Maine Injury Lawyer Blog
Our late October snowstorm caught many in the Northeast by surprise, including us in Maine. As of Nov. 1, still more than a million homes along the East Coast were without power. The storm also canceled trick-or-treat adventures, caused rail-service disruptions and contributed to a number of car accidents in Maine and elsewhere.The snowstorm dumped more than 30 inches of snow in some areas. Snowfall records from the National Weather Service were broken in areas from Virginia to Maine. News sources, including My FOX Philadelphia, are reporting that more than 20 people died because of the storm’s effects.
Our Portland car accident attorneys understand that this first blast of winter weather serves as a warning for what we can expect in the coming months. Car accidents on our snowy and icy roadways were lethal in some cases. We urge residents to stay off the road when weather conditions are bad, unless you absolutely have to go somewhere.
Both western and southern Maine saw record snowfall. The most snow fell in Oxford and York counties along the New Hampshire border. More than 17 inches fell in Bridgton and about 20 inches made it in Acton. South Paris and Oxford both received about 15 inches of snow, while Springfield got about 11 inches. These are some of the highest amounts ever recorded in northern and eastern Maine, according to The Bangor Daily.
“This is an unprecedented storm because we’ve never had this much snow in October in one day,” said Michael Sempa, a meteorologist based in Gray. “We’ve beaten the previous record for the whole month in some places.”
You know the common saying about the weather here in New England — “If you don’t like it just wait a minute!”sAnd that’s exactly what the Maine Department of Transportation (MaineDOT) is recommending. Drivers shouldn’t drive in poor conditions. Car accidents can be avoided if we all avoid these conditions, but sometimes this isn’t realistic. For that reason, we’re here to offer you with safe-driving tips for the wicked winter weather to help you get to and from your destinations safely.
Winter driving tips:
-Tune Up. Make sure you have your vehicle checked out. Be sure that tires, batteries and windshield wipers are in working condition, and that all fluids are topped off.
-Buckle Up. Always wear a seat belt. Seat belts may be your best defense against injury in the event of an accident.
-Slow Down. Remember that handling your vehicle is trickier on slick roadways, and that posted speed limits are the limits for normal, clear weather conditions.
-Pack Up. Make sure you’ve got an emergency kit in your vehicle. This kit should include water, nonperishable food, medications, a flashlight, extra batteries and warm clothing. Always travel with a mobile phone.
-Stay Alert. There’s no time for distractions when you’re driving down a snowy road. Keep all of your attention on the task at hand — driving.
-Stay Informed. Check out MaineDOT’s Travel Information Service or call 511 or 1-866-282-7578 to learn about possible delays resulting from weather conditions or traffic accidents.
Contact the experienced injury attorneys at Peter Thompson & Associates if you or someone you love has been involved in a car accident in Bangor, Portland or in any of the surrounding areas. Call 1-800-804-2004 to make a appointment to speak to an attorney about your case.
More Blog Entries:
National Teen Driver Safety Week and AAA Address Habits Causing Teen Car Accidents in Portland and Elsewhere
October 20, 2011
October Kicks Off Season for Deer-Related Car Accidents in Maine
October 14, 2011