Maine Injury Lawyer Blog

August 10, 2012

Bangor Car Accidents: Take the Pledge Not to Text and Drive

You wouldn’t drive with a blindfold on. So why do motorists drive without looking at the road?sWe’re talking about texting while driving. It’s not exactly putting a blindfold over your eyes and hitting the road, but it has the same effect at times.To help to get drivers’ eyes back on the road, Randall Stephenson, CEO of AT&T, is pushing the “It Can Wait” anti-texting campaign.

Although this campaign is for drivers of all ages, it targets younger drivers as they’re most likely to engage in distractions behind the wheel. To help to get more drivers on board, the campaign recently announced its “No Text on Board — Pledge Day.”sThis day, September 19th, is being used to urge drivers to take the pledge to keep the phone out of the driver’s seat. You don’t have to wait until the 19th to take the pledge either. Drivers can take it any day up until then, according to CNN Tech.

The “It Can Wait” campaign has been going strong since 2009. AT&T has decided to push it a little harder with the release of new distracted driving stats. It’s clear that drivers aren’t getting the message and they’re continuing to jeopardize everyone’s safety on our roadways.

Our Bangor car accident attorneys understand how serious of a problem texting drivers are becoming. In just 2010, the number of drivers who admitted to texting behind the wheel increased by 50 percent. Only about 20 percent of drivers said that they engaged in this dangerous driving behavior in 2009. It’s so bad that there were more than 3,000 people killed in distracted driving car accidents in just 2010. There were also more than 415,000 people who were injured in these accidents.

Teens are the worst!sAccording to a recent study with the Pew Internet & American Life Project, more than 40 percent of teenage drivers admitted that they text messaged behind the wheel.

So how serious is it?sIf you text message while driving, you’re increasing your risks for a car accident by at least 23 times.

The AT&T campaign is asking you to join the fight against dangerous driving habits by pledging to make a change in your own. It’s not only AT&T that’s getting in on the action. Verizon and Sprint also have their own anti-texting campaigns. Stephenson says that he welcomes all of the advocacy. He adds that the more awareness that we raise, the better our chances are for getting drivers to stop texting behind the wheel.

“People are dying … we just need everyone to get after this and reverse this trend,” Stephenson said.

Text messaging takes a driver’s eyes from the street for about of 4.5 seconds. When you’re driving at 55 miles per hour, you can travel the entire length of a football field in that time without ever looking at the road.

July 30, 2012

Nursing Home Shut Down in Calais Leaving Residents and Workers Stranded

by Peter Thompson & Associates

Officials with the legislative delegation of Washington County recently met with representatives from the Maine Department of Health and Human Services and other safety and health officials to discuss the recent closure of Calais’ only licensed nursing home.

According to BDN Maine, the closure eliminated more than 50 beds belonging to the Atlantic Rehabilitation and Nursing Center in Calais. Not only were residents kicked out, but more than 90 health care workers were left without a job.Currently, there are nursing homes that are closing all over the country. All of these closures highlight what challenges the industry is facing. Nursing homes are typically run by large chain corporations and are for-profit organizations. To help to keep your elderly family members safe, you’re urged to do your part and to lookout for the signs of neglect or abuse among elderly residents when you visit a nursing home.

Our Bangor nursing home abuse attorneys understand state and federal budget cuts have further exacerbated the issue. Choosing the right nursing home for a loved one is a critical first step to ensuring they will live out their days with the peace and dignity they deserve.

To helpmake sure that elderly residents have a place to turn and that these healthcare workers get back to work, officials in the area are looking at various low-interest loan programs.

“I was impressed by the level of commitment from local officials to ensure that there is a nursing facility presence in this community,” said Kenneth Albert, director of the state’s Division of Licensing & Regulatory Services.

The closure of the facility came as a surprise to the community. Officials are trying to open a new location in Ellsworth, which is 90 miles southwest of Calais!sResidents and patients of the facility were left stranded and perplexed, wondering where they’ll go next as there’s been a chronic scarcity of nursing home vacancies throughout the county.

