Why You Might Want To Stay In Your Vehicle After Hitting An Animal In New Hampshire

Striking an animal while driving in New Hampshire can be incredibly shocking. People react to these events in different ways. Some remain frozen, unable to move or react for many minutes or even hours. Others immediately spring into action, jumping out of the vehicle to get a closer look at what just happened. Others still instinctively try to flee, driving away and even denying that the incident ever took place. But one thing you might want to keep in mind is that these animal impacts can become much worse when another vehicle approaches the crash scene.

Man Hit By Vehicle After Getting Out of His Car to Inspect Animal Impact Damage 

On October 22nd, it was reported that a man had been struck and killed by a passing vehicle after he exited his own car. He got out of his vehicle because he had just hit a bear near Charleston. The bear impact caused serious damage to his car, and he exited to inspect this damage and assess the overall situation. Two other teenagers accompanied him. At around 8:30 PM, another vehicle approached the scene and rear-ended the damaged car. This collision also impacted the adult, killing him.

One of the teens also suffered minor injuries. The authorities state that there was no indication of impairment, distracted driving, or speeding. This serves as a cautionary tale, and it shows that exiting your vehicle in dark, rural roads can sometimes be extremely dangerous.

Could You Still Sue? 

Could you potentially sue for a settlement in a situation like this? In New Hampshire, you need to prove someone else’s negligence caused your injuries in order to file a successful lawsuit. Because the victim was standing in the middle of the road when the accident occurred, it may seem like the victim was actually at fault. However, it’s worth pointing out that New Hampshire has a modified comparative negligence system – which means you can still sue as long as you can prove that another party was at least 50% responsible for the crash. It could be argued that the approaching vehicle failed to use proper caution – thereby contributing in part to the accident.

Where Can I Find a Personal Injury Attorney in New Hampshire? 

If you’ve been searching for a qualified Manchester personal injury attorney, look no further than the Law Office of Manning Zimmerman & Oliveira PLLC. Over the years, we have helped numerous injured plaintiffs – including those who have been harmed or killed by car accidents.

We know that motorists often get out of their vehicles in a state of shock, and you may still have the opportunity to sue even if plaintiffs were standing in the middle of the road when they were struck. New Hampshire’s comparative negligence system may allow you to sue even if you or your family members were partly to blame for their own injuries or deaths. Book your consultation today to review your legal option and get started with an effective action plan.

Source:

masslive.com/police-fire/2022/10/new-hampshire-crash-man-fatally-struck-by-car-after-collision-with-bear.html