Auto Accidents

April 15, 2023

Understanding Maine Wrong-Way Accidents

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.

April 11, 2023

Robbery Leads to Maine Car Accident

by Peter Thompson & Associates

Sometimes, car accidents can occur under highly unusual circumstances. As a recent news article reported, two robbery suspects crashed their vehicle while fleeing from police in North Jay, Maine. After arriving at the scene of a robbery, local police stopped the suspects’ car. The car briefly pulled over before driving off, prompting a police chase along the highway. The chase ended when the suspects’ car crashed at the intersection of Routes 17 and 4. The suspects endured serious injuries and were transported to the hospital. State police are now investigating the crash.

How Does Maine Apportion Fault Among Multiple Defendants?

Like the two robbery suspects who fled police, sometimes more than one person may be responsible for a plaintiff’s injuries. Maine does not limit a plaintiff to naming one defendant in a lawsuit. Instead, a plaintiff can sue multiple defendants for the same injury. When assigning fault among multiple defendants, Maine follows joint and several liability. Under this theory of recovery, a plaintiff can recover the full damages amount they are seeking against each defendant, provided that a judge or jury finds all defendants liable. However, Maine also takes the plaintiff’s degree of fault into account. A plaintiff can still recover damages if they were at fault, but the law reduces the plaintiff’s damages award based on their degree of fault. For example, a plaintiff who is 20% at fault will receive a 20% reduction in their damages award. However, if a plaintiff was equally at fault or greater, they cannot recover any damages.

What Are the Penalties for Fleeing from Police?

In Maine, refusing to stop after an officer signals you to pull over is a Class E crime, the least serious type of offense. This type of crime is punishable by up to six months in prison and a $1,000 fine. However, fleeing from an officer by driving recklessly and inciting a high-speed chase is a Class C felony. Class C felonies are punishable by up to 5 years in prison and a fine of $5,000. Additionally, if suspects fleeing from police cause an accident with another driver, that driver may bring a personal injury lawsuit. As a result of that civil lawsuit, the suspects may also owe the injured driver monetary damages.

April 4, 2023

Criminal and Civil Penalties in Maine Hit-and-Run Accidents

by Peter Thompson & Associates

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.

March 10, 2023

Passenger Killed in Recent Maine Car Accident

by Peter Thompson & Associates

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.

February 28, 2023

Safety Tips to Avoid a Maine Drowsy Driving Accident

by Peter Thompson & Associates

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?

February 24, 2023

Seeking Justice Through a Maine Wrongful Death Lawsuit

by Peter Thompson & Associates

Too often, the criminal justice system fails to bring justice to victims and their loved ones. When a person is found not guilty of a crime or faces a light sentence, the victim’s loved ones may feel that the criminal case failed to hold the perpetrator accountable for their profound loss. In these scenarios, a victim or their loved ones might look for another way to seek justice. When the criminal justice system fails to hold perpetrators accountable, a victim or their loved ones may turn to civil court and file a negligence lawsuit.

As a recent news article reported, a corrections officer received no jail time for an accident that killed a nine-year-old girl in Cumberland County, Maine. The accident occurred when the officer crashed his truck into an SUV, killing the girl who was riding in the back of the car. While on trial for manslaughter, the officer admitted he may have fallen asleep at the wheel. Prosecutors asked the judge for an 8-year sentence, 4 years’ supervision, and 100 hours of community service. The judge was much more lenient. At the sentencing hearing, the judge imposed a 6-year suspended sentence, 4 years probation, and 200 hours of community service. A suspended sentence is delayed until the convicted person completes probation, but judges often dismiss the sentence upon successful completion of the probation period. As a result, the officer likely faces no jail time.

Can You Sue a Driver Who Faced Charges in Criminal Court?

A criminal case does not affect your ability to sue a criminal defendant for damages in civil court. First, you can sue a driver who was found not guilty in a criminal trial—or who did not face criminal charges at all. Remember that a jury may find a person not guilty in a criminal case, but a jury could find that same person liable for civil damages. Second, you can sue a driver for damages even if they have to pay a criminal fine. Maine’s criminal law imposes fines as punishment for certain crimes, but these fines have nothing to do with civil liability for an accident. Even if the driver must pay criminal fines, you can still hold them responsible for civil damages.

February 8, 2023

Bringing a Wrongful Death Claim Following a Maine Head-On Collision

by Peter Thompson & Associates

Too often, head-on collisions result in severe injury and death. When a driver’s negligence causes another person’s death, the driver harms both the deceased and their surviving loved ones. In the wake of these senseless accidents, it is clear that no amount of money will ever bring a deceased loved one back. However, understanding how Maine handles wrongful death lawsuits can help the deceased’s loved ones think about their options for recovery.

As a recent news article reported, a head-on crash in Woolwich, Maine, killed one person and injured another. The crash occurred on a bridge in the northbound section of Route 1. While traveling southbound, a driver veered across the roadway into the northbound lane. The driver then collided head-on with a vehicle traveling northbound. Sadly, the driver died at the scene. The northbound vehicle’s driver was transported to the hospital to treat serious but non-life-threatening injuries.

Can You Bring a Wrongful Death Suit After a Maine Head-On Collision?

A person can bring a wrongful death suit for negligence if the negligent party would have been liable to the victim if he or she had not died. The reasoning is that wrongful death suits are a way to make sure negligent actors do not escape responsibility for their wrongdoing just because a victim is not alive to sue them personally. In Maine, a person bringing a wrongful death suit must do as the administrator of the deceased’s estate. However, the beneficiaries of the deceased’s estate can receive certain types of damages awards under Maine law.

January 26, 2023

Maine Head-On Collision Injures Two People

by Peter Thompson & Associates

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.

January 21, 2023

Maine Pedestrian Who Was Struck By Car Suffers Serious Injuries

by Peter Thompson & Associates

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.

January 21, 2023

Chain Reaction Accident in Maine Injures Five People

by Peter Thompson & Associates

Chain reaction accidents occur when an initial crash leads to multiple other crashes, which may or may not involve the drivers who suffered the first accident. When a person suffers injuries in a chain reaction accident, it may be unclear who is responsible for that person’s harm. It may also be the case that multiple parties are at fault for a single injury. A Maine personal injury attorney can help you understand the complex questions of fault and compensation that arise from a chain reaction accident.

For example, as a recent news article reported, a chain reaction accident in Richmond, Maine, left five people injured. The accident happened on the highway when a car sideswiped a tractor trailer, causing the driver to lose control of his car and veer off the roadway. The drivers who witnessed the crash slowed down in traffic, which resulted in three cars crashing into each other. Five people suffered injuries, and one was transported to the hospital for life-threatening injuries. The driver who crashed into the tractor trailer was charged with operating his vehicle under the influence.

How Can You Recover Damages in a Maine Chain Reaction Accident?

People who suffer injuries in a Maine chain reaction accident can bring a negligence lawsuit to recover damages against the other parties involved in the crash. To succeed on a negligence claim, the plaintiff must prove the defendants each owed the plaintiff a duty of care, breached that duty through their action or inaction, that their carelessness caused the accident, and that the plaintiff suffered injuries as a result. When multiple drivers are involved, determining who caused an accident can pose a complicated question of both fact and law. It may be the case that multiple drivers have some portion of responsibility for the accident. At the same time, each driver may not be equally at fault for all crashes that occur in a chain reaction accident.