If you’ve been injured in a car accident in Maine that was caused by someone who was not obeying traffic laws, you may be entitled to financial compensation. Failing to obey traffic laws is an example of negligence on the road that could lead to the injured party being awarded compensation. Running stop signs, speeding, tailgating, texting while driving, and driving too slowly are all forms of failure to obey traffic laws.

It is critical that you speak with a Maine car accident lawyer as soon as possible following an accident. An experienced attorney will help you prove that the driver was breaking a traffic law and caused your accident. For example, if they were speeding and ran a red light and they collided with your vehicle, they are at fault. At Mann Law, we will help show the motorist owed a duty to operate their vehicle safely, they breached that duty, and it caused your injuries.

Have you been hurt in a car accident in Maine that was caused by a negligent driver? If so, contact the skilled and compassionate Maine car accident lawyers at Mann Law Firm today. We’re ready to get started on your case right away. We offer free, no-obligation consultations.

Traffic Laws in Maine

Below is a selection of important traffic laws in Maine. This is not exhaustive. For a complete listing of the traffic laws, see the Maine Revised Statutes on the Main Legislature website.

  • Seatbelts must be worn at all times in Maine.

  • Pedestrians always have the right of way, whether in marked or unmarked crosswalks, and whether or not there are traffic lights present.

  • Headlights must be used in low visibility (1,000 feet) and when windshield wipers are used.

  • Drivers under the age of 18 are not permitted to use phones while driving.

  • Drivers going in the same direction must pass to the left at a safe distance and remain in the passing lane until it is safe to go back to the right lane.

  • A motorist being passed must speed up until their vehicle is completely passed by the overtaking car.

  • A motorist should not follow another motorist closer than is “reasonable and prudent,” and they should take into account the speed of other motorists and traffic conditions on the roadway.

  • Motorists may not pass a vehicle that is stopped at a crosswalk.

  • When entering an intersection, vehicles that are already in the intersection have the right of way.

  • When entering an intersection at the same time as another motorist, the car on the right has the right of way.

Common Injuries Suffered in Car Accidents

Common types of injuries suffered in car accidents in Maine include:

·      Whiplash

·      Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)

·      Back injuries

·      Chest injuries

·      Spinal cord injuries

·      Broken bones

·      Arm and leg injuries

·      Scrapes and cuts

·      Soft tissue injuries

·      Internal bleeding

 Compensation for Injuries Caused by a Reckless Driver

If you have been injured in a car accident caused by another person’s failure to obey traffic laws, you could be entitled to significant compensation. How much and the types of compensation you recover depend on a number of factors, including the severity of your injuries. An experienced car accident attorney will fight to get you the maximum compensation for your injuries.

Common types of compensation include:

Medical expenses (past, present, and future)

 Depending on the severity of your injuries, your medical bills could be hundreds of thousands of dollars. If you were not at fault for the crash, you should not have to pay these costly bills. You can recover compensation for all expenses related to the medical care for your injuries, which may include:

  • Cost of hospitalization, surgery, and treatments

  • Physical therapy and rehabilitation

  • Doctor’s appointments

  • Prescription medications

  • At-home or nursing home caretaking

  • Medical transportation

Lost wages

This type of compensation includes payment for the time you were unable to work while recovering from a car accident.

Lost earning capacity

Lost earning capacity is is future lost income as a result of a serious injury or permanent disability. Employment benefits are included in lost earning capacity. When a car accident victim can’t return to work, it devastates the family members who relied on that income.

Pain and suffering

All of the pain and suffering that car victims are forced to endure as a result of the injuries they suffered in their accident is compensable. Victims can recover compensation for past, present, and future pain and suffering.

Loss of enjoyment of life

Some accidents can be so devastating that the victim loses any sense of enjoyment of life. The victim may not be able to participate in recreational activities like they used to, for example. Compensation can be awarded for this loss of enjoyment of life.

Property damage 

Property damage includes damages to your vehicle and other personal property.

How Mann Law Can Help

If you have been hurt in a car accident in Maine caused by a driver’s failure to obey traffic laws, it’s important that you call the skilled Maine car accident lawyers at Mann Law as soon as possible. For more than two decades, we’ve fought for the rights of those who’ve been injured in our community. We are passionate about what we do, and our goal will be to help you get back on your feet after the accident.

Call us at (207) 560-0659 or reach out to us online for a free consultation.