What Are New Hampshire’s Most Important Car Accident Laws?
Each state handles car accidents slightly differently, and New Hampshire is no different. If you’ve been injured in a car accident, it might be helpful to become more familiar with these laws. With a greater understanding of how these laws work, it can be easier to approach your upcoming lawsuit in a confident, efficient manner. In some cases, certain laws may even prevent you from filing a lawsuit in the first place.
Of course, your attorney can provide you with a more accurate understanding of how these laws apply to your unique situation. While internet research is always a good first step, a face-to-face consultation with a qualified, experienced personal injury attorney in New Hampshire can be much more informative. During this consultation, your attorney can explain how many of these laws work and recommend certain courses of legal action. If you want to proceed, your attorney can then negotiate on your behalf and represent you in court.
The Statute of Limitations
One of the most important laws that you need to be aware of in this situation is the statute of limitations. This is essentially a “time limit” on personal injury lawsuits. If you wait too long after your accident, you will not be allowed to take legal action and recover a settlement. The statute of limitations in New Hampshire for personal injury claims is three years for those that were adults when their injury happened. For minor (under age 18) this time is extended until their 20th birthday.
Comparative Negligence in New Hampshire
New Hampshire follows a system of comparative negligence, which means that you can file a lawsuit even if you were partly to blame for your own injuries. However, there are limits to this rule. New Hampshire follows a system of “modified” comparative negligence, and not “pure” comparative negligence. This means that you can only file a lawsuit if you were 50% or less responsible for your own injuries. In other words, your level of fault cannot be higher than that of the defendant. If you do end up filing a lawsuit after being 50% responsible for your own injuries, you would only receive 50% of your settlement. If you filed a lawsuit while being 25% at fault, you would only receive 75%, and so on.
New Hampshire is a Tort State
New Hampshire is referred to as a tort state or an “at-fault” state. This means that you must hold another negligent party liable in order to receive a settlement. In “no-fault” states, injured parties primarily receive settlements through their own no-fault insurance policies without ever holding anyone legally responsible for their injuries. This means that hiring a qualified attorney after a New Hampshire car accident is very important.
Enlist the Help of a Qualified Attorney Today
For help from a skilled Manchester personal injury lawyer, reach out to the Law Offices of Manning Zimmerman & Oliveira PLLC. Over the years, we have helped numerous injured victims who have been badly hurt in car accidents. We understand that you might be struggling with debilitating injuries, mounting medical bills, and loss of income. With our assistance, you can pursue a significant compensation that provides compensation for all of these damages. Reach out and book your consultation today.
