After a car crash, the physical pain is often just the beginning. Soon after, the financial pressure begins to build as medical bills arrive, and you lose income from being unable to work. This burden shouldn’t fall on your shoulders if another person’s carelessness is the reason for your injuries. New Hampshire law provides a clear path for you to seek compensation from the at-fault driver.
An experienced Keene car accident lawyer can champion your cause, fighting to secure the financial resources you need to heal without the added stress of covering unexpected costs. Reach out to Coates Law today to discuss your case and legal options during a free, no-obligation consultation.
Why Choose Coates Law Office for Your Keene, NH Car Accident Case?
After a serious car accident in Keene, you need a legal team that is fully committed to your cause. At Coates Law Office, we understand the challenges you face and provide the determined representation required to hold the responsible party accountable. When you work with us, you receive direct communication from an experienced attorney who will give you an honest evaluation of your case from the very beginning.
Attorney Bradford Coates is a former prosecutor, which gives him a distinct perspective on how the other side operates. This insight is used to build a strong case on your behalf. We prepare every case as if it will go to trial, a strategy that often leads to more favorable settlement offers from insurance companies. Our approach is founded on:
- Direct Communication: We believe in keeping you informed every step of the way. You will always know the status of your case and have your questions answered promptly.
- Honest Evaluation: We provide a straightforward assessment of your claim, outlining your options so you can make informed decisions about your future.
- Results-Driven Advocacy: Our primary goal is to achieve the best possible outcome for you. We have recovered millions of dollars for our clients and will fight for the full compensation you are owed.
Our team at Coates Law Office will manage the legal details so you can concentrate on what matters most—your recovery. We are here to provide the support and guidance you need.
Common Causes of Car Accidents in Keene
Most car accidents are not truly accidents at all; they are the result of negligence. Negligence is a legal term that simply means someone failed to act with reasonable care, and that failure caused harm to another person. A Keene car accident lawyer can investigate your crash to determine how the other driver was negligent.
Some common causes of collisions in and around Keene include:
- Distracted Driving: Texting, adjusting the radio, or any other activity that takes a driver’s attention off the road is a leading cause of crashes.
- Speeding and Aggressive Driving: Exceeding the speed limit or driving aggressively reduces reaction time and increases the severity of an impact.
- Driving Under the Influence (DUI): A driver impaired by alcohol or drugs has compromised judgment and motor skills, putting everyone on the road at risk.
- Failing to Yield the Right-of-Way: Many accidents happen at intersections when one driver fails to yield to another who has the right-of-way.
- Following Too Closely: Tailgating leaves insufficient space to stop safely if the vehicle ahead brakes suddenly, often leading to rear-end collisions.
No matter the cause, if another person’s poor decisions led to your injuries, you have the right to seek justice.
Past Case Results
What Compensation Can a Keene Car Accident Lawyer Help You Recover?
A successful personal injury claim can provide compensation, legally known as damages, for the various losses you have sustained due to the accident. These damages are generally categorized into two types: economic and non-economic. An experienced Keene car accident lawyer can help you identify and calculate all of your losses to ensure you seek a fair amount.
Economic Damages are the measurable financial costs related to your injury, such as:
- All current and future medical expenses
- Lost wages from time away from work
- Diminished future earning capacity if your injuries affect your ability to work long-term
- The cost of repairing or replacing your vehicle
Non-Economic Damages are for intangible losses that do not have a specific price tag but significantly impact your quality of life. These can include:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Permanent scarring or disfigurement
By carefully documenting both types of damages, we can build a comprehensive claim that reflects the true impact the accident has had on your life.
Understanding New Hampshire’s At-Fault Insurance System
New Hampshire operates under an at-fault or tort system for car accidents. This means the person who is found legally responsible for causing the crash is also responsible for paying for the resulting damages.
While New Hampshire does not require all drivers to carry auto insurance, state law does mandate that they demonstrate Financial Responsibility. This means they must be able to prove they can pay for damages if they cause an accident. Most drivers satisfy this requirement by purchasing liability insurance.
New Hampshire also follows a legal rule called modified comparative fault. This rule means you can still recover damages even if you were partially at fault for the accident, as long as your percentage of fault is not 51% or greater. If you are found partially at fault (but 50% or less), your compensation award will be reduced by your percentage of fault.
For example, if you were awarded $100,000 but found 10% at fault, your award would be reduced by $10,000 to $90,000. Insurance companies may try to use this rule to unfairly place blame on you to reduce their payout.
Protecting Your Rights After a Car Accident
Once you have returned home and addressed your immediate medical needs, there are important steps you can take to protect your right to compensation. The actions you take in the days and weeks following a collision can have a significant effect on your ability to recover damages.
