Were you injured in a motorcycle accident caused by a distracted driver? If so, you could be owed compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, damage to your bike, and more. An experienced Maine motorcycle accident lawyer from Mann Law could help you get answers and justice.
Distracted driving – defined as any activity that takes a driver’s eyes or mind off the road – is a significant problem in Mane and throughout the United States.
Because texting, scrolling through social media, and other activities have become commonplace in our daily lives, there are more opportunities than ever for a driver to become distracted while behind the wheel.
While distracted driving places everyone on the road in danger, motorcyclists are at especially high risk due to their smaller size, reduced visibility, and relative lack of protection and safety features.
If a distracted driver hits a motorcyclist, the rider is most often the one at risk of suffering serious or even fatal injuries. If you were hurt through no fault of your own, you deserve compensation from the at-fault party.
The experienced Maine motorcycle accident attorneys at Mann Law will be ready to stand up and fight for you. Call us, fill out a contact form, or chat with us online to schedule your free consultation.
Key Takeaways
- Distracted driving is one of the most dangerous threats motorcyclists face on Maine roads: Any activity that takes a driver’s eyes, hands, or mind off the road — including texting, eating, grooming, and adjusting a GPS — qualifies as distracted driving and can have deadly consequences for nearby riders.
- Motorcyclists are disproportionately vulnerable when a distracted driver is involved: With limited protection and smaller profiles that are already difficult for motorists to spot, riders face a dramatically higher risk of serious or fatal injuries when a driver fails to pay attention.
- Distracted driving crashes injure and kill thousands of people every year nationwide: According to the NHTSA, approximately nine people are killed and more than 1,000 are injured every single day in crashes involving at least one distracted driver.
- Maine’s comparative negligence law means you may still recover compensation even if you were partly at fault: Your damages may be reduced by your share of responsibility, but you are not automatically barred from pursuing a claim — making it essential to have an experienced attorney evaluate your case.
- Mann Law’s Maine motorcycle accident attorneys will handle every aspect of your claim so you can focus on healing: From investigating the crash and gathering evidence to negotiating with insurers and pursuing maximum compensation, our team is ready to fight for the recovery you deserve.
Types Of Distracted Driving
Any activity that takes the driver’s focus from the wheel could be considered a distraction. In general, distractions will fall under four categories: Visual, cognitive, manual, and auditory. Some specific and particularly common causes of distracted driving include:
- Using a phone to text or browse the internet,
- Posting on social media,
- Talking on a phone,
- Talking to passengers,
- Operating a tablet,
- Eating or drinking,
- Applying makeup,
- Personal grooming,
- Reading,
- Dealing with kids in the back seat,
- Programming a GPS system,
- Watching a video, and
- Adjusting the radio.
Why Maine Motorcycle Victims of Distracted Drivers Choose Mann Law
- We Build Cases That Prove Exactly What the Driver Was Doing: Mann Law subpoenas cell phone records, requests traffic camera footage, and interviews witnesses to establish that the at-fault driver was distracted at the moment of impact.
- We Are Committed Advocates for Maine’s Motorcycling Community: Our attorneys understand the challenges injured riders face with insurers and courts, and we fight to counter unfair assumptions about motorcyclist fault.
- We Pursue Compensation for Every Consequence of Your Crash: From medical bills and lost work to motorcycle damage and pain and suffering, Mann Law builds a complete damages claim that accounts for everything the crash cost you.
- Free Consultation with Contingency Fee Representation: You owe nothing unless we win. Contact Mann Law for a free case evaluation after a distracted driving motorcycle accident anywhere in Maine.
How Distracted Driving Can Cause a Motorcycle Accident
Eating, drinking, grooming, texting, and talking to passengers are just a few of the risky actions that can lead to an accident. While everyone on the road is at risk of serious injury when a driver is not paying attention, the risk is especially notable for those on motorcycles.
Because motorcyclists have little protection aside from their protective wear and headgear, any accident has the potential to cause serious or catastrophic injuries.
Drivers of passenger vehicles and commercial trucks often have a difficult time seeing motorcycles under normal circumstances. When they are distracted, the situation is considerably worse.
For example, if a driver is typing a text, it is easy for a motorcyclist to move into their blind spot without being seen. Drivers who are sending texts also are likely to swerve in and out of their lane because they are looking at their phone instead of the road.
Distracted Driving Statistics
In 2019, distracted claimed 3,142 lives, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
In 2018, there were 36,750 fatalities related to car accidents. Of these, 5.7% were due to the driver texting and driving or talking on their phone.
According to the NHTSA, approximately nine people are killed and over 1,000 injured every day in crashes where at least one driver was distracted. In 2017, an estimated 391,000 drivers were injured in distracted driving crashes. In 2019, distracted driving was a factor in nearly 9% of deadly motor vehicle crashes.
Over 220 million people in the U.S. subscribe to wireless services, and it is estimated that as many as 80% of them use their phones while driving.
