Why are car accident fatalities trending down?
The number of people who died in car accidents in Maine went down significantly last year to the lowest figure since 2014 and one of the lowest overall car accident fatality tolls in Maine in more than half a century, according to data collected by the Maine Bureau of Highway Safety.
However, bureau officials warned that more still needs to be done to reduce the number of serious car accidents in Maine.
“Though this is a vast improvement over the prior several years, the Maine Bureau of Highway Safety recognizes that there is still plenty of work to be done because one life lost is one too many,” Lauren Stewart, the bureau’s director, said in an interview with Spectrum News.
Car accident deaths in Maine went down last year
In 2023, 134 people died in car accidents in Maine, a decrease of 24.2 percent compared to 2022, when there were 177 car accident fatalities, according to the Maine Bureau of Highway Safety statistics.
The last time Maine’s car accident death toll was as low as last year was in 2014, when there were 131 car accident deaths, according to Spectrum News. And before that, you would have to go back as far as 1944 to a time when there were so few car accident fatalities in Maine, Spectrum News reported.
Why do car accidents occur in Maine?
There are many reasons why car accidents occur in Maine, including but not limited to:
- Speeding, which remains one of the leading causes of car accident fatalities in Maine.
- Drunk driving, another common cause of fatal collisions.
- Distracted driving, which includes texting while driving, even though it’s illegal to do so in Maine.
- Tired drivers who fall asleep at the wheel, which is common on rural roads and highways like I-95 at night in Maine.
- Aggressive drivers who don’t share the road or ignore traffic signs, including not stopping at a stop sign.
What can drivers do to prevent car accidents in Maine?
There are many things drivers can do to prevent car accidents or getting hurt in one. Such safety tips include:
- Wear a seatbelt. Last year, 60 percent of car accident fatalities in Maine involved motorists not wearing a seatbelt.
- Drive the posted speed limit.
- Leave enough space between your vehicle and other cars on the road.
- Never drive drunk. If you have had too much to drink, have a plan to get home safely.
- If you feel tired while driving, take a break.
- Be prepared for hazardous winter weather. This means checking your tires to see if they have enough tread and staying home or leaving at a different time if a snowstorm has been forecasted.
- Turn the sounds off on your cell phone while you’re driving. That way, you won’t be distracted or tempted to pick up your phone while driving.
Legal help for injured crash victims
Collisions caused by other drivers in Maine often quickly turn into complicated legal cases. Sometimes, it’s because the at-fault driver denies doing anything wrong. Other times, insurance companies are the problem and refuse to pay injury victims the money they deserve.
Whatever the circumstances of your accident, a Portland car accident lawyer from Jabar LaLiberty, LLC can fight for your rights every step of the way. We know the laws that apply to motor vehicle accidents in Maine. We understand how the legal system works. That’s why we have recovered millions of dollars for injured Mainers.
Get the law firm Mainers trust. Contact us and schedule a free consultation with a Portland car accident attorney with decades of experience. We work on a contingency fee basis. That means you only have to pay us if we secure money for you. Call (207) 873-0781 or schedule an appointment online. We have two offices conveniently located in Portland and Waterville, Maine.