- Follow All Medical Advice: Attend all follow-up appointments with your doctor and follow their treatment plan precisely. This not only aids your physical recovery but also creates an official record of your injuries.
- Organize Your Documents: Keep all accident-related paperwork in one place. This includes medical bills, receipts for prescriptions, your copy of the police report, and any correspondence from insurance companies.
- Keep a Personal Journal: Write down your daily experiences. Note your pain levels, physical limitations, emotional state, and any activities you can no longer do. This journal can be valuable evidence of your pain and suffering.
- Be Cautious with Social Media: Avoid posting details, photos, or opinions about the accident or your injuries online. Insurance companies often look at social media accounts to find information they can use to challenge your claim.
- Speak with an Attorney: Before you give a recorded statement to the other driver’s insurance company or accept any settlement offer, it is wise to discuss your case with a lawyer. An initial offer is often far less than what you truly deserve.
Taking these steps can help build a strong foundation for your personal injury claim.
Client Testimonial
“I hired Brad Coates to handle my car accident claim. He made sure to explain the process every step of the way and was very thorough leaving no pages unturned. He treated my case with compassion and provided me with the trust and reassurance I needed during this sensitive time. I would highly recommend Brad to anyone I know. If I need any assistance in the future, there is no question about it that I will be calling Brad!”
-Emily C. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Keene Car Accident FAQs
Here are answers to some common questions we receive about car accident claims in New Hampshire.
How long do I have to file a car accident claim in New Hampshire?
In New Hampshire, the statute of limitations for most personal injury claims, including those from car accidents, is three years from the date of the accident. This is a strict deadline, and if you miss it, you will likely lose your right to seek compensation. It is important to speak with a lawyer well before this deadline approaches.
What if the driver who hit me doesn’t have insurance?
If you were hit by an uninsured or underinsured driver, you may still have options. Your own auto insurance policy might include Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM) coverage, which is designed to cover your losses in this exact situation. A lawyer can review your policy to see what coverage is available.
Do I have to go to court for my car accident case?
Most car accident cases are settled out of court through negotiations between your lawyer and the insurance company. A settlement avoids the time and expense of a trial. However, if the insurance company refuses to make a fair offer, it may be necessary to file a lawsuit and take the case to court to get the compensation you deserve.
How much does it cost to hire a Keene car accident lawyer?
At Coates Law Office, we handle personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis. This means you do not pay any attorney’s fees upfront. We only get paid if we successfully recover money for you through a settlement or a court verdict. Our fee is a percentage of the total recovery.
The other driver’s insurance company offered me a settlement. Should I take it?
Initial offers are often low and may not account for the full extent of your future medical needs or lost wages. Once you accept a settlement, you cannot ask for more money later. Review any offer with a lawyer before you sign anything.
What is the legal blood alcohol content (BAC) limit for drivers in New Hampshire?
In New Hampshire, it is illegal for a person to drive or operate a vehicle if their blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is 0.08% or higher. For commercial drivers, the limit reduces to 0.04%, and for drivers under the age of 21, the limit is 0.02%.
What are New Hampshire’s minimum requirements for financial responsibility?
New Hampshire law requires all drivers to demonstrate financial responsibility to cover potential damages they cause in an accident. Drivers typically satisfy this requirement by purchasing a motor vehicle liability policy with minimum limits of $25,000 for bodily injury or death to one person, $50,000 for bodily injury or death to two or more people, and $25,000 for property damage. This is often abbreviated as 25/50/25.
How does the police report help my car accident claim?
The police report provides an official, third-party record of the facts surrounding the collision. It documents the time, date, and location of the crash, identifies the parties involved, lists potential witnesses, and often includes the investigating officer’s opinion on who violated a traffic law or caused the accident.
While not always admissible as evidence in court, the report serves as a critical tool for your lawyer when they investigate your claim, negotiate with the insurance company, and establish negligence.
What should I do if I was in a hit-and-run accident in Keene?
If you are the victim of a hit-and-run, the first step is to call the police immediately to report the crime and file a formal accident report. Note any details you remember about the fleeing vehicle, such as the color, make, model, or license plate number.
An experienced lawyer can then investigate whether you have Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM) coverage on your own auto insurance policy. This coverage often provides the only path to recovering compensation for your injuries and property damage when you cannot identify the at-fault driver.
Contact a Keene Car Accident Lawyer Today
Bradford H. Coates, Keene Car Accident Attorney
You do not have to face the legal process alone after a serious car crash. Let the team at Coates Law Office stand up for your rights and pursue the financial stability you need to move forward. We are ready to listen to your story, assess your case, and explain your legal options. Contact us today for your free, no-obligation consultation.