According to the CEO of First Atlantic, Kenneth Bowden, the closure was purely based on finances. The facility was costing more than it was bringing in. At one point in the decision, he suggested that the facility turn itself over to the city as another kind of nonprofit entity so that it would be eligible for higher levels of state reimbursement for resident care.

Before choosing a nursing home in the state of Maine, NursingHomeRank.com suggests the followingt:

-Visit potential nursing homes as much as you can before making a decision.

-Get input from the entire family. More people may be able to point out more bugs in the system.

-If you hear of any complaints or concerns from anyone, make sure you talk with the facility to get the entire story and to help to raise awareness.

-Make sure to look at the ratings of each potential home. Get consumer reviews and ask around.

-Be sure to visit homes during off-peak hours to see how many individuals are staffed and how much attention residents are getting.

-Consider cost, location, bed availability, quality of care, need and provision of services before choosing a home.

July 24, 2012

Work Accidents in Maine Likely with Employer Disregard for Employee Safety

by Peter Thompson & Associates

Employers have an obligation to keep employee’s safe on the job. Work accidents in Bangor and elsewhere in Maine are more likely when a company fails to live up to safety requirements.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recently cited several Maine businesses for fail noncompliance.Employers are required to make sure that all employees are safe on the job. They’re required to make sure that each and every employee is properly trained and that they’re provided with all of the proper safety equipment that’s needed to complete the job. When employees are not offered adequate safety measures, they are at greater risk for a serious fatal work accident. Safe employees equate to happy employees. If you’re on the job and you feel that your safety is in jeopardy, you’re urged to voice your concerns to a supervisor, to a boss or to the head of the company. Each and every one of these concerns should be taken seriously and should be appropriately corrected.

Recently in Augusta, Cives Steel Company was issued a number of citations by OSHA officials for violating workplace safety standards. With these citations, the company is facing more than $130,000 in proposed fines. All of the citations were the result of an inspection that started back in January.

“For the safety of its workers, this employer must take effective and expeditious action to eliminate these conditions and prevent their recurrence,” said Maine’s area director for OSHA, William Coffin.

These employees were not offered the right protective equipment to keep them safe on the job. The company was also cited for misusing cords and wiring, which served as serious shock hazards to employees.

Interstate Brands in Biddeford, Maine was issued more than $100,000 in citations for failing to install the proper guardrails on machinery to help to keep employees from falling into and through hoppers. The company was also issued a number of other safety violations. Some of those were repeat violations, meaning they were cited for problems and dangers that OSHA officials had already addressed once before within the last five years.

“Our inspection identified mechanical, electrical, fall and exit hazards, including some similar to those cited at other Interstate Brands facilities,” said Coffin.

In another New England case, officials with Tribe Mediterranean Foods in Massachusetts were also cited for failing to provide employees with the proper safety training needed to help to prevent ‘needless and avoidable loss of life.’sAn inspection was opened on the company back in December of 2011 after an employee was killed as he attempted to clean and sanitize a machine at the hummus factory. He was caught in the machine, pulled into it and then crushed to death between two rotating augers.

“The employer knew it needed to train these workers so they could protect themselves against just this type of hazard but failed to do so. The result was a needless and Aavoidable loss of life,” saidsDr. David Michaels, with OSHA.

July 16, 2012

Summer Vacation Plans & Your Risks for Car Accidents in Bangor

by Peter Thompson & Associates

In 2010, there were more than 290 fatal car accidents in Bangor and elsewhere in Maine. There were also another 21,000 car crashes that resulted in injury and an additional 23,000 tallied that were property-damage only accidents.

That means that our state saw more than 44,000 car accidents in one year — or more than 120 accidents a day. Many of these accidents could have been completely prevented with a little more driver awareness.There were also 910 bicyclists, 792 pedestrians, 849 motorcycles, 148 school buses and 1,711 medium/heavy trucks involved in these accidents. Young drivers, or those ages 15- to 20-years-old were involved in nearly 20 percent of the reported crashes.

