Car Accidents

Recovering Damages after a New Hampshire DUI Accident

Published on: March 31, 2023 | By Peter Thompson & Associates

Driving under the influence, commonly abbreviated as DUI, is notoriously dangerous. When drivers operate their vehicle under the influence of drugs or alcohol, everyone else on the road suffers the consequence of their reckless decision. In the event of a serious DUI accident, victims may be left with severe injuries or property damage. To recover compensation for their injuries, victims of a New Hampshire DUI accident may wish to bring a negligence lawsuit against the intoxicated driver.

For example, two people suffered serious injuries after a DUI accident in Westmoreland, New Hampshire. The accident occurred when an intoxicated driver crossed the yellow dividing line and struck a Prius traveling in the opposite direction. The driver and passenger of the Prius were transported to the hospital after suffering serious injuries. Police arrested the driver and charged him with aggravated driving under the influence.

What Are the Penalties for Driving Under the Influence in New Hampshire?

Intoxicated drivers who cause a serious accident may face criminal charges and a civil lawsuit for damages. If an intoxicated driver’s behavior results in serious bodily harm, they can face both hefty fines and prison time. At minimum, a driver convicted of aggravated driving under the influence must pay $750 in fines and spend 17 days in prison, but a judge can impose a tougher sentence. In addition to criminal penalties, an intoxicated driver may face a civil damages lawsuit from an injured victim. In addition to physical injuries, victims of a serious accident may have suffered emotional harm, along with significant expenses. A civil negligence lawsuit allows victims to recover damages regardless of the outcome of a criminal case.

Four Women Injured in New Hampshire Hit and Run

Published on: March 22, 2023 | By Peter Thompson & Associates

Hit and runs occur when a driver causes injuries to a person or their property and fails to stop at the scene to provide assistance. When a driver commits a hit and run, they often leave an injured victim completely helpless. In some situations, whether drivers stop to help or drive away can be a matter of life or death for the victims they leave behind. Due to the egregious nature of hit and runs, drivers who commit them may face both criminal charges and civil penalties, often in the form of monetary damages.

According to a recent news article, police arrested a man in connection with a hit and run in Plymouth, New Hampshire. The accident occurred on Maine Street as four women moved off the sidewalk, which a pile of snow had obstructed. As they moved closer to the road, a driver struck them. Instead of stopping to provide assistance, he allegedly drove off. According to the woman he struck, the driver later stopped his vehicle and returned to the scene. However, he denied any involvement with the hit and run. All four women were transported to the hospital, where they received treatment for their injuries. Police have since charged the alleged hit and run driver with four counts of felony-level Conduct After an Accident.

What Are the Penalties for a New Hampshire Hit and Run?

New Hampshire Roadside Accident Injures Two People

Published on: March 15, 2023 | By Peter Thompson & Associates

Roadside accidents often occur on the shoulder of a highway or other major road. Drivers often use the shoulder lane to pull over, but bikers and pedestrians may also utilize the lane to travel safely and avoid oncoming traffic. Because many people take advantage of this roadside space, drivers should make sure they do not collide with another vehicle or pedestrian before pulling over. Otherwise, a lack of attention could result in a severe roadside accident.

According to a news article, two people were injured after a roadside crash in Hooksett, New Hampshire. The accident occurred when a state trooper pulled over to assist a woman who suffered a single-vehicle crash near an entrance ramp on the highway. She and the state trooper were sitting in the state trooper’s vehicle when a driver struck the cruiser, causing significant damage to the back. The woman and the state trooper were transported to a hospital to receive treatment for their injuries. Police arrested the driver, who refused medical attention at the hospital, under suspicion of driving under the influence.

What Are the Causes of a New Hampshire Roadside Accident?

