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Maine Truck Accident Lawyer

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Maine is a beautiful place, with many historically rich and scenic areas. However, it is also a state with a number of busy highways and roads, which can all too easily result in road traffic accidents. Of these accidents, the most serious are normally truck related accidents these huge, heavy vehicles are capable of causing terrible injuries and even fatalities.
Between 1996 and 2000, statistics indicate that 112 people were killed as a result of truck-related accidents in Maine. This may be a low figure compared to areas such as Florida, where the death toll exceeds 1,500; however, it is nevertheless an indication of the trauma and loss that truck-related accidents on the roads of Maine can cause.
Recent statistics show that in 2008 there were a total of 123,918 large trucks and 13,263 buses that were involved in non-fatal crashes in the United States. 49,084 large trucks and 7,123 buses were involved in injury crashes. There were 73,047 injuries involved in large truck crashes, and 16,760 injuries due to bus crashes. There were also 74,834 large trucks and 6,140 buses that were involved in tow away crashes, and 2,609 large trucks and 11 buses that were involved in Hazmat Placard (trucks that carry dangerous, often explosive, substances) crashes. Fatal truck accidents occurred 68% of the time in rural areas, 66% during the day time, and 78% of the time on weekdays. Passenger vehicles are less likely than large trucks to be involved in a fatal, multi-vehicle accident.

Driver error can be a contributing factor to truck accidents in Maine. Truck drivers are responsible for operating their vehicles in the safest manner possible. Maneuvering a vehicle of the proportion through sometimes inclement weather, steep inclines and long distances could be very difficult, so it is imperative that the drivers of these vehicles are focused and cautious at all times. When negligence occurs, this can lead to fatal accidents. Some examples of driver error include;
distractions
tailgating
not utilizing blind spot mirrors
excessive speeding
improper braking
jerky lane changes
improper loading and securing of cargo
failing to signal

If you have been injured in a Maine truck related accident, it is important to seek advice from a Maine truck accident lawyer, as you could be eligible to claim compensation. A specialist Maine truck accident attorney will be familiar with the state specific regulations and statutes concerning truck related accidents and litigation, and can therefore quickly advise you on your eligibility, and offer advice on the best course of action.
In a recent Maine truck accident case, the family of a man who was killed in a trucking accident filed a wrongful death lawsuit. The lawsuit is against the driver, the company that he had been driving for, and the rental company that owned the truck involved in the accident. The man was killed because a truck, driven by a man who had been on the phone with is wife at the time, ended up veering into the now-deceased man's lane, hitting him across the highway into oncoming traffic, where another tractor-trailer hit it. The truck was missing a mirror that could have prevented the accident, as it would've allowed the truck driver to see the other car.
If you are the relative of someone that was fatally injured in a Maine truck related accident, you may also be able to make a claim for wrongful death. Again, an experienced Maine truck accident lawyer can help to determine the facts, ensure that you meet the eligibility criteria, and ensure that your lawsuit is as solid as possible in order to get you the compensation to which you may be entitled.
A Maine truck accident attorney will use his or her specialist training, skills, and expertise in order to ensure that your lawsuit and case runs as smoothly and quickly as possible, relieving you of much of the worry and stress associated with taking legal action.