Maine · Deadline to sue · Updated Oct 2026
Deadline to sue after a car accident in Maine
Time limits, government claims and a calculator.
Short answer
In Maine, you generally have 6 years from the crash to sue, for car damage and for an injury. For a claim against a Maine government body, you must file a written notice of claim within 365 days (14 M.R.S. § 8107), and small claims court can't hear personal injury claims against a city or town.
- Property damage (your car)
- 6 years
- Injury
- 6 years
- Law
- 14 M.R.S. § 752 (general 6-year limit)
- Small claims limit
- $10,000
Claims against a government in Maine
- For a claim against a Maine government body, you must file a written notice of claim within 365 days (14 M.R.S. § 8107), and small claims court can't hear personal injury claims against a city or town.
More facts for Maine
- Maine's deadline to sue for car crash injuries and damage is 6 years, much longer than most states (14 M.R.S. § 752).
Deadline to sue in Maine
Protecting your deadline in Maine
- Deadline for both kinds of claim in Maine: 6 years.
- If a government was involved, act fast. For a claim against a Maine government body, you must file a written notice of claim within 365 days (14 M.R.S. § 8107), and small claims court can't hear personal injury claims against a city or town.
- Small claims, for car damage up to $10,000: Maine small claims guide on Small Claims Map
- Don't wait for the insurer: talks with an adjuster don't stop the clock.
Free help in Maine
Questions about deadlines to sue in Maine
How long do you have to sue after a car accident in Maine?
6 years from the crash, for car damage and for an injury (14 M.R.S. § 752 (general 6-year limit)).
How do claims against a government work in Maine?
For a claim against a Maine government body, you must file a written notice of claim within 365 days (14 M.R.S. § 8107), and small claims court can't hear personal injury claims against a city or town.
What is the small claims limit in Maine?
$10,000 since January 1, 2026 (was $6,000).
More for Maine drivers
- All car accident rules in Maine
- Comparative fault
- Reporting a crash
- Uninsured driver
- Deadlines to sue in every state
- Small claims court for car damage
- Fault and payout explainer
- Insurance claim letter
- Police report request letter
Nearby states
- 29-A M.R.S. § 2251 Accident reports
- 29-A M.R.S. § 1605 Proof of financial responsibility
- 29-A M.R.S. § 1605-B Towing and storage
- 29-A M.R.S. § 1601 Financial responsibility; penalty
- 24-A M.R.S. § 2902 Uninsured vehicle coverage
- 14 M.R.S. § 156 Comparative negligence
- 14 M.R.S. § 752 Six years
- 14 M.R.S. § 8107 Notice to governmental entity
- 24-A M.R.S. § 2436 Interest on overdue payments
- Maine Bureau of Insurance: Consumer's Guide to Personal Auto Insurance
- Maine Crash Reporting System FAQ
Last checked: Oct 24, 2026.