A roadside accident could have a number of causes. First, a driver may be operating their vehicle under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Driving while intoxicated is a dangerous activity with a high potential for serious injury or death. Intoxicated drivers lack the awareness and reflexes to fully control their vehicles, which may cause their vehicles to swerve off the road. When drivers consume drugs or alcohol and get behind the wheel, they place themselves and every other driver at risk of a roadside crash. Even if drivers have not consumed drugs or alcohol, they may cause a roadside crash after suffering from a lack of sleep.

Safety Tips for New Hampshire Winter Weather Accidents

Published on: March 10, 2023 | By Peter Thompson & Associates

New Hampshire residents are no strangers to winter weather, but the state has experienced a series of winter storms bringing heavy snow. Along with these wintry weather conditions often comes slippery ice, which inevitably makes its way onto the road. If you need to drive in wintry weather conditions, it is important to take preventative steps before and after getting in your car to stay safe.

A recent news article demonstrated just how dangerous winter weather can be. Police in both New Hampshire and Massachusetts reported several winter weather accidents after a recent storm. From 11pm to 6am, New Hampshire state police responded to approximately 30 crashes. For example, in Westborough, an oil truck rolled over on the road. No one was injured, but emergency personnel closed the road to offload the oil and turn the truck upright. Later, on Route 3 in Tyngsborough, police reported a multi-vehicle accident involving two school buses. No children on the school bus were injured. State police urged drivers to reduce their speed and take extra precautions when driving in the wintry weather.

How Can You Stay Safe in a New Hampshire Winter Weather Accident?

Before you even get on the road, you can take steps to stay safe in the event of a winter weather accident. First, take your car in for inspection. Identifying potential safety issues with your vehicle is key to preventing a serious accident, no matter what the weather brings. Second, pack a blanket and a portable charger in your car. In the aftermath of a crash, you may be waiting in cold weather for assistance. As you wait, it is important to stay warm and keep your phone charged so you can stay in contact with emergency personnel. If you do experience a winter weather accident, stay calm. If you can, try to pull your vehicle over to the shoulder. Once you are pulled over, call local police for assistance. Be sure to remain in your vehicle until you can safely exit the highway with the help of emergency personnel.

Head-On Crash in New Hampshire Leaves One Dead

Published on: February 28, 2023 | By Peter Thompson & Associates

The moments after a car collision can be shocking. When head-on collisions occur, they can be devasting, even. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration, head-on collisions are the “most harmful event in approximately 14 percent of all U.S. traffic fatalities and 27 percent of all roadway departure fatalities. On some roads, you may notice center-line rumble strips, which are utilized to help reduce rural head-on crashes. Even a jurisdiction’s decision to increase the median width and shoulder width of roads may play a role in reducing these types of crashes.

According to a recent news report, a two-car crash occurred in Keene, New Hampshire. One vehicle crossed the center line while traveling down a road, crashing with another vehicle traveling in the opposite direction. One driver was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver and passengers of the other vehicle had non-life-threatening injuries.

Wrongful Death Lawsuits

When a person dies from a car crash because of the legal fault of another, some family members may be interested in pursuing a wrongful death suit. This can be after the loss of a loved one due to a head-on collision or other types of collisions. Wrongful death suits allow the surviving family members to seek compensation for their losses after a loved one’s death. Immediate family members, spouses, financial dependents, and others may be able to file a wrongful death claim. In some instances, you may not be so sure if you qualify as a person entitled to file such a suit. It can be helpful to consult with an experienced attorney to inquire about whether you may be able to file such a claim.

New Hampshire Head-On Collision Leaves One Dead, Two Injured

Published on: February 24, 2023 | By Peter Thompson & Associates

Head-on collisions occur when two vehicles traveling in opposite directions crash into each other. These accidents often happen at busy intersections or highways with multiple cars traveling in all directions. Head-on crashes may occur for several reasons. Too often, if a driver is speeding near an intersection, they may fail to make a complete stop until it is too late to avoid an oncoming vehicle.

