Know the law, whether you’re the victim or perpetrator of a hit-and-run
This article provides a detailed look at hit-and-run laws in Maine, the associated penalties, and actionable steps for those involved in such traumatic accidents.
A hit-and-run is a crash where one driver intentionally leaves the scene of the crash without stopping to identify themselves or render aid to injured parties.
This article explores Maine’s hit-and-run laws, the penalties for perpetrators, and what you should do if you’re involved in a hit-and-run accident.
Hit-and-run statistics in Maine
According to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, a hit-and-run crash occurs somewhere in the United States every 43 seconds. What’s more, hit-and-run crashes are on the rise.
Although hit-and-run statistics for Maine are unavailable, there are more than 30,000 car crashes every year in the Pine Tree State, and it’s a safe bet that many of them are hit-and-run crashes.
| Maine Highway Crash Severity by Year (2017-2021) |
|||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Fatal crash | Serious injury crash | Minor injury crash | Property damage crash | Total crashes |
| 2017 | 163 | 618 | 2,062 | 26,522 | 34,977 |
| 2018 | 127 | 593 | 1,977 | 27,105 | 35,232 |
| 2019 | 143 | 587 | 2,360 | 26,937 | 35,238 |
| 2020 | 151 | 518 | 2,237 | 21,886 | 28,747 |
| 2021 | 135 | 611 | 2,735 | 24,784 | 32,648 |
| Source: Maine Department of Transportation | |||||
Maine hit-and-run laws
Maine’s hit-and-run law can be found in Section 2252 of the Maine Revised Statutes. To put it simply, you must do three things after being involved in a crash to avoid a hit-and-run charge:
- Stop your vehicle at the scene of the accident (or as close to the scene as possible),
- Provide your name, address, insurance company, insurance policy number, and vehicle license number to any person involved in the crash, and
- Render reasonable assistance to anyone injured.
There are legal obligations if you’re involved in a crash with an unattended vehicle as well. In addition to stopping at the scene of the crash, you must notify the owner of the vehicle or leave a note on the vehicle containing your name, address, insurance company, insurance policy number, and vehicle license number.
Penalties for a hit-and-run
The penalties for committing a hit-and-run in Maine depend on the severity of the crash. Here’s a closer look:
| Maine hit-and-run penalties | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Accident type | Crime classification | Jail | Fine |
| Serious injury or death | Class C crime | Up to 5 years | Up to $5,000 |
| Injury | Class D crime | Up to 1 year | Up to $2,000 |
| Property damage | Class E crime | Up to 6 months | Up to $1,000 |
Other penalties, including court fees and a license suspension, may apply in certain situations.
What should I do if I fled the scene of an accident?
Fleeing the scene of a crash is always the WRONG decision. Nevertheless, sometimes we make poor decisions at stressful moments and regret them later.
If you’ve fled the scene of an accident, it’s critical to take corrective action by reporting the accident to the police. While it may not save you from a hit-and-run conviction, it’s the right thing to do, and it may result in you receiving a lesser sentence than if law enforcement tracks you down.
How do I recover damages after a hit-and-run accident?
Recovering damages after a hit-and-run accident in Maine is a little easier than in most other states. This is because Maine requires all drivers to carry uninsured motorist (UM) coverage in the following amounts:
- $50,000 per person
- $100,000 per accident
UM coverage protects you if the driver who causes the accident doesn’t have insurance or flees the scene of an accident.
Of course, if the police manage to track down the hit-and-run driver, you can simply file an insurance claim with their insurance company (or a personal injury lawsuit against them) as you would in any other car accident.
5 FAQs about hit-and-run accidents in Maine
Have we answered all your questions about hit-and-run crashes in Maine? If not, let’s see if we can address it below:
The statute of limitations for hit-and-run accidents is the same as it is for most other types of car accidents: six years. In other words, you have six years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit or the lawsuit will be forever barred.
Liability coverage only pays for the other party’s injuries and damages if you cause an accident. It won’t cover your own expenses after a hit-and-run crash.
Maine follows a modified comparative fault rule, which means you can still recover damages so long as you are less than 50 percent at fault for the accident. Importantly, your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault.
Yes, the same laws apply regardless of whether the victim is a motor vehicle driver, passenger, pedestrian, or cyclist.
Your top priority should be your safety. Pull to the side of the road and refrain from chasing after the fleeing driver. Once you’re safe, call the police. While waiting for the police to arrive, be sure to document as much as possible (talk to witnesses, take pictures, and write down a description of the hit-and-run vehicle). Lastly, consult with a personal injury attorney to understand your options for compensation.
See our guide Choosing a personal injury attorney.