The rules of the road for cyclists are clearly defined in Maine and explain that bike riders have a right to share the roadway with motorists in a responsible manner. Bicyclists, like motorists must obey all traffic signs and signals.
If you were severely injured in a bicycle accident in Maine caused by another party’s negligence, you may be entitled to significant financial compensation. The Maine bicycle accident lawyers of Mann Law are here to help make you whole again.
Our personal injury attorneys could help protect your rights and get you the fair compensation you need and deserve.
Contact us at 207-709-0900 to discuss your case in detail.
If you were struck in the roadway while on your bicycle, move to a safe space if you are able to do so. Moving to the side of the road can avoid subsequent accidents. Next, emergency personnel need to be called to help with the aftermath of your accident and to document the accounts of those involved.
Look around and take note of where you were in the roadway and whether there are any people who witnessed your accident. If you are able, take pictures of the scene of the accident, any vehicles involved, and your injuries.
If the bicycle crash happened because of someone else’s negligent and careless behavior, you may be entitled to compensation. Having a strong legal advocate, like the Maine biking accident attorneys at Mann Law, can make the road to recovery less bumpy.
In Maine, cyclists generally have the same rights and responsibilities as motorists. Cyclists may use public roads and must obey traffic laws.
Some important bike laws and guidelines in Maine include:
Cyclists must ride with – not against – traffic.
Cyclists should ride on the right side as far as they can.
Cyclists may ride on designated bike paths and in bike lanes, but they are not required to do so. Cyclists have a right to be on most roadways, but they may be prohibited from riding on divided highways. Cyclists are not required to ride in shoulders or bike lanes.
Cyclists must use headlights at night, rear reflectors, and foot/ankle/pedal reflectors.
Cyclists must have working brakes on their bikes.
Cyclists under 16 must wear helmets.
Sidewalk riding is usually allowed unless specifically prohibited by a local ordinance.
Motorists in Maine are required to:
Allow three feet or more of clearance when passing cyclists.
When passing cyclists going in the same direction, motorists may not make a right turn unless they can do so safely.
Cross the centerline in a no-passing zone to pass a cyclist.
Motorists should not unnecessarily sound a horn when approaching a cyclist.
The vast majority of bike accidents are caused by negligent motorists. At Mann Law, we work hard to make sure the at-fault party is held accountable when cyclists are harmed through no fault of their own. Some of the most common causes of bike accidents in Maine include:
Speeding – Motorists who are speeding have less time to stop or react, which can lead to devastating injuries for an unsuspecting cyclist.
Distracted driving – Drivers must focus on the road at all times, and phones, GPS systems, or even eating can all distract a driver’s attention from the roadway, leaving cyclists in serious danger.
Drowsy driving – Drowsy drivers are dangerous to themselves and those they share the road with. Drowsy drivers could fall asleep at the wheel and lose control. Like drunk drivers, drowsy drivers have slower reaction times and may be unable to avoid cyclists.
Aggressive Driving – Aggressive driving occurs when a motorist exhibits reckless driving behaviors that endanger others. Aggressive driving, or “road rage,” can be fatal when a cyclist becomes a target.
Negligent Left turns – Motorists may fail to look around before making a left turn. If a cyclist is riding close by, the driver could broadside or sideswipe them.
Inclement weather – Ice, sleet, snow, and other inclement weather can be the cause of a bicycle accident. Bicyclists who are caught in a rainstorm, for example, are much less visible to motorists. This is why it’s important to have reflective gear.
Drugs and alcohol – Unfortunately, drunk driving is the cause of many auto-bicycle accidents, many of which result in serious injuries or death.
Enter the date of your bicycle accident to see the filing deadline that generally applies to your situation.
Bicycle accidents in Portland cluster along the city’s busiest shared-use paths and bike lanes, where cyclists, pedestrians, and vehicles share tight space.
The Back Cove and Baxter Boulevard shared-use path is one of Portland’s busiest routes for both recreational and commuter cyclists.
Munjoy Hill and the East End, near the Tukey’s Bridge entrance to Interstate 295, is a high-traffic area where cyclists share the road with vehicles.
The Casco Bay Bridge connects Portland to South Portland via a busy bike lane used by daily commuters.
Where a bicycle accident happens can affect which police department responds and whether traffic camera or nearby business surveillance footage is available. A Maine bicycle accident lawyer familiar with these routes knows how to secure that evidence.
Some of the most common types of bicycle accident injuries include:
Traumatic brain injuries
Back, spine, and spinal cord injuries
Facial fractures
Internal organ injuries
Road rash
The type of compensation and the amount you could be eligible to recover will vary depending on the severity of your injuries and the specifics of your bike accident.
An experienced bicycle collision lawyer could evaluate your case and help you understand your rights and legal options. In general, cyclists who are hurt due to the negligence of others could be eligible to recover compensation for:
Current and future medical bills associated with the crash
Lost wages due to the accident
Loss of future earnings (if disabled)
Repair or replacement of your damaged bike
Transportation costs for treatment
Pain, suffering, and emotional distress
If a cyclist is killed in an accident, the surviving family members could be eligible to seek compensation through a wrongful death claim.
This type of legal action allows the family to recover money for funeral and burial expenses, final medical bills, loss of financial and emotional support, and more.
When you need experienced, compassionate legal help with a bicycle accident claim in Maine, turn to our team for help right away.
The Client Experience
A bicycle accident can leave you badly hurt while a driver’s insurance company is already building its defense. Here is what working with our team looks like, in the words of the people who have lived it.
Being on a bike does not mean your case matters less. We build it with the same seriousness as any other crash.
“I was struck by a vehicle while riding my bicycle and was severely injured. They seamlessly handled the legal and insurance aspects of my case, allowing me to focus on my recovery and rehabilitation.”
