Maine Injury, Accident, & Disability Law Blog : Maine Personal Injury Lawyer & Attorney : Joe Bornstein Law Firm : Portland Bangor Maine

In attempt to help keep public safety workers safe and eliminate motorists from getting caught in accidents, Maine State Police are promoting Maine’s “Move Over” law.

First introduced in 2001, the “Move Over” law requires drivers to move into the passing lane or slow down when traveling by police cars, fire trucks, ambulances, tow trucks and other vehicles with flashing lights in the breakdown lane. Since 2003, 16 state police cruisers have been struck from behind while parked alongside the road.

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Social media websites are more popular than ever. With over 500 million active users, Facebook leads the way. But for as great as social media sites are for keeping in touch with friends and networking with prospective colleagues, they also invite the public into your life. And on occasion that might not be a good thing.

It is well known that employers and colleges take to the web to research a potential applicant, but now, insurance companies have started digging around online to help determine whether you are as injured as you say, or if you’re injured at all.

Due to this new style of background checking, it’s important to assume everything done online is public and can be used against you.

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On July 12th, a new law in Maine made it illegal for motorcyclists to modify their exhaust system to make it louder. The law is designed to limit the “noise pollution” of motorcycles but applies to all vehicles and carries a $137.00 fine.

The previous law governing road noise stated that vehicles must have adequate mufflers that are maintained properly to prevent excessive or unusual noise. The current law defines “unusual noise” as motor noise that is noticeably louder than that of similar vehicles in the surrounding environment.

The law was created to cut down on riders that rev their engines, especially in downtown areas where the noise echoes off buildings, as well as in residential neighborhoods. Some police departments will issue warnings during the first two weeks of the new policy, allowing bikers and drivers an opportunity to alter their vehicle if necessary.

At the Law Offices of Joe Bornstein, we see firsthand the effects of serious motorcycle accidents on a regular basis. Carefully riding a bike is hard enough, and our advice to you is to focus on riding safe instead of trying to alter your bike. Because there’s nothing better than a safe ride that’s enjoyable to you, while not bothering anyone else around.

For more information on the new motorcycle law please visit: http://home.ama-cycle.org/amaccess/laws/result.asp?state=me.
 

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A new program in Maine is giving newborn babies a $500 grant for college. 

The Harold Alfond College Challenge provides a $500 grant to every Maine baby to start a college savings account. Originally started in 2008 on a limited basis, the program is now offered to all newborn babies in Maine to help their families plan for their children’s college education.

Every baby born in Maine is eligible, and there is no income limit or additional money needed to receive the grant. $500 is deposited into a NextGen fund for the newborn and is to be used for education beyond high school. To qualify for the grant, a NextGen enrollment form must be filled out before the baby’s first birthday.

Harold Alfond was life-long Mainer who founded the Dexter Shoe Company and later established the Harold Alfond Foundation in 1950. Alfond’s love of Maine was apparent through his many charitable causes. His giving focused on education and health care, with the Harold Alfond College Challenge his legacy gift to every Maine baby.

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Beginning July 1st, motorists parking in Portland will have to be more vigilant when they park. Once the norm, no longer will the city write off one parking ticket per car every six months.

With a $196 million municipal budget, Portland is forgoing the so-called “forgiveness program” which costs the city an estimated $500,000 a year. Previously, drivers could incur minor parking infractions such as an expired meter twice per year and not have to worry about paying the fine. Now, however, Portland is no longer providing the friendly service to its 1,450 parking meters throughout the city.

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