Portland, Maine Truck Accident Lawyers Who Know How to Win
Our attorneys hold negligent truckers and trucking companies accountable
Truck accidents can cause devastating injuries, and some result in the loss of precious lives. In the aftermath of a truck accident in Maine, you are likely reeling and unsure of what to do next. You need justice and full compensation to rebuild your life. Unfortunately, insurance companies often don’t see things this way. Instead, they often aim to settle for as little as possible, putting victims at risk of low-ball settlements that may run out before they fully heal. An experienced Portland, Maine, truck accident lawyer can level the playing field.
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At Romanow Law Group, we understand the difficulties that come with seeking financial compensation after a truck accident, and we have successfully recovered large settlement amounts for injured victims and grieving families. The stakes are high, but with our truck accident law firm on your side, you can be sure your case is in good hands.
Truck accident hotspots in Maine
Maine's roads and highways are often filled with traffic. Unfortunately, certain areas in Maine have gained notoriety as hotspots for truck accidents involving tractor-trailers, delivery trucks, and other large commercial vehicles. Heavy traffic volume, challenging terrain, and construction zones make the following roads and highways particularly hazardous for 18-wheelers:
- Highway I-95 (Maine Turnpike, which runs 303 miles from Kittery to Houlton, Maine)
- US Route-1 (which runs 526 miles from Kittery to Fort Kent)
- Highway I-295 (runs 52 miles from I-95 in Scarborough to West Gardiner)
- Route 201 (runs 157 miles from Brunswick to Sandy Bay)
- Route 15 (runs 180 miles from Stonington to Jackman)
FAQ about truck accident claims in Maine
- What should I do after a Maine truck accident?
- What are common types of truck accidents in Maine?
- What are common truck accident injuries?
- Who is at fault in a truck accident?
- What evidence matters during a truck accident investigation?
- Who investigates Maine truck accidents?
- What are Maine’s commercial truck laws?
- How much is my Maine truck accident worth?
- Should I accept a settlement for my truck accident?
- Should I file a Maine truck accident lawsuit?
- How can a Maine truck accident lawyer help?
What should I do after a Maine truck accident?
After a truck accident in Maine, your safety and health should be your first priority. Once you are safe, the steps you take can also have a big impact on your legal claim. Acting quickly can make the difference between a strong, successful case and one that fails to obtain the compensation you deserve.
- Call 911 right away to report the accident and get police and emergency medical services to the scene.
- Stay at the scene until officers arrive and follow their instructions carefully.
- Get medical help immediately for yourself and others, even if your injuries don’t seem serious at first.
- Get information from the truck driver, including their name, employer, insurance details, and truck registration number.
- Don’t discuss the accident with the truck driver. Anything you say could later be used to reduce or deny your truck injury claim.
- Take photos and videos of the vehicles, the crash scene, road conditions, and visible injuries.
- Collect witness names and contact information to support your account of the crash.
- Ask the police how you can obtain a copy of the official crash report once it is completed.
- Notify your own insurance company about the accident as soon as possible.
- Keep your comments brief when talking to your insurance company.
- Don’t talk to the truck driver’s insurance company if they contact you.
- Contact an experienced Maine truck accident lawyer before speaking in detail with insurance adjusters.
Taking these steps can protect your health and also preserve valuable evidence for your case. Trucking companies and insurers will often move fast after a crash to protect their best interests. By gathering evidence early and getting legal help, you can protect your right to fair compensation. A lawyer can guide you through this process and make sure no details are overlooked.
What are common types of truck accidents in Maine?
Truck accidents carry a heightened level of severity and danger, setting them apart from typical motor vehicle accidents. The sheer size and weight of these commercial vehicles create a significant impact during collisions, leading to serious injuries and sometimes fatalities.
Unlike other accidents, commercial truck accidents involve massive vehicles (some weighing as much as 80,000 pounds) with a much stronger force and momentum. The size difference between semis and passenger cars means that collisions often result in severe injuries. The immense weight of commercial trucks amplifies the impact. Our law firm has experience handling all types of 18-wheeler accidents, including:
- Rollover
- Jackknife
- Wide turn
- Overweight or overloaded
- Rear-end accidents
- Underride accidents
- T-bone accidents
- Head-on collisions
- Wrong-way crashes
- Drunk driving accidents
- Asleep at the wheel accidents
- Multi-vehicle pileups
Thousands of people are injured and killed in trucking accidents every year. Some are caused by driver fatigue, speeding, or driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Collisions that result from these causes are all due to driver error, a preventable factor. Other causes, such as poor weather conditions, road hazards, poor maintenance, and improper loads, can also result in devastating consequences.
What are common truck accident injuries?
