If you have been injured in an auto accident, Shaheen & Gordon, P.A. is here to fight for the justice you deserve. Contact us to schedule an appointment with a Maine personal injury lawyer. Initial consultations are completely free and confidential.
Maine Distracted Driving Accident Attorneys
Fighting Against Distracted Driving in Portland and Beyond
Distracted driving is one of the most dangerous driving habits out there; unfortunately, a lot of people have it. If you or a loved one has been injured in a distracted driving accident, don’t wait to consult an attorney at Shaheen & Gordon, P.A. For 40 years, we have fought to hold reckless and distracted drivers accountable for causing motor vehicle accidents.
Just a handful of our past case results include:
- $6 million for an auto accident that resulted in wrongful death;
- $1.7 million for a pedestrian run over by a tractor-trailer truck; and
- $1.25 million for a passenger injured in a motorcycle crash.
What Is Distracted Driving?
Many people’s idea of distracted driving is limited to texting and driving, which is understandable in the time of smartphones.
There are, however, many types of distracted driving beyond texting:
- Eating
- Drinking water, coffee, etc.
- Fatigue/drowsiness
- Mental distractions, such as stress
- Fixing the AC or heater
- Changing the radio or song
- Using an infotainment system
- Checking social media
- Browsing the internet
- Talking on the phone
- Putting on makeup
- Putting on/taking off a sweater
Any of these driver distractions can easily cause an accident, as they all take your attention off the road. For example, it only takes five seconds to send the average text, per the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). But at 55 miles per hour, it also only takes five seconds to drive the length of a football field. It is not difficult to see how this could have fatal consequences. According to data from the NHTSA, a total of 3,142 people were killed in 2019 due to distracted driving.
Distracted Driving Laws in Maine
The state of Maine currently prohibits cell phone use while driving, including “manipulating, talking into or otherwise interacting with a handheld electronic device or mobile telephone,” as outlined in 29-A MRS §2121. There is another section of the law (29-A MRS §2119) that specifically states it is illegal to text and drive, unless you have pulled over to a safe location.
Most states have laws that ban cell phone use, but Maine has taken it a step further with 29-A MRS §2118, which makes it illegal to engage in any activity that “actually impairs, or would reasonably be expected to impair, the ability of the person to safely operate the vehicle” while driving. This is, essentially, the very definition of distracted driving.
In short, if the other party was driving while distracted and, as a result, caused the crash, the law is on your side.
Work with Acclaimed Accident Lawyers
At Shaheen & Gordon, P.A., we will work to ensure that your unique needs are met. Backed by 40 years of experience, our award-winning trial lawyers share a diverse set of legal skills that help us advocate for our clients without taking their focus off healing.
No matter what type of distracted driving the at-fault party is guilty of, our team will fight to hold them accountable. Contingent on the details of your case, we may be able to recover compensation for the full amount of your damages, from pain and suffering to medical bills, to lost wages.
