Car Accident Statute of Limitations in Maine
Last verified 2026-07 · Source: 14 M.R.S. § 752 ✓ verified · 3 sources
The deadline
6 years
from the date the cause of action accrues — normally the date of the accident, under 14 M.R.S. § 752.
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The deadline to file a car accident lawsuit in Maine is 6 years, set by 14 M.R.S. § 752. It starts running on the date the cause of action accrues — normally the date of the accident. This page covers the exceptions, the government-claim trap, and the steps to take before time runs out.
Maine Deadlines for Related Claims
| Claim type | Deadline | Statute |
|---|---|---|
| Car Accident | 6 years | 14 M.R.S. § 752 |
| Credit Card Debt | 6 yrs | 14 M.R.S. § 752 |
| Medical Malpractice | 3 yrs | 24 M.R.S. § 2902 |
| Wrongful Death | 3 yrs | Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 18-C, § 2-807 |
| Personal Injury | 6 yrs | Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 14, § 752 |
| Dog Bite | 6 yrs | 7 M.R.S. § 3961 |
| Slip and Fall | 6 yrs | 14 M.R.S. § 752 |
| Defamation | 2 yrs | 14 M.R.S. § 753 |
| Breach of Contract | 6 yrs | Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 14, § 752 |
| Medical Debt | 6 yrs | 14 M.R.S. § 752 |
When the Clock Starts
In Maine, the limitations period for car accident lawsuits generally begins on the date the cause of action accrues — normally the date of the accident. Maine does not apply a general discovery rule to this claim type — the date of the event controls, which makes early action critical.
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Exceptions That Can Extend the Deadline
- Minors: the clock is generally paused while the injured person is under 18.
- Fraudulent concealment: if the defendant actively hid the wrongdoing, the deadline may be extended until it was or should have been uncovered.
- Defendant leaves the state: absence can pause the clock in many circumstances.
- Government-claim trap: Under the Maine Tort Claims Act, a written notice of claim must be filed with the governmental entity within 365 days after the cause of action accrues, and any lawsuit must be brought within 2 years (14 M.R.S. §§ 8107(1), 8110).
Maine's 6-year general limitation is among the longest in the nation, but claims against government entities carry a far shorter 365-day notice deadline (extended from 180 days in 2019) and a 2-year suit limit under the Maine Tort Claims Act.
Source: 14 M.R.S. § 752, official Maine statute · verified 2026-07
What to Do Before the Deadline Runs
- Pin down your accrual date — the day the clock started — and calendar the deadline conservatively.
- Preserve evidence now: photos, records, witness contacts, bills. Evidence decays faster than deadlines.
- Send preservation/notice letters where required (especially for Maine government defendants).
- If the deadline is inside 6 months, treat it as urgent — filing suit is the only reliable way to stop the clock.
How Maine Compares to Nearby States
| State | Deadline | Statute |
|---|---|---|
| Maine | 6 years | 14 M.R.S. § 752 |
| New Hampshire | 3 yrs | N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 508:4, I |
| Massachusetts | 3 yrs | Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 260, § 2A |
| Vermont | 3 yrs | Vt. Stat. Ann. tit. 12, § 512 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to file a car accident lawsuit in Maine?
You have 6 years from the date the cause of action accrues — normally the date of the accident, under 14 M.R.S. § 752.
Can I still sue after 6 years in Maine?
Usually no — courts dismiss claims filed after the statute of limitations expires. Narrow exceptions (tolling for minors, fraudulent concealment) can extend the deadline; whether one applies depends on your facts.
What if the victim was a minor?
Maine generally pauses ("tolls") the deadline while the injured person is under 18, giving them time to file after reaching adulthood. Special limits can still apply, so check the statute.
Is the deadline different for claims against the government?
Under the Maine Tort Claims Act, a written notice of claim must be filed with the governmental entity within 365 days after the cause of action accrues, and any lawsuit must be brought within 2 years (14 M.R.S. §§ 8107(1), 8110).
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Sources
- Official 14 M.R.S. § 752 Six years — Maine Legislature, Revised Statutes
- Corroborating Justia: Maine Revised Statutes 14 § 752 — Six years
- Corroborating FindLaw: Maine Revised Statutes Title 14 § 752
- Verified 2026-07 under our 4-step process — every line checked against the sources above. How we verify
This page is legal information, not legal advice. Deadlines have exceptions that depend on your facts — confirm with a licensed Maine attorney.