Our Bangor injury attorneys understand that our roadways are particularly crowded during the summer and upcoming fall tourist seasons. Because of the increase in traffic that we see during this time of the year, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is working diligently to help to raise awareness about the importance of safe driving skills.

They’re working to get drivers to Focus On Safety through the Cool Tips for a Sade Summer Trip.

During the summer, families and friends across the nation venture out on summer vacations. With the decreasing gas prices, many of these vacationers are choosing to drive to their vacation destination this year. With more vehicles out there, we’re facing significantly higher risks for accidents.

We can all do our part to help make our roads safer. Many car accidents can be easily avoided by following just a few simple safety tips. Please review the NHTSA’s safe driving tips to help you to prevent a potentially fatal car accident this summer.

Before Venturing Out:

-Check your exterior lights. Make sure that the headlights, the taillights and all of your blinkers are working properly.

-Check the fluids under the hood. Make sure they’re fresh and full.

-Check out your car’s belts. Make sure that none of them are cracked or blistering.

-Make sure you have adequate windshield wiper blades.

-Never travel with less than a quarter tank of gas.

While on our Roadways:

-Make sure that you keep your eyes and mind on the road and your hands on the wheel.

-Make sure that everyone’s wearing a seat belt every time you’re in the car.

-Never drink and drive. Make sure you have a sober ride home if you’re going out drinking.

-Prepare for traffic. More cars on our streets mean more congestion. Plan for it. Leave for your destination earlier with plenty of time to get there.

-Stay calm behind the wheel. Avoid getting aggravated and succumbing to aggressive driving habits.

-Make sure you know the road laws of places you’ll be traveling to.

July 10, 2012

Congress Funds Safe Driving Initiatives in Portland, elsewhere

by Peter Thompson & Associates

There’s going to be nearly $25 million in cash incentives available to states that decide that their distracted driving laws could use a facelift.

Congress recently decided that it was going to free up millions to help to persuade state lawmakers to strengthen their road laws to help to reduce the risks of car accidents in Portland and elsewhere.

According to the National Safety Council (NSC), there’s an additional $13 million that has been freed up to encourage states to strengthen their Graduated Driver’s Licensing (GDL) programs.

Congress has already offered incentive programs to states that campaigned for seat belt usage and fought drunk drivers. Targeting teens and distracted drivers makes sense because so many car “accidents” are caused by a young, inexperienced driver, or by a motorist who is not paying attention to the road.Our Portland car accident attorneys understand that the state of Maine lags a bit when it comes to implementing all of the components of a comprehensive GDL program. Not only do we allow our young drivers to get their permit at the age of 15, but we also allow them to get a restricted license after only having the learner’s permit for 6 months.

In the restricted stages our laws aren’t that tough either. We only require these young drivers to complete 35 hours of supervised driving time. Safe driving experts recommend at least 50 hours for a full and thorough driving education. After that we send them out on their own!sThey only have passenger restrictions for 6 months and are only prohibited from driving between midnight and 5:00 a.m., according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

Congress wants state lawmakers to strengthen these restrictions!sTougher laws and stricter enforcement will help to keep our teen drivers safe behind the wheel. Car accidents continue to be the leading cause of death for teens across the country.

“We are grateful to see that Congress has taken action to reduce distracted driving and to help protect our youngest, most inexperienced drivers,” Janet Froetscher with the NSC said.

In Maine, only learner’s permit and intermediate license holders are prohibited from using hand-held cell phones behind the wheel. All drivers are banned from text messaging while driving. We may not have the weakest laws in the books, but officials are encouraging law enforcement officers to step up enforcement, and lawmakers to continue to make legislating safe driving a priority.

The bill also includes funding for distracted driving research.

Drivers are asked to drive within the spirit of the law and keep distractions out of the driver’s seat. Parents and guardians of young drivers are urged to keep an eye on their newly-licensed teenagers. Be sure to enforce your own household driving rules to help to keep your young driver safe. Know where they’re going and when they’ll be home. Know who they’re driving with and who is driving with them. Staying in the loop can reduce the risk of an accident.

