Maine
Maine Car Accident Laws: Fault, Insurance, and Your Claim
Independently fact-checked against primary sources (last audited August 18, 2026). · Reviewed by the RecordingLaw editorial team. · Law checked current as of August 18, 2026. · 6 primary sources cited on this page. How we verify our legal content
Maine is an at-fault (tort) state that follows modified comparative negligence with a 50% bar, meaning the at-fault driver pays for damages and you can recover only if you are less than 50% responsible, with your damages reduced to the extent the jury considers just and equitable.
Is Maine a no-fault or at-fault state?
Maine is a traditional at-fault (tort) state. The driver who is legally responsible for a crash bears liability for the resulting bodily injury and property damage. Maine is not among the 12 states with mandatory no-fault/PIP systems (Florida, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, North Dakota, Hawaii, Kansas, Kentucky, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Utah). There is no personal injury protection (PIP) statute and no no-fault threshold that an injured person must clear before bringing a tort claim.
Because Maine is an at-fault state, an injured accident victim files a claim directly against the at-fault driver and that driver's liability insurer for compensation. There is no no-fault verbal or monetary threshold to overcome before suing for pain and suffering. Any injured party may bring a negligence claim, subject to Maine's modified comparative fault rule. Maine does require every auto policy to include at least $2,000 in Medical Payments (MedPay) coverage per person, a first-party benefit that pays medical bills regardless of fault, but MedPay does not bar a tort claim and is not a no-fault system.
How fault is shared: Maine's negligence rule
Maine follows modified comparative fault with a 50% bar under 14 M.R.S. §156. Under this system, an injured party's damages are reduced to account for that party's own share of responsibility. However, if the claimant is found to be equally at fault (50%) or more at fault than the defendant, recovery is completely barred.
Maine applies that reduction in an unusual way, and the difference is worth understanding. Section 156 directs the court to instruct the jury to find and record the total damages that would have been recoverable if the claimant had not been at fault, then to reduce that total "by dollars and cents, and not by percentage, to the extent considered just and equitable, having regard to the claimant's share in the responsibility for the damages," and to return both amounts, with the lesser figure as the final verdict. A Maine jury therefore does not multiply an award by a fault percentage the way juries in most comparative-fault states do. It names the reduced dollar figure itself. If the jury finds you equally at fault with the defendant, you recover nothing at all. Maine's 50% bar is slightly stricter than the more common 51% bar used in states like Connecticut and Illinois: any finding of equal fault defeats the claim. This rule applies to all negligence actions including multi-vehicle crashes, where the fault of every party is compared and apportioned.
Minimum car insurance in Maine
Maine sets some of the highest mandatory minimum liability limits in the country. Under 29-A M.R.S. §1605(1), all registered vehicles must carry liability coverage of at least 50/100/25: $50,000 bodily injury per person, $100,000 bodily injury per accident, and $25,000 property damage per accident. Section 1605(1)(C) sets those split limits only, together with $2,000 in medical payments and $500 in towing and storage coverage. It does not authorize a combined single limit for an ordinary registered vehicle. (A $125,000 combined single limit does appear in Maine law, at 29-A M.R.S. §1611, but that section covers vehicles used to carry passengers for hire, not ordinary registered vehicles.) The financial-responsibility mandate itself is at 29-A M.R.S. §1601, which requires an operator or owner of a vehicle registered in Maine to maintain the amounts specified in section 1605.
Every Maine auto policy must also include mandatory uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage. Under 24-A M.R.S. §2902, a policy may not be delivered or issued for delivery in Maine without UM/UIM coverage. The minimum UM/UIM limits are $50,000 per person and $100,000 per accident. The insured may not waive UM/UIM coverage below those minimums. The only thing an insured may reject (by signed, dated written form before the effective date) is UM/UIM above the statutory minimum; coverage at the minimum 50/100 level is non-waivable. Additionally, every policy must include at least $2,000 in Medical Payments (MedPay) coverage per person as required by 29-A M.R.S. §1605(1)(C), which sets the minimum for medical payments under section 1605-A, providing first-party medical reimbursement regardless of fault.
