Car accidents are a daily occurrence on New Hampshire roadways. While accidents have long been a part of life in the Granite State, the rate of fatal car accidents is on the rise. In 2018, the state experienced the most traffic fatalities in 13 years. While some of these crashes were unavoidable, others were caused directly by the negligence of another driver.
If you have suffered injuries in a New Hampshire car crash due to no fault of your own, it is important that you discuss your case with an experienced New Hampshire injury attorney right away. There are strict deadlines related to the filing of a car accident claim, and failing to comply could cost you the chance of monetary recovery. To learn more about your rights following a collision, contact the New Hampshire accident lawyers with the Coates Law Office, PLLC, right away.
Liability in A New Hampshire Car Accident
To recover compensation through a car accident lawsuit, you must first demonstrate that the other driver was at fault for the collision. To do so, you must establish that the driver’s negligence resulted in the crash. Negligence can come in a variety of forms, including:
- Driving while intoxicated
- Driving too fast for the conditions
- Failing to yield
- Aggressive driving
- Following too closely
- Driving the wrong way down a one-way street
Not every car accident will result in a claim for monetary compensation, however. The plaintiff must establish that the driver owed them a duty of care and that the at-fault driver failed to meet that duty. Any of the negligent acts described above could result in a finding of fault in a New Hampshire car accident case.
New Hampshire State Insurance Requirements
Like every other state, New Hampshire requires that drivers take financial responsibility for any collisions they cause. Unlike most states, however, New Hampshire allows for other methods besides minimum car insurance coverage. State law requires drivers to meet their financial responsibilities after a crash, whether insurance is utilized or not.
However, there are minimum coverage levels for anyone relying on car insurance to meet their financial responsibility requirements. The minimum coverage includes:
- $25,000 in bodily injuries per person
- $50,000 in bodily injuries, combined for the entire accident
- $25,000 in vehicle damage
The state also has additional requirements regarding uninsured/underinsured drivers as well as medical payment coverage. Uninsured policies are important in New Hampshire, given that liability insurance is not mandatory. Contact a New Hampshire car accident attorney to learn more about financial responsibility requirements.
Common Car Accident Injuries in New Hampshire
There is no way to quantify the ways in which the human body can sustain injuries in a car wreck. Many accidents can result in few, if any, bodily injuries. Unfortunately, that is not always the case. In severe car accidents, the injuries could result in permanent, life-altering injuries. Some car accident injuries prove to be fatal. Common injuries stemming from a car crash include:
- Brain injuries, including concussions
- Back injuries
- Neck injuries, including whiplash
- Internal bleeding
- Burns
- Eye injuries
- Broken bones
- Amputation
- Death
- Cuts and bruises
- Road rash
- Tendon or ligament damage
- Joint injuries
In many cases, a New Hampshire car accident attorney could help you recover monetary compensation for any injuries you incur following a crash.
Damages Available in a New Hampshire Car Accident Claim
With the right attorney, you might be able to recover compensation for any injuries resulting from a car accident. In addition to the cost of treating your injuries, you could also seek compensation for other financial or emotional damages.
Every type of damages in a car accident claim falls into one of two categories: economic damages and non-economic damages. Economic damages include measurable losses like medical bills or missed paychecks. The amount of these damages are tangible, and their value could be proven through documents like receipts or invoices. Non-economic damages are not so easily measured. These damages, including pain and suffering, are subjective losses you experience due to a crash. If your claim goes to trial, the jury will ultimately determine the value of these damages.
The most common types of damages sought in a car accident lawsuit include:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Diminished future earnings
- Loss of consortium
- Disfigurement
Comparative Negligence in New Hampshire Car Accident Cases
After a car accident, it can be challenging to determine who was at fault and what caused your accident. Sometimes, a car accident can be caused by several factors and more than one negligent party.
Some car accident victims never file a car accident claim because they think they were somewhat at fault for the accident. But it is important to understand that even if you were partly to blame for the accident, you could still recover damages if someone else was more at fault.
New Hampshire’s 51% Rule
New Hampshire’s modified comparative negligence rule provides a system to equitably award compensation when multiple parties are at fault for an accident. Simply put, as long as you are less than 51% at fault for the accident, you may still collect some compensation for your damages.
For instance, if you were injured in a car accident and were found to be 40% at fault because you were speeding, you could still collect 60% of your damages. On the other hand, the other driver, who was 60% at fault, would be barred from recovering any damages at all.
The best way to know if you are entitled to compensation after a car accident in New Hampshire, is to speak with an experienced New Hampshire car accident attorney. Call Coates Law Office today to get the answers that you need.
Beware of Insurance Company Tactics
A car accident can happen in the blink of an eye, but have life-long consequences. As you pursue the compensation you need to get your life back on track, it is important to remember that the insurance adjuster assigned to handle your claim does not have your best interest in mind.
The insurance adjuster works for the benefit of the liable insurance company. Their job is to do whatever they can to pay as little as possible for your car accident claim. They often do this by offering you a quick, lowball settlement soon after the accident, or by denying you money they know you are entitled to receive. That is where an experienced car accident lawyer can help.
With a car accident lawyer from Coates Law Office, you can fight back against the insurance adjuster’s tactics. We will provide you with the legal guidance you need to recover every bit of compensation you deserve.
We know how to work with insurance adjusters, what to say, who to talk to, and how to protect your rights. What’s more, we can help you identify every source of income available to cover your damages.
You didn’t cause the accident and shouldn’t have to pay for it. With a car accident lawyer from Coates Law Office on your side, you can focus on your recovery while knowing that you will get the best possible outcome for your New Hampshire car accident claim.
Contact a New Hampshire Car Accident Attorney
Every New Hampshire car accident victim has legal rights following a crash. A New Hampshire car accident lawyer could help ensure that your right to pursue compensation for your injuries is protected. Attorney Bradford Coates is an experienced injury attorney that is ready to guide you through the process of filing a car accident lawsuit. With offices in Nashua and Merrimack, we can help injured clients throughout the state of New Hampshire.
To learn more about your legal rights, contact the Coates Law Office, PLLC, right away. Call (603)-262-5766.