Personal Injury Law Blog

As with many of the most important things in life, we often take our spinal cord health for granted. However, the moment we experience pain or suffer a spinal cord injury, we often realize that having a healthy spine is an essential part of a normal, active life.

Of all the injuries sustained in automobile accidents, spinal cord injuries (SCI) are among the most life-threatening and traumatic. According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, approximately 12,000 people suffer new spinal cord injuries every year. This means that every day, 30 lives are forever changed due to traumatic spinal cord injuries.

Summer can pose an increase in on-road dangers for motorcyclists in Maine; the largest percentage of the nearly 3,000 motorcycle crashes in the state between 2006 and 2010 occurred from June to August. Most collisions occurred on Saturday and Sunday during the late afternoon and evening hours, according to the Maine Department of Transportation.

Drunk driving is a nationwide epidemic that claims thousands of lives each year across the U.S. In fact, in 2010 alone, one life was claimed every 51 minutes because of the recklessness of individuals who chose to drink and get behind the wheel. As drunk driving victim lawyers are all too aware of, Maine is certainly not immune from this epidemic.

The Fourth of July holiday weekend is just around the corner, and the personal injury attorneys of Hardy, Wolf and Downing want you and your family to enjoy a fun filled and relaxing holiday cooking out, swimming and watching fireworks with friends and loved ones.  We hope the following tips for a safe and fun Fourth of July will help make your weekend both memorable and safe. 1.

The Fourth of July is a favorite holiday among teenagers, but it is also the most dangerous. According to data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (compiled between 2006 and 2010), more teens are killed in traffic accidents on July 4th than any other day of the year.

Every summer, more than 11 million US children look forward to attending summer camp. Today’s camps are unique and varied. In addition to traditional activities, such as hiking, swimming, and boating, summer camps also give 21st-century kids an opportunity to unplug from technology while they develop self-confidence and lasting friendships.

As communities across the state of Maine gear up to celebrate this year’s 4th of July holiday with barbecues, family reunions and fireworks displays, the personal injury attorneys of Hardy, Wolf and Downing want you and your family to stay safe, particularly if you plan on setting off consumer fireworks as part of your festivities.

June is National Safety Month, and the personal injury attorneys of Hardy, Wolf and Downing want to remind parents and caregivers to keep an eye on children anytime they are in or around water. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, drowning is the second leading cause of injury and death for children five years of age and younger.

While most Americans are aware of the dangers inherent in distracted driving, few realize the dangers of distracted walking (also known as texting while walking or TWW). For some, the phrase ‘distracted walking’ conjures up images of comedic pratfalls. But, as emergency rooms physicians can attest, distracted walking is no laughing matter.