How long you have to file: the statute of limitations
Maine gives car accident victims 6 years to file a personal-injury or property-damage lawsuit from the date of the crash. This deadline is set by 14 M.R.S. §752, Maine's general personal-injury statute of limitations, which applies to ordinary negligence actions including auto-accident bodily-injury and property-damage claims. For a surviving injured person, Maine has no shorter special limitation period for motor-vehicle tort claims, making its 6-year window one of the longest in the nation.
A fatal crash is the important exception, and it is a much shorter deadline. When someone dies, the claim is a wrongful-death action brought by the personal representative of the estate under 18-C M.R.S. §2-807, and that statute requires the action to be commenced within 3 years after the decedent's death. A 6-year period applies only where the death was caused by a homicide, and there it runs from the date the personal representative or special administrator discovers that there is a just cause of action. A bereaved family that assumes the general 6-year rule applies can lose the claim entirely.
The timeline is significantly shorter when a government entity is involved. Claims against state or local government under the Maine Tort Claims Act require a written notice of claim within 365 days of the injury (14 M.R.S. §8107). Failure to provide timely notice can bar the entire claim even though the underlying lawsuit period has not yet expired. If a government vehicle, poorly maintained road, or municipality played a part, get a free claim review from a Maine car accident lawyer and send the written notice within those 365 days (attorney advertising).
For more on Maine's limitation rules, see our Maine statute of limitations page.
What a Maine car accident claim is worth
The value of a Maine car accident claim depends on your economic damages, your non-economic damages, and any reduction from fault assigned to you. Economic damages include verifiable monetary losses such as emergency medical care, surgery, rehabilitation, future medical costs, lost wages, lost earning capacity, and vehicle repair or replacement. Non-economic damages cover pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and compensation for permanent scarring or disability.
Because Maine follows modified comparative fault, fault assigned to you reduces your award, and under 14 M.R.S. §156 the jury sets that reduction as a dollar figure it considers just and equitable rather than by applying a percentage to the total. That makes the size of the reduction harder to predict than in a percentage state, and it is one reason how fault is framed to a jury matters so much here. Practical recovery is also constrained by the at-fault driver's policy limits. Maine's high minimum limits of 50/100/25 provide more protection than most states offer, but serious injuries can still exceed those caps. In those situations, your own mandatory UM/UIM coverage and any MedPay or umbrella policy become the next source of recovery.
Use our Maine car accident settlement calculator to model potential damages ranges based on injury severity, your share of fault, and available insurance coverage.
What to do after a car accident in Maine
The steps you take immediately after a Maine car accident can directly affect the strength of your claim.
Stay safe and call for help. Move to a safe location if you can do so without moving injured persons. Call 911 if anyone is hurt, if there is significant property damage, or if a driver appears impaired. Under Maine law, drivers involved in accidents resulting in injury, death, or damage above a certain threshold are required to report the accident.
Document the scene thoroughly. Photograph the vehicles, road conditions, traffic controls, skid marks, debris, and any visible injuries. Collect the names, contact information, driver's license numbers, and insurance information for every driver involved. Get contact information from independent witnesses before they leave the scene.
Seek medical attention promptly. See a doctor as soon as possible even if you feel fine. Injuries like whiplash, concussions, and soft-tissue damage frequently show symptoms hours or days after the impact. A timely medical record connects your injuries to the crash and is critical to your claim.
Preserve evidence and notify your insurer. Report the accident to your own insurer promptly and honestly. Keep all medical bills, repair estimates, and documentation of lost time from work. Photograph injuries over time to record how they evolve.
Consult an attorney before accepting a settlement. Insurance adjusters work for the insurer, not you. A Maine personal-injury attorney can evaluate your full damages, advise you on comparative-fault exposure under the strict 50% bar, and negotiate on your behalf before you sign any release. Most Maine car accident attorneys work on a contingency-fee basis, so there is no upfront cost.
For related Maine driving laws, see our Maine hit-and-run laws page.
