Find Page

Maine Semi Tractor Trailer Accident Attorneys

If you are seriously injured because a semi-truck collided with you, you may be seeking damages and wish to consult with several different Maine Semi Truck Accident Lawyers before you make the decision to have a Semi Truck Accident Attorneys Maine represent your case.

Be aware that while a Semi Truck Accident Attorneys Maine may have had years of experience handling automobile accident cases, not all Semi Truck Accident Lawyer in Maine have dealt with many cases involving semi-trucks. Maine Semi Truck Accident Lawyers should know the laws and regulations unique to truck accident cases pertaining to subjects such as drug and alcohol testing, heavy duty truck systems, and the transportation of hazardous materials. For example, all Maine Semi Truck Accident Lawyers should be aware that about one in four semis that are inspected are out of service, but only one in sixteen semis carrying hazardous materials are out of service—in essence, it's possible for the average over-the-road truck to operate more safely if the driver and the truck company carrying non-hazardous materials were to take the same time to inspect and maintain their vehicles as hazmat carriers routinely do.

It would be to your advantage to educate yourself on the fundamentals of truck accident law before speaking with Maine Semi Truck Accident Lawyers. A good Semi Truck Accident Attorneys Maine should be familiar with the federal laws and regulations governing both interstate and intrastate commercial motor vehicle law. For instance, an experienced Maine Semi Truck Accident Attorneys will know that a truck driver's commercial driver's license will be suspended for major violations such as violating a driver or vehicle out-of-service order while transporting hazardous materials, leaving the scene of an accident or driving under the influence of alcohol or a controlled substance. It can also be suspended for a series of minor violations such as making improper or erratic lane changes, failing to obey a traffic control device or the directions of an enforcement official at a railroad crossing, or speeding excessively.

There are some occasions when a truck is involved in intrastate travel only, such as when a store in Augusta delivers freight locally.

The Maine Department of Public Safety abides by the majority of Title 49, Parts 382-384 and 390-399 of the federal regulations.

To learn more about federal laws that apply to all commercial semi-trucks to aid you in your research on Maine Semi Truck Accident Lawyers, click here.

The following paragraphs document certain regulations which apply only to vehicles operating within Maine. Our Maine Semi Truck Accident Lawyers have compiled an overview of
these regulations for your convenience.

Driver Qualification:

Maine has adopted Part 391 of the Federal Regulations with some exceptions. Intrastate motor carriers operating less than 100 air miles from their regular place of business and not hauling hazardous materials in a quantity requiring placarding, are exempt from Part 391.

Intrastate drivers must be at least 18 years old to drive beyond a 100-air-mile radius, and at least 21 years old to haul hazardous materials in a quantity requiring placarding.

Hours of Service:

Maine has adopted Part 390 of the Federal Regulations with one notable difference. Intrastate motor carriers operating less than 100 air miles from their place of business, and not hauling hazardous materials requiring placarding, are exempt from Part 395.

Loads:

Maine has adopted Part 393 of the Federal Regulations in its entirety, including regulations dealing with projecting (sec. 393.87) and shifting or falling (sec. 393.100-393.106) loads. During darkness, vehicles carrying logs that project more than 4 feet from the rear of the vehicle must display a red reflector or reflective paint on the end of the log projecting furthest to the rear.

Crash reports are available from:

Bureau of State Police
Traffic Division
State House Station 20
Augusta, ME 04333
(207) 624-8944

If you have been involved in a tractor-trailer accident and it is your desire to contact a Maine Semi Truck Accident Attorneys privately to obtain more information about truck accident law and how to find a Maine Semi Truck Accident Attorneys, click here. If you would like to speak with one of our Semitruck Accident Lawyers Maine please don't hesitate to call our office.


If you have been involved in a truck accident in Maine, contact one of our Maine lawyers or attorneys to help you with more information or to answer any questions you have.

In the event this material is not deemed to fully comply with the provisions of the rules of professional conduct of any particular state, this firm will not accept clients or representation that derive from the distribution of this material within those jurisdictions.

"About one in sixteen (6.1%) hazmat inspections results in an out of service determination."

Learn more about State and Federal Trucking Laws