Maine Truck Accident Lawyer

Personal Injury Lawyers / Nation’s Top Rated Truck Accident Lawyers – Munley Law® / Maine Truck Accident Lawyer

From Portland to Lewiston to Bangor and Houlton, Maine roads see hundreds of truck accidents each year. Whether on a busy highway or a rural road, a truck crash can wreak havoc on the lives of the people involved. Between medical expenses and lost wages, in addition to the physical and emotional trauma, it can be difficult to know where to turn to set things right again. That’s where an experienced Maine truck accident lawyer can make a world of difference.

At Munley Law, truck accidents aren’t just a case type we handle; they’ve been a central focus of our personal injury law firm for decades. Our truck accident attorneys have built a reputation as some of the nation’s top trucking lawyers. We have won numerous multimillion dollar settlements and jury verdicts; we travel the country to educate other lawyers on this special area of the law; and we hold elite certifications in civil trial and trucking law from the National Board of Trial Advocacy. Truck accident cases are what we do.

If you or someone you love have suffered serious injuries in a truck accident, we are here to help. Contact Munley Law today for a free consultation with an experienced truck accident lawyer. There is no fee for our services unless we win you compensation.

What to Do After a Truck Accident in Maine

If you experience a truck accident on I-95, Route 1, or on any of Maine’s roadways, it’s normal to feel overwhelmed. However, there are some steps you can take to regain control and protect yourself in the aftermath of a crash.

Get medical attention

First and foremost, seek medical attention for yourself and any passengers who were involved in the crash. Even if your injuries do not seem severe at first, it’s important to get an evaluation by a medical professional. Some injuries aren’t immediately obvious and can lead to complications if they’re not treated promptly.

Obtain a police report

Be certain that a police report is created, and take note of the responding police department. You will need this information to obtain a copy of the police report later. The police report will contain important information about exactly when and where the crash happened, who was involved, and whether any traffic citations were issued.

Document the evidence

If you are able, document everything you can from the accident scene and the aftermath. This includes photos or videos of vehicle damage, the condition of the roadway, and any physical injuries sustained.

Take caution with the trucking company’s insurance company

Take care not to provide a statement to the truck driver’s insurance or the trucking company. A seemingly innocent statement can be used to hurt your claim later. And, never accept an offer of settlement without the help of an experienced truck accident lawyer.

Contact a truck accident lawyer

Contact a truck accident attorney as soon as possible. Even if you don’t yet know the full extent of the medical treatment you’ll need or what kind of insurance coverage is available, enlisting the help of a truck accident attorney can ensure you won’t be taken advantage of during this vulnerable time.

Common Causes of Truck Accidents in Maine

Maine’s highways and rural roads—such as I-95, Route 1, and Route 302—see frequent commercial truck traffic transporting goods across the state and beyond. Whether in dense fog near the coast, icy mountain passes, or during peak tourist season, a single moment of negligence behind the wheel of a truck can result in a devastating accident.

Here are some of the most common causes of truck accidents in Maine:

• Driver fatigue: Long hauls and tight delivery schedules often push truck drivers to the brink of exhaustion. Even though federal regulations limit driving hours, violations still happen. Fatigued drivers may fall asleep at the wheel or have delayed reaction times, especially dangerous on rural stretches of road with limited lighting.
• Speeding and driving too fast for conditions: Speeding is a major risk factor, particularly on icy roads in the winter or in areas with steep grades like those in western Maine. Even if a truck is obeying the speed limit, driving too fast for road or weather conditions can cause deadly skids, jackknife accidents, or rollovers.
• Distracted driving: Truck drivers, like all drivers, can be distracted by cell phones, GPS devices, eating, or adjusting controls. On long drives through remote areas, it only takes a few seconds of inattention to cause a life-altering collision.
• Improperly loaded or overloaded cargo: Cargo that is unsecured, unbalanced, or exceeds weight limits can shift in transit, making the truck unstable. Improperly loaded cargo can cause rollovers or spills, endangering other drivers and blocking entire roadways.
• Equipment failure and poor maintenance: Mechanical failures such as brake malfunctions, tire blowouts, or steering problems are common causes of truck crashes. In Maine, harsh weather and salted roads can increase wear and tear on commercial vehicles. Trucking companies are responsible for inspecting and maintaining their fleets regularly, and failure to do so can lead to catastrophic accidents.
• Driver inexperience or poor training: Operating an 18-wheeler requires significant skill and training. Inexperienced or undertrained truck drivers are more likely to make critical errors that can injure or kill other drivers. Truck drivers must adhere to federal law and Maine’s CDL requirements to operate a commercial vehicle. If a truck driver falsifies their credentials or their employer fails to enforce necessary safety protocols, both parties can be held accountable.
• Driving under the influence: Driving under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or even prescription medications can impair judgment and motor skills. While DUI among commercial drivers is less common due to strict regulations, when it does occur, the consequences can be severe.