For example, a head-on accident that may have involved excessive speeding killed one person and injured two others in Manchester, New Hampshire. The crash occurred at an intersection after the driver of one car was speeding on the road. Arriving at the scene, rescuers found one car in the median and the other on the side of the road. Sadly, one person died at the scene. Two people in the other car were able to exit the vehicle. They were taken to the hospital for minor injuries. Both vehicles endured significant damage. Local police are still investigating the cause of the crash, though an eyewitness recalled one driver speeding at a rate he had “never seen” before.

What Are the Causes of a Head-On Collision?

Head-on collisions may have a number of causes. First, they may result from excessive speeding. Drivers may be traveling so fast that they either lose control of their vehicles or fail to come to a full stop at an intersection, a common site for collisions. Speeding drivers in a rush to reach their destination may also try to pass a vehicle in their line by crossing a double-yellow line. This is incredibly dangerous. Drivers who cross the median will not have enough time to avoid colliding with vehicles approaching in the opposite direction. Due to the significant dangers it can pose, avoiding reckless speeding is crucial to staying safe on the road.

Bringing a Personal Injury Lawsuit Following a New Hampshire Car Accident

Published on: February 21, 2023 | By Peter Thompson & Associates

Car accidents can sometimes result from unusual circumstances. Some accidents are more straightforward: they involve two drivers, and the cause may be clear-cut and easy to determine. On the other hand, bizarre accidents may result from the actions of multiple drivers, or one driver might cause a chain-reaction accident. When these unusual events arise, it may be difficult to determine who was at fault. As a result, when bringing a lawsuit after a bizarre accident, it is crucial to have the assistance of an experienced personal injury attorney.

A recent news article reported on a bizarre New Hampshire accident that left ten cars with flat tires. The accident took place on I-93 when a vehicle knocked down a light pole, which blocked the highway and an exit ramp. The crash caused metal and debris to be strewn across the highway. As a result of the debris, ten cars were left with one or more flat tires. Then, less than ten minutes after police responded to the scene, they received calls about another I-93 crash. Eyewitnesses reported that a driver struck the left guardrail, veered into the left lane, and fled the scene. When police arrived, they found alcohol inside the abandoned vehicle. After conducting a search, police were still unable to locate the driver. Though no one suffered injuries, both accidents caused extensive property damage on the highway and to other vehicles.

How Does New Hampshire Apportion Fault Among Multiple Defendants?

In a negligence lawsuit, bizarre accidents can involve multiple defendants. Each defendant may have caused different injuries, or multiple defendants may be responsible for the same injury. To apportion fault among defendants in a lawsuit, New Hampshire follows a system of joint and several liability. Under this system, a plaintiff can seek the full damages award from each defendant. In other words, even if a defendant is only responsible for a portion of the accident, a plaintiff can seek the entire damages amount against the defendant. However, when a defendant is less than 50% at fault, the plaintiff can only collect a damages amount proportionate to the defendant’s level of fault. For example, if a defendant is only 20% at fault, the plaintiff can only collect 20% of their total damages claim from that defendant. New Hampshire’s laws around fault demonstrate the importance of proving causation to prevail on a negligence claim.

Staying Safe in New Hampshire to Avoid Winter Weather Accidents

Published on: February 8, 2023 | By Peter Thompson & Associates

From heavy snow to slippery black ice, winter weather can create dangerous conditions on the road. When drivers need to travel in wintery weather conditions, they must take extra precautions to say safe. Otherwise, winter weather accidents can place drivers at risk of serious injury.

A recent news article shows the dangers of winter weather on the road. After a winter storm. New Hampshire police reported over 90 car accidents throughout the state on a single day. Several crashes were serious highway accidents. The first crash occurred on I-93 north when a vehicle rolled over, injuring the driver. A few hours later, police responded to another crash in Warner. On I-89 south, a fully-loaded commercial carrier veered off the road and slid into the snow. The accident occurred when one of the vehicles on the carrier became dislodged and rolled off the carrier. The dislodged vehicle landed in the right lane of the highway. The carrier operator was transported to the hospital for minor injuries.