Truck accidents often result in serious injuries. Some of the most common injuries include:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Head and neck injuries
- Severe tissue damage
- Lacerations
- Broken bones
- Back and spinal cord injuries
- Burns
- Nerve damage
These injuries can lead to a variety of physical consequences, such as chronic pain, limited mobility, paralysis, and disfigurement. The psychological impact of a truck accident can also be significant, with victims experiencing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, depression, and other emotional distress. Recognizing the potential injuries that can arise from such collisions raises the urgent need for professional legal guidance to pursue the compensation you need for medical care and to aid your recovery.
Who is at fault in a truck accident?
Determining fault in a commercial truck accident can be complicated, as it requires the careful consideration of several factors. It includes evaluating the actions of all parties involved to determine if any negligent behaviors contributed to the accident. The condition of the vehicles, including maintenance records, is also investigated. Data from electronic devices, such as a black box, can provide information used to reconstruct the accident and provide evidence of liability.
Determining fault in a truck accident involves identifying the responsible parties. Several different parties can potentially be at fault, including:
- Truckers: The actions of truck drivers, such as speeding, distracted driving, fatigue, or driving under the influence, can contribute to collisions.
- Trucking companies: Companies that own or operate trucks can be held responsible for collisions if they have failed to properly train drivers, enforce safety regulations, or keep up with maintenance.
- Manufacturers of defective parts: If a truck accident is caused by a defective part, such as faulty brakes or tires, the manufacturer of those parts may be held accountable.
- Cargo owners and loaders: Improperly loaded or unsecured cargo can cause collisions. Cargo owners may be liable if their negligence contributed to the accident. Individuals or companies responsible for loading cargo onto the truck must ensure it is properly balanced and secured. Failure to do so can result in shared liability.
- Inspectors and maintenance vendors: Those responsible for inspecting and maintaining trucks are expected to identify and repair any defects. If a defect causes a collision, the inspector or maintenance vendor may be held liable for the injuries suffered.
- Additional parties: The accident may have also been caused by another motorist or another negligent party.
What evidence matters during a truck accident investigation?
When a truck accident occurs in Maine, it's crucial to have a skilled attorney on your side who knows what to look for during the investigation process. Our Maine truck accident lawyers are experienced in uncovering evidence to determine liability and pursue rightful compensation. Some key factors we look for during an investigation include:
- Accident scene evidence: Crucial evidence from the accident scene, including skid marks, debris patterns, and damage to vehicles and property. This information helps reconstruct the sequence of events and determine contributing factors.
- Truck maintenance records: The truck’s maintenance records, including inspection logs, repair records, and service history. This information helps us identify potential negligence, such as failure to address mechanical issues or noncompliance with state or federal safety regulations.
- Driver qualifications and logs: We examine the driver's qualifications, including their commercial driver's license (CDL), training records, and compliance with federal regulations, such as federal Hours of Service (HOS) rules. We also analyze driver logbooks to ensure truckers are following mandatory HOS rest periods to prevent driver fatigue-related accidents.
- Trucking company policies: We investigate the trucking company's policies and procedures, including hiring practices, training programs, and safety protocols. Any violations or negligence on the part of the trucking company can contribute to liability.
- Data from electronic onboard recorders: We search to obtain data from electronic onboard recorders (EOBRs) or electronic logging devices (ELDs) installed in commercial trucks. This information provides valuable insights into the truck's speed, braking, and compliance with regulations immediately before and during the collision.
- Witness statements: We find it very helpful to interview witnesses who were present at the scene of the accident to gather additional information and perspectives on the events leading up to the collision.
Who investigates Maine truck accidents?
After a truck accident in Maine, several different agencies often take part in the investigation. Depending on the location, severity, and other accident circumstances, these agencies often work together to determine what caused the crash and whether safety rules were broken. Knowing who investigates can help you understand where important evidence might come from. Such local, state, and federal agencies may include:
- Local police departments often investigate truck accidents that occur within city or town limits in Maine. They secure the scene, take witness statements, and issue citations if laws were broken.
- The Maine State Police Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Unit plays a major role in highway truck crashes. They focus on truck safety violations, driver hours of service, and maintenance issues.
- The Maine Department of Transportation (DOT) may also review accidents to identify roadway hazards, construction issues, or other safety concerns linked to the crash.
- The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigates serious commercial truck accidents. They examine evidence such as black box data, company records, and federal trucking law compliance.
Together, these investigations can reveal multiple causes of a crash, including driver error, company negligence, or equipment failure. Reports from these agencies often become critical evidence in truck injury claims. A Maine truck accident lawyer who understands how these agencies operate can help obtain and interpret their findings as part of your injury claim or lawsuit. This can make a major difference in proving liability and securing full compensation for all your accident-related expenses.
What are Maine’s commercial truck laws?
