The Short Answer:
Distracted driving is among the leading causes of car accidents across the U.S., including here in Maine. Whether it’s texting, checking directions, eating, or daydreaming, any activity that takes a driver’s attention away from the road can have devastating consequences. Thousands of people are killed each year, and hundreds of thousands more are injured due to distracted drivers. If you or a loved one has been hurt in a distracted driving accident, it’s important to understand your legal options. At Lowry Law, we help victims of car accidents in Maine hold negligent drivers accountable and pursue full compensation.
Key Takeaways
- Distracted driving definition: Any activity that diverts a driver’s eyes, hands, or mind from the road.
- High-risk behaviors: Cell phone use while driving, especially texting, is one of the most dangerous forms of distraction.
- Consequences of distracted driving: These accidents often lead to severe injuries, high medical bills, lost wages, and long recoveries.
- Legal protections: State law bans texting while driving and requires the use of hands-free devices for calls.
- How Lowry Law can help: Our attorneys gather evidence, prove negligence, handle insurers, and fight to secure the full compensation you may be entitled to.
Table of Contents
- What Is Distracted Driving?
- How Dangerous Are Distracted Driving Accidents?
- Hands-Free Law in Maine
- Common Injuries in Distracted Driving Car Accidents
- Consequences of Distracted Driving: Legal and Financial Impact
- Proving Negligence in a Distracted Driving Accident in Maine
- How Can a Lawyer Help?
- FAQs About Distracted Driving Accidents
- Speak With a Maine Car Accident Lawyer Today
What Is Distracted Driving?
Distracted driving includes anything that diverts a driver’s visual focus (eyes off the road), manual control (hands off the wheel), or cognitive attention (mind off driving). Even a momentary lapse can lead to a serious crash.
Common Types of Driver Distractions
- Cell phone use while driving: Texting, calling, or using apps.
- In-car activities: Eating, drinking, adjusting the radio or GPS.
- Internal distractions: Talking with passengers or daydreaming.
- External distractions: Looking at roadside accidents or scenery.
How Dangerous Are Distracted Driving Accidents?
The dangers of distracted driving are backed by sobering statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration:
- In 2023, over 3,200 people were killed and an estimated 324,000 were injured in distraction-related crashes nationwide.
- Young drivers ages 15–20 are more likely to be involved in fatal distracted driving accidents.
These numbers make it clear that distracted driving is not just risky—it’s life-threatening. Every time a driver looks away from the road, they put themselves and everyone around them in danger.
Hands-Free Law in Maine
Maine has strict laws about texting and driving, along with a hands-free law that makes it illegal to hold or use a phone while driving. The goal of these laws is to cut down on preventable distracted driving accidents and keep everyone on the road safer.
- Is it illegal to talk on the phone while driving in Maine? Yes. It is illegal to talk on the phone while holding it in your hand. Drivers must use a hands-free option, such as Bluetooth or a mounted system, to make or receive calls while driving.
- Texting while driving is completely banned. Sending, reading, or manually typing a message while behind the wheel can result in fines, points on your license, and higher insurance rates.
- Penalties for violations: A first offense can result in a fine of at least $50, but repeat offenses quickly become more serious, with fines up to $250 and the addition of license points that can lead to suspension.
- Applies everywhere: The law is enforced not only on highways but also on local roads, and drivers can be cited even if they are stopped at a light or in traffic.
Despite these strict laws, many drivers still choose to take the risk. When they do, they endanger themselves, their passengers, and others on the road. It’s important to follow the hands-free law and hold distracted drivers accountable through legal claims when they cause accidents.
Common Injuries in Distracted Driving Car Accidents
Victims of distracted driver crashes often suffer severe injuries, including:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
- Broken bones and fractures
- Whiplash and spinal cord damage
- Internal organ injuries
- Severe cuts and bruises
These injuries often result in extensive medical treatment, time away from work, and lasting pain.
