Getting sideswiped on I-295 or T-boned at a Portland intersection is bad enough. It gets worse when the other driver speeds off. When the at-fault party disappears, you might wonder who pays for your medical bills and car repairs. This is exactly why understanding how to file an uninsured motorist claim after a Maine hit and run matters. Under state law, a fleeing driver is treated as an uninsured motorist. Your own auto insurance policy steps in to cover your losses through your uninsured motorist (UM) coverage.

What does uninsured motorist coverage handle after a crash?

In Maine, UM coverage is mandatory. It pays for bodily injury when the person who hit you has no insurance or leaves the scene. If a car swerves into your lane and forces you off the road without actually touching your vehicle, this is called a phantom vehicle accident. You can still file a UM claim for these situations, though proving the phantom car existed requires strong evidence. Working with someone who knows the local rules, like a legal professional dealing with phantom vehicle crashes, can help you gather the right proof before the insurance company denies the claim.

What must I do at the scene to protect my claim?

Maine law requires you to report a hit and run to the police to trigger your UM coverage. If you skip this step, your insurance provider will likely deny your request for compensation.

  • Call 911 or the local non-emergency police line immediately.
  • Write down everything you remember about the fleeing car, including the license plate, color, make, and model.
  • Look for witnesses. Bystanders or nearby business owners with security cameras are your best defense against a denied claim.
  • Take photos of your vehicle damage, the surrounding area, and your injuries.
  • Go to a doctor right away, even if you feel fine. Adrenaline masks pain, and a medical record created on the day of the crash directly links your injuries to the event.

How do I notify my insurance company?

Call your insurance agent as soon as you leave the scene or the hospital. Tell them you were in a hit and run and want to open an uninsured motorist claim. You will need to provide the police report number once it is available. The insurance company will assign an adjuster to investigate. They might ask for a recorded statement. Be polite but stick to the facts. Do not guess or speculate about details you do not know. If your injuries are severe, you might want a local lawyer to handle communications with the adjuster so you do not accidentally say something that lowers your payout.

What if the police catch the driver later?

Sometimes the police track down the fleeing driver a few days or weeks later. You might think this changes everything, but if the driver has no insurance or assets, your situation remains largely the same. You might wonder what happens when the fleeing driver is caught but lacks coverage. In short, you still rely on your own UM policy to pay your medical bills and lost wages. You can pursue the driver personally, but collecting money from someone with no assets is difficult.

What are the most common mistakes people make?

Insurance companies look for reasons to reduce claim payouts. Avoid these common errors:

  • Failing to get a police report.
  • Waiting weeks to seek medical attention, which gives the adjuster an excuse to argue your injuries happened somewhere else.
  • Accepting the first settlement offer before you know the full extent of your medical treatment.
  • Posting about the crash or your recovery on social media. Adjusters monitor these accounts to find contradictions.

What are the Maine coverage limits?

Maine has specific minimum coverage requirements. According to the Maine Bureau of Insurance, every auto policy must include at least $50,000 per person and $100,000 per accident for uninsured motorist bodily injury coverage. If your medical bills exceed these limits, you might also use your Medical Payments coverage or health insurance to bridge the gap.

Next steps: Your post-accident checklist

Keep this list handy if you are dealing with the aftermath of a crash:

  1. Secure the police report: Request a copy from the responding law enforcement agency and give it to your insurance adjuster.
  2. Follow your treatment plan: Attend all physical therapy and doctor appointments to document your recovery.
  3. Keep a file of expenses: Save every receipt for rental cars, towing, medications, and medical copays.
  4. Track your lost wages: Ask your employer for a letter detailing the time you missed from work due to your injuries.
  5. Review all documents: Read every release form or settlement offer carefully before signing.