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Hurt in a Car Accident?

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A car accident can happen at any moment, resulting in life-changing injuries or even casualties. An injury can change the entire dynamics of your life. When you suffer an injury as the result of someone else’s careless actions, you may be entitled to compensation that could help you move forward.

However, navigating the legal system and dealing with insurance companies can be incredibly difficult, especially when you’re trying to recover from serious injuries. Our Portland, ME, car accident lawyers at Lowry & Associates have helped countless injured victims and their families and communities across the state receive the justice and compensation they deserve. If you’ve been injured in a Portland, ME, car accident that wasn’t your fault, we may be able to help you, too. All you have to do is call us!

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We Make It Easy

We will begin reviewing your case as soon as you contact us. From there, it’s all up to us. We take care of everything, so you can focus on recovering from your injuries.

You Deserve Compensation

You deserve compensation for your losses. Our lawyers may be able to help you get every dollar you are owed.

No Fee Unless We Win

Wondering if you can afford to hire an attorney? You can! It costs nothing to retain our services and we work on a contingency-fee basis, so you won’t owe us a dime unless we win for you.

Sad businesswoman driver sitting in car

We Understand What You’re Going Through

Our team knows firsthand just how much a car accident can take out of a person. Many of our clients come to us on the worst day of their lives. We see the challenges these victims have to face every day — the pain, the bills, everything. We want you to know we understand that what you’re experiencing is incredibly difficult. We’re here to make it easier.

Our Portland, ME, car accident lawyers care about you and what you’re going through. We want you to know we will be here for you throughout the entirety of your case. Our goal is to make your experience with us as comfortable and successful as possible. Let us deal with the insurance adjusters and paperwork, while you prioritize your recovery.

Do I Have a Case?

Car accident case circumstances can vary, but they all involve an accident that was caused by someone’s carelessness and led to injuries that significantly impacted the driver’s life, financially or otherwise.

  • Spinal cord injuries
  • Traumatic brain injury
  • Amputations
  • Back and neck injuries
  • Broken bones
  • Concussion
  • Bruises and cuts

While these are the most common injuries and causes of car accidents that make up car accident injury cases for our law firm, the list is not exhaustive. Any accident that was caused by another driver’s carelessness and resulted in property damage or injuries for you may be considered a valid car accident injury case.

The statute of limitations is the time frame you have to file a claim or lawsuit. In car accident injury cases in Maine, you have six years from the date of your accident to file a car accident lawsuit for the compensation you deserve. If you fail to take action within that time frame, you may not be able to receive any compensation at all. For cases against a city, county, or state government agency, you have 180 days to file a formal claim and two years to file a lawsuit.

That said, there are several exceptions to the statute of limitations that may apply to your case. While that may seem like a lot of time, car accident injury cases can move pretty quickly. To avoid missing the important filing deadlines for your case, it is advisable to contact our experienced car accident injury attorneys to help you navigate the formalities of the legal system.

In legal terms, negligence is a failure to act with a reasonable amount of care. With car accident injury cases, drivers are expected to act with care in following the rules of the road, obeying posted traffic signs, and driving while awake and alert. Failure to act with care could be driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, speeding, ignoring posted traffic signs, or driving recklessly. To establish fault after a car accident, your Portland, ME, car accident lawyer will have to prove that the other driver breached their duty of care and that it led to your accident and subsequent injuries, such as proving that the other driver ran a red light and collided with your car, causing your injuries and property damage.

Need Help After an Accident? We Make It Easy!

Our lawyers are here to help you fight for the compensation you deserve.

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Woman with shocked face looking on her damaged car, holding head in hands. Car accident with frontal impact. Red traffic light is on background.

Is This What Happened to You?

No two car accidents are alike, and injuries can range from common to rare. What really matters after an accident is the pain and suffering the injury causes and how it affects your day-to-day life. While countless injuries can result from a car wreck, some notable types of injuries include:

  • Traumatic brain injuries, such as contusions, comas, and diffuse axonal injuries.
  • Spinal cord injuries.
  • Broken bones
  • Whiplash
  • Soft tissue injuries, including tendons, muscles, and ligaments that are torn due to the accident.

