Bicycle Accident Claims in Maine
Bicycle rules in Maine (passing distance, helmets, riding rules), how fault is shared after a bike crash, and the deadline to sue.
Short answer: A bicyclist on a public way has the rights and duties of a vehicle operator, except for special rules. Drivers passing a bicycle must leave at least 3 feet, and a collision with a bicyclist is prima facie evidence of a violation. 29-A M.R.S. §§2063(2), (2-A), (5), 2070(1-A), 2323
| Bicycle laws | A bicyclist on a public way has the rights and duties of a vehicle operator, except for special rules. Drivers passing a bicycle must leave at least 3 feet, and a collision with a bicyclist is prima facie evidence of a violation. Bicyclists riding slower than traffic must keep to the right as far as practicable, with exceptions such as passing, turning left or avoiding hazards, and may ride on paved shoulders. Bicyclists and passengers under 16 must wear a helmet on public roads and bikeways. §2070: https://legislature.maine.gov/statutes/29-A/title29-Asec2070.html ; §2323: https://legislature.maine.gov/statutes/29-A/title29-Asec2323.html . The sections read do not address riding on sidewalks. |
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| Fault rule (comparative negligence) | Modified comparative negligence. A claim is not defeated by the injured person's own fault, but the damages are reduced by the amount the jury thinks just and equitable given the claimant's share of responsibility. The statute provides that a claimant found by the jury to be equally at fault may not recover. Maine's statute reduces damages by a dollar amount the jury considers fair, not strictly by percentage. Source: 14 M.R.S. § 156 |
| Minimum car insurance | Proof of financial responsibility for each registered vehicle must be at least $50,000 per person and $100,000 per accident for bodily injury or death, $25,000 for property damage, $2,000 in medical payments coverage and $500 for towing and storage charges. Source: 29-A M.R.S. § 1605(1)(C), (2) |
| Deadline to sue for an injury | Six years. Maine's general rule is that civil actions must be filed within 6 years after the cause of action accrues, unless another statute sets a different period. Personal injury claims fall under this general rule. Some injury claims have shorter special deadlines, such as medical malpractice (3 years), wrongful death (3 years) and claims against governmental entities (2 years). Source: 14 M.R.S. § 752 |
More Maine personal injury & wrongful death
- Deadlines to File an Injury Lawsuit in Maine
- Wrongful Death Lawsuits in Maine
- Medical Malpractice Rules in Maine
- Car Accident Claims in Maine
- Dog Bite Liability in Maine
- Sidewalk and Public Property Falls in Maine
- Motorcycle Accident Claims in Maine
- Pedestrian Accident Claims in Maine
- Uber and Lyft Accident Claims in Maine
- Truck Accident Claims in Maine
- Construction Site Injuries in Maine
- All Maine personal injury & wrongful death rules
FAQ
What are the bicycle laws in Maine?
A bicyclist on a public way has the rights and duties of a vehicle operator, except for special rules. Drivers passing a bicycle must leave at least 3 feet, and a collision with a bicyclist is prima facie evidence of a violation. Bicyclists riding slower than traffic must keep to the right as far as practicable, with exceptions such as passing, turning left or avoiding hazards, and may ride on paved shoulders. Bicyclists and passengers under 16 must wear a helmet on public roads and bikeways.
Can you recover damages if you were partly at fault in Maine?
Modified comparative negligence. A claim is not defeated by the injured person's own fault, but the damages are reduced by the amount the jury thinks just and equitable given the claimant's share of responsibility. The statute provides that a claimant found by the jury to be equally at fault may not recover.
What is the minimum car insurance required in Maine?
Proof of financial responsibility for each registered vehicle must be at least $50,000 per person and $100,000 per accident for bodily injury or death, $25,000 for property damage, $2,000 in medical payments coverage and $500 for towing and storage charges.
What is the statute of limitations for personal injury in Maine?
Six years. Maine's general rule is that civil actions must be filed within 6 years after the cause of action accrues, unless another statute sets a different period. Personal injury claims fall under this general rule.
General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.