Reported in the Bangor Daily News, November 1, 2010
FRENCHVILLE, Maine — A 24-year-old man who was seriously injured in an all-terrain vehicle accident Sunday was listed in critical condition at a Bangor hospital on Monday.
Robert Tardiff of Frenchville was flown by LifeFlight to Eastern Maine Medical Center after the accident, which occurred about 2:10 p.m. Sunday on Paradis Lane in Frenchville, Sgt. Forrest Dudley of the Aroostook County Sheriff’s Department said Monday.
Dudley said Tardiff suffered head trauma in the accident.
According to Dudley, Tardiff and 25-year-old Timmy Soucy of St. Agatha were operating two ATVs, one of which was towing the other down the roadway.
Dudley did not say which rider was doing the towing, noting that the investigation is in its early stages.
He said it appears that both riders lost control of their ATVs, causing the two machines to roll on the roadway. Dudley said neither driver was wearing a helmet.
Tardiff and Soucy both were taken to Northern Maine Medical Center in Fort Kent. Soucy was treated and then released.
Tardiff, however, was stabilized and transferred to EMMC, Dudley said.
The accident remains under investigation by Deputy Michael Montpetit, also of the Aroostook County Sheriff’s Department.
It is clear from this report that further investigation is warranted to determine exactly how this accident happened. Was there a defect on the roadway? Were the riders on private property or public roads? Did one driver make an error while driving? It is, unfortunately, not common for ATV owners to insure their vehicles. However, even if there is no insurance on the ATV itself, there are potential other sources of recovery, depending on the exact circumstances of the accident. Our team is extremely experienced in researching these sources. A thorough investigation should begin immediately in order to preserve the memories of those involved and any physical evidence such as markings on the trail. The personal injury specialists at Peter Thompson & Associates have handled thousands of similar claims and recovered millions of dollars in compensation for our clients. We specialize in providing excellent customer service and quick results. For more information, contact Peter Thompson & Associates at 1-800-917-1784 or read more on our website www.Peter-Thompson-Associates.com on our personal injury practice page.