Auto Accident Injury in Bangor, ME

Have you suffered an injury due to a car accident in Bangor? If so, your life may never be the same again. Injuries from a car accident can interfere with your ability both to work and to enjoy everyday activities. They can also be incredibly painful. As such, you need an auto accident attorney who understands the laws in and around Bangor, ME that will fight for your legal rights and help you receive the financial compensation you deserve.

Auto Accident Injury Statistics in Bangor, Maine

According to the National Safety Council, in 2019 about 4.4 million people suffered serious injuries in motor vehicle accidents and an estimated 38,000 were killed. According to the Maine Department of Transportation, there were over 35,000 crashes across the state in 2019. In Penobscot County alone, there were over 4,000 crashes, including 23 involving fatalities. The top causes of highway crashes were failing to yield, following too closely, and driving too fast. Maine’s Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration has developed a Statewide Pedestrian Safety Campaign, which has the potential to reduce injuries and save lives.

What to Do After an Auto Accident

It’s important to be prepared in the event you are a victim of a car accident. Below are the steps to remember immediately after your crash.

Receive Immediate Medical Attention

What is the most important step that you need to take after an auto accident? You need to receive immediate and proper medical treatment. You may believe that the injuries sustained after an auto accident are minor. Proper medical treatment helps ensure that you have not sustained any internal injuries that you may not be aware of.

File a Police Report

Even if no one sustained injuries, you still need to call 911 and request law enforcement assistance. When officers arrive, jot down each one’s name and badge number. Answer their questions honestly, but don’t volunteer any unasked-for information, especially your thoughts on exactly what happened or who caused the car accident. Be sure to ask the officers for the number of their police reports. Also ask when and where you can get a copy of it, including how much it will cost you.

Accidents in Bangor involving injuries, fatalities, and potential danger such as fire, or a hit-and-run, must be reported immediately to the police. You must stay at the crash scene and call 911. If no one is injured, you must still make contact with the police by the quickest means of communication. You can purchase a copy of your accident report for $10 through the Bangor Police Department.

Gather the Appropriate Documentation

While waiting for officers to arrive after a car accident, collect information from all other drivers involved in the accident, including the following:

• Full name, address, phone number, and email address
• Driver’s license state and number
• Auto insurance company name, policy number, and phone number

Use your cell phone to take pictures of each driver’s license, auto insurance card, your vehicle, and each additional vehicle involved in the car accident. Don’t rely on verbal communication. Having as much information as possible will only help you and your case later on. Try to keep this exchange as civil and friendly as possible. However, do not apologize for causing the accident or indicate in any way that you think you may have caused it.

Recovering Damages After an Auto Accident Injury

After surviving a car accident, the emotional and economic toll it takes can be staggering. You are not only dealing with the mental anguish that comes with being involved in a crash, but you may also be experiencing severe physical harm as well.

Common injuries associated with motor vehicle accidents include:

• Burn injuries
• Back and neck injuries, such as whiplash
• Brain and head injuries
• Broken bones
• Spinal injuries
• Soft tissue injuries

According to the Maine Department of Transportation, there were 26,937 property damage-only crashes in Maine in 2019. The estimated property damage per crash is $10,600, on average. However, the total estimated cost of all crashes in Maine in 2019 is approximately 3 billion dollars. Additionally, the average cost of suspected serious injuries per crash is $585,600. Drivers aged 30-39 are, on average, the largest group to be involved in a highway crash, with drivers aged 50-59 the second largest.

Hiring a car accident lawyer ensures you have the financial ability to cover any losses that have occurred as a result of a crash. An auto accident attorney will also help you handle the paperwork that you will have to complete from insurance companies. This boosts your odds of receiving the insurance compensation you deserve.

Auto Accident Laws in Maine

Liability Laws for Bangor

When car accidents happen, it is essential to determine who bears responsibility for the resulting damage and medical bills. Determining fault impacts everything from your insurance claim and level of liability to the amount of confusion you may endure during the claims process. Unlike some states, Maine does not offer no-fault insurance. Maine is a traditional liability coverage state where the at-fault driver must cover the costs of the other driver’s medical expenses and damages. Consequently, the minimum required liability insurance amounts for a Bangor driver are $50,000 per person/$ 100,000 per accident for bodily injury, and $25,000 for property damage. According to Maine’s Department of Professional & Financial Regulation, a combined single limit of $125,000 will also satisfy the minimum requirements.

Statute of Limitations in Bangor

Each state has its own tort laws that determine the statute of limitations on a claim. In some states, this gives you just one year to file a claim in court, while others may give you up to six years. In Maine, the statute of limitations for auto accidents in six years. This means if you live in Bangor, you only have six years from the date of your crash to file a claim for damages.

This is why it is important to consult with an attorney immediately after your car crash. Don’t wait and risk losing out on any compensation they can recover.

Work With an Experienced Auto Accident Lawyer Near Bangor, ME

After a car accident, you have enough to worry about. We can help you find an auto accident attorney for your unique case. Get the financial restitution that you deserve if you’re the victim of someone else’s conduct. We can even help you connect with legal help across Maine state lines.

Submit a request online or call us today at (866) 345-6784 to get in touch with an attorney in your area!