Auto Accident Injury in Portland, ME

If you’ve been injured in a car accident in Portland, you may be facing more than just a wrecked vehicle. Medical bills, lost income, and long-term recovery costs can place a heavy burden on victims and their families. Maine’s insurance system does allow for injury claims, but the process can be confusing—especially when insurance companies are quick to minimize payouts or delay decisions.

This guide is here to help. From understanding local crash statistics to navigating Maine’s at-fault insurance laws, we break down every step you need to take after an accident in Portland.

Auto Accident Injury Statistics in Portland, Maine

Portland may be Maine’s most walkable city, but it’s also one of the most accident-prone. According to the Maine Department of Transportation, Cumberland County—which includes Portland—reported 9,430 motor vehicle crashes in 2022, the highest of any county in the state (Maine DOT Crash Data). That year, Portland alone accounted for over 2,200 of those crashes, many of which occurred on high-traffic routes like Brighton Avenue, Congress Street, and I-295.

What to Do After an Auto Accident

It pays to be prepared—especially if you’re ever involved in a car accident. The steps you take immediately afterward can protect your health, your legal rights, and your ability to recover damages. Here’s what to do first.

Receive Immediate Medical Attention

Your health should be your top priority. Even if you feel fine, it’s important to get checked out by a medical professional. Some injuries—like concussions, internal bleeding, or soft tissue damage—can take hours or even days to show symptoms. Prompt medical care ensures you get the treatment you need and creates a record that could be critical if you decide to file a claim.

File a Police Report

Whether or not anyone is seriously injured, you should still call 911 and request law enforcement at the scene. When the officers arrive, write down their names and badge numbers. Answer their questions truthfully, but avoid offering opinions about what happened or who was at fault. Stick to the facts. Before they leave, ask for the crash report number and find out when and where you can get a copy. This document may be key evidence if you pursue compensation later on.

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 Department Crash Docs Website.

Gather the Appropriate Documentation

Before leaving the accident scene, collect as much information as possible. This includes:

• The full name, phone number, and address of all drivers involved
• License plate numbers and vehicle descriptions
• Driver’s license numbers and issuing states
• Insurance company names, policy numbers, and contact info
• The names and contact details of any witnesses

Use your phone to take photos of the damage to each vehicle, the overall crash scene, road signs, skid marks, weather conditions, and any visible injuries. If snow, fog, or ice played a role, be sure to capture those conditions clearly. These images could be crucial later on if liability is disputed.

Recovering Damages After an Auto Accident Injury

Economic damages cover the financial losses directly caused by the accident—these are the costs you can prove with bills, receipts, and records. In Portland, these often include:

• Emergency care and hospital bills from facilities like Maine Medical Center
• Follow-up visits and rehabilitation—including physical therapy, chiropractic care, and surgical follow-ups
• Future medical expenses for long-term injuries such as herniated discs, joint damage, or traumatic brain injuries
• Lost wages from time you were unable to work
• Loss of earning potential if your injuries prevent you from returning to your previous line of work
• Property damage to your vehicle and any personal items inside
• Out-of-pocket costs, such as transportation, prescriptions, or at-home medical equipment

These damages can escalate quickly, especially in high-impact crashes or cases involving uninsured drivers. Even with health insurance or medical payment coverage (often referred to as “medpay”), you could still face thousands in uncovered expenses.

Non-economic damages are just as important—and sometimes even more significant. These address the personal, emotional, and psychological impact of the crash:

• Pain and suffering, including chronic pain or reduced mobility
• Emotional distress, such as PTSD, anxiety, or depression
• Loss of enjoyment of life, especially if your injuries limit your ability to engage in hobbies or daily routines
• Loss of consortium, if your relationship with a spouse or partner has been negatively affected

Auto Accident Laws in Maine

Liability Laws for Portland

Under Maine law, all drivers must carry a minimum amount of auto insurance coverage. These minimums include:

• $50,000 for bodily injury per person
• $100,000 for bodily injury per accident
• $25,000 for property damage
• $2,000 in medical payments (medpay) coverage
• Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage in the same amount as the bodily injury liability limits (Maine Bureau of Insurance)

This coverage is designed to compensate others if you’re at fault in a crash. However, if you are the one injured due to another driver’s negligence, you can file a third-party claim against that driver’s liability insurance to recover damages beyond what your own medpay may cover.

One of the defining legal principles in Maine car accident cases is modified comparative fault. This rule allows you to recover damages even if you were partially at fault for the accident—as long as your share of the blame is less than 50%. If you are found to be 50% or more responsible, you cannot recover compensation from the other driver (14 M.R.S. § 156).

Statute of Limitations in Portland

The statute of limitations for most personal injury cases in Maine, including those arising from car accidents, is six years from the date of the crash (14 M.R.S. § 752). That means you generally have up to six years to file a lawsuit in civil court for bodily injury, medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. This is a relatively generous window compared to other states—but that doesn’t mean you should delay.

Work With an Experienced Auto Accident Lawyer Near Portland, ME

A Portland-based car accident lawyer will know how to assess the full value of your claim and ensure that every aspect—medical costs, long-term care, lost income, and pain and suffering—is thoroughly documented and presented. They’ll also handle negotiations with insurance companies who often aim to settle quickly for the lowest amount possible.

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!

About the Author

Aaron is a professional legal writer with a B.S. in English Education from Southern Illinois University – Carbondale. He has written, published, and edited thousands of legal articles for RequestLegalHelp, which has connected over 5 million people to legal help in the United States.

With over five years of experience writing thousands of legal articles for law firms across the U.S. and Canada, Aaron specializes in covering federal, state, and city-level legal issues ranging from auto accidents to wrongful terminations.