Some injuries, such as bruises, are minor, while others can take months or even years to heal. The severity of the injury and the overall recovery time will determine the compensation you or your loved one might receive.

Reasons Car Accidents Happen

Every year, 3 million people are injured in car accidents. A car accident can be caused by a number of reasons, but there are a few reasons our car accident lawyers see more often than others. If any of these sounds like what happened to you, we may be able to help you with your claim.

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How Can a Lawyer Help?

Accident claims can be confusing, especially if you’re suffering from injuries, pain, and stress. You could be at a disadvantage taking on your case by yourself, and you could end up accepting a settlement that’s far less than you deserve. Having an experienced lawyer on your side helps you navigate the legal system surrounding car accident injury claims and focus more on your recovery than dealing with an insurance company and defense attorneys.

Your lawyer will gather evidence, investigate the claim, and do all the legwork for you, and may be able to seek compensation you didn’t know you deserved. Depending on the circumstances of your case, you may be entitled to loss of income, loss of earning capacity, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment in life. Our experienced Portland, ME, car accident lawyers understand the ins and outs of personal injury law and can determine which types of compensation are appropriate for your case. Your attorney will negotiate a fair settlement with the insurance company to seek the maximum compensation you’re entitled to on your behalf. Though most cases are settled out of court, some cases need to go through the court process. If your case does need to proceed to court you will have an experienced advocate by your side the whole way.

Statute of Limitations in Maine

When filing a lawsuit against the person responsible for your accident, it is important to remember you are on a deadline. Each state has a statute of limitations that dictates the amount of time an individual has to file a civil lawsuit for a personal injury.

In the state of Maine, the car accident statute of limitations is usually six years. However, there are a number of exceptions that can require certain notices to be filed within a matter of months. There are also other notice filing deadlines under insurance policies that can be as short as 30 days. Even if there is not a deadline in the near future, it is important to seek legal advice as soon as possible to protect your rights.

An injured man looking through his medical bills after a car accident.

How Much Money Can I Get?

Compensation in a car accident injury claim is influenced by many factors, including the extent of your injuries and the total amount of your expenses. If you were injured because of someone else, you may be entitled to compensation for:

  • Medical expenses, such as hospitalization, surgery, physical therapy, and medications.
  • Loss of income from missing time at work and lost sick or vacation days. If you’re no longer able to work the same job, you may be entitled to loss of future income.
  • Property damage for the repair or replacement costs of your vehicle.

In some cases, you may be entitled to non-economic damages like pain and suffering or emotional distress, but these cases are much harder to prove. If you suffered extreme emotional distress and trauma from your accident, lost interest in hobbies or activities you once enjoyed, or experienced a strain on your relationship with your spouse or family, you may be entitled to non-economic damages. Lowry & Associates has plenty of experience pursuing pain and suffering and other non-economic damages as part of settlements and will be a dedicated advocate for your rights.

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How to Prove Negligence

Auto accident claims are ultimately determined by the legal concept of negligence. In order to prove negligence, you must:

  • Prove the liable party acted in a way that was without care or concern for the safety of others.
  • Prove the liable party’s reckless actions directly caused your accident.
  • Prove the accident caused by the liable party was the direct cause of your injuries and losses.

Trying to prove all this without a law degree is immensely difficult. Why should you spend your valuable time sifting through evidence when you don’t have to? Our Portland, ME, car accident lawyers are experienced in proving negligence in car accident claims. Contact us today to find out how we might be able to help you.

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What Comes Next?

Call Lowry & Associates at 207-775-3819 to share your story. Our compassionate team of attorneys are here to listen to you. If it is determined that you have a case, we will get started right away.

We’ll gather the evidence to build you the strongest case possible. This can include collecting witness statements, police reports, medical bills, and even working with specialists to reconstruct your accident.

We’ll be your loyal advocates and negotiate with the insurance company to seek the fair compensation you deserve for all your injuries.

If the insurance company makes a settlement offer, we’ll go over your options with you. If you accept, we’ll get you your check as soon as possible.

Injured in a Car Accident? We Can Help!

The experienced team of Portland, ME, car accident lawyers at Lowry & Associates can help you seek the compensation you deserve for your injuries and property damage. Call us at 207-775-3819 or fill out the online form to discuss your case.

