Usually six years in Maine for an injury lawsuit - and that surprises people because insurers often act like a hit-and-run claim had to be finished within weeks.

The myth is: no plate, no claim. That is wrong. If the driver who hit you on Route 1, Pleasant Street, or I-295 in Brunswick fled and cannot be identified, that usually gets treated as an uninsured motorist claim under your own auto policy.

But do not confuse Maine's 6-year injury deadline with your policy's notice rules. Your insurer can require prompt notice, and waiting months while medical bills pile up can give them an argument that you hurt the investigation. Report the crash to police right away - in Brunswick that usually means the Brunswick Police Department, and serious crashes may also involve the Maine State Police. If you went to Maine Medical Center or another ER, keep every record and bill.

For a UM claim, the useful proof is often:

• the crash report
• photos of vehicle damage and the scene
• witness names
• 911 records
• medical records tying the injuries to the wreck

Another bad tip: "Just use health insurance and forget the car claim." That can backfire during tax season when collection notices, deductibles, and reimbursement claims start hitting. Your UM coverage may pay for medical losses, lost wages, and pain and suffering up to your policy limits.

If the problem is not the case but the lawyer handling it, you can switch lawyers mid-case in Maine. A new lawyer can request the file, review the policy, and check whether notice was properly given. Delay is what hurts these cases, not the missing plate.