Consequences of Distracted Driving: Legal and Financial Impact
The consequences of distracted driving extend far beyond physical harm. Victims may face:
- Medical bills and rehabilitation costs
- Lost income due to missed work
- Pain and suffering damages
- Property damage from vehicle repairs
- In rare cases, punitive damages if the driver’s actions were especially reckless
If you were involved in an accident caused by a distracted driver, you may be entitled to recover compensation for these damages through an insurance claim or injury lawsuit. An experienced distracted driving accident lawyer can build a strong case on your behalf, helping ensure you aren’t left paying the price for another driver’s negligence. Having a trusted attorney by your side can make all the difference in securing the full recovery you may be entitled to.
Proving Negligence in a Distracted Driving Accident in Maine
To succeed in a distracted driving accident claim, you must establish the legal elements of negligence:
- Duty of care: Every driver has a legal obligation to operate their vehicle safely and responsibly, which includes following Maine’s hands-free law and avoiding distractions.
- Breach of duty: The driver failed to meet that responsibility, such as by texting, talking on the phone while holding it, eating, or otherwise diverting attention from the road.
- Causation: There must be a clear link between the driver’s distraction and the accident. For example, if a driver rear-ended another vehicle because they were looking at a text, the distraction is the direct cause.
- Damages: Finally, the victim must show they suffered losses as a result, such as medical bills, lost wages, property damage, or pain and suffering.
Proving negligence often requires a detailed investigation. At Lowry Law, our team collects and analyzes evidence such as:
- Police reports documenting the crash and any citations issued for cell phone use.
- Phone records showing the driver was texting or calling at the time of the collision.
- Witness statements that confirm the driver was distracted.
- Medical records that demonstrate the extent of the victim’s injuries.
By combining these sources of evidence, our distracted driving accident attorneys build a compelling case to hold negligent drivers accountable and pursue the full compensation available.
How Can a Lawyer Help?
Insurance companies often downplay distracted driving accidents or offer quick settlements that don’t cover the full cost of recovery. Our distracted driving accident attorneys:
- Investigate and document all evidence.
- Handle communication with insurers.
- Negotiate aggressively for fair compensation.
- Take cases to trial if the insurance company refuses to pay.
Why Choose Lowry Law for Your Distracted Driving Accident Case?
When you’ve been injured by a distracted driver, you need more than just a lawyer—you need a trusted local advocate. Here’s why so many Mainers turn to Lowry Law:
- Local Knowledge: We’re based in Maine and understand how state laws, courts, and insurers handle distracted driving accident cases.
- 50+ Years of Combined Experience: Our attorneys bring decades of skill and proven results to every case we handle.
- Client-Focused Representation: We treat every case with care and personal attention, guiding you through the process from start to finish.
- Free Case Review: We’ll evaluate your situation at no cost and explain your legal options clearly.
- No Fee Unless We Win: We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you don’t pay us unless we recover compensation for you.
With Lowry Law, you have a dedicated legal team committed to protecting your rights and fighting for the justice you deserve.
FAQs About Distracted Driving Accidents
Seek medical attention immediately, report the crash to the police, document the scene, and contact a car accident attorney before speaking with insurers.
At Lowry Law, we work on a contingency fee basis—you pay nothing unless we win compensation for you.
Maine follows a modified comparative negligence rule, meaning you can recover damages as long as you are less than 50% at fault.
In most cases, you have 6 years from the date of the accident to file an injury claim in Maine. Some deadlines can be as short as 30 days, so speak to an attorney as soon as possible.
Speak With a Maine Car Accident Lawyer Today
If you or someone you love has been hurt in a distracted driving accident, you don’t have to take on insurance companies or negligent drivers alone. At Lowry Law, our attorneys bring over 50 years of combined experience to the table, fighting for full and fair compensation while supporting you every step of the way.
Reach out to us today for your free case review and let us help you move forward with confidence.
