Auto Accident Injury in New Hampshire

Have you suffered an injury due to a car accident in New Hampshire? If so, your life may never be the same again. Injuries from a car accident can interfere with your ability both to work and to enjoy everyday activities. They can also be incredibly painful. As such, you need an auto accident attorney who understands the laws in NH that will fight for your legal rights and help you receive the financial compensation you deserve.

Auto Accident Injury Statistics in New Hampshire

According to the National Safety Council, in 2019 about 4.4 million people suffered serious injuries in motor vehicle accidents and an estimated 38,000 were killed. In 2016, there were a total of 29,862 traffic accidents reported. Those crashes resulted in a total of 477 serious injuries, continuing an upward trend. Between 2014 and 2016, the number of serious injuries from car accidents in New Hampshire rose from 451 to 477, according to the New Hampshire Office of Highway Safety. This followed a period of declining rates. In 2012, the number of serious injuries from auto accidents was 623, while the following year it had dropped significantly to 489.

It’s important to be prepared in the event you are a victim of a car accident. Below are the steps to remember immediately after your crash.

Receive Immediate Medical Attention

What is the most important step that you need to take after an auto accident? You need to receive immediate and proper medical treatment. You may believe that the injuries sustained after an auto accident are minor. Proper medical treatment helps ensure that you have not sustained any internal injuries that you may not be aware of.

File a Police Report

Even if no one sustained injuries, you still need to call 911 and request law enforcement assistance. When officers arrive, jot down each one’s name and badge number. Answer their questions honestly, but don’t volunteer any unasked for information, especially your thoughts on exactly what happened or who caused the car accident. Be sure to ask the officers for the number of their police report. Also ask when and where you can get a copy of it, including how much it will cost you.

According to the New Hampshire Department of Safety, if you are involved in a car crash that leads to injury, death or property damage in excess of $1,000, you are responsible for filing an accident report within 15 days of the accident. File your completed report with the New Hampshire Department of Safety. Failure to comply when the accident involves personal injury or death is considered a felony offense. If you do not file your report within the allotted time and the crash only results in property damage, then it is a misdemeanor.

Gather the Appropriate Documentation

While waiting for officers to arrive after a car accident, collect information from all other drivers involved in the accident, including the following:

• Full name, address, phone number and email address
• Driver’s license state and number
• Auto insurance company name, policy number and phone number

Use your cell phone to take pictures of each driver’s license, auto insurance card, your vehicle and each additional vehicle involved in the car accident. Don’t rely on verbal communication. Having as much information as possible will only help you and your case later on. Try to keep this exchange as civil and friendly as possible. However, do not apologize for causing the accident or indicate in any way that you think you may have caused it.

Recovering Damages After an Auto Accident Injury

After surviving a car accident, the emotional and economic toll it takes can be staggering. You are not only dealing with the mental anguish that comes with being involved in a crash, but you may also be experiencing severe physical harm as well.

Common injuries associated with motor vehicle accidents include:

• Burn injuries
• Back and neck injuries, such as whiplash
• Brain and head injuries
• Broken bones
• Spinal injuries
• Soft tissue injuries

Accident fatalities cost a total of $202 million in 2018. Of that amount, $200 million was attributed to loss of work and $2 million was spent on medical expenses. The cost incurred was $152 million for motor vehicle passengers; $31 million for motorcyclists; $10 million for pedestrians; and $8 million for bicyclists.

Hiring a car accident lawyer ensures you have the financial ability to cover any losses that have occurred as a result of a crash. An auto accident attorney will also help you handle the paperwork that you will have to complete from insurance companies. This boosts your odds of receiving the insurance compensation you deserve.

Auto Accident Laws in New Hampshire

Liability Laws for NH

When car accidents happen, it is essential to determine who bears responsibility for the resulting damage and medical bills. Determining fault impacts everything from your insurance claim and level of liability to the amount of confusion you may endure during the claims process.

New Hampshire adheres to a comparative negligence law to determine fault for insurance purposes. Insurance companies determine the degree of fault for each driver in an accident and award damages based on those findings. If one driver is found to be more at fault than the other, that driver is not allowed to collect on damages, but the amount they pay out will be reduced by the percentage of fault determined for the other driver.

Statute of Limitations in NH

Each state has its own tort laws that determine the statute of limitations on a claim. In some states, this gives you just one year to file a claim in court, while some others may give you up to six years. New Hampshire law requires you to file within three years from the date the accident occurred.

This is why it is important to consult with an attorney immediately after your car crash. Don’t wait and risk losing out on any compensation they can recover.

Work With an Experienced Auto Accident Lawyer In New Hampshire

After a car accident, you have enough to worry about. We can help you find an auto accident attorney for your unique case. Get the financial restitution that you deserve if you’re the victim of someone else’s conduct.

Submit a request online or call us today at (866) 345-6784 to get in touch with an experienced lawyer in NH!

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