This article is general legal information, not legal advice. Car accident law varies by state and changes, and settlement values depend on the specific facts. For advice about a specific crash, consult a licensed attorney in Maine.
Related pages:
- Maine Car Accident Settlement Calculator
- Maine Hit-and-Run Laws
- Car Accident Laws by State: Hub
- Maine Statute of Limitations
More Maine Laws
- Maine Dashcam Laws
- Maine Hit and Run Laws
- Maine Slip and Fall Laws
- Maine Statute of Limitations
- Maine Workers Compensation Laws
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Maine a no-fault state?
No. Maine is a traditional at-fault (tort) state with no mandatory PIP or no-fault system. The at-fault driver's liability insurer pays for the other party's injuries and property damage. Maine is not one of the 12 no-fault states. Every policy does require at least $2,000 in MedPay, but that is a first-party medical benefit, not a no-fault system.
Is Maine an at-fault state?
Yes. Maine is an at-fault state. The driver who causes the crash bears liability for bodily injury and property damage. Injured victims file claims against the at-fault driver's liability insurer and, if needed, their own mandatory UM/UIM coverage. There is no threshold to clear before suing for pain and suffering.
What is the statute of limitations for a car accident in Maine?
Six years from the date of the crash under 14 M.R.S. §752, one of the longest windows in the country. A fatal crash is different: a wrongful-death action under 18-C M.R.S. §2-807 must be commenced within 3 years after the decedent's death (6 years only where the death was caused by a homicide). If the accident involved a government vehicle or a municipality, you must file a written notice of claim within 365 days under the Maine Tort Claims Act (14 M.R.S. §8107) or you may lose your right to sue entirely.
Can I still recover if I was partly at fault in Maine?
Yes, as long as your share of fault is less than 50%. Maine follows modified comparative fault with a 50% bar under 14 M.R.S. §156. The statute directs the jury to reduce your total damages 'by dollars and cents, and not by percentage, to the extent considered just and equitable,' so the reduction is a dollar figure the jury sets rather than a straight percentage cut. If you are found 50% or more at fault (equally at fault with the defendant), you are completely barred from any recovery.
What are the minimum insurance requirements in Maine?
Maine requires minimum liability coverage of 50/100/25: $50,000 bodily injury per person, $100,000 per accident, and $25,000 property damage (29-A M.R.S. §1605(1)). Mandatory UM/UIM coverage at 50/100 is also required and cannot be waived below the minimum (24-A M.R.S. §2902). Every policy must additionally include at least $2,000 in Medical Payments (MedPay) coverage per person.
How much is my Maine car accident claim worth?
Your claim value depends on economic damages (medical bills, lost wages, property damage), non-economic damages (pain and suffering, disability), your percentage of fault under Maine's 50% bar rule, and the at-fault driver's policy limits. Maine's high 50/100/25 minimums provide more coverage than most states, but serious injuries can exceed those caps. Use our Maine car accident settlement calculator for a personalized estimate.
Does Maine require PIP coverage?
No. Maine is not a no-fault state and does not require personal injury protection (PIP). Maine does require every auto policy to include at least $2,000 in Medical Payments (MedPay) coverage per person, which pays medical bills regardless of fault, but MedPay is not PIP and does not restrict your right to sue the at-fault driver.
Updates
Corrected how Maine reduces damages for comparative fault (14 M.R.S. §156 requires the jury to reduce by dollars and cents, not by percentage), removed an incorrect $125,000 combined-single-limit insurance option and the §1611 mis-citation behind it, and added the 3-year wrongful-death deadline under 18-C M.R.S. §2-807.
Independently fact-checked against the cited primary sources; governing law re-checked for recent changes
Corrected the Maine Tort Claims Act notice-of-claim deadline from 180 days to the statute's actual 365 days (14 M.R.S. §8107(1)) everywhere the page stated it, and re-anchored the $2,000 MedPay minimum to its statutory source (29-A M.R.S. §1605(1)(C)(4)) instead of "the Maine Bureau of Insurance."