June 30, 2012

Bangor Injury Attorneys Wish You a Safe Fourth of July

by Peter Thompson & Associates

The Maine State Police (MSP) are going to be out in full force over the Fourth of July holiday. They are going to be out in their patrol cars and in aircraft and will have all hands on deck to enforce the state’s traffic laws.

This effort is to help to reduce your risks of a potentially fatal car accident in Bangor and elsewhere throughout the state. They’ll be targeting both aggressive and drunk drivers. The enforcement period is from Friday, June 29th and will continue on through the end of the week, according to WCSH.Col. Robert Williams, chief of the MSP, has also called for a crackdown on drivers who aren’t buckled up and motorists who are texting while driving. The months of July and August are the busiest times on our roadways.

Unfortunately, they’re also the deadliest.

Our Bangor car accident lawyers understand that the Fourth of July holiday weekend serves as one of the most dangerous times to be on our roadways. This year, there are more than 42 million people who are expected to travel at least 50 miles from their home for the holiday. About 36 million of these travelers will be doing so by motor vehicle, increasing traffic and risks for accidents significantly. You’re urged to be safe out there and to be on your best driving behavior to help to reduce your risks of an accident.

This is expected to be a big Fourth of July as this is the first Fourth of July in 63 years in which fireworks are legal in the state of Maine, according to the Maine Sun Journal. It’s looking like it’s going to be a big Fourth throughout the state as residents have been stocking up on their fireworks for weeks now.

“Sales are booming,” Scott Boucher, manager at Pyro City.

The law went into effect back in January, still there are some areas that have decided to stay true to the old rule and have continued to prohibit fireworks. These areas include Waterville, Augusta, Bangor, Lewiston, and Portland. Scarborough limits their use to hours surrounding July Fourth and New Year’s Day.

Throughout the entire state, you can’t buy or possess fireworks if you’re under the age of 21.As the big holiday draws near, officials with the state are asking all residents, in areas allowing fireworks, to be safe and responsible and to read instructions on all fireworks before use. These fireworks must be set off on the property of the user or of someone who’s given permission. Keep safety a top priority, keep young children away and keep water nearby.

For more safety tips and information regarding the use of fireworks, visit The National Council on Fireworks Safety’s website.

Have a Happy Fourth of July and remember to keep safety as your number one priority. Enjoy!

June 25, 2012

Victim Demands Stricter Sentences for Drunk Driving in Bangor

by Peter Thompson & Associates

The victim of a drunk driving car accident in Bangor is highly upset with the judge’s sentencing. According to The Republic, the victim, who now uses a wheelchair to get around, is asking for stiffer sentences for those who have been charged with drunk driving in the state of Maine.

The driver charged in the case pleaded guilty to aggravated assault and criminal operating under the influence of intoxicants after causing a car crash that left his passenger paralyzed.The plea agreement called for the driver to serve two years for the assault charge and six months for drunken driving. The judge postponed sentencing after the victim asked for a stiffer sentence.

Our Bangor accident lawyers understand that drivers in the state of Maine who are convicted of a first-time drunk driving offense may not face the toughest of penalties. According to Maine’s Bureau of Highway Safety, a first-time offense comes with a possible 90-day license suspension and fines of up to $400. We have some of the most relaxed laws in the country. Recent studies have proven that the tougher the laws and the penalties the less likely drivers are to recommit. When penalties are loose, drivers are more likely to be involved in another incident.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recently released new statistics illustrating the true risks for alcohol-related car accidents throughout the nation. The most recent statistics report that there were nearly 11,250 people killed in these kinds of accidents in 2010. Hundreds of thousands more were injured. These accidents are so common that they account for about a third of all roadway fatalities.

In the state of Maine, there were nearly 50 people killed in alcohol-related accidents in 2010 alone. These accidents accounted for 30 percent of all traffic accident-related fatalities throughout the year.

