 90 elderly and disabled Maine residents. Sylvester stated she was forced to cut back on overnight staffing levels as a direct result of budgetary constraints.

The Maine Health Care Association claims 107 skilled nursing facilities across Maine were allegedly underfunded by a total of $122 million in state and federal resources for each of the last five years. At Oak Grove, revenue shortfalls reportedly averaged about $340,000 per year. The underfunding has allegedly resulted because current MaineCare, the state Medicaid program, payments are made to long-term care facilities based on a payment formula that was established in 2005. As a result, nursing homes across the state are purportedly straining under the pressure of rising costs.

In the past, many nursing homes reportedly passed some revenue shortfalls on to patients who pay with private funds. In fact, the average bill for MaineCare patients is purportedly about 40 percent lower than for private-pay residents. According to Sylvester, however, that pool of money is no longer sufficient to make up the difference in revenue. In addition, many skilled nursing facility residents who initially fund their own nursing home expenses often find themselves utilizing MaineCare once the money they saved is spent.

Nursing home standards in Maine purportedly require that skilled nursing facility residents suffer from a number of health problems prior to admission. Unfortunately, this can mean the frailest patients are placed in a situation with too few direct care staff. Because of the purported financial strain that is currently being experienced by nursing homes across the state, the Maine Health Care Association is now advocating in favor of a bill that would increase MaineCare payments by about $6.5 million. In addition, the group would also reportedly like to see additional funding provided to facilities that primarily serve patients who rely on MaineCare and reward skilled nursing homes based on performance.

Nursing homes in Maine are required to employ a sufficient number of direct care workers to meet the needs of all residents based upon the level of care each patient requires. Additionally, minimum nursing staff requirements must also be met. Failure to provide enough well-trained direct care workers is a common cause of skilled nursing facility abuse and neglect in Maine and elsewhere. The State of Maine has established special procedures for bringing an abuse or negligence claim against a nursing home. If you suspect a friend or loved one was the victim of neglect or abuse while residing in a Maine long-term care facility, you should discuss your concerns with a skilled nursing home abuse and neglect attorney.

Continue reading "Revenue Shortfalls at Maine Nursing Homes May Place Residents at Risk for Abuse" »

Everyone knows, but few truly appreciate, how chaotic the life of a new mother becomes. The phrases of "multi-tasking" and "divided loyalties" take on whole new meaning as parents struggle to assimilate and prioritize the expected and unexpected daily occurrences, in the life of their family. A recent study proves that these events can carry over to distracted driving for the life of a new mother, or parent, culminating into dangerous driving behavior, and increased accident risks. The study, polling 2,396 mothers with children under the age of two, produced some surprising--and some not so surprising results.

The survey, conducted by Safe Kids Worldwide and the American Baby Magazine shows that new mothers may engage in some of the same dangerous driving behaviors as teens when on the highway, and may experience similar crash rates as a consequence.

The study found that new mothers engage in risky cell phone behavior, on par with teens; do not get enough sleep and often drive drowsy, are tempted to speed to make time commitments, and experience an increased accident rate due to the number of distractions they face.

Continue reading "New Survey Shows that New Mothers Engage in Risky Driving Behaviors" »

A 17-year-old Livermore Falls girl was reportedly killed and two other teens were hurt in a recent motor vehicle crash on Hyde Road in Jay. According to Police Chief Larry White Sr., the three girls were traveling in a Chevrolet sedan when the driver lost control and left the roadway. The automobile allegedly drove into a snow bank before it struck a nearby utility pole. The force of the impact reportedly snapped the utility pole in half.

Following the one-car accident, the front seat passenger was transported to Central Maine Medical Center in Lewiston where she purportedly died as a result of the injuries she sustained in the crash. White stated that paramedics transported the 17-year-old driver and a 16-year-old passenger to Franklin Memorial Hospital in Farmington with non-life threatening injuries. According to White, both teens were treated and released.

Although the exact cause of the fatal collision is currently under investigation, White said the deceased teen was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the accident. She was reportedly thrown into the back seat during the traffic wreck. White added that the driver was wearing a safety belt, but it is unknown whether the other passenger wore hers. Law enforcement officers allegedly believe excessive speed played a role in the deadly traffic wreck. In addition, the results of a standard blood alcohol test are pending.

Despite laws that require motorists and passengers to wear seat belts, an estimated one in seven people throughout the country fail to do so. With limited exception, everyone traveling in an automobile in Maine is required to wear a safety belt. According to the nation's Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 53 percent of people killed in an automobile accident in 2009 were not wearing a seat belt. The CDC claims that wearing a safety belt can reduce the risk of death or serious harm for drivers and front seat passengers by almost 50 percent. The CDC also estimates that about 4,000 lives would have been saved in 2009 if more vehicle drivers and passengers had simply chosen to buckle up.

CDC data states that car accidents are the leading cause of death for teenagers across the nation. In fact, drivers under the age of 19 are reportedly three times more likely than older drivers to be involved in a deadly crash. In 2010, more than 280,000 teens aged 16 to 19 were treated in an emergency room for traffic wreck injuries and about 2,700 young lives were lost. According to the Maine Transportation Safety Coalition, 34 percent of all Maine traffic fatalities in 2010 involved a driver between the ages of 16 and 24. Unfortunately, many of those deaths were preventable as only 39 percent of the drivers involved were wearing a seat belt when the deadly collision occurred.

Continue reading "Police Claim Livermore Falls Teen Killed in Single-Vehicle Crash in Jay Was Not Wearing a Seat Belt" »