Lori B., Google Review
You should understand every step, even the ones that feel unfamiliar.
“Chrissy and Robin are both caring and generous in providing me with their professional advice. What they have done is completely above and beyond what I came to expect.”
Steve L., Google Review
A bicycle accident can turn a family’s routine upside down. We handle the legal side so you can focus on getting back to normal.
“Chrissy and Robin worked hard for our family and were truly blessings during a time our entire family got turned upside down.”
John & Melissa T., Google Review
A bicycle accident can leave you badly hurt through no fault of your own. We cannot undo the crash, but we can carry the weight of the claim, and stay beside you until you are able to move forward.
In the aftermath of a devastating bike accident, victims and their families often struggle to make ends meet.
With mounting medical bills, lost wages from time missed from work, and other issues, it can be challenging to get back on your feet. Some accident victims are unaware that qualified legal help is available to them, and at no upfront cost.
At Mann Law, our Maine bicycle accident lawyers represent clients on a contingency-fee-basis, meaning you won’t have to pay us anything until we recover compensation for you.
This means our initial consultation is 100 percent free, and if you choose to hire us, you won’t pay a single penny for our services until we win your case.
This approach means our interests are completely aligned. We won’t get paid until you get paid, and we’ll fight aggressively to make sure the at-fault party is held accountable. There’s no risk to reach out to us to talk about your case.
At Mann Law, we have the skills, knowledge, and resources necessary to handle your bike accident claim. Call today for a free and 100 percent confidential consultation.
Motor vehicle operators are at fault in the majority of bicycle accident cases in Maine, typically due to failure to yield, distracted driving, dooring, right-hook turns, or speeding. Maine law grants cyclists full road rights, and a driver’s violation of those rights is a basis for a negligence claim.
Maine law does not require adult cyclists to wear helmets, though helmets are strongly recommended and required for riders under 16. Whether or not you were wearing a helmet at the time of the crash does not determine your right to compensation, though it may be relevant to the severity of head injuries discussed in your case.
Seek medical attention immediately, even for injuries that seem minor. Document the scene with photos if possible, identify any witnesses, file a police report, and avoid giving recorded statements to the driver’s insurance company before consulting a Maine bicycle accident attorney who can protect your rights.
Yes. Property damage to your bicycle is recoverable as part of a Maine personal injury claim, in addition to compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and any long-term consequences of your injuries. A complete damages claim should account for all losses resulting from the crash.
If you’ve been involved in a bicycle accident in Maine, these trusted local resources can help with emergency care, accident reporting, bike repair, and recovery. While these services can assist in the immediate aftermath, speaking with a Maine bicycle accident lawyer as soon as possible can help protect your rights and your claim.
The primary agency responding to bicycle crashes on state highways, rural roads, and unincorporated areas throughout Maine. Call 911 for emergencies or (207) 624-7076 for non-emergency inquiries.
109 Middle St, Portland, ME 04101. Handles law enforcement and accident investigations within Portland city limits. Call (207) 874-8575.
240 Main St, Bangor, ME 04401. Handles law enforcement and accident investigations within Bangor city limits. Call (207) 947-7382.
Request certified crash reports for bicycle accidents investigated by Maine State Police on state-maintained highways and rural roads. Reports can be requested online or by mail.
Request official crash reports for bicycle accidents investigated by Portland Police Department officers within city limits.
Request crash reports for bicycle accidents investigated within Bangor city limits. Call (207) 947-7382.
Request driving records and insurance verification for motor vehicle operators involved in a Maine bicycle accident.
22 Bramhall St, Portland, ME 04102. Maine’s only Level I trauma center and the state’s only pediatric emergency department, with 24/7 emergency care for serious bicycle accident injuries including traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, and orthopaedic trauma. Call (207) 662-0111.
335 Brighton Ave, Portland, ME 04102. A joint venture of Maine Medical Center and Encompass Health, offering inpatient physical, occupational, and speech therapy for bicycle accident survivors with serious injuries including traumatic brain injury and orthopaedic trauma. Named among America’s Best Physical Rehabilitation Centers by Newsweek in 2025. Call (207) 775-4000.
Multiple southern Maine locations. Provides neuro-rehabilitation including traumatic brain injury care, concussion management, and vestibular rehabilitation — common needs following serious bicycle accidents. Physician referral required.
Immediate care at multiple Maine locations for bicycle accident victims who do not require emergency department treatment.
Portland, ME. A nonprofit community bike shop offering refurbishment, sales, donations, full-service repair, educational programming, and community events. A good resource for affordable post-accident bike replacement and repair.
24 Longview Dr, Bangor, ME 04401. A full-service bike shop offering bike repairs, tuneups, sales, and rentals serving the Bangor and central Maine area. Call (207) 945-6474.
38 Diamond St, Portland, ME 04101. Founded in 1992, the Bicycle Coalition of Maine has grown into one of the most effective bicycle and pedestrian advocacy groups in the country, serving as the statewide voice for cyclists’ rights, safety education, and infrastructure improvement. Call (207) 623-4511.
Maine requires bicyclists under 16 to wear a properly fastened helmet. At night, bikes must be equipped with a front white light visible from at least 200 feet, a rear red reflector, and pedal reflectors. Motorists must give cyclists at least three feet of clearance when passing.
Public bus service throughout Portland and Cumberland County for those unable to ride following a bicycle accident.
Public bus service connecting Bangor, Brewer, Old Town, and surrounding communities for central Maine residents.
Mental health counseling, trauma-informed therapy, and crisis support for Maine residents recovering from serious bicycle accident injuries.
24/7 crisis support for Maine residents. People can call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org.
Free, confidential, 24/7 mental health and substance use treatment referral and information. Call 1-800-662-4357.
