After a car accident in Hudson, you have the right to demand payment for your injuries and financial losses from the person who caused the collision.
But knowing you have that right and actually securing a fair payment are two very different things. The process involves tight deadlines, specific rules of evidence, and a fault system that could reduce or even eliminate your ability to recover money.
Our role as car accident lawyers in Hudson is to bridge the gap between your rights and actually securing compensation. We handle these legal requirements so you can direct your energy toward healing.
If you have questions about your next steps, we provide clear answers. Call Coates Law Office for a no-pressure conversation at (603) 262-5766.
Key Takeaways for Hudson Car Accident Claims
- New Hampshire’s fault law can reduce your payment. The state uses a modified comparative fault rule, which means your final compensation is cut by your percentage of blame; if you’re found 51% or more at fault, you cannot collect anything.
- An insurance adjuster’s role is not neutral. The adjuster for the other driver works for a business that must balance paying legitimate claims with its own financial health, a fact that shapes the entire settlement negotiation process.
- The three-year deadline isn’t your only time constraint. You generally have three years to file a lawsuit under New Hampshire’s statute of limitations, but evidence grows stale, memories fade, and building a persuasive case needs to begin long before that deadline approaches.
Why Choose Coates Law Office for Your Hudson Claim?
Prepared and Personal
We prepare every case for trial. This thorough preparation sends a clear message to insurance companies: we are ready to do what it takes to pursue the full compensation you are owed. While the majority of our cases settle out of court, this disciplined approach consistently produces better results for our clients.
A Record of Success
Bradford Coates has recovered millions of dollars for clients injured in New Hampshire. A recent example is the $1.25 million policy-limit settlement we secured for a client who sustained life-altering injuries in a head-on DUI crash.
No Win, No Fee
We manage car accident cases on a contingency fee basis. Simply put, you pay no attorney’s fees unless we recover money for you. There are no upfront costs to get the legal guidance you need.
How Is Compensation Calculated in New Hampshire?
The goal of a personal injury claim is to make you “whole” again, at least financially. The law allows you to pursue payment for every loss the collision caused, broken down into two main types.
Economic Damages: The Tangible Costs
These are the straightforward losses that come with a price tag. They include:
- Medical Bills: Every expense, from the ambulance ride to future physical therapy.
- Lost Wages: The income you’ve already lost and what you may be unable to earn in the future.
- Property Damage: The cost to repair your vehicle or its replacement value.
- Out-of-Pocket Expenses: Any other costs you’ve incurred, like prescription fees or mileage to and from doctor’s appointments.
Non-Economic Damages: The Human Cost
These damages are more difficult to calculate, but they represent the real-world, personal impact the accident has had on your life.
- Pain and Suffering: Compensation for the physical pain and emotional distress you have been forced to endure.
- Loss of Enjoyment of Life: If your injuries stop you from participating in hobbies, sports, or family activities that were once important to you, you can be compensated for that loss.
What If You’re Partially at Fault?
Being partly at fault doesn’t necessarily mean you walk away with nothing, but it does change how much (if anything) you could recover.
Modified Comparative Fault: The 51% Bar Rule
New Hampshire uses a modified comparative fault system under N.H. Rev. Stat. § 507:7‑d.
- If your share of fault is greater than the other party’s (i.e. 51% or more), you cannot recover damages at all.
- If your fault is 50% or less, you can recover damages. But your award will be reduced proportionately by your percentage of fault.
What Happens When the At-Fault Driver Has No Insurance?
The answer is likely in your own auto insurance policy.
If you have Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM) coverage, you can make a claim with your own insurance company. This specific coverage is designed to stand in for the at-fault driver’s missing insurance. It covers the same damages they would have owed you, including medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Filing a UM/UIM claim means you are technically in an adversarial position with your own insurer. They will investigate the claim just as they would any other, which is why having an attorney to manage the process and advocate for you is just as important in these cases.
Dangerous Roads Around Hudson, NH
While a collision can happen on any road, certain intersections and highways around Hudson are consistent trouble spots due to high traffic volume and challenging designs.
Common Hotspots We See:
- Route 3A (Lowell Road/Webster Street): As a primary artery through Hudson, this road is plagued by congestion. The constant stream of vehicles entering and exiting businesses creates a high risk of rear-end and T-bone crashes.
- The Sagamore Bridge and Route 111: This bridge is a major chokepoint connecting Hudson and Nashua. Merging traffic, especially near the F.E. Everett Turnpike ramps, frequently contributes to collisions.
- Route 102 (Derry Street/Derry Road): This road links Hudson to Londonderry and sees a mix of commuter traffic and high speeds. Intersections like the one at Old Derry Road can be the scene of serious accidents.
- Lowell Road and Ferry Street Intersection: This busy crossing is a central hub in Hudson and a common site for intersection-related crashes.
Data from the New Hampshire Department of Transportation consistently shows that Hillsborough County, which includes Hudson, is one of the state’s leading counties for traffic accidents each year.
