Drivers should obey traffic laws to keep themselves and others safe.
Serious car accidents often occur in Maine, many times because a driver was speeding or violated another traffic law such as running a red light. Each year on average, 8,200 people are injured in motor vehicle accidents in the state, according to accident data compiled by the Maine Department of Transportation. Clearly, crashes are a problem on our state's roads and highways.
And while collisions occur for many reasons, there are five common traffic violations that often result in accidents in Maine. Below, you can learn more about these violations and how they often result in car crashes.
In addition, if you or a loved one were injured in a collision caused by another driver in Maine, it's important that you fully understand your rights. Make sure you talk to a Portland car accident attorney at Jabar LaLiberty, LLC, to see if you may be eligible for compensation and to review your potential legal options.
What common traffic violations cause car accidents?
Maine has traffic laws that drivers must obey. When drivers violate these traffic laws, collisions often occur. Five common traffic violations that often result in car accidents include:
1. Speeding
Speed limits exist for a reason. When people drive too fast, they often don’t have enough time or space to avoid crashing into another vehicle, cyclist, or pedestrian because their margin for error behind the wheel is so small. Each year on average, roughly 50 people in Maine are killed in collisions caused by speeding drivers, according to the accident data compiled by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Speeding might not seem like a big deal to some people – until you or someone you love is hit by a speeding driver.
2. Operating a Cellphone While Driving
Texting and driving (including reading, writing, or sending a text) is against the law in Maine. But that doesn’t stop some drivers from texting on the road. And when they do, they often cause serious collisions. The same is true for drivers dialing a cell phone while driving or looking something up on their phone while they’re on the road. All it takes is a split second of looking away from the road to cause a serious accident.
3. Drunk Driving
Drinking and driving is against the law. In Maine, drivers are considered legally drunk if their blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is 0.08 percent or higher. Most people get the message and don’t drive drunk. But some people still do and end up causing collisions that often result in injuries or fatalities. Each year in Maine, an average of 55 people are killed in car accidents involving drunk drivers, according to the NHTSA. When drunk driving accidents happen, impaired drivers should be held responsible for their actions.
4. Traffic Sign Violations
Whether running a red light, failing to stop at a stop sign, or failing to yield to pedestrians in a crosswalk, traffic sign violations can have serious consequences. Intersection accidents in particular (including broadside accidents and left-turn accidents) are especially common and often occur due to traffic sign violations. When collisions occur because one driver did not obey the rules of the road, they should be held accountable for their actions – by the police and by an attorney working for the injury victim.
5. Aggressive Driving
Aggressive driving can cover a wide range, from tailgating to weaving in and out of traffic or changing lanes without warning. Not using a turn signal can also be a form of reckless or aggressive driving. Add all these bad driving habits up, and you often have a recipe for disaster. This is why alert police officers often pull over people who are driving aggressively and not obeying the rules of the road. That’s because aggressive driving often results in serious car crashes.
When to contact a Maine car accident attorney
Drivers who violate traffic laws need to be held accountable for their actions. This is especially true if another driver crashed into your vehicle, causing significant damage to your car and serious injuries to you or others.
You might think that the police will take care of everything. Most likely, your collision is being investigated by a local police officer or state trooper from the Maine State Police. But their investigation is only focused on whether anyone broke any traffic laws. Their investigation does not determine how much money you receive for your collision.
This is why you need an experienced attorney on your side, demanding the money you rightfully deserve. Our Maine car accident lawyers at Jabar LaLiberty, LLC, in Waterville and Portland, can help you every step of the way. We know the law and have years of experience representing injury victims throughout the state.
Discover what we can do for you. Contact our law firm and schedule a free consultation to learn how a Maine car accident attorney can help you. We work on a contingency fee basis. That means you only have to pay us if we secure money for you, often in the form of an injury settlement or jury verdict. Call (207) 873-0781 or schedule an appointment online. We have two offices conveniently located in Portland and Waterville, Maine.