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FAQs

It’s essential to follow specific steps to ensure the safety of yourself and others. If damages have occurred, following these steps can also help you with your car accident case, if you decide to file a claim or lawsuit.

  • Safety should be the top priority. If you are in a collision, check your surroundings and see if anyone involved was injured.
  • Contact emergency personnel.
  • If it’s possible, take photos of the accident from various angles. They could be used as evidence later on.
  • Do not talk to any insurance companies or make any promises to those involved without speaking to a car accident lawyer first. Making commitments to not contact your insurance company and file a claim can impact your chances of receiving any compensation you’re rightfully owed.
  • Keep any medical records and documents that could be used in your case.
  • Once you have spoken with one of our experienced attorneys, we want you to focus on recovering so that you can return to your life as quickly as possible.

Absolutely! You are required under Maine law to file a police report if there were any injuries in the crash or if the vehicle damage was more than “minor.” A police report can serve as an objective, third-party account of your accident. This will be a crucial piece of evidence you and your attorney can use to determine a fair settlement.

Car accident settlements are based on a number of different factors, including the total amount of medical expenses, lost earnings, mileage for medical appointments, permanent injuries, disfigurement, mental anguish, and pain and suffering.

How much your case is worth depends not only on these things but also on how long and to what extent your injuries have impacted your life. We have developed ways to maximize settlements by focusing on the things that really matter to judges, juries, and insurance companies.

Every case is different and the amount of time it takes to reach a fair settlement will depend on the circumstances of your case. Our Portland, ME, car accident lawyers know how frustrating it can be to wait for the money you need to cover your medical bills and other losses after an accident.

While we always strive to work as quickly and efficiently as possible, we do not cut corners or rush settlements for our clients. Insurance adjusters often try to push “quick, lowball” settlements on injured victims. Our philosophy is to take the time to do what is necessary to help our clients get the best settlement possible.

Nothing! At Lowry & Associates, we work on a contingency-fee basis, which means you won’t owe us a penny unless we win for you.

While you are technically free under the law to represent yourself in any case, the person responsible for your injuries will have powerful insurance companies and lawyers on their side who know how to use the law against you. Their job is simple — to reduce your settlement amount by as much as possible, whether by getting you to sign off on a lowball offer or by assigning blame to you in negotiations or court. Why not have an experienced and trusted Portland, ME, car accident lawyers in your corner who can even the playing field and give you a better chance at getting the compensation you deserve for your injuries?

Negligence is the core issue in just about every car accident case. It basically refers to the irresponsible actions of the defendant. In order to get compensation, your vehicle accident law firm will need to demonstrate three factors. First, we will need to demonstrate that the defendant acted in an unreasonably irresponsible or reckless manner. This is called the “reasonable person standard.” Second, we need to prove that their actions led in some way to the accident. Finally, we’ll need to show that you got hurt as a direct result of the accident.

Comparative negligence means that, if you’re found to bear any responsibility for your accident, your award can be reduced by the same percentage. For example, if your case is worth $200,000, and you’re found to be 25% responsible for what happened, you’ll only receive $150,000 — the total award will be reduced by 25%.

Further, if you bear at least 50% responsibility for the accident, you won’t receive anything for the case at all. That’s why it’s so important to have a Portland, ME, car accident lawyers in your corner to help maximize your settlement.

For the most part, car accident injury claims are settled out of court through negotiation. The reason for this is that going to court is very expensive and time-consuming. It also tends to be an all-or-nothing affair. In negotiation, however, your car wreck lawyer can work toward getting a middle-ground settlement that will satisfy everyone. Still, negotiations sometimes hit a wall, and there’s just no other choice. If your case does end up having to go to court, Lowry & Associates will make sure you have a highly experienced lawyer right there with you to fight for your rights every step of the way.

Every state has a statute of limitations to file an injury lawsuit. This is simply a window of time you have in which you have to file your case. If you file too late, you could lose your rights to get compensated. Maine has a longer statute of limitations than many other states. In our state, you have up to six years from the date of your accident to file a case. Still, it’s important to file sooner rather than later, while the details of the accident and the evidence are all fresh. The sooner you hire a lawyer, the easier it will be to build a case.