Then, in the afternoon, another severe crash happened in the same location. A tractor-trailer driver was passing the road closure caused by the earlier commercial carrier accident. As the driver passed the road closure, he lost control of his tractor-trailer, which spun out. The tractor-trailer then hit a parked heavy-duty wrecker and flatbed tow truck, which were clearing the road after the previous accident. Police cited the driver for traveling too fast, given the severe winter weather conditions.

Unfortunately, Massachusetts was no different. As the winter storm raged on, at least three people died from separate car accidents. In the first crash, the deceased was traveling southbound when he veered into the opposite lane, striking an SUV traveling in the other direction. A few hours later, another driver died after losing control of his vehicle, traveling on the wrong side of the road, and colliding head-on with another vehicle. The next morning, a van fatally struck a pedestrian and then fled the scene.

University of New Hampshire Student Injured in Car Accident

Published on: January 31, 2023 | By Peter Thompson & Associates

When an accident occurs, injured victims may seek to hold the person responsible for the harm they suffered. The victim often needs to make a strategic choice about whom to sue. The proper defendants to sue will often depend on who is at fault for the accident. For example, after a car accident, a plaintiff may sue the driver or the owner of the property on which the accident occurred.

According to a recent news report, a student at the University of New Hampshire was hit by a car in Durham, New Hampshire. The driver, also a University of New Hampshire student, struck the victim as he attempted to cross the street. After suffering serious injuries, the victim received treatment at a nearby hospital before a medical helicopter transported him to another hospital for further assistance. The driver, who remained at the scene and cooperated with police, was unharmed. According to police, the driver was not speeding or driving under the influence at the time of the accident. The article does not specify whether the accident occurred on the University of New Hampshire’s campus. If so, the accident would raise questions about the ability of a plaintiff to sue a university for their injuries in New Hampshire.

Can You Sue a University for On-Campus Injuries?

A person who suffers injuries on a college campus, or any other property, may file a lawsuit against the university for premises liability. This type of negligence lawsuit holds property owners responsible for injuries that occurred on their property. The most common example of premises liability arises when a customer suffers injuries at a store or other business. However, a university may also be liable for an on-campus car accident if it fails to give adequate protections to a pedestrian who is struck by a vehicle. Examples may include a failure to provide crosswalks, traffic lights, or any warning to drivers that they are about to enter a pedestrian crossing. On the other hand, if the accident occurred off-campus, the university will likely escape premises liability, even if the victim and the responsible party are both university students. Premises liability seeks to hold property owners accountable for unsafe conditions on their premises, so an accident that occurs elsewhere would not implicate the university.

Civil vs. Criminal Charges in New Hampshire DUI Accidents

Published on: January 26, 2023 | By Peter Thompson & Associates

Driving Under the Influence (DUI), also known as Driving While Intoxicated (DWI), can lead to serious bodily injury or even death. These senseless accidents are especially tragic because they are often preventable. If a driver simply refrained from operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated, the accident may have never occurred. Due to the reckless nature of these accidents, intoxicated drivers who cause bodily harm often face both criminal and civil responsibility for their actions.

Recently, a news article reported that an intoxicated driver is facing criminal charges after an accident in Unity, New Hampshire. After receiving a call about a car accident, state troopers arrived at the scene and found that a vehicle had crashed into a tree. The driver had fled. A police investigation revealed that immediately before the crash, the driver had passed another vehicle on a double yellow line, causing the vehicle to crash. Later, police found the driver, who refused to cooperate with the investigation, and determined he was under the influence. He now faces charges of driving while intoxicated, conduct after an accident, reckless operation of his vehicle, and disobeying an officer.

What are the Penalties for Driving While Intoxicated in New Hampshire?

In New Hampshire, a person who drives under the influence and causes an accident resulting in serious bodily harm is guilty of an aggravated DWI. If convicted, the person will face a