Maine Revised Statutes Title 29-A Sec. 2255 – Accidents involving property damage
Current as of: 2023 | Check for updates
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1. Notification. The operator of a vehicle involved in an accident anywhere that results in property damage shall take reasonable steps to notify the owner of that property of the accident. For the purposes of this section, “property damage” includes damage to real and personal property, including but not limited to the injury or death of a dog, a cat or livestock.
[PL 2023, c. 302, §1 (AMD).]
Attorney's Note
Under the Maine Revised Statutes, punishments for crimes depend on the classification. In the case of this section:| Class | Prison | Fine |
|---|---|---|
| Class E crime | up to 6 months | up to $1,000 |
Terms Used In Maine Revised Statutes Title 29-A Sec. 2255
- Answer: The formal written statement by a defendant responding to a civil complaint and setting forth the grounds for defense.
- Bureau: means the Bureau of Motor Vehicles. See Maine Revised Statutes Title 29-A Sec. 101
- Complaint: A written statement by the plaintiff stating the wrongs allegedly committed by the defendant.
- Dismissal: The dropping of a case by the judge without further consideration or hearing. Source:
- Evidence: Information presented in testimony or in documents that is used to persuade the fact finder (judge or jury) to decide the case for one side or the other.
- Law enforcement officer: means a person who by virtue of public employment is vested by law with a duty to maintain public order or to make arrests for crimes, whether that duty extends to all crimes or is limited to specific crimes. See Maine Revised Statutes Title 29-A Sec. 101
- License: includes , but is not limited to, a nonresident operating privilege and the privilege of a person to apply for or obtain a license or permit to operate a motor vehicle. See Maine Revised Statutes Title 29-A Sec. 101
- Municipality: includes cities, towns and plantations, except that "municipality" does not include plantations in Title 10, chapter 110, subchapter IV; or Title 30?A, Part 2. See Maine Revised Statutes Title 1 Sec. 72
- Operator: means an individual who drives or is in control of a vehicle or who is exercising control over or steering a towed vehicle. See Maine Revised Statutes Title 29-A Sec. 101
- Owner: means a person holding title to a vehicle or having exclusive right to the use of the vehicle for a period of 30 days or more. See Maine Revised Statutes Title 29-A Sec. 101
- Person: means an individual, corporation, firm, partnership, joint venture, association, fiduciary, trust, estate or any other legal or commercial entity. See Maine Revised Statutes Title 29-A Sec. 101
- Personal property: All property that is not real property.
- Registration: means the registration certificate, plates and renewal devices pertaining to the registration of a vehicle, including temporary registered gross weight increases. See Maine Revised Statutes Title 29-A Sec. 101
- Summons: Another word for subpoena used by the criminal justice system.
- Traffic: means pedestrians, ridden or herded animals, vehicles, bicycles and other conveyances either singly or together using public way for travel. See Maine Revised Statutes Title 29-A Sec. 101
- Trial: A hearing that takes place when the defendant pleads "not guilty" and witnesses are required to come to court to give evidence.
- Vehicle: means a device for conveyance of persons or property on a way. See Maine Revised Statutes Title 29-A Sec. 101
2. Provide information. The operator shall provide to the property owner:
A. The operator’s name and address; [PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. B, §5 (AFF).]
B. The registration number of the operator’s vehicle; [PL 2013, c. 291, §4 (AMD).]
C. An opportunity to examine the driver’s license if the owner of the property so requests and the license is available; and [PL 2013, c. 291, §4 (AMD).]
D. Evidence of liability insurance or financial responsibility as required by section 1601 if the owner of the property so requests. [PL 2013, c. 291, §4 (NEW).]
If the accident results in the injury or death of a dog, a cat or livestock, the property owner cannot be located and a report of the accident is not required under section 2251, the operator shall take reasonable steps to immediately report the injury or death to a law enforcement officer or the animal control officer for the municipality or region where the property damage occurred.
[PL 2023, c. 302, §2 (AMD).]
3. Violation. A person commits a Class E crime if that person fails to comply with this section, except that a person commits a traffic infraction if that person fails to comply with subsection 2, paragraph D.
[PL 2013, c. 291, §4 (AMD).]
4. Dismissal. The clerk of the District Court Violations Bureau or trial court shall dismiss a Violation Summons and Complaint charging a person with a violation of subsection 2, paragraph D if that person:
A. Shows the issuing law enforcement officer satisfactory evidence of liability insurance or financial responsibility that was in effect at the time of the alleged violation and the issuing officer notifies the violations bureau of that fact; or [PL 2013, c. 291, §4 (NEW).]
B. Files a timely answer to a Violation Summons and Complaint alleging a violation of subsection 2, paragraph D and that person presents to the court at the time of trial satisfactory evidence of liability insurance or financial responsibility that was in effect at the time of the alleged violation. [PL 2013, c. 291, §4 (NEW).]
[PL 2013, c. 291, §4 (NEW).]
SECTION HISTORY
PL 1993, c. 683, §A2 (NEW). PL 1993, c. 683, §B5 (AFF). PL 2013, c. 291, §4 (AMD). PL 2023, c. 302, §§1, 2 (AMD).