According to the NHTSA, approximately 36% of drivers use a smartphone app at a stop sign or red light, and 35% of motorists keep using their phone or app while driving.
In 2018, a study by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety discovered that texting while driving increases the chances of a car crash two-fold.
How a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Can Help
In many motorcycle accident cases, the distracted driver is at fault because if they had been paying close attention to the road, the crash would not have happened. However, sometimes the distracted driver may not be completely at fault.
For example, if the motorcyclist turned into the motorist’s path and the distracted motorist did not see them in time to stop, both parties may share some responsibility for the crash.
Because Maine follows a comparative negligence doctrine, you could still seek compensation even if you were partly at fault for the crash. Your recovery may be reduced according to the percentage of fault assigned to you.
Injuries caused by motorcycle accidents are typically much more serious than those caused by a car accident. Motorcycle accident victims often rack up costly hospital bills as a result.
The skilled Maine motorcycle accident lawyers at Mann Law will fight to recover the maximum compensation you deserve for your injuries and losses.
If a distracted driver hit you, Mann Law will be ready to help. We will launch a thorough investigation into the facts and circumstances surrounding the motorcycle accident, including gathering police reports, witness statements, photos of the accident scene, and medical records.
Our attorneys will build a case to help you recover compensation to cover your expenses, which may include:
- Medical bills (past and future,)
- Rehabilitation,
- Physical therapy,
- Loss wages due to missed work,
- Lost earning capacity,
- Pain and suffering,
- Mental anguish, and
- Other accident-related costs.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I prove that a driver was distracted when they hit my motorcycle in Maine?
Evidence of distracted driving can include cell phone records obtained through legal discovery, traffic or business surveillance camera footage, witness accounts of the driver’s behavior before the crash, the absence of skid marks indicating the driver did not brake, and data from the vehicle’s event data recorder.
Does Maine law prohibit texting and driving?
Yes. Maine law prohibits the use of handheld mobile devices while operating a motor vehicle. A driver who was texting or using a phone at the time of your motorcycle accident was violating Maine law, and that violation is direct evidence of negligence that can support your personal injury claim.
What injuries do motorcyclists most commonly suffer in distracted driving crashes?
Motorcyclists struck by distracted drivers commonly suffer traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, road rash and lacerations, broken bones, and in severe cases, fatal injuries. The absence of protective bodywork makes motorcyclists especially vulnerable to serious harm in any collision.
Can I recover compensation for my motorcycle as well as my injuries?
Yes. A Maine personal injury claim arising from a motorcycle accident covers both bodily injury damages and property damage, including the cost of repairing or replacing your motorcycle and any protective gear destroyed in the crash. A complete claim should address all financial losses resulting from the at-fault driver’s distraction.
How does excessive speed affect liability in a Maine motorcycle accident case?
When a driver’s speed exceeded the posted limit or was unreasonably fast for road conditions, that conduct constitutes negligence under Maine law. Speeding drivers who cause motorcycle accidents are liable for the resulting injuries, and the severity of speed-related crashes often results in substantial damages awards.
What evidence is used to prove a driver was speeding in a Maine motorcycle crash?
Evidence may include the police accident report, vehicle event data recorder information, crash reconstruction expert analysis, skid mark measurements, traffic camera footage, and witness testimony about vehicle speed before the collision. Black box data from modern vehicles can be especially useful in proving excessive speed.
What if I was also speeding when the motorcycle accident occurred?
Maine applies a modified comparative fault rule. If both you and the other driver were speeding, your damages will be reduced by your percentage of fault. As long as your fault does not exceed 50 percent, you can still recover compensation, though the proportional reduction makes establishing the other driver’s greater fault important.
Can a motorcycle accident caused by speeding result in punitive damages in Maine?
Maine courts may award punitive damages when a defendant’s conduct was especially reckless or malicious. While punitive damages are not available in every speeding case, extreme conduct such as racing or driving at dramatically excessive speeds may support a punitive damages claim in addition to compensatory damages.
Local Resources in Maine
If you’ve been involved in a distracted driving motorcycle accident in Maine, these trusted local resources can help with emergency care, accident reporting, towing, and motorcycle repair. While these services can assist in the immediate aftermath, speaking with a Maine motorcycle accident lawyer as soon as possible can help protect your rights and your claim.
