Ejected From Vehicle in New Hampshire: Can I Sue?
Serious injuries occur when occupants are ejected from their vehicles. These incidents often occur when vehicles flip and roll at high speeds, throwing passengers and drivers onto the road. Subsequent impacts and crush injuries can be catastrophic and fatal. If this type of car accident in New Hampshire harmed you or someone you love, you might be wondering whether you can sue.
Driver Survives After Being Thrown Out of Vehicle
Normally, falling out of a vehicle at high speed causes fatal injuries. However, sometimes motorists manage to survive. In May of 2024, NBC News reported that the driver of a Toyota Corolla had suffered serious injuries after losing control of his vehicle. The crash occurred on I-93 when the car veered off the highway and began to roll. After tumbling for a considerable distance, the car struck a tree and finally stopped.
At some point during this rolling crash, the driver was ejected from the vehicle. First responders managed to transport him to a nearby hospital, although the extent of his injuries was not made clear. The exact cause of the accident is also unclear, and police are asking anyone with information to come forward. Although no other vehicles crashed, this doesn’t necessarily mean that it was a single-vehicle accident.
Common Injuries After Being Ejected From a Moving Vehicle
You can suffer extremely serious injuries after being ejected from a moving vehicle. First, occupants may fly through glass windows, suffering lacerations and similar injuries in the process. Occupants may also suffer serious injuries after contacting the ground – such as traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) or spinal cord injuries.
The danger continues even after the occupant strikes the ground. In some cases, occupants are crushed by their own rolling vehicles. In other situations, they are struck by other vehicles while lying on the road.
Can I Still Sue if I Wasn’t Wearing a Seatbelt?
If you were not wearing a seatbelt at the time of your accident, you can still sue in New Hampshire. While many other States have codified a “seat belt defense,” defendants in New Hampshire cannot introduce evidence that pertains to your seat belt usage. In other words, they cannot accuse you of causing your own injuries because you forgot to wear your seat belt. Your failure to wear a seat belt should not affect your ability to sue – especially since New Hampshire is the only US state with no requirement to wear a seat belt.
Work with an experienced personal injury lawyer in New Hampshire, and this should also have zero effect on your total compensation. Despite these clear protections in New Hampshire, insurers and other parties may attempt to use the seat belt defense. Your lawyer can push back.
Work With an Experienced Car Accident Lawyer in New Hampshire
If you suffered serious injuries after being ejected from your vehicle, work with an experienced Manchester car accident lawyer. Legal professionals can help you fight for the compensation you deserve while overcoming potential challenges along the way. Choose The Law Office of Manning Zimmerman & Oliveira, PLLC – and get started with an action plan today.
Sources:
nbcboston.com/news/local/driver-seriously-injured-after-being-thrown-from-car-following-crash-on-i-93-in-nh/3355908/
citizenscount.org/issues/seat-belt-law#:~:text=New%20Hampshire%20is%20the%20only,not%20required%20to%20buckle%20up.