What Compensation Can You Receive After a Truck Accident?

The purpose of an insurance claim or a truck accident lawsuit is to hold negligent parties accountable and to compensate victims for the losses they suffer because of someone else’s recklessness. Truck accident victims often face significant medical bills, extensive recovery time, and altered quality of life. Families may even suffer the devastating loss of a loved one. Under Maine’s laws, they are entitled to seek compensation for their economic and non-economic damages.

Economic damages include things like hospital stays, emergency treatment, surgeries, and prescription medicine, as well as future medical bills related to injuries sustained in a truck accident. Economic damages in a truck accident also include any lost wages incurred while the victim was unable to work due to their injuries, and future lost income if the injuries affect their earning power. Noneconomic damages include things like pain and suffering, mental distress, and emotional trauma.

If the truck accident resulted in a fatality, a wrongful death claim can provide the surviving family members with compensation for funeral expenses, loss of companionship, and loss of income and support.

How much is my case worth?

The amount of compensation you’ll receive in a Maine truck accident case depends on a number of factors. Each case is unique, and determining the maximum value of your damages requires a thorough assessment of your injuries, all liable parties, available insurance coverage, and more.

While some states place a limit or “damage cap” on compensatory damages in personal injury cases, Maine does not. There is, however, a $750,000 cap on non-economic wrongful death damages.

A skilled personal injury attorney will review the details of your truck accident claim carefully and work with medical and economic experts to calculate the full value of your damages. Choosing an experienced truck accident attorney can make a significant difference in the amount of compensation you receive.

Comparative Fault in a Maine Truck Accident

If you share part of the blame for the truck accident that caused your injuries, you may still be able to seek compensation. In Maine, as long as you are less than 50% at fault for the accident, you can file a claim for damages. Your compensation will be reduced according to your degree of fault. For instance, if you were deemed 10% at fault and your compensation is worth $100,000, your award would be reduced to $90,000.

An experienced truck accident attorney can help ensure you are not wrongfully blamed for the accident and fight to maximize the amount of compensation you receive.

Time Limits for Filing a Truck Accident Claim in Maine

Each state has its own laws defining how long someone has to file a civil lawsuit following a motor vehicle accident. This is known as the statute of limitations. In Maine, the statute of limitations for a personal injury case stemming from a truck accident is six years from the date of the accident. However, there are some exceptions. For example, if you were hit by a truck owned or operated by a government entity, you would have only two years from the date of the crash to file a lawsuit.

Six years is longer than many other states allow, but that doesn’t mean you don’t need to act quickly. In the days, weeks, and months after a serious truck accident, critical evidence can be lost or destroyed. Witness memories fade, and facts become harder to establish. It is in your best interest to communicate with a lawyer as soon as possible to ensure your rights will be protected and evidence will be preserved.

Get a Free Consultation with a Maine Truck Accident Lawyer

At Munley Law, our experienced truck accident lawyers know how to investigate these cases, preserve crucial evidence, and hold all responsible parties accountable, from the driver to the trucking company and beyond.

Contact Munley Law today for a free consultation with a Maine truck accident attorney. There is no fee for our services unless we recover compensation for you.