Governing law re-checked for recent changes
Reviewed and approved by an editor
The Law Behind This Article
This article rests on the statutory provisions below, held in our own legal record and retrieved from the official source. Tap a section to read the operative text.
Maine Revised Statutes, Title 14: COURT PROCEDURE -- CIVIL, Part 1: GENERAL PROVISIONS, Chapter 7: DEFENSES GENERALLY
§ 156Comparative negligenceIn forcecited in 7 of our articles
When any person suffers death or damage as a result partly of that person's own fault and partly of the fault of any other person or persons, a claim in respect of that death or damage may not be defeated by reason of the fault of the person suffering the damage, but the damages recoverable in respect thereof must be reduced to such extent as the jury thinks just and equitable having regard to the claimant's share in the responsibility for the damage. [PL 1999, c. 633, §1 (AMD); PL 1999, c. 633, §3 (AFF).] When damages are recoverable by any person by virtue of this section, subject to such reduction as is mentioned, the court shall instruct the jury to find and record the total damages that would have been recoverable if the claimant had not been at fault, and further instruct the jury to reduce the total damages by dollars and cents, and not by percentage, to the extent considered just and equitable, having regard to the claimant's share in the responsibility for the damages, and instruct the jury to return both amounts with the knowledge that the lesser figure is the final verdict in the case. [PL 1999, c. 633, §1 (AMD); PL 1999, c.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-09-10 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at legislature.maine.gov
Cited in 132 court opinions in our collectionLatest citing opinion in our collection: 2022
Opinions citing this section in our collection:
- Austin v. Raybestos-Manhattan, Inc. (Supreme Judicial Court of Maine 1984, 471 A.2d 280)“…aine law: Is Maine’s comparative negligence statute, 14 M.R.S.A. § 156 [1980], applicable to plaintiff’s claim…”
- Walter v. Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (Supreme Judicial Court of Maine 2000, 748 A.2d 961)“…give rise to the defense of contributory negligence. See 14 M.R.S.A. § 156 (1980). If the plaintiff's fault is equ…”
- Pelletier v. Fort Kent Golf Club (Supreme Judicial Court of Maine 1995, 662 A.2d 220)“…use the damage award to Jeannine violates the provisions of 14 M.R.S.A. § 156 (1980) and the jury’s failure to award…”
Identified automatically from the court opinions citing this section — not a ranking of which case controls.
Also relied on in: Medical Malpractice Laws in Maine (2026): Deadlines & Caps, Maine Slip and Fall Laws: Proving Premises Liability, Maine Dog Bite Laws: Liability and Victim Rights
Maine Revised Statutes, Title 29-A: MOTOR VEHICLES AND TRAFFIC, Chapter 13: FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY AND INSURANCE
§ 1605Proof of financial responsibilityIn force
1. Requirements. To be accepted as proof of financial responsibility, a policy must: A. Conform to section 1606, subsection 2; [PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. B, §5 (AFF).] B. Include the condition that the obligor must, within 30 days of rendition of judgment, satisfy the judgment in an action to recover damages: (1) To property or for bodily injury, including death; (2) Accidentally sustained during the term of the policy by a person other than the insured, employees of the insured actually operating the motor vehicle or another person responsible who is entitled to worker's compensation benefits; and (3) Arising out of the ownership, operation, maintenance, control or use of a vehicle within the limits of the United States of America or Canada; and [PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. B, §5 (AFF).] C.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-30 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at legislature.maine.gov
Cited in 8 court opinions in our collectionLatest citing opinion in our collection: 2016
Opinions citing this section in our collection:
- Day v. Allstate Insurance (Supreme Judicial Court of Maine 1998, 721 A.2d 983)“…subtract the property damage coverage required pursuant to 29-A M.R.S.A. § 1605 when determining if a party is underins…”
- James M. Dickau v. Vermont Mutual Insurance Co. (Supreme Judicial Court of Maine 2014, 107 A.3d 621)“…n or $100,000 per accident]. 24-A M.R.S. § 2902(2); see 29-A M.R.S. § 1605(1) (2014). Thus, although an insured ma…”
- Molleur v. Dairyland Insurance (Supreme Judicial Court of Maine 2008, 942 A.2d 1197)“…e $50,000 per person minimum liability coverage required by 29-A M.R.S. § 1605(1)(C)(2) (2007), and less than the cove…”
Identified automatically from the court opinions citing this section — not a ranking of which case controls.
