Hazardous Driving on Maine Route 1.

Route 1 in Maine has just received the dubious distinction of being named one of the 7 most dangerous roads in America according to www.defensivedriving.com.  If you are a frequent or even infrequent traveler of that roadway you probably will agree.

Most people will tell you that it is not a fun road to drive with poor road signs, sharp curves, and often times harsh weather.  To make matters worse there is a large population of moose in the area who use the highway as a crossing.  All of this combines to create the higher mortality rate along rural lanes in Maine than in any other state.  That last sentence is sobering.  Imagine, more people per capita die in car accidents on rural roads in Maine than any other state in the Union!

If you or someone you know has been involved in a Maine car crash please call the Law Office of Mark Randall in Portland at (866) 775-0082 right away.  There is never a charge for an initial consultation.  Mark has handled car accident cases throughout the state of Maine for over 27 years and will aggressively represent your interests to obtain the compensation and justice you deserve.

Anchor And Stabilize Your Televisions and Furniture

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has released a statement urging parents and caregivers to anchor and stabilize their furniture, appliances, and televisions in order to put a stop to tip-over related accidents.

In a report released by the CPSC this past December, 349 people were killed in tip over related accidents between 2000 and 2011. Eighty-four percent of the people that were killed were younger than 9 years old. 2011 had the greatest increase in fatalities at 41 for the year. The CPSC estimates that over 43,000 people are injured each year in these types of accidents. Falling televisions accounted for 62 percent of the reported fatalities.

Most fatalities occur in the bedroom. Some reports believe that as a family transitions to a flat screen TV, their older, heavier TV is moved into the bedroom without the proper stand or anchoring device. A dresser is no place for an unanchored television and is involved in many tip-over related accidents. A TV should be placed on a stand suitable for its size and weight, in addition to being securely anchored.

In an effort to prevent tip-over related tragedies, the CPSC recommends the following safety measures in homes where children live or visit:

• Anchor furniture to the wall or the floor.
• Place TVs on sturdy, low bases, or anchor the furniture and the TV on top of the base, and push the TV as far back on the furniture as possible.
• Keep remote controls, toys, and other items that might attract children off of TV stands or furniture.
• Keep TV and/or cable cords out of reach of children.
• Make sure freestanding kitchen ranges and stoves are installed with anti-tip brackets.
• Supervise children in rooms where these safety tips have not been followed.

Remember to secure and stabilize your furniture, a child is no match for a 50 to 100 pound item. Safety first, in the home and in our communities. For more safety tips and information visit my blog and the Randall Law Office Facebook page.

Drive Safe This Winter

People all over the country are being affected by winter weather. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recommends that motorists take extra precautions to ensure safety while on the road. Below are some tips to prevent a breakdown and tips on what to do if your vehicle does suffer mechanical issues while out and about.

• Visit your mechanic for a periodic safety inspection and to address routine vehicle maintenance. Have your vehicle checked thoroughly for fluid leaks and any other needed parts, repairs, or replacements.
• Have your starting system battery checked for sufficient voltage. When the temperature drops, so does battery power. Be aware that it takes more cranking power to start your vehicle in cold weather. Also, be sure the connections are properly tightened and free of corrosion. If necessary, clean them with a solution of baking soda and water.
• Make sure you have enough coolant in your vehicle and that it's designed to withstand the winter temperatures you might experience in your area. A 50/50 mix of coolant to water is sufficient for most regions of the country. See your vehicle owner's manual for specific recommendations.
• If your engine cooling system hasn't been flushed (draining the system and replacing the coolant) for several years, have it done now. Over time, the rust inhibitors in antifreeze break down and become ineffective. Coolant also needs to be refreshed periodically to remove dirt and rust particles that can clog the cooling system and cause it to fail.
• Make sure your windshield wipers and defrosters are working properly. Refill the windshield washer reservoir as needed with high-quality, "no-freeze" washer fluid.
• Before you drive, remove snow and ice from all of your vehicle's windows and mirrors and keep them clean to maintain the best visibility. Also, be sure to clear snow and ice from your vehicle's roof and hood to ensure good visibility for both you and following motorists.
• Check tire pressure and make sure each tire is filled to the vehicle manufacturer's recommended inflation pressure, which is listed in your owner's manual and on a placard located on the driver's side doorjamb (called the "B-pillar"). If a vehicle does not have a B-pillar, then the placard is placed on the rear edge of the driver's door. Tire pressure drops as the temperature drops. Properly inflated tires ensure optimum tire performance and optimum vehicle driving range.
• Keep a tire pressure gauge in your vehicle at all times and check pressure when tires are "cold" - meaning they haven't been driven on for at least three hours.
• Check your tire tread depth and make sure you are using a tire appropriate for the winter driving conditions you may encounter. If the winter season means sleet, slush and snow-covered roads in your area or where you're traveling to, consider replacing tires when they reach approximately 5/32" of remaining tread depth. If you regularly encounter severe winter driving conditions, you may consider a dedicated winter/snow tire for optimum traction.
• Stock your vehicle with essentials in the event of an emergency including a snow shovel, broom, ice scraper, jumper cables, flashlight, warning devices (flares, reflective markers, etc.) and blankets for protection from the cold. A mobile phone, water, food, and any necessary medicines may prove useful if you become stranded.
• If road conditions are hazardous, wait until road and weather conditions improve before venturing out in your vehicle.
• If you do become stranded, don't run your car for long periods with the windows up or in an enclosed space to avoid asphyxiation from carbon monoxide poisoning. If you must run your vehicle, clear the exhaust pipe of any snow and run it only sporadically - just long enough to stay warm.

