High Speed Collisions

The leading Maine high speed collision attorneys of Peter Thompson & Associates are dedicated to protecting the rights of victims injured by negligence. We have recovered substantial awards for injured victims and surviving family members who suffer irreparable harm in a high-speed crash. Our firm provides unparalleled legal representation to victims of accidents that occur in Maine.

Accidents involving planes, trains, and subways are more likely to make the news. But in terms of injury and death, cars are actually the most dangerous means of transportation today. Car accidents are the leading cause of accidental injury and death in the United States. Even at low speeds, the impact of heavy steel on the body’s skeleton and internal tissues is severe. Beyond cuts and bruises, accidents can change the way you live and move forever. The physical damage is even greater in high-speed collisions. The increased velocity exerts a greater force upon impact. All the kinetic energy from the speeding car is transferred to the cars (and passengers) it hits. The effects of this impact can be devastating. Injuries common to such collisions include:

• Wrongful death
• Internal injuries
• Spinal cord injury
• Broken teeth, bones
• Damage to vertebrae
• Traumatic brain injury
• Pinched, severed nerves
• Musculoskeletal damage
• Paralysis, permanent disability
• Whiplash, cervical spine injury

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that high-speed collisions are the greatest contributing factor to one third of all traffic fatalities. The increased speed gives the driver no time to react to emergencies and increases the distance necessary to brake. It also increases the severity of the crash by exerting a greater force on any objects the car contacts. Medical studies have shown that the human body is defenseless against the impact of a high-speed collision. The trauma to the skeleton and tissues is often permanent.

Maine law protects victims injured in high-speed collisions by holding at-fault drivers liable for damages. Under basic principles of negligence, drivers are negligent when they breach a duty of care owed to others. Motorists who violate basic traffic laws by speeding breach their legal duty to safely operate their cars. Barring a manufacturer defect, speeding is a choice. The willingness of drivers to put others in danger is, by definition, reckless conduct for which they are liable. This requires compensating the injured victim for any property damage or bodily injury incurred in the crash. If the collision resulted in death, the driver is liable to the decedent’s family.

Victims and family members who suffer injury or death in a high-speed collision are entitled to damages. First, they are entitled to compensation for medical expenses, from emergency treatment at the scene of the accident to any continuing care as the injury requires. Second, they are entitled to compensation for lost income as a result of the victim’s inability to work. Third, they are entitled to damages for pain and suffering. Surviving family members are likewise entitled to reasonable funeral expenses, medical costs, and pain and suffering. In addition to the loss of financial support, surviving family members are also entitled to compensation for the lost relationship with the deceased, including damages for loss of comfort, support, and guidance.

If you were injured in a high-speed collision, contact the experienced Maine high-speed collision lawyers at Peter Thompson & Associates today. We are known for our legal expertise and dedication to helping clients get back on their feet. We have successfully represented numerous victims and families whose lives are forever changed by another driver’s negligence. For years, our firm has prevailed in thousands of claims involving injury or death caused by high-speed collisions. At Peter Thompson & Associates, we understand that getting over a high-speed crash is traumatic. We are devoted to helping you obtain the compensation you deserve. Call 800.804.2004 for a free consultation or contact us online.