Maine Hit and Run Laws (2026 Guide)

Last verified: January 2026. This guide reflects current Maine Revised Statutes Title 29-A. Always consult a licensed attorney for legal advice specific to your situation.

📑 Table of Contents (click to expand)

Quick Summary

  • Governing statutes: Title 29-A, Sections 2252 (injury/death) and 2253 (vehicle damage)
  • Class C felony: Accidents resulting in serious bodily injury or death
  • Maximum felony penalty: Up to 5 years in prison, $5,000 fine
  • Class D crime (injury): Up to 1 year in jail, $2,000 fine, 90-day license suspension
  • Class E crime (property damage): Up to 6 months in jail, $1,000 fine
  • Reportable accident threshold: $1,000 or more in property damage, any injury, or death
  • Fault system: Maine follows “modified comparative fault” rules

Maine Hit and Run Statutes

Maine addresses hit and run offenses through two primary statutes in Title 29-A of the Maine Revised Statutes:

Section 2252: Accidents Involving Death or Personal Injury

This statute governs all accidents that result in injury or death to any person. It requires drivers to stop immediately, remain at the scene, exchange information, and render reasonable assistance to anyone who is injured.

Section 2253: Accidents Involving Vehicle Damage

This statute covers accidents that result in damage to an attended vehicle. The driver must stop, remain at the scene, and provide required information to the other operator or occupants.

Under Maine law, if you are involved in an accident, you must:

  • Stop immediately at the scene of the accident or stop as close as possible and return immediately
  • Remain at the scene and provide the following information:
    • Your name and address
    • Your vehicle registration number
    • An opportunity to examine your driver’s license (if requested and available)
    • Evidence of liability insurance or financial responsibility (if requested)
  • Render reasonable assistance to any injured person (for accidents under Section 2252)
  • Report the accident immediately by the quickest means if it is a “reportable accident”

Do not move the vehicle if the accident results in death or serious injury until investigators authorize you to do so, unless leaving it in place would create additional danger.

Misdemeanor Hit and Run in Maine

Class E Crime (Vehicle Damage Only)

Under Section 2253, if you fail to stop and comply with legal requirements after an accident that damages an attended vehicle, you commit a Class E crime. In Maine, a Class E crime is punishable by:

  • Up to 6 months in jail
  • A fine of up to $1,000

Class D Crime (Personal Injury)

Under Section 2252(4), failing to comply with the law after an accident involving personal injury (but not serious bodily injury or death) is a Class D crime, punishable by:

  • Up to 1 year in jail
  • A fine of up to $2,000
  • License suspension for up to 90 days

Note on Insurance: Failure to provide proof of insurance upon request is a traffic infraction, not a crime. The charge may be dismissed if you later show proof that insurance was in effect at the time of the accident.

Felony Hit and Run in Maine (Class C Crime)

Under Section 2252(5), hit and run becomes a Class C felony when the driver “intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly” fails to comply with the law and the accident resulted in:

  • Serious bodily injury (as defined in Title 17-A, Section 2, subsection 23), or
  • Death

A Class C crime in Maine carries:

  • Up to 5 years in prison
  • A fine of up to $5,000
  • License suspension for up to 90 days

DUI Enhancement: If the driver was under the influence of alcohol or drugs at the time of the accident, this is also charged as a Class C crime regardless of the severity of injuries.

Maine Hit and Run Penalties Summary

Offense Crime Class Maximum Jail/Prison Maximum Fine License Suspension
Vehicle damage only Class E 6 months $1,000 Possible
Personal injury (minor) Class D 1 year $2,000 Up to 90 days
Serious injury or death Class C (felony) 5 years $5,000 Up to 90 days
DUI hit and run Class C (felony) 5 years $5,000 Up to 90 days
No proof of insurance Traffic infraction N/A $100-$500 Up to 30 days

Maine Crash Statistics

According to data from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for 2023:

  • Total motor vehicle deaths: 135 fatalities
  • Death rate: 9.7 per 100,000 population (below the national average of 12.2)
  • Deaths per 100 million miles traveled: 0.91 (one of the lowest rates in the nation)
  • Pedestrian fatalities: 19 deaths (14% of all traffic deaths)
  • Single-vehicle crashes: 67% of fatalities occurred in single-vehicle accidents
  • Alcohol involvement: Approximately 28% of fatally injured drivers tested positive for BAC of 0.08% or higher

Maine’s relatively low fatality rate compared to other states reflects a combination of factors including lower population density, lower speed limits in many areas, and effective traffic safety programs.

How Fault Is Determined in Maine

Maine follows a “modified comparative fault” rule (Title 14, Section 156). Under this system:

  • You can only recover damages if you are less than 50% at fault for the accident
  • If you are 50% or more responsible, you are barred from recovering any compensation
  • If you are less than 50% at fault, your recovery is reduced by your percentage of responsibility

Important: Never admit fault at the scene of an accident. Fault determination is the responsibility of investigators, insurance adjusters, and the courts. Statements you make at the scene can be used against you in both criminal and civil proceedings.

Possible Defenses to Hit and Run Charges

Depending on the specific circumstances, these defenses may apply:

  • Lack of knowledge: You were genuinely unaware that an accident occurred
  • Fear for safety: You left the scene due to a reasonable belief that remaining would result in physical harm
  • Emergency: You needed immediate medical attention yourself
  • No injury or damage: The other party suffered no actual injury and indicated they did not need assistance
  • Mistaken identity: You were not the driver at the time of the accident
  • Involuntary departure: You left the scene involuntarily due to circumstances beyond your control

If you leave the scene for any legitimate reason, report to the nearest police station immediately.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a “reportable accident” in Maine?

Under Section 2251, any accident that results in injury, death, or property damage exceeding $1,000 must be reported to law enforcement immediately by the quickest means available.

What if I hit a parked car and cannot find the owner?

If the damage appears to be less than $1,000, you may leave a note in a conspicuous place on the vehicle containing your name, address, and contact information. If damage exceeds $1,000, you must also report the accident to police.

Can I be charged with hit and run even if I was not at fault?

Yes. The obligation to stop, remain, exchange information, and render aid applies to all drivers involved in an accident, regardless of who caused it.

What is the statute of limitations for hit and run civil claims?

In Maine, the statute of limitations for personal injury claims is 6 years. For property damage claims, it is also 6 years. These are among the longest limitation periods in the country.

Will I lose my license if convicted?

Yes. A conviction for hit and run involving injury or death results in license suspension for up to 90 days. Additional suspensions may apply for underlying offenses such as DUI.

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