§ 1601Required maintenance of financial responsibilityIn force
1. Requirement. An operator or owner of a vehicle registered in this State or required to be registered in this State shall maintain the amounts of motor vehicle financial responsibility specified in section 1605. 2. Evidence of insurance or financial responsibility. When a law enforcement officer stops an operator for a moving violation or the operator is involved in an accident that must be reported under section 2251, the officer shall request the operator to produce evidence of liability insurance or financial responsibility. Evidence of liability insurance or financial responsibility may be in electronic form, including the display of an image on a portable electronic device. The use of a portable electronic device to provide evidence of liability insurance or financial responsibility in electronic form does not constitute consent for a law enforcement officer to access other contents of the electronic device. 3. Failure to produce evidence of insurance. If a person fails to produce evidence of liability insurance or financial responsibility, this failure is prima facie evidence that the person is uninsured and in violation of this section. 3-A. Insurance in effect.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-30 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at legislature.maine.gov
Cited in 3 court opinions in our collectionLatest citing opinion in our collection: 2014
Opinions citing this section in our collection:
- State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance v. Estate of Carey (Supreme Judicial Court of Maine 2012, 68 A.3d 1242)“…l responsibility for vehicles registered in Maine. 3 See 29-A M.R.S. §§ 1601-1612 (2011). [¶ 10] To determine the…”
- James M. Dickau v. Vermont Mutual Insurance Co. (Supreme Judicial Court of Maine 2014, 107 A.3d 621)“…to property damage, injury or death, and medical payments. 29-A M.R.S. §§ 1601, 1605(1)(C) (2014). There is, however,…”
- N. E. Ins. Co. v. Acadia Ins. Co. (Superior Court of Maine 2008)“…isputed that White's tractor was in fact registered. Under 29-A M.R.S. § 1601 an operator or owner of a vehicle that…”
Identified automatically from the court opinions citing this section — not a ranking of which case controls.
§ 1611Insurance, bond or self-insurance requiredIn force
1. Insurance, bond or self-insurance required. The Secretary of State may not register any motor vehicle for rent, lease, hire or livery and a person may not operate or cause to be operated on any public way in the State such a motor vehicle until the owner or owners of that vehicle procure insurance or a bond covering the operation of that vehicle by: A. Presenting a valid and sufficient insurance policy from: (1) An insurance company authorized by the Superintendent of Insurance to transact business in this State; or (2) With the approval of the Secretary of State, an insurance company authorized to transact business in any state that provides an indemnity bond bonding the insurance company in an amount the Secretary of State prescribes and having as surety a surety company authorized by the Superintendent of Insurance to transact business in this State; [PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. B, §5 (AFF).] B.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-30 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at legislature.maine.gov
Cited in 7 court opinions in our collectionLatest citing opinion in our collection: 2010
Opinions citing this section in our collection:
- State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Co. v. Koshy (Supreme Judicial Court of Maine 2010, 995 A.2d 651)“…financial responsibility obligations. See 29-A M.R.S. § 1611 (2009). 10 . Koshy…”
- Ashe v. Enterprise Rent-A-Car (Supreme Judicial Court of Maine 2003, 838 A.2d 1157)“…version of the statute contains nearly identical language. 29-A M.R.S.A. § 1611 (1996 & Supp.2003). [¶ 11] Ashe…”
- Ruotolo v. Paul (Superior Court of Maine 2008)“…ion of material facts. 2 This is required by Maine law. See 29-A M.R.S. §§ 1611(1), (3).…”
Identified automatically from the court opinions citing this section — not a ranking of which case controls.
