Request a Free Consultation Start a Live Chat Call 1-800-INJURED Today
News

Top Maine Personal Injury Firm Offers Help to Those In Need

Hardy Wolf and Downing Team

From left are William C. Herbert III, Michael Welch, Cailley Bonti, Sheldon Tepler, Christian Lewis, Leana Amaez, Stacy Stitham and Nan Heald at the Pine Tree Legal Assistance reception in Lewiston.

Hardy Wolf and Downing is here to help Mainers injured in car accidents. We don’t represent corporations or insurance companies. And we know that many people can’t afford to pay for a personal injury lawyer up front. So we simply don’t charge a dime until the client gets paid for the suffering she’s endured. But, our desire to help those in need goes even further. Many Mainers can’t afford lawyers for other legal matters. That’s where we step in. Hardy Wolf and Downing has an unequaled record of giving Mainers in need legal help for free. This is called pro bono legal work–just a fancy Latin name for helping those who need help and can’t afford a lawyer. (more…)

What You Need to Know About Texting and Driving Law

Teenagers driving

Teenagers drivingAny car accident lawyer would agree that texting and driving has reached near epidemic proportions nationwide. The roadways are filled with distracted drivers who reach for their cell phone to read messages and text while driving, and in the process cause a car accident, resulting in serious injuries and sometimes even death to innocent victims. In response to this epidemic, Maine distracted driving law carries heavy fines and even driving license suspensions. In addition, car accident attorneys are widely available to offer legal counsel to any victim of a car accident caused by a distracted driver. (more…)

How Long Should Kids Be in Rear-Facing Car Seats?

Toddlers playing with cars

Toddlers playing with carsUPDATE: As of June 14, 2019, Governor Janet Mills signed new child safety seat rules into law, An Act To Update Laws Governing Child Safety (LD 1269). The new rules define the required time a child needs to remain in a rear-facing seat and changes the weight requirement for forward-facing seats used with a harness. This blog post has been updated to reflect those changes. 

When it comes to child passenger safety, car seats for infants, babies, and children is a priority for all parents. Fussing with your baby and buckling them in their rear-facing car seat can be frustrating, particularly on those icy cold, Maine winter mornings. Infants and babies especially do not like to lose sight of their mothers. Many often cry when placed in the back seat facing away from them. Wanting to turn your child around to comfort and calm them is natural. Wondering how long your child should be in a rear-facing seat is normal. However, the fact is, rear-facing car seats are not only a must when it comes to your baby, but it is also the law. (more…)

Who Pays for Personal Injury Claims?

personal injury claims

personal injury claimsIn a personal injury case, payment of personal injury claims is awarded to an injured person by the person or company which is found legally at-fault and responsible for the accident. Compensation to the injured person by the at-fault party is commonly made through various types of insurance coverage by insurance companies. On very rare occasions an individual or at-fault party may be liable to pay compensation. In the overwhelming majority of cases, however, the negligent person or at-fault party’s insurance company will pay the plaintiff’s damages.
(more…)

The Aftermath of a Motorcycle Accident

motorcycle accident lawyers

motorcycle accident lawyersThere many vital steps to take after a motorcycle accident, one of which should be contacting a motorcycle accident lawyer. Medical treatment in the emergency room and the recovery beyond that can be a trying, confusing time. Consulting with a motorcycle accident lawyer in the aftermath of a motorcycle accident could help you and your family immeasurably during your recovery period. A lawyer can assist you with understanding your insurance coverage, help you in filing your insurance claim, and mitigate any other legal disputes that may arise out of the accident due to a driver’s negligence.

(more…)

Types of Evidence You Need to Win a Slip and Fall Accident Cases

Slip and fall accident lawyers are available for premises liability cases. When guests or visitors, clients or customers, by no fault of their own, are injured in a fall due to negligent property maintenance by a property owner, victims are entitled to receive compensation. Slip and fall accidents can happen on the porch of a friend’s house or in the aisle of your local pharmacy. Accidents do happen and they happen somewhat regularly. The question of liability in the event of a fall—determining who is responsible for the injured party’s injuries—is the main reason victims should meet with an accident lawyer after a fall. (more…)

What Should I Do After an Uber Car Accident?

uber car accident

For passengers, it’s important to know what to do if you are ever involved in an Uber car accident. What recourse do you have if it should happen? It’s something few think of when they pull their smartphone out on Saturday night to hail a driver. Within a matter of minutes, that driver appears, greetings are exchanged, and you and your party enter the car, and head home. It’s that easy—most of the time. (more…)

Benefits of Hiring an Experienced Personal Injury Attorney

the benefits of hiring a personal injury lawyer

the benefits of hiring a personal injury lawyerAn experienced personal injury attorney is the best way to ensure you will be fully compensated for any injuries sustained as a result of someone else’s negligence. It’s unfortunate, but accidents that lead to personal injuries caused by others through no fault of your own do happen. It can be life-altering. Accidents can occur at work, while shopping, in a vehicle, through a defective product, incompetence, or hazardous property conditions—and result in a personal injury. By every right and by law, you’re entitled to be awarded the compensation you deserve. (more…)

What Laws Regulate the Safety and Testing of Self-Driving Trucks?

Hardy Wolf & Downing - Blog Self-Driving Trucks

Hardy Wolf & Downing - Blog Self-Driving TrucksIf your Uber or Lyft car has ever rolled up with a roving camera on the roof, you may have felt a twinge of excitement (or fear) at your first chance of riding in an autonomous vehicle. But while consumers have their eyes trained on self-driving cars, company owners are looking forward to a future of self-driving commercial trucks that could increase fuel efficiency and boost their profits. (more…)