Maine Personal Injury Attorney Says New Federal Study Puts Dollar Figure On Highway Accident Costs, Shows Value Of Improving Highway Safety

Auburn, ME (PRWEB) September 22, 2010

Stephen B. Wade, an attorney with the Maine-based law firm of Skelton, Taintor & Abbott, said a report from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows how costly highway accidents are for all Americans.

The CDC report, based on data from 2005, said automobile accidents drain the U.S. economy of nearly $ 100 billion a year, with a cost to each licensed driver of about $ 500 annually. Fatalities accounted for more than half the cost, or $ 58 billion.

"We all know the high personal toll car and motorcycle accidents can take on individual lives in Maine, but now we can see the financial toll across the country," said Wade, who handles vehicle accident claims. "As a nation, we need to bring down the cost in pain, loss of life and in dollars."

Wade said improving highway safety isn't complex. The steps that reduce the risk of car accident deaths and injuries are well known, he said. Wade endorsed several steps recommended by the CDC to reduce car crashes and other vehicle injuries:

????Increase the use of sobriety checkpoints;
????Mandate the use of motorcycle and bicycle helmets;
????Pass and enforce primary car seat belt laws that would allow police officers to stop a driver not wearing a seatbelt.

Wade added to the CDC list, saying there is a need for greater enforcement of speed limits. In Maine, Wade said the Department of Motor Vehicles found that in one recent year speeding was a factor in 18 percent of accidents and 47 percent of motor vehicle fatalities.

"We know what we have to do to end the carnage on Maine highways. We need to press those efforts to their maximum effect ? fight drunk driving, make people buckle up and wear helmets on bikes and motorcycles and, finally, press motorists to keep within the speed limit," Wade said.

About Skelton, Taintor & Abbott

Skelton, Taintor & Abbott, located in downtown Auburn, Maine, has earned a reputation since 1853 as one of Maine?s most respected law firms. Several of the firm?s attorneys are listed in The Best Lawyers in America and New England Super Lawyers. The trial attorneys of Skelton, Taintor & Abbott practice in state and federal trial courts in a variety of personal injury cases and have successfully handled cases for numerous car accident victims throughout the state of Maine.

For more information, contact the Maine car accident attorneys of Skelton, Taintor & Abbott at 207-784-3200 or through the online contact form.

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As Funeral Costs Rise, Know How to Save

Denver (PRWEB) March 15, 2011

The cost of funerals and burials has been on the rise for the last four years. While there is an inevitability to the often emotional and overwhelming process of dealing with funerals, online urn retailer Une Belle Vie Memorial Urns offers ways to save money while not compromising on the integrity of the memorial.

According to data from the National Funeral Director?s Association, average funeral prices have more than doubled since 1991 and have risen more than $ 400 on average in the past four years alone.

Melody Jamali, president and founder of Une Belle Vie, gives these suggestions to reduce the cost of the funeral process:

1.????Cremation Over Traditional Burial: You can still have a meaningful memorial without the traditional funeral. The average cost of a funeral in 2010 was $ 7,755 (for a basic funeral that does not include cemetery costs, a marker or flowers) while the average cost of cremation in 2010 was between $ 800-$ 2,000. Choosing cremation and avoiding the casket and burial can save a family more than $ 5,000.

2.????Plan ahead: When a loved one passes, planning a funeral is often a stressful situation where families are rushed to make decisions. If a person plans ahead for their funeral, they have time to shop for the best prices, purchase certain items in advance (such as burial plots, urns and caskets), and make decisions with a clear head.

3.????Price Shop Online: This may sound strange or almost morbid to do in your time of grief, but shopping online can save you thousands.

4.????Going Green: This is the new trend in saving money, conserving land and protecting the environment. Green funerals often include cremation, low cost materials and a ?minimalist? attitude, which saves money on flowers, elaborate caskets, burial plots and embalming costs.

?These tips may sound simple, but many people don?t know there are pricing options outside of the traditional funeral home,? said Jamali. ?Funeral prices are only going to continue to rise, so it is even more important to know your options, plan in advance and make the choices you would like for your funeral.?

About Une Belle Vie

Une Belle Vie Memorial Urns is a Denver, Colorado-based company focusing on providing a supportive and informed experience whether families are planning for the future or coping with the passing of a loved one. Their online community and urn store offer artisan-crafted, decorative cremation urns in a variety of materials designed to celebrate life and personality, and offer fitting memorials for those we love. Visit their community of caring online via Facebook and their continuously updated library of educational articles at their cremation blog.

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