Maine Revised Statutes, Title 24-A: MAINE INSURANCE CODE, Chapter 39: CASUALTY INSURANCE CONTRACTS
§ 2902Uninsured vehicle coverage; insolvency of insurerIn force
1. A policy insuring against liability arising out of the ownership, maintenance or use of any motor vehicle may not be delivered or issued for delivery in this State with respect to any such vehicle registered or principally garaged in this State, unless coverage is provided in the policy or supplemental to the policy for the protection of persons insured under the policy who are legally entitled to recover damages from owners or operators of uninsured, underinsured or hit-and-run motor vehicles, for bodily injury, sickness or disease, including death, sustained by an insured person resulting from the ownership, maintenance or use of such uninsured, underinsured or hit-and-run motor vehicle. The coverage required by this section may be referred to as "uninsured vehicle coverage." For the purposes of this section, "underinsured motor vehicle" means a motor vehicle for which coverage is provided, but in amounts less than the minimum limits for bodily injury liability insurance provided for under the motorist's financial responsibility laws of this State or less than the limits of the injured party's uninsured vehicle coverage. 2.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-30 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at legislature.maine.gov
Cited in 81 court opinions in our collectionLatest citing opinion in our collection: 2022
Opinions citing this section in our collection:
- Beal v. Allstate Insurance Co. (Supreme Judicial Court of Maine 2010, 989 A.2d 733)“…policy and Maine’s underinsured motorist coverage statute, 24-A M.R.S. § 2902 (2009). [¶ 2] Patricia Ruth Beal…”
- James M. Dickau v. Vermont Mutual Insurance Co. (Supreme Judicial Court of Maine 2014, 107 A.3d 621)“…ages caused by a party who is uninsured or underinsured. 2 24-A M.R.S. § 2902 (2014). In this way, UM coverage repres…”
- Estate of Michael Lewis v. Concord General Mutual Insurance Company (Supreme Judicial Court of Maine 2014, 87 A.3d 732)“…cover Michael. The Estate deposed 7 Pursuant to 24-A M.R.S. § 2902 (2011), insurers must provide coverage…”
Identified automatically from the court opinions citing this section — not a ranking of which case controls.
Maine Revised Statutes, Title 14: COURT PROCEDURE -- CIVIL, Part 7: PARTICULAR PROCEEDINGS, Chapter 741: TORT CLAIMS
§ 8107Notice to governmental entityIn forcecited in 5 of our articles
1. Notice requirements for filing. Within 365 days after any claim or cause of action permitted by this chapter accrues, or at a later time within the limits of section 8110, when a claimant shows good cause why notice could not have reasonably been filed within the 365-day limit, a claimant or a claimant's personal representative or attorney shall file a written notice containing: A. The name and address of the claimant, and the name and address of the claimant's attorney or other representative, if any; [PL 1989, c. 327 (AMD).] B. A concise statement of the basis of the claim, including the date, time, place and circumstances of the act, omission or occurrence complained of; [PL 1977, c. 2, §2 (NEW).] C. The name and address of any governmental employee involved, if known; [PL 1977, c. 2, §2 (NEW).] D. A concise statement of the nature and extent of the injury claimed to have been suffered; and [PL 1977, c. 2, §2 (NEW).] E. A statement of the amount of monetary damages claimed. [PL 1977, c. 2, §2 (NEW).] 2. Incapacity.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-30 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at legislature.maine.gov
Cited in 100 court opinions in our collectionLatest citing opinion in our collection: 2025
Opinions citing this section in our collection:
- Darling v. Augusta Mental Health Institute (Supreme Judicial Court of Maine 1987, 535 A.2d 421)“…orney General notice pursuant to the Maine Tort Claims Act, 14 M.R.S.A. § 8107 (1980), of a claim against AMHI, Commis…”
- Beaulieu v. the Aube Corp. (Supreme Judicial Court of Maine 2002, 796 A.2d 683)“…period was modeled after the Maine Tort Claims Act (MTCA), 14 M.R.S.A. § 8107. 7 Report of a Study by th…”
- Heber v. Lucerne-In-Maine Village Corp. (Supreme Judicial Court of Maine 2000, 2000 Me. 137)“…to follow the MTCA’s notice requirements. See 14 M.R.S.A. § 8107. These arguments are not persuasive.…”
Identified automatically from the court opinions citing this section — not a ranking of which case controls.
