Reckless Driving is Taking Lives and Leaving Families Devastated
Due to an ongoing increase in the number of car accident deaths in Maine, traffic safety officials are urging drivers to slow down and do their part to make Maine’s roads safer, according to a recent Fox 23 News story.
“Too many people are getting into crashes and dying because they are driving too fast,” AAA Northern New England Manager of Public Affairs, Traffic and Safety Dan Goodman said in an interview with Fox 23 News.
But it’s not just speeding that’s to blame for the continued increase in the number of car accident fatalities in Maine over the past decade. Other factors have caused the surge in the number of deaths due to preventable crashes.
Car Accident Fatalities Increase 37 Percent In Past Decade
In the past 10 years, the number of people who died in car accidents in Maine increased by 37 percent, according to The Road Information Program (TRIP), a national non-profit organization that studies transportation issues. Specifically, the number of motor vehicle fatalities in Maine increased from 131 deaths in 2014 to 179 deaths in 2024, according to the TRIP report.
Last year was also the second-highest death toll on Maine roads. The only year higher was 2022, when 182 people died in Maine car accidents, according to accident data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
Speeding Continues To Cause Car Accident Fatalities In Maine
Driving too fast remains one of the most common causes of car accident deaths in Maine. In 2022, for example, when Maine recorded the highest number of motor vehicle deaths in a single year in recent years, speeding-related deaths were significantly higher that year.
In 2022, there were 53 speeding-related fatalities on Maine roads, according to NHTSA accident data. To put such numbers in perspective, there were 26 car accident speeding deaths in Maine in 2021.
What Other Factors Contribute to Crashes?
While speeding remains one of the leading causes of car accidents in Maine, it isn’t the only reason why so many drivers are involved in collisions.
According to the TRIP report, the negative change in driving habits nationwide started in 2020. The TRIP report cited a 2021 NHTSA study, which noted that more drivers “engaged in riskier behavior, including speeding, failure to wear seat belts, and driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs” starting in mid-2020.
As for Maine, the factors driving the increase in the number of motor vehicle fatalities in the past decade include pedestrian fatalities, which increased from 9 deaths in 2014 to 19 deaths in 2023, according to NHTSA data.
Drunk driving also remains one of the most common causes of fatal car accidents in Maine. Each year, drunk drivers kill 37 people (the death toll in Maine in 2014 due to drunk drivers) to 64 deaths (the number of drunk driving fatalities in 2022), according to NHTSA data.
Financial Toll of Maine Car Accidents Soars Higher
Along with the increase in the number of car accident fatalities in Maine, the financial toll of serious and fatal crashes in the state has soared in recent years. According to the recent TRIP study, Maine car accidents cost injury victims and their families $10.6 billion in 2024. That figure includes:
- $8 billion in lost quality of life.
- $2.6 billion in economic costs.
Such expenses and financial losses cover a wide range, including:
- Medical treatments.
- Lost income.
- Damaged property.
- Lost productivity.
- Insurance costs.
- Legal fees and court costs.
- Travel delays and other traffic congestion impacts.
What to Do After a Serious Car Accident in Maine
If you or a loved one has been injured in a crash, the steps you take immediately afterward can make a big difference in your physical recovery and in protecting your legal rights. Here are a few important actions to take:
- Call 911 and get medical attention: Even if you feel okay, injuries can take hours or days to appear.
- Document the scene: Take photos of the vehicles, road conditions, and any visible injuries.
- Collect information: Get names, contact details, and insurance information from everyone involved, plus contact info for any witnesses.
- Notify your insurance company: Report the crash, but stick to the facts. Avoid speculating about fault until you’ve spoken with a lawyer.
- Reach out for legal help quickly: Insurance companies start working to minimize payouts immediately. Having an experienced Maine car accident lawyer on your side early can help level the playing field.
These steps can help preserve crucial evidence and protect your claim so you can focus on what matters most: your recovery.
Inspiring Safer Choices With the Arrive Alive Creative Contest
At the Law Offices of Joe Bornstein, we don’t just help after a crash, we also work to prevent them. For more than 20 years, we’ve been empowering Maine’s graduating high school seniors to raise awareness about the dangers of distracted and impaired driving through our Arrive Alive Creative Contest.
Each spring, seniors from across the state submit creative projects, including essays, videos, songs, artwork, photography, and even original board games. The projects all carry the same powerful message: “Stay Safe – Arrive Alive.”
Winners earn valuable prizes, such as laptops and iPads, and every participant is recognized for their efforts. Over the past two decades, our law firm has awarded more than $200,000 in prizes while helping thousands of young drivers make safer choices behind the wheel. To view past entries or learn how to participate, visit www.arrivealivecreativecontest.com.
Get a Maine car accident lawyer you can count on
Even if another driver was clearly at fault, don’t simply assume you will be fairly compensated for your accident-related expenses. Often, you have to fight for every dollar you rightfully deserve.
Our experienced Maine car accident attorneys at The Law Offices of Joe Bornstein know how to build strong cases and effectively deal with insurance companies. Our case results demonstrate this, including a $4.5 million settlement in one car accident case.
Get the law firm that fights for injured Mainers. Contact us and schedule a free case evaluation with a Maine car accident lawyer focused on winning. We have seven offices located throughout the state of Maine, and we offer legal representation on a contingency fee basis. That means you pay nothing unless we win your case.
“Exceptional service! … I really appreciated the staff accommodating my work schedule and communicating with me, however I chose as well. Thank you for all of your hard work on my behalf!” – Melissa C., ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
