Drivers traveling along Route 302 between Portland and Windham or navigating congested stretches of I-95 may have only moments to react to slowing traffic or changing road conditions.
A driver who takes their eyes off the road to read a text, answer a phone call, or scroll through an app can leave innocent people with life-changing injuries.
When a driver’s careless decision turns your life upside down, an experienced distracted driving accident lawyer can help you pursue the compensation you deserve.
At Mann Law, our attorneys work directly with clients and personally guide every case from the initial investigation through settlement negotiations or, when necessary, trial. With decades of experience representing injured Maine residents, extensive knowledge of insurance company tactics, and a reputation for compassionate advocacy, we are committed to helping you pursue the financial recovery you need while protecting your interests every step of the way.
Contact us at 207-709-0900 to discuss your case in detail.
Distracted driving is any activity that takes a driver’s attention away from safely operating a motor vehicle. Safe driving requires continuous focus on surrounding traffic, pedestrians, traffic signals, changing road conditions, and other hazards. When a driver diverts their attention, even briefly, the risk of causing a serious crash increases significantly.
Distracted driving remains a major public safety issue. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), distracted drivers caused 3,275 fatal crashes and an estimated 324,819 injury crashes nationwide in 2023. The Maine Department of Transportation reported 14 people died and 1,018 people were injured in distracted driving accidents in 2025 throughout Maine.
Distracted driving is generally divided into three categories based on how the distraction interferes with safe driving. Recognizing these categories helps investigators, insurers, and attorneys understand how a driver’s conduct contributed to a crash.
| Visual Distractions | Manual Distractions | Cognitive Distractions | |
| What Does It Mean? | A driver takes their eyes off the road | A driver removes one or both hands from the steering wheel | A driver’s mind is not focused on driving |
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Texting while driving is particularly dangerous because it combines all three forms of distraction. A driver looks away from the roadway, removes a hand from the wheel, and shifts their mental focus away from driving.
Maine has enacted laws that restrict cellphone use behind the wheel to improve roadway safety.
Drivers generally may not use a handheld electronic device while operating a motor vehicle. The law prohibits physically holding or supporting a cellphone or similar electronic device while driving except in limited circumstances, such as certain emergency situations.
Hands-free technology may be permitted, but drivers must still exercise reasonable care. A driver who becomes distracted while using voice commands or another hands-free feature may still be negligent if their lack of attention contributes to a crash.
Maine also prohibits texting while driving. Reading, writing, or sending text-based communications while operating a motor vehicle is unlawful because doing so significantly increases crash risk.
A traffic citation is not required to establish liability in a personal injury case. Cellphone records, witness testimony, surveillance video, dash camera footage, and electronic vehicle data may all help demonstrate that a driver was distracted before the collision occurred.
The Client Experience
A distracted driver can turn an ordinary commute into a life-changing collision in a split second. Here is what working with our team looks like, in the words of the people who have lived it.
When the other driver was not paying attention, we make sure that fact does not get lost in the claim.
“My life changed within seconds after someone carelessly hit my car to show off to his girlfriend and pushed it into a building. Christina and Robin took all the stress and worry away from me.”
Jennifer S., Google Review
The sooner we are involved, the sooner the insurance company stops being the one in control.
“Robin and Chrissy were super helpful regarding my car accident case. They helped me deal with insurance companies who otherwise would’ve just ignored my calls.”
Carolyn M., Google Review
You should not have to manage a claim on top of recovering from someone else’s mistake.
“After a family friend recommended Chrissy’s office, they handled everything. I never knew it could be so easy!”
Kaylyn B., Google Review
A distracted driver takes a split second to change your life. 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.
Enter the date of your accident to see the filing deadline that generally applies to your situation.
Under Maine law, injured victims generally have six years from the date of a motor vehicle accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. If you miss that deadline, you will likely lose your right to seek compensation.
Even though six years may seem like a long time, it’s best to speak with a Maine distracted driver injury attorney as soon as possible. Cellphone records, surveillance footage, and other evidence that may prove the other driver was distracted can disappear quickly. Early legal action gives Mann Law the best opportunity to preserve evidence and build a strong claim.
While legal representation is not required, having a distracted driving accident lawyer on your side can help protect your rights.
At Mann Law, we begin investigating distracted driving claims as early as possible. Our goal is to preserve evidence before it disappears and build the strongest case possible while you focus on your recovery. We can:
While many distracted driving claims settle through negotiation, we prepare every case as though it may go to court. If litigation becomes necessary, we are ready to advocate for you in Maine’s courts, including the Cumberland County District Court, when appropriate.
Yes. Maine prohibits drivers from reading, writing, or sending text-based communications while operating a motor vehicle. A traffic citation does not automatically establish civil liability, but evidence that a driver violated Maine’s texting law may help support a negligence claim.
Cellphone records, witness statements, police reports, and electronic vehicle data can all help demonstrate that the driver’s distraction contributed to the crash.
Depending on the circumstances, evidence to prove a driver was distracted may include the following:
Police reports prepared by the Maine State Police, the Portland Police Department Traffic Division, or local law enforcement agencies may also contain observations that support your claim. Acting quickly is important because some electronic evidence and video recordings may only be available for a limited time.
Courts rarely award punitive damages in Maine. Unlike compensation for medical bills or lost wages, punitive damages are reserved for conduct involving express or implied malice.
Although texting while driving demonstrates poor judgment and may establish negligence, it does not automatically justify punitive damages.
Whether punitive damages may be available depends on the specific facts of the case, including whether the driver’s conduct went beyond ordinary negligence.
These categories describe how distractions affect a driver’s ability to operate a vehicle safely:
Many accidents involve multiple types of distraction at the same time. Identifying how the driver’s attention was diverted can help explain why the crash occurred and strengthen the evidence supporting a personal injury claim.
A distracted driver’s decision to look away from the road should not leave you responsible for the physical, emotional, and financial consequences of a serious crash. At Mann Law, we have spent more than 50 years advocating for injured individuals throughout Maine, and we proudly serve clients through a statewide network of offices.
We know how insurance companies evaluate distracted driving claims, and we are prepared to fight for the compensation you deserve.
Contact Mann Law today for a free consultation and speak to a Maine car accident lawyer.
Legal References Used to Inform This Page
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