At long last, the summer season is upon us! For many of us, this means holiday road trips, backyard barbecues and cold adult beverages with friends as we collectively enjoy the arrival of warmer weather and good times.
That said, a word to the wise. For several reasons, personal injury attorneys usually see a sharp uptick in personal injury claims during the summer.
On our roadways, we see many new teenage drivers hit the road once school is out. In addition, the yearly influx of vacationing folks from away makes for heavier traffic on our major byways. Also, we Mainers know that there will inevitably be a lot of road construction during the warm summer months, which can create dangerous conditions. Combine these facts with a continuing upward trend in the number of distracted drivers on the road and the net result is an increase in auto accident claims during the warmer months.
Summertime activities can also increase our risk of being involved in a personal injury claim. The warm weather inspires many of us to take to the main roads on our bicycles or on foot. Swimming pools, trampolines and other outdoor amusements create a risk of injury if not properly maintained. In the warmer months, visitors to your homes are much more likely to encounter any dangerous conditions on your property, such as a concealed sinkhole or a faulty deck railing.
The purpose of personal injury law is to provide the person or entity in the best position to prevent foreseeable harm with an incentive to do so. Before summer is in full swing, have a look around your house. Make sure your premises are safe and that any dangerous conditions are either remedied or clearly marked. Also, it’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with the terms of your homeowners’ insurance policy before you invite the entire office over for a barbecue.
We wish you fun, safe and enjoyable summer. In the event that you are injured as the result of another person’s negligence, we offer free 30-minute consultations for personal injury cases. If we take your case, we don’t get paid until we have secured your personal injury settlement.
— Posted by Attorney Tom Douglas