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Who Pays for Car Accident Compensation in Maine?

Residents and tourists rely on cars to get around the scenic roadways in Maine. Unfortunately, this means anyone could be the victim of a car accident. Car repairs and medical bills can quickly add up. You shouldn’t have to bear this financial burden if you’re not at fault.

You may wonder who pays for car accident compensation in Maine. If someone else caused the accident, compensation for an injury in a car accident might be available to you. The steps you take following a car accident will make all the difference. 

Maine’s Car Insurance Laws

Maine requires all drivers to carry car insurance. Specifically, Maine drivers must carry the following minimum coverage in car insurance:

• $25,000 for property damages,  
• $50,000 for an accident resulting in injury or death,  
• $100,000 for an accident that results in injury or death to more than one person, and  
• $2,000 for medical payments coverage.

Maine also requires drivers to carry uninsured and underinsured coverage at the same amount as their liability coverage. If an uninsured driver harms you, your insurance company will cover your damages.

Who Pays for Car Accident Compensation in Maine?

Maine is an at-fault state. This means that the driver who causes the car accident is responsible for the damages, injuries, and losses caused by the accident.

There are several ways you can recover compensation after a car accident. You can:

• File a claim with your insurance company,
• File a claim with the responsible party’s insurance company, or
• File a personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault driver.

You may take more than one of the above actions. For example, if the car insurance company doesn’t cover all of your damages, you may want to pursue a personal injury case in court. 

File an Insurance Claim

It is common to claim compensation for a car accident. You start by placing an insurance claim to the at fault party. The insurance company will assign a claims adjuster to investigate the claim and value your damages.

After this, the insurance company will either make a settlement offer or deny your claim. An experienced Maine car accident attorney can help if your claim is undervalued or denied. 

File a Lawsuit

Typically, you’ll have to prove the elements of negligence in a car accident lawsuit. To prove negligence, you must show the following:

• Duty – the driver owes you and others on the road a duty to drive safely and obey traffic laws;
• Breach of duty – the driver failed to drive safely or follow the law;
• Causation – their failure caused the accident; and
• Damages – you suffered harm as a result.

Our attorneys can help you better understand negligence and how fault might be assigned in a car accident. 

Your Compensation for Injury in a Car Accident 

Claim compensation for a car accident in Maine can vary significantly depending on the factors of each case. Injured parties may be entitled to the following:

• Medical bills and treatment,
• Lost wages,
• Damage to property, and
• Pain and suffering damages.

Suppose you were partially at fault for the accident. In that case, Maine’s modified comparative negligence statute requires a court to reduce your compensation to an amount it deems “just and equitable.”

Plus, if you’re equally at fault for the accident or more, a court will not award you anything. By filing a claim, you will ensure compensation for injury in a car accident. 

Uninsured or Underinsured Driver 

You may wonder who pays for car accident compensation if the at-fault driver is uninsured or underinsured. Fortunately, because of Maine’s uninsured/underinsured driver insurance coverage, you can file a claim with your insurance company, and they should cover your damages. 

Our Experienced Car Accident Attorneys Are Here to Help

Navigating the insurance claims or lawsuit process can feel overwhelming. Fortunately, Mann Law can help. We have experience representing car accident victims like you to get the compensation they deserve.

Plus, one of our car accident attorneys previously worked for an insurance company, so we are uniquely qualified in knowing how to deal with the other side. Contact us today.

Christiana E. Mann Christiana “Chrissy” Mann has specialized in civil litigation for 21+ years as a savvy and creative litigator, and she’s regarded as a fair, compassionate, and zealous advocate on behalf of her clients.