Being accused of a hit and run in Maine is a serious criminal charge that can lead to hefty fines, license suspension, a permanent criminal record, and even jail time—especially if the accident involved injury or property damage. In many cases, drivers panic, make a split-second decision to leave the scene, and later find themselves facing severe legal consequences.
At The Maine Criminal Defense Group, we understand that not every hit-and-run case involves malicious intent. Our experienced Maine hit and run defense attorneys work with individuals who may have made a mistake, were unaware of the damage caused, or were wrongly accused. We focus on building a strategic defense to protect your future and minimize the impact of the charges.
If you’ve been charged or are under investigation for a hit and run anywhere in Maine, contact our team immediately for a confidential consultation. The sooner you act, the better your chances of a favorable outcome.
Call 207-571-8146 or contact us online to schedule a consult with one of our highly skilled criminal defense & OUI lawyers, serving Southern Maine, today.
Table of Contents
What Are the Legal Requirements for Reporting a Car Accident in Maine?
If you’re involved in a car accident in Maine, especially one involving injury or property damage, you have a legal obligation to report it. Under Maine law, a crash must be reported if it occurs on a public roadway or any area where public traffic is expected, and results in:
- Bodily injury or death, or
- Property damage of $1,000 or more
The driver of the vehicle is legally required to report the accident as soon as possible to law enforcement. If another driver, pedestrian, or passenger is injured—or if substantial damage has occurred—failing to report the accident can lead to criminal charges.
In Maine, failing to report an accident is a Class E crime, which may result in:
- Up to 6 months in jail
- Fines up to $1,000
- Driver’s license suspension
If you’ve been charged with leaving the scene of an accident or failing to report a crash in Maine, it’s critical to speak with an experienced criminal defense attorney right away. At The Maine Criminal Defense Group, we can help you understand your rights and fight to protect your freedom.
Penalties for leaving the scene of an accident in Maine
Under Maine criminal code §2252, accidents involving death or personal injury states:
1. Operator required to stop. The operator of a vehicle involved in an accident anywhere that results in personal injury or death to a person shall immediately stop the vehicle at the scene of the accident or stop as close as possible and immediately return to the scene. [1993, c. 683, Pt. A, §2 (new); Pt. B, §5 (aff).]
If you are arrested for not reporting an accident where serious injury or death occurs, you will be charged with a Class C offense. This is only the offense of leaving the scene; if you are accused of attempting to leave the scene and have a blood alcohol concentration of .08% or greater, you could be charged with OUI and a Hit and Run. OUI related hit and run offenses can lead to 4 years of license suspension.
Call 207-571-8146 or contact us online to schedule a consult with one of our highly skilled criminal defense & OUI lawyers, serving Southern Maine, today.
Types of charges for a hit-and-run in Maine
The consequences for a hit and run are very serious and depend on the circumstances of the crime. For example, if you are accused of hitting a car, either parked or with a passenger, and then fleeing the scene, it is considered a Class E crime. If there is a serious injury or death involved it will usually be charged as a Class D crime. If you are believed to have caused the accident intentionally or because you were driving recklessly, it may be charged as a Class C crime.
Hit and run charges can occur after any type of accident, but they are especially serious when you are accused of OUI. Causing an accident because you are under the influence of drugs or alcohol is a Class C crime. The following are the penalties for leaving the scene of accident offenses:
- Class E: Maximum of 6 months of jail time Maximum of $1,000 in fines
- Class D: Maximum of 12 months of jail time Maximum of $2,000 in fines 90 days of license suspension
- Class C: Maximum of 5 years of jail time Maximum of $5,000 in fines 90 days of license suspension
These penalties are minimum requirements. If you cause an accident due to OUI and you attempt to leave the scene, the judge will likely increase your sentence.
What to Do If You’ve Been Involved in or Charged with a Hit and Run in Maine
If you’ve been involved in a hit and run accident in Maine, it’s important to understand what steps to take—especially if you’ve already left the scene and are now facing criminal charges. Many people leave the scene out of fear, panic, or confusion in the immediate aftermath of an accident. You may not have realized the severity of the incident or thought returning later would make things right. Unfortunately, under Maine law, leaving the scene of an accident is a criminal offense, and the penalties can be severe.
Whether the accident involved minor property damage or resulted in injury or death, failing to remain at the scene can elevate the legal consequences significantly. You may face misdemeanor or felony charges, along with possible jail time, fines, and license suspension.
Law enforcement may attempt to contact or question you, and if alcohol or drug use is suspected, they could pursue additional charges such as OUI (Operating Under the Influence). In many cases, police rely on field sobriety tests, blood test results, and witness statements—but these forms of evidence can be challenged by an experienced defense attorney.
If you’ve already been charged or believe you’re under investigation for a hit and run, it’s crucial to speak with a defense lawyer before talking to the police. At The Maine Criminal Defense Group, our attorneys are highly experienced in handling hit-and-run and OUI-related cases throughout the state. We’ll review the facts, assess the legality of any tests or evidence collected, and build a strong defense to protect your rights.
Don’t make the mistake of trying to navigate this alone. The sooner you reach out for legal help, the more options you may have to reduce or fight the charges.
Contact Our Maine Hit and Run Defense Attorneys Today
If you’ve been charged with a hit-and-run in Maine, don’t wait to take action. These cases move quickly, and any delay can put your driving privileges, freedom, and future at risk. At The Maine Criminal Defense Group, we understand the complexities of hit-and-run charges and are ready to fight for the best possible outcome in your case.
Call our office today or fill out our secure online form to schedule a confidential consultation. The sooner you reach out, the sooner we can start building a strong defense to protect your rights.
Call 207-571-8146 or contact us online to schedule a consult with one of our highly skilled criminal defense & OUI lawyers, serving Southern Maine, today.
Blog Articles
If you receive a traffic ticket in Maine, you may be facing far more than demerit points or an administrative penalty. You could be facing criminal sanctions and a permanent[...]
In Maine, disorderly conduct laws effectively make disturbing the peace a criminal offense. While disorderly conduct is considered one of the least serious offenses under Maine’s Criminal Statutes, it can[...]
Any criminal charge for a drug-related offense is a serious matter in Maine,but how consequential the outcomes can get may depend on whether the charge is filed at the state[...]
Self-defense laws in the U.S. are complex, vary from state to state, and are often misunderstood. “Stand your ground” laws allow an individual to use deadly force in self-defense in[...]
Every day in Maine, people are charged with crimes that they did and did not do. Fortunately, in the U.S., we have a justice system that says you’re innocent until[...]
Expungement is the practice of legally erasing or striking out documents or information relevant to criminal charges. It’s not possible to expunge a criminal record in Maine. However, other avenues[...]
If you have been arrested or are under investigation for a crime in Maine, it is crucial to retain the services of a competent and experienced criminal lawyer. A criminal[...]
Bail Code in Maine Title 15, Chapter 105 of the Maine Revised Statutes governs all issues pertaining to bail in Maine. When a defendant has been arrested and charged with[...]
In the span of less than 5 decades, computers have utterly transformed our society. Those of the baby boomer generation will be able to appreciate the scale of this transformation[...]
