If you’re involved in an auto accident, it is important to know your legal responsibilities under Maine’s vehicle laws.
Before you hit the road, you need to be aware of your state’s car accident laws. In Maine, it’s especially important to know your legal duties after a crash.
The sections below will outline the basics of Maine’s car accident laws so that you can better prepare in case of a collision. You can also review Chapter 19.3 of Maine’s Motor Vehicles and Traffic Code for more information.
1. Maine Driver Exchange of Information Law
As a Maine driver, it is your responsibility to exchange information with the other parties involved in an accident that results in personal injury or death.
You are required by law to stop your vehicle and remain at the scene until you can provide your name, address, and vehicle registration number. You must also let the other parties see your driver’s license if they ask and offer evidence of liability insurance.
The operator of a vehicle involved in an accident anywhere that results in personal injury or death to a person shall immediately stop the vehicle at the scene of the accident or stop as close as possible and immediately return to the scene.
The operator shall remain at the scene and provide to the injured person or someone acting for the injured person or the operator or an occupant of the other vehicle:
- The operator’s name and address;
- The registration number of the operator’s vehicle;
- An opportunity to examine the driver’s license if the injured person or someone acting for the injured person or the operator or an occupant of the other vehicle so requests and the license is available; and
- Evidence of liability insurance or financial responsibility if the injured person or someone acting for the injured person or the operator or occupant of the other vehicle so requests.
2. Maine Car Accident Injury Law: Duty to Render Aid
Maine law requires you to render “reasonable assistance” to any person injured in a car accident. However, this duty only applies if you are a driver in the crash.
The operator of a vehicle involved in an accident anywhere that results in personal injury or death to a person shall immediately stop the vehicle at the scene of the accident or stop as close as possible and immediately return to the scene.
The operator shall render reasonable assistance to an injured person.
3. Maine Law on Reporting a Car Accident to Police
Under Maine law, you must immediately report any car accident resulting in bodily injury, death, or property damage exceeding $1,000 to a local law enforcement agency.
Generally, the operator of the vehicle, or a person acting on their behalf, is responsible for making the report. However, if the identity of the operator is unknown, the owner of the involved vehicle must make the report.
As used in this section, “reportable accident” means an accident on a public way or a place where public traffic may reasonably be anticipated, resulting in bodily injury or death to a person or apparent property damage of $1,000 or more.
A reportable accident must be reported immediately by the quickest means of communication to a state police officer, or to the nearest state police field office, or to the sheriff’s office, or to a deputy sheriff, or to the office of the police department, or to an officer.
The accident must be reported by:
- The operator of an involved vehicle;
- A person acting for the operator; or
- If the operator is unknown, the owner of an involved vehicle having knowledge of the accident.
What if I Fail to Report an Accident in Maine?
If you fail to report an accident as required in Maine, you can be charged with a Class E crime. This offense is punishable by up to six months of incarceration and a $1,000 fine.
A person commits a Class E crime if that person is required to make an oral or written report and knowingly fails to do so within the time required.
4. Maine Car Accidents With No Injuries: Your Legal Duty
In Maine, if you are involved in a car crash that causes property damage but no injuries, you must stop immediately and exchange information with the other people in the accident. This rule applies whether you damage another vehicle or some other type of property.
The operator of a vehicle involved in an accident that results in damage to an attended vehicle shall immediately stop the vehicle at the scene of the accident or stop as close as possible and immediately return to the scene.
The operator shall remain at the scene and provide to the operator or an occupant of the other vehicle:
- The operator’s name and address;
- The registration number of the operator’s vehicle;
- An opportunity to examine the driver’s license if the other operator or an occupant so requests and the license is available; and
- Evidence of liability insurance or financial responsibility if the other operator or an occupant so requests.
The operator of a vehicle involved in an accident anywhere that results in property damage shall take reasonable steps to notify the owner of that property of the accident.The operator shall provide to the property owner:
- The operator’s name and address;
- The registration number of the operator’s vehicle;
- An opportunity to examine the driver’s license if the owner of the property so requests and the license is available; and
- Evidence of liability insurance or financial responsibility if the owner of the property so requests.
5. What if I Hit a Parked Car in Maine?
When you hit a parked car and damage it in Maine, the law requires you to stop immediately at the scene. You must either find the owner of the unattended vehicle or leave a note on the vehicle explaining the accident and providing your personal information.
If you notify the owner in person, you must also provide evidence of your liability insurance if they request it.
The operator of a vehicle involved in an accident that results in damage to an unattended vehicle shall immediately stop the vehicle at the scene of the accident or stop as close as possible and immediately return to the scene.
The operator shall notify the owner or operator of the unattended vehicle or shall leave on that vehicle in a conspicuous place a statement containing:
- The operator’s name and address;
- The registration number of the operator’s vehicle; and
- A statement of the circumstances of the accident.
The operator of a vehicle involved in an accident that results in damage to an unattended vehicle shall provide evidence of liability insurance or financial responsibility if the owner or operator of the unattended vehicle so requests.
After a car accident in Maine, it is crucial that you know and obey the applicable laws. By understanding your legal duties after a crash, you can avoid costly mistakes and penalties.
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