Summer in Maine is usually a time to relax and appreciate the great beauty of the Vacation State, but some individuals aren’t so lucky. Personal injury risk is elevated in the summer months due to nicer weather and heightened outdoor activity. As a result, innocent individuals are subject to injuries that can severely affect quality of life, such as loss of a limb, paralysis, internal organ damage, or the death of a loved one.
It may be possible to avoid most summer accidents if safety procedures and education were more of a priority. However, not every accident can be prevented, and there are additional factors to consider. Personal injury can be caused by alcohol consumption, negligence, vehicle operator inexperience, machinery failure, excessive speed, weather conditions, and more.
The Most Common Summer Personal Injuries in Maine
Boating Injuries
Boating accidents and injuries commonly occur in Maine during the summer. Many personal injury claims are attributed to negligent, careless operation of a vessel, which is more often than not influenced by alcohol use. Boating under the influence (BUI) endangers the lives of passengers and other boaters, but there are consequences. Maine law prohibits boat operators from driving while impaired by drugs or alcohol, and blood alcohol concentration (BAC) must not exceed 0.08%. If convicted of a first-time BUI, an individual is generally charged with a Class D misdemeanor and may face fines or jail time. Subsequent offenses carry additional fines and longer jail time.
The boating accident lawyer team at Hardy Wolf & Downing has represented hundreds of boating accident clients with serious injuries obtained while boating, fishing, or using a personal vessel. Our legal experts can help determine whether or not a personal injury was caused by negligence, mechanical failure, bad equipment, and more.
ATV Injuries
In order to qualify as a personal injury claim, accidents that involve all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) must involve an injury that was obtained due to negligence or a product defect. In Maine, the plaintiff must show that the defendant was negligent. If the plaintiff is partially responsible for the accident, comparative negligence will also be a factor for the jury to consider. In this instance, a jury can reduce a personal injury award to reflect a more balanced outcome. The age of the plaintiff also matters as a young person between ages 9 and 16 is required to complete a training program before they are allowed to operate the vehicle outside of the land they live on.
Motorcycle Injuries
Riding motorcycles in Maine is a classic hallmark of summer. Unfortunately, motorcycle riders are much more likely to be involved in a collision with another vehicle. Compared to deaths that result from car accidents, motorcycle deaths are also 26 times higher per mile traveled. Accidents usually occur at night in the summer. Common causes of motorcycle accidents in Maine include reckless driving, speeding, road defects, and motorcycle defects.
Swimming Pool Injuries
Accidental drownings are the leading cause of death in young children. It can be difficult to assign liability for pool accidents since many factors can come into play. The location of the pool, whether it’s on private or public property, and various other details will need to be ironed out with your swimming accident lawyer to build your case.
Bicycle Injuries
As Maine cities such as Portland evolve and expand, individuals who travel by bicycle may be more vulnerable to accidents. Bicycle injuries are most often caused by motorists’ failure to stop for a cyclist that has the right-of-way, and when a driver is simply not paying attention to the road. In order to establish liability, the plaintiff must connect with a bicycle accident lawyer to prove that the defendant did not follow the rules of the road, therefore exhibiting unreasonable conduct.
How to File a Personal Injury Lawsuit in Maine
If you or a loved one were injured in an accident and there is evidence of negligence on the part of the defendant, there may be a strong case for a personal injury claim. You may be entitled to financial compensation that can help pay for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Hardy, Wolf & Downing is proud to employ a team of legal professionals with personal injury expertise. Whether you need a boating accident lawyer or an auto accident lawyer to establish a viable case, we can help. You don’t have to suffer a low quality of life after recovering from a personal injury – call the offices of Hardy, Wolf & Downing for a free consultation.