Trucking laws in Maine are designed to regulate and promote safe practices within the commercial trucking industry. These laws aim to ensure the safety of truck drivers, other motorists, and pedestrians sharing the roadways. Here are the commercial truck laws and regulations according to the State of Maine:
- Trucks must be registered as commercial vehicles. Commercial vehicles are any vehicles used to transport property or passengers with a gross vehicle weight rating, gross combination weight rating, gross vehicle weight, or gross combination vehicle weight of 10,001 pounds or more. These trucks must check in at truck stops.
- Trucks must have a DOT number displayed on the side. This is a number the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) assigns to all registered trucks.
- To operate a commercial truck in Maine, you must be at least 18 years old. If the vehicle is carrying hazardous materials, the driver must be at least 21 years old. All truckers in the state must possess a commercial driver’s license (CDL) and undergo specific training to operate such trucks.
It's important to consult with a knowledgeable Maine truck accident attorney who is well-versed in Maine's trucking laws. They can navigate the legal complexities, thoroughly investigate your accident, and determine if any violations of these laws contributed to the collision, ultimately helping you pursue a strong legal claim for your injuries and damages, a legal term for financial compensation.
How much is my Maine truck accident worth?
The value of your Maine truck accident claim often depends on many different factors. But in general, you should be compensated for all your financial losses, now and in the future. Such compensation is normally referred to as “damages” and can include money for:
- Medical bills.
- Replacement income.
- Vehicle repairs.
- Lost future income.
- Pain and suffering.
Every case is different, so the amount you can recover will vary depending on the facts of your truck accident. Some truck accident claims are worth a few thousand dollars. Similar crashes might be worth significantly more.
Insurance companies often try to minimize payouts by questioning the seriousness of injuries or disputing fault. This is why working with an experienced truck accident lawyer is important. Your attorney can calculate the full extent of your losses, negotiate with insurers, and fight for the maximum financial compensation you deserve.
Should I accept a settlement for my truck accident?
You should be very careful about agreeing to accept a settlement offer after a truck accident. Insurance companies often make quick offers that seem tempting but do not fully cover your losses. And once you accept, that’s it. You can’t ask for any additional money in the future, even if your accident expenses increase.
This is why it’s important to consider all of your current and future expenses, including future anticipated medical care, lost wages, and long-term care needs. Truck accidents often cause injuries that take months or even years to recover from. A quick settlement may leave you paying out of pocket later when the money runs out.
Before agreeing to any settlement, talk with a Maine truck accident lawyer. An attorney can review your settlement offer, compare it with your actual losses, and negotiate for a higher amount if necessary. Having a skilled legal team on your side ensures that your settlement accurately reflects the total impact of your crash on your life.
Should I file a Maine truck accident lawsuit?
Filing a lawsuit can sometimes be the best way to get the money you rightfully deserve for your accident expenses. This is especially true if settlement negotiations fail or if the insurance company refuses to pay what you rightfully deserve.
Instead of being at the mercy of insurance companies, you and your attorney can present your case in court on your terms and ask a jury to award you the compensation you need for your truck accident expenses. This process can take time, but it may result in higher compensation.
In Maine, you generally have three years from the date of the accident to file a truck accident lawsuit. This deadline is known as the statute of limitations. Not every case goes to trial, but preparing for that possibility often strengthens your position when negotiating with insurance companies. Experienced Maine truck accident lawyers understand the legal process and can ensure your lawsuit is filed on time, supported by solid evidence.
How can a Maine truck accident lawyer help?
Commercial truck accidents often quickly turn into complicated legal cases involving multiple at-fault parties. Having a lawyer on your side gives you the resources and knowledge needed to protect your rights and present your case in a strong, persuasive manner. Some of the different ways an attorney can help you include:
- Investigating the truck accident scene and gathering critical evidence such as photos, videos, and police reports.
- Demanding access to truck driver logs, black box data, and company maintenance records that may prove negligence.
- Identifying all liable parties, including the driver, trucking company, cargo loaders, or equipment manufacturers.
- Calculating the full value of your injury claim, including both current and future expenses related to your injuries and all financial losses.
- Negotiating with insurance companies that may try to reduce or deny your compensation.
- Representing you in court if you file a truck accident lawsuit and the case goes to trial.
- Fighting for the maximum amount allowed under Maine law.
A lawyer can also help protect you from common insurance company tactics designed to shift blame onto victims and pay you as little as possible. With strong legal representation, you don’t have to face trucking companies or insurers alone. Instead, you set the tone and decide what happens after your Maine truck accident.
Let a Maine truck accident lawyer fight for your rights
If you or a loved one has been injured in a crash with a tractor-trailer, semi, dump truck, or some other large type of commercial vehicle in Maine, don't navigate the complexities of your case alone. Our experienced team of truck accident attorneys at Romanow Law Group is here to help you.
You don't have to face this alone. Let us fight for your rights and work tirelessly to hold the responsible parties accountable. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation with one of our experienced Portland, Maine, truck accident attorneys. Your road to recovery starts here.