An Honest Look at the Insurance Process
Soon after an accident, you will likely get a call from an insurance adjuster representing the other driver. It helps to understand their role.
A Business Balancing Its Books
An insurance company is a business with a duty to its shareholders. It must resolve claims while remaining profitable. This means they must carefully balance paying fair compensation with protecting their financial interests, meaning that their incentives are directly opposed to yours.
Why a Fast Settlement Offer Can Be a Red Flag
An adjuster may make a settlement offer very early in the process, sometimes before you even know the full extent of your injuries. A neck injury that feels like a minor sprain at first might later require injections or even surgery. If you accept an early offer, you forfeit your right to seek more money, even if your medical condition worsens.
The Process Is a Marathon, Not a Sprint
The claims process is methodical, involving paperwork, investigations, and negotiations. It’s easy to grow frustrated as medical bills pile up while your savings dwindle. An insurer knows that a long, tedious process can wear people down, sometimes leading them to accept a lower offer just to get it over with.
Let Your Lawyer Do the Talking
You don’t have to handle this on your own. Once you hire a lawyer, the insurance company is no longer allowed to contact you directly. That alone lifts a huge weight off your shoulders.
Your lawyer becomes the point of contact. They handle the back-and-forth, gather the necessary documents, review the terms of any proposed settlement, and make sure no detail, medical or legal, is overlooked. This gives you the space to focus on what actually matters: healing, resting, and putting your life back together.
Even if you’re unsure whether you want to pursue a full legal claim, talking with a lawyer early helps protect your options. You don’t have to make big decisions right away, but you do need accurate information to avoid costly missteps.
From Home: How to Strengthen Your Claim
What you do in the days and weeks after a crash will directly influence your claim’s outcome. Here is how you can protect your rights from home.
- Follow Your Doctor’s Plan. This is for your health, but it also creates an official record of your injuries. If you miss appointments or stop physical therapy early, an insurance company will argue your injuries are not as severe as you claim.
- Keep a Simple Daily Journal. Memory fades. A written record is powerful. Each day, note your pain levels, physical limitations, and how the injuries disrupt your life—from struggling with household chores to missing time with your family. This journal becomes a compelling story of your non-economic damages.
- Organize Your Paperwork. Create a single file for everything related to the accident: medical bills, pharmacy receipts, pay stubs showing lost income, and the police report. Good organization now prevents major headaches later.
- Go Dark on Social Media. Insurance companies look at social media profiles. A single photo or comment, easily taken out of context, could be used to argue that your injuries are exaggerated. The safest choice is to avoid posting until your case is resolved.
Frequently Asked Questions for a Hudson Car Accident Lawyer
What is the deadline for filing a car accident lawsuit in New Hampshire?
New Hampshire’s statute of limitations gives you three years from the date of the incident to file a personal injury lawsuit. While that sounds like a long time, it is unwise to wait. Building a strong case requires immediate evidence collection, and waiting too long can mean key details or witness memories are lost forever.
Do I have to report a minor car accident in Hudson?
Yes. New Hampshire law requires you to report any accident that causes an injury, death, or apparent property damage of over $1,000. With the high cost of modern vehicle repairs, almost any collision will meet that threshold. Reporting the crash to the Hudson Police Department creates an official record.
What if I was a passenger? What are my rights?
As an injured passenger, you have a claim against the insurance policy of any driver who was at fault. This could be the driver of the car you were in, the other driver, or even both. You did nothing to cause the crash, and you have the right to seek compensation for your injuries without the burden of assigning blame yourself.
My car has barely a scratch, but my back hurts. Do I have a claim?
Yes. The value of an injury claim is based on the severity of the harm done to you, not the harm done to your car. Modern cars are designed to absorb impact with minimal visible damage, but the forces of a crash still whip through the human body. It is very common for people to suffer from whiplash, herniated discs, or other soft-tissue injuries in “fender-benders.”
What should I do if the other driver’s insurer asks for a recorded statement?
You are not legally obligated to provide a recorded statement to the other driver’s insurance company. It’s recommended that you politely decline until you have spoken with an attorney. Adjusters are trained to ask questions that may get you to unintentionally say something that weakens your claim. We can handle all communications with the insurer on your behalf to protect your rights.
What 5 steps must I take immediately following a Hudson car accident?
Your immediate safety and health are the priority.
- First, check yourself and others for injuries; call 911 if necessary.
- Second, move to a safe location if you can.
- Third, call the Hudson Police Department to file an official report, which New Hampshire law requires for most collisions.
- Fourth, exchange information with the other driver, collecting names, insurance details, and license plate numbers.
- Finally, seek medical evaluation, even if you do not feel hurt, because symptoms of serious injuries like whiplash or concussions often appear later
Take the Next Step
You don’t have to guess what your claim is worth or wonder if you’re being treated fairly.
The next step is a simple conversation. We will listen to what happened and explain your legal options in plain English. This consultation is free, confidential, and comes with no obligation.
Contact Coates Law Office today at (603) 262-5766 to find out where you stand.