Nationwide, drivers with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) level of 0.08 or higher in fatal accidents in 2010 were four times more likely to have a prior conviction for drunk driving than drivers who were in accidents with no alcohol. This proves the likelihood of drivers to recommit these crimes. Maine needs to toughen its sentences to help to reduce these risks. Year after year, innocent people are taken in these accidents. It’s time to stop it!sThese accidents are completely preventable. All it takes is a little bit of preparation and responsibility.

Before you head out drinking, make sure you’ve got a sober ride home. Designate a driver. The designated driver shouldn’t be the person who has had the least to drink. You can always call a friend or a family member, too. Whatever you do, do not get behind the wheel if you’ve had too much to drink!

June 20, 2012

Teens at High Risks for Accidents in Bangor and Elsewhere

by Peter Thompson & Associates

As we recently reported on our Maine Injury Lawyer Blog, teenage drivers are most likely to be involved in distraction-related car accidents. It’s not only that they’re most likely to be involved in these kinds of accidents, but they’re pretty much most likely to be involved in most accidents.

According to new data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there were nearly 2,000 teenage drivers who died in motor vehicle accidents nationwide in 2010. In addition to that, there were another 180,000 teen drivers who were injured. The truth of the matter is that car accidents continue to be the leading cause of death for this young age group.In the state of Maine, there were nearly 20 teenage drivers who were killed in auto accidents in 2010. In addition to these driver fatalities, there were also 5 passengers and 6 occupants of other vehicles who were killed in accidents involving young drivers.

This age group is so dangerous behind the wheel that about 10 percent of all of the drivers who were involved in fatal car accidents in Bangor and elsewhere in 2010 were between the ages of 15- and 20-years-old. That’s alarming when you consider how small of a percentage of the driving population that this young age group makes up. Did you know that there were nearly 1,340,000 police-reported accidents from this young age group during this time?

These young drivers are just as dangerous on motorcycles, too. During 2010, there were nearly 220 teenage motorcycle drivers killed and another 5,000 injured in traffic accidents.

You might not believe it, but these young drivers are also likely to be involved in alcohol-related accidents, too!sIn 2010, 30 percent of these young drivers who were killed in car accidents were under the influence of alcohol. About 25 percent of them were legally drunk.

Officials with the Maine Department of Transportation (MaineDOT) urge parents to talk with their teen drivers about the dangers they’re bound to face on our roadways. Be sure to enact household driving rules to help to assist the state’s Graduated Driver’s Licensing (GDL) program. Make sure you lay down the consequences for breaking these rules, too. Awareness and enforcement can help to significantly reduce the risks of accidents for this young driving population.

Teen Driver Safety Tips:

-Make sure teens drive sober. If they’re busted with any amount of alcohol in their system, they could lose their license for a year.

-Always wear a seat belt.

-Make sure that the vehicle is safe to drive. A teen learning how to drive safely does not need to be further distracted by bad brakes or a sticky clutch.

-Drive defensively. Share the road with others.

-Be home before curfew.

-Limit the number of teen passengers in the vehicle.

-Obey all road laws and posted street signs.

June 5, 2012

Work Accidents in Portland and Elsewhere Prevented with Better Ergonomics

by Peter Thompson & Associates

It’s that time of the year, the time when we focus on preventing work-related injuries in Portland and elsewhere. The entire month of June is used by the National Safety Council (NSC) to push for safety both at home and at work. During this time, the campaign will be working to spread the word about the most common forms of preventable injuries across the nation.From the 10th through the 16th of June, officials will be educating workers about the risks of injury associated with poor Ergonomics. Every year, millions of workers are injured because their work areas aren’t designed to fit them and to fit the job they’re doing. It’s important that you focus on proper ergonomics to avoid unnecessary and preventable injuries.

