Auto Accident Injury in Portland, ME

Have you suffered an injury due to a car accident in Portland? 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 Portland, ME that will fight for your legal rights and help you receive the financial compensation you deserve.

Auto Accident Injury Statistics in Portland, 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. In Maine, there were 32,713 accidents involving 67,412 people across the state. 8,203 of those accidents involved injuries. In 2016 Legislators in Maine worked with the Maine Bureau of Highway Safety to pass a bill requiring that motorcyclists complete a basic riders course in addition to having a standard driver’s license in order to reduce accidents involving motorcyclists.

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 report. Also ask when and where you can get a copy of it, including how much it will cost you.

Portland’s official website states that you should remain at the scene until after police finish their initial investigation, and allow the officer taking the report to survey the accident. If a proper report is not filled, you could lose your ability to file a claim due to the statute of limitations, or potentially be misrepresented as a “hit and run” driver. This could result in, lost opportunity, hefty fines, and/or jail time. If you have a minor accident and you choose to come to the police department to report said accident. To obtain a copy of the police report regarding your accident, visit the Portland Police Departments Crash Docs Website. You should note, according to the Maine State Police, copies of reports cost $10 per request.

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

The cost of traffic deaths in Maine was $198 Million Dollars according to the Center for Disease Control’s State Specific Costs Analysis. In Maine, most personal automobile insurance policies and all homeowner insurance policies have an appraisal clause. This arrangement allows disputes between the policyholder and insurer over the amount of loss to a vehicle or property to be resolved by appraisal. You and your insurer each choose an appraiser at your own expense. However, if the insurers cannot agree on expenses, it can become even more complicated.

Hiring a car accident lawyer ensures you have the financial know-how and 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 Portland

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. Maine is a traditional liability coverage state. In Portland, under Maine’s laws, the at-fault driver must cover the costs of the other driver’s medical expenses and damages.

Statute of Limitations in Portland

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 some others may give you up to six years. Maine is a state that gives you more time, and you can file a personal injury lawsuit up to 6 years after the accident. You also have 6 years to file for property damages.

While 6 years is a seemingly long amount of time, it is important to consult with an attorney immediately after your car crash and monitor any changes in your situation from the beginning so that you don’t risk losing out on any compensation they can recover.

Work With an Experienced Auto Accident Lawyer Near Portland, 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.

Submit a request online or call us today at (866) 345-6784 to get in touch with an experienced lawyer in Maine!

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