For more driving safety tips, visit www.nhtsa.gov.

The Dangers Of Magnets

With the holidays upon us it is important to be aware of the dangers of toys that possess tiny, powerful magnets. These items may seem harmless at first, however they can be potentially dangerous if two or more magnets are ingested. Because they become attracted to each other internally, they can cause perforations, obstructions, sepsis, and death. Often times surgery is required to not only remove the magnets, but repair its path of destruction.

In an interview, Kim Dulic, spokesperson for the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, told ABCNews.com that incidents of kids and teens accidentally consuming high powered magnets have been on the rise. From 2009 to 2011, there were 22 reported cases with ages ranging from 18 months to 15 years, 11 required surgery to remove the magnets.

One 3 year old girl from Oregon consumed 37 magnets. The magnets, clamping together, punctured her stomach and intestines. Most people, including the Oregon girl, experience symptoms similar to the flu after several days of having magnets in their body.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) advises in the instance you suspect magnets have been swallowed:

• Seek immediate medical attention
• Medical symptoms to watch for are: abdominal pains, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
• In X-rays, multiple magnetic pieces may appear as a single object.

Small children learn and explore by putting objects in their mouths, which is why all parents need to have an increased awareness of toys that incorporate magnets. Parents must all be aware of any manufacturer recalls. The following link to the CPSC website includes up to date information on recalls: http://search.cpsc.gov/query.html?qt=magnets&charset=iso-8859-1

If your child has been injured as a result of a magnet in a defective toy, contact Maine Personal Injury Attorney Mark Randall.

Do You Have A Wrongful Death Claim?

When filing a wrongful death claim there are many factors involved. Among those, a list of requirements to substantiate your claim.

It is important when filing a wrongful death claim that one must be ready to suggest, and ultimately either prove or convince, a jury of the defendant's negligence.

• Was there negligence, recklessness, complacency, or malfeasance on the part of the another party?
• Did the deceased leave behind survivors? Without them, there can be no wrongful death suit.
• Did the surviving dependents suffer in some way? Be it financially, emotionally, or mentally?

Does your claim meet these requirements? Then you very well may be entitled to compensation. Grief and disparage can be so consuming that a wrongful death law suit is too much to bare. But, in the the case of wrongful deaths and tragedies as a result of negligence, it is important to seek damages to assist with expensive funeral costs and to ultimately preventing from it happening to anyone else.

It is a matter of justice when seeking a wrongful death claim. If you feel that your loved one's death was a result of a negligent act, contact Maine Wrongful Death Attorney Mark Randall. Life is too precious to let negligence win.

Be a Good Passenger

We've all heard about being a safe driver, but sometimes we're not behind the wheel controlling the situation. Despite this, there are still things passengers can follow to contribute to a safer journey.

1. Don't distract the driver - either by showing them something on your phone, pointing something out in the area, or suddenly yelling at them.
2. Always wear your seat belt the way it's intended. This ensures that if an accident were to occur, you would have the best protection available.
3. Never get into a car with an intoxicated driver. Call a cab.

4. Do not steer the car for the driver from the passenger seat, even for a few seconds. This greatly lowers the reflexes of the driver and may result in an accident or worse. This also puts the passenger in a dangerous position should the car's airbags deploy.

5. Do not eat in the car. This one is not just to keep the interiors clean, but also supports the driver to not do the same. Numerous accidents occur every year due to food related crashes.

6. Do not wear headphones in the car. While you may not be driving, being constantly aware of your surroundings is important. This way, you'll be able to warn the driver if he or she overlooks anything.

7. On long drives or road trips, stay awake and talk to the driver to keep them talkative and active. This helps the driver stem off being sleepy. Swap places with them if they are not comfortable enough to drive. Never risk it.

Fall Safety Tips

With summer drawing to a close and fall beginning to take form across the nation, people seem to breathe a little easier when it comes to safety. No more pool parties, slippery water slides, or trips to the beach. But much like summer, fall has its own list of tips to take notice of, especially when most people and their guests begin to move indoors.


1. First and foremost, it's time to move all that summer gear to the storage shed. Many areas are notorious for getting snow in the fall and having pool toys laying around the yard or patio is a great way for a guest to trip and hurt themselves.


2. Keeping bags of sidewalk salt prepared to prevent icy walkways is always a good rule of thumb when heading into the coming months. This not only protects you, but your neighbors and mailman, too.


3. As a majority of activities will be taking place inside the house, make sure to test all smoke alarms and replace any batteries.


4. If you have a fireplace, make sure you clean the chimney before using it. Debris and other materials may have accumulated in it throughout the spring and summer.


5. Candles are nice for mood setting and smells, but never leave one unattended. Also clear away any items around the candle that may catch fire.

6. Since our area receives a lot of snow, make sure your roof is clean and prepared to handle the coming months of snowfall. House roofs have been known to collapse from the weight of the snow and injure those within.


7. Fix any steps or walkways around the house that may have become dislodged or loosened in preparation for winter.


8. Since your heater will most likely be on, and windows shut, install a carbon monoxide sensor in your home.

While there are plenty more safety tips around, these are just the start at helping keep you and your guests safe and accident free.