Also relied on in: Maine Statute of Limitations: Filing Deadlines by Case Type, Motorcycle Accident Laws in Maine (2026): Deadlines & Helmets, Truck Accident Laws in Maine (2026): Deadlines & Liability
Maine Revised Statutes, Title 14: COURT PROCEDURE -- CIVIL, Part 2: PROCEEDINGS BEFORE TRIAL, Chapter 205: LIMITATION OF ACTIONS
§ 752Six yearsIn forcecited in 9 of our articles
All civil actions shall be commenced within 6 years after the cause of action accrues and not afterwards, except actions on a judgment or decree of any court of record of the United States, or of any state, or of a justice of the peace in this State, and except as otherwise specially provided.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-09-08 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at legislature.maine.gov
Cited in 286 court opinions in our collectionLatest citing opinion in our collection: 2026
Opinions citing this section in our collection:
- McAfee v. Cole (Supreme Judicial Court of Maine 1994, 637 A.2d 463)“…general six-year limitations period for all civil actions, 14 M.R.S.A. § 752 (1980). After the order of dismissal, M…”
- Myrick v. James (Supreme Judicial Court of Maine 1982, 444 A.2d 987)“…om the purview of the general six year limitations statute, 14 M.R.S.A. § 752, and situated them in a position simila…”
- Fortin v. Roman Catholic Bishop of Portland (Supreme Judicial Court of Maine 2005, 871 A.2d 1208)“…tends that the six-year statute of limitations set forth in 14 M.R.S.A. § 752 (2003) applies to this case. The Dioces…”
Identified automatically from the court opinions citing this section — not a ranking of which case controls.
Also relied on in: Maine Debt Collection Laws: Wage Garnishment, Statute of Limitations, and Repossession, Maine Final Paycheck Laws: Deadline and Double Damages, Maine Scam and Fraud Laws: Where to Report, Your Right to Sue (2026)
Maine Revised Statutes, Title 18-C: PROBATE CODE, Part 8: GENERAL PROVISIONS CONCERNING PROBATE AND NONPROBATE TRANSFERS
§ 2-807Actions for wrongful deathIn forcecited in 7 of our articles
1. Liability notwithstanding death. Whenever the death of a person is caused by a wrongful act, neglect or default, and the act, neglect or default is such as would, if death had not ensued, have entitled the party injured to maintain an action and recover damages in respect thereof, then the person or the corporation that would have been liable if death had not ensued is liable for damages as provided in this section, notwithstanding the death of the person injured and although the death was caused under circumstances that amount to a felony. 2. Wrongful death action; damages; limitations. Every wrongful death action must be brought by and in the name of the personal representative or special administrator of the deceased person, and is distributable, after payment for funeral expenses and the costs of recovery including attorney's fees, directly to the decedent's heirs without becoming part of the probate estate, except as may be specifically provided in this subsection.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-09-06 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at legislature.maine.gov
Also relied on in: Maine Wrongful Death Laws (2026): Deadlines & Who Can Sue
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Sources and References
- 29-A M.R.S. §1601 and §1611 — financial responsibility mandate(legislature.maine.gov).gov
- 29-A M.R.S. §1605(1) — minimum 50/100/25 liability limits(legislature.maine.gov).gov
- 24-A M.R.S. §2902 — mandatory uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage(legislature.maine.gov).gov
- 14 M.R.S. §156 — modified comparative fault (50% bar)(legislature.maine.gov).gov
- 14 M.R.S. §752 — 6-year personal-injury statute of limitations(legislature.maine.gov).gov
- 14 M.R.S. §8107 — Maine Tort Claims Act, 365-day notice of claim(legislature.maine.gov).gov
- 18-C M.R.S. §2-807 — wrongful death, 3-year limitation period(legislature.maine.gov)
- 29-A M.R.S. §1611 — insurance required for vehicles for rent, lease, hire or livery(legislature.maine.gov)
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