Car accidents range from being minor irritants to total destruction of the vehicle and life-altering injuries to drivers and passengers. You know you can call a car accident attorney for help, but here are other Maine Car Accident Resources that may be able to help you through the recovery experience.
Your own uninsured motorist coverage included in your car insurance policy
If you were in a collision with a hit-and-run driver, or driver with no car insurance, look to your own policy. Every policy in Maine is required to have a minimum amount of uninsured motorist coverage that will help pay your damages when the other driver, who was at fault for the accident, has no insurance or fled the scene. The minimum amount required is $50,000 per person and $100,000 per accident. Your insurer gives you the option of purchasing more coverage and many drivers do this without even remembering they did it. Check to see what the policy limits are on your own policy.
Report your accident to the Police
The Maine State Police investigate all accidents that are reported to them. You are required to report the accident if anyone was injured or killed or your property damage appears to be at least $1,000. The investigative report may prove valuable to you in proving your case. It records names of all involved, date and time of the accident and road and weather conditions. The report often includes diagrams of the scene to help determine fault. Witness statements may be included in the report as well as any traffic citations that may have been issued.
MADD Victim Advocates
If you were hit by a drunk driver, the Maine chapter of MADD has a number of resources that may assist you in your recovery and in pursuing criminal charges against the drunk driver. In addition to support groups, they help you with Crime Victim Compensation, a fund that is designed to assist those who were injured by drunk drivers. It helps pay medical costs and lost wages. If someone you loved was killed by a drunk driver, the fund also provides compensation for burial and funeral expenses.
Small claims court
If no one was seriously injured in the accident and you think you can handle the mater on your own, you can consider bringing an action in small claims court. The maximum amount you will be able to collect is $7,500. You can call witnesses and present evidence. The Maine Judicial Branch publishes a guide you can use to assist you with processing your small claims court case.
Car accident attorneys
Collecting for your injuries and property damage following a
car accident may be difficult. You have to prove it was the fault of the driver, who almost always will say you were at last partially at fault. Skilled car accident attorneys know how to investigate the case to determine fault. They know how to determine how much money you are entitled to receive based on your current and future medical expenses, current and future lost wages, pain and suffering and other damages. They know how to negotiate with insurance companies in order to maximize the damages to which you are legally entitled. They may be your greatest resource of all.
If you were in a car accident that you believe was the fault of another driver, contact us at Fales & Fales, P.A. for a free consultation. If you prefer, you can call the toll-free number at (888) 526-9408. We are car accident attorneys with decades of experience. We will assist you in all aspects of your case and work diligently to maximize your recovery. We represent clients in Androscoggin, Oxford, and Franklin Counties. The law requires you to file your claim for damages within a certain period of time after the accident occurs. If you miss the deadline, you lose forever your right to collect for your damages no matter how seriously you were injured. Call us as soon as possible.
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