Our Portland injury attorneys understand that ergonomics involves making sure that a work area is designed to get the job done effectively and comfortably. All too often, workers are forced to work in conditions that are uncomfortable and painful. Ergonomics help to prevent injuries related to overexertion and other similar conditions. Ergonomics is especially important for those who work at a desk or on a computer all day. Repeating the same movements in the same position day after day requires a set up that can help to reduce the risks of a variety of conditions.

Every year, there are nearly 3.5 million people who suffer the unintentional injury of overexertion. As a matter of fact, these injuries constitute as the third leading cause of unintentional injury each year in the U. .

Ergonomic Conditions Leading to Injuries:

-Repetitive Motions.

-Vibrations.

-Resting on sharp edges or corners.

-Overexertion while pushing, pulling, stretching, reaching, lowering or lifting.

-Use of Excessive Force.

-Extreme Temperatures.

-Working in Awkward and Uncomfortable Conditions.

-Standing or Sitting for Too Long.

Desk workers are urged to make sure that their computer monitor is placed at least 20 inches away from their face at that it’s leveled slightly above their eyes. You also want to make sure that your keyboard is petitioned in such a way that you wrists can lie flat. It’s also important that your desk chair is adjustable and that it keeps you in an upright, comfortable position. By making just a few adjustments to your work area, you can help to reduce the risks of one of these accidents and can potentially save yourself from a life-altering injury. Make sure your work place is working for you and your safety.

Would you be able to recognize the signs of an ergonomic condition?sIt’s rather simple. You just have to know the signs!sIf you experience any tingling, numbness, pain, swelling, loss of grip strength, clicking or tenderness, you may be suffering from an ergonomic condition and are urged to see a physician immediately. Early recognition and treatment of these conditions may be your best defense against a permanent injury.

May 30, 2012

Defective Products in Bangor and Elsewhere Still in Your Home?

by Peter Thompson & Associates

There may be defective products in your home and you might not even know about it.

We’re talking about defective products that can cause serious injuries in Bangor and elsewhere. Remember the recall that was made earlier this month regarding the inflatable pool slides that were sold by both Walmart and Toys ‘R’ Us?sThe recall of those products didn’t even come until after someone died and several others were injured.

Sometimes that’s just how it works, unfortunately. It’s important for consumers to stay in the loop with the latest recalls to help to make sure that everyone in their home is safe from dangerous products.Unfortunately, even when consumers know about recalls not many return the product or take it in to have the necessary repairs done. As a matter of fact, only about 10 percent of recalled products ever leave a consumer’s home.

Our Bangor product liability attorneys understand that many times it’s up to the consumer to stay educated about dangerous products. Take the recall of the furnaces back in February. Back then, there were about 200,000 furnaces that were recalled, with the same ones being recalled eight years prior. Still, more than 90 percent of the close to 400 accident reports came after the initial recall. This is serious business and consumers need to take these recalls seriously.

“We know that the majority of products that are recalled remain in consumers’ homes,” says Kids in Danger’s Nancy Cowles.

Why don’t consumers ditch the dangerous products?sExperts say there’s a number of reasons. One of the top ones is that they just don’t know. Others say that consumers feel they’re exempt from the risks and that nothing’s going to happen to them. Some say that it’s because since there’s so many recalls a year, consumers just overlook them as false or insignificant alerts. Whatever the case may be, the truth of the matter is that far too many people are being injured and killed by dangerous products long after warnings have been made public.

Cowles says that parents need to continuously check the products in their home and check the Consumer Product Safety Commission‘s recall list often. If you notice that something in your home has been recalled, be sure to remove it immediately. The risks aren’t worth it.

We aren’t able to protect our children from everything, but we are able to make the necessary move to protect them from the products that have already been deemed dangerous.

TIME recently released the most dangerous products that you may have in your home. These products include the Bumbo Baby Seats, the Lasko Box Fans, the Maytag Dishwashers, the Maclaren Strollers (before-2010), the Magnetix Building Sets, all Shades and Blinds from Roman, portable fuel from Gel Fuel, Toy Dart Guns from Family Dollar Store, various Drop-Side Cribs and LG Dehumidifiers.