Police & Public Safety
- Maine State Police – The primary agency responding to motorcycle crashes on I-95, I-295, Route 1, and other state highways throughout Maine. Call 911 for emergencies or (207) 624-7076 for non-emergency inquiries. Visit Website
- Portland Police Department – 109 Middle St, Portland, ME 04101. Handles law enforcement and accident investigations within Portland city limits. Call (207) 874-8575. Visit Website
- Bangor Police Department – 240 Main St, Bangor, ME 04401. Handles law enforcement and accident investigations within Bangor city limits. Call (207) 947-7382. Visit Website
Accident Reports & Records
- Maine State Police Crash Reports – Request certified crash reports for motorcycle accidents investigated by Maine State Police on I-95, I-295, Route 1, or other state-maintained highways. Reports can be requested online or by mail. Request Report
- Portland Police Department Records – Request official crash reports for motorcycle accidents investigated by Portland Police Department officers within city limits. Visit Website
- Bangor Police Department Records – Request crash reports for motorcycle accidents investigated within Bangor city limits. Call (207) 947-7382. Visit Website
- Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles – Driver Records – Request driving records for motor vehicle operators involved in a Maine motorcycle accident, including license status and any prior distracted driving violations. Visit Website
Medical & Emergency Care
- Maine Medical Center – 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 motorcycle accident injuries including traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, and road rash trauma. Visit Website
Urgent Care & Rehabilitation
- New England Rehabilitation Hospital of Portland – 335 Brighton Ave, Portland, ME 04102. A joint venture of Maine Medical Center and Encompass Health, offering inpatient physical, occupational, and speech therapy for motorcycle accident survivors with serious injuries. Named among America’s Best Physical Rehabilitation Centers by Newsweek in 2025. Call (207) 775-4000. Visit Website
- MaineHealth Rehabilitation Care – Multiple southern Maine locations. Provides neuro-rehabilitation including traumatic brain injury care and concussion management — common outcomes of distracted driving motorcycle crashes. Physician referral required. Visit Website
- MaineHealth GoHealth Urgent Care – Immediate care at multiple Maine locations for motorcycle accident victims who do not require emergency department treatment. Find a Location
Motorcycle Repair & Service
- Phoenix Cycle Shop – Portland/Westbrook – An independent motorcycle repair facility run by two certified technicians, specializing in Japanese and European brands, and offering state inspections, oil changes, engine rebuilds, and mechanical and electrical repairs, with pickup and delivery available. Visit Website
- Caliber Collision – Portland/South Portland – Trusted nationwide collision repair provider offering insurance coordination and lifetime repair warranties for vehicle damage resulting from motorcycle accidents, with locations in the greater Portland area. Visit Website
- Gerber Collision & Glass – Bangor – Full-service collision repair and auto body shop serving central and northern Maine. Visit Website
Distracted Driving Law Resources
- Maine Distracted Driving Law – Title 29-A § 2118 – Maine law defines distracted driving as doing anything behind the wheel that is not necessary to the operation of the vehicle and that impairs, or would reasonably be expected to impair, the driver’s ability to operate safely. This statute is frequently cited in motorcycle accident claims involving inattentive drivers. View Statute
- Maine Handheld Device Prohibition – Title 29-A § 2121 – Under Maine law, drivers are prohibited from using, holding, or interacting with a handheld phone or device while operating a motor vehicle. This includes texting, making calls, scrolling through apps, or even adjusting GPS settings. The law does allow hands-free use, but only if the driver is 18 or older and the device can be operated without holding it. View Statute
- Maine Text Messaging Prohibition – Title 29-A § 2119 – Under Maine’s texting law, drivers are not allowed to text while operating a motor vehicle on a public way, including temporary stops at traffic lights, construction sites, stop signs, or any other temporary stop. A first offense carries a fine of no less than $250; repeat offenders may face a 30-day license suspension. View Statute
- Maine Comparative Fault – Title 14 § 156 – Maine follows modified comparative fault, allowing recovery as long as the motorcyclist is found to be less than 50% responsible for the crash. Compensation is reduced by any percentage of fault assigned to the rider. View Statute
Transportation Services
- Greater Portland Metro (METRO Bus) – Public bus service throughout Portland and Cumberland County for those unable to ride following a motorcycle accident. Visit Website
- Community Connector – Bangor Area Transit – Public bus service connecting Bangor, Brewer, Old Town, and surrounding communities for central Maine residents. Visit Website
Mental Health & Support
- MaineHealth Behavioral Health – Mental health counseling, trauma-informed therapy, and crisis support for Maine residents recovering from serious motorcycle accident injuries. Visit Website
- Maine Crisis Line – 24/7 crisis support for Maine residents. People can call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org . Visit Website
- SAMHSA National Helpline – Free, confidential, 24/7 mental health and substance use treatment referral and information. Call 1-800-662-4357. Visit Website
Contact a Distracted Driving Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
Whenever a car collides with a motorcycle, the resulting injuries and damage to property can be devastating.
If you or a loved one were hurt due to another driver’s failure to pay attention to the road, you should not have to struggle to pay your medical bills and move on with your life.
Contact an experienced Maine motorcycle attorney right away to get the fair compensation you need and deserve.
Christiana Mann and the team at Mann Law team will be ready to fight for you. We will work with the insurance adjusters and the companies they represent so you won’t have to.
We’ll be ready to put our skills and experience handling these specific types of cases to work for you.
Contact us for a free and 100% confidential consultation to find out how we can help you get justice.
