Nobody plans for a car accident, and in the moment it’s hard to think straight. If you keep this list in the back of your mind, you’ll protect both your health and any claim you might need to make later.
At the scene
Check for injuries and call 911. If anyone’s hurt, that comes first. In Maine you have to report a crash to the police if someone is injured or killed, or if the damage looks like it’s more than $2,000, which is most crashes these days.
Get out of traffic if you can. If the cars can be moved and no one is hurt, move them to the shoulder. On I-95 or I-395, stay in your vehicle with your seatbelt on if it’s not safe to get out.
Exchange information. Get the other driver’s name, phone number, license, plate, and insurance company and policy number. Look at the insurance card yourself instead of just writing down what they tell you.
Take photos. Pictures of both cars, the road, skid marks, traffic signs, and the weather. If you have visible injuries, photograph those too.
Find witnesses. Get names and numbers. People leave quickly, and an independent witness can make a big difference later.
Don’t argue about fault. Be polite, and don’t apologize or guess about what happened. Let the police and the evidence sort that out.
In the next day or two
See a doctor, even if you feel okay. Adrenaline hides a lot. Neck, back, and head injuries often show up a day or two later. A visit soon after the crash also creates a record linking your injuries to the accident.
Notify your own insurance company. Your policy probably requires prompt notice. Stick to the basic facts.
Be careful with the other driver’s insurer. Their adjuster may call quickly and sound friendly. They may ask for a recorded statement. You don’t have to give one, and it’s smart to talk to a lawyer before you do.
Start a file. Keep the police report number, medical bills, receipts, pay stubs showing missed work, and a few notes about how you’re feeling each day.
Things that hurt claims
- Waiting weeks to see a doctor
- Posting about the crash or your activities on social media
- Signing a release or accepting a quick check before you know how badly you’re hurt
- Downplaying your pain to doctors
When to call a lawyer
If you were hurt, missed work, or the other side is disputing fault, it’s worth a call. Maine lets you recover as long as you were less at fault than the other driver, but insurers often try to shift blame onto you. And if the other driver had little or no insurance, your own uninsured or underinsured coverage may come into play.
Gray & Palmer handles car accident claims for people in Bangor, Brewer, and across the surrounding towns on contingency. You don’t pay an attorney’s fee unless we recover money for you.
Call us at (207) 945-5502. For more on how claims work, see How a Personal Injury Claim Works in Bangor.
This article is general information about Maine law, not legal advice for your situation. Reading it doesn't create an attorney-client relationship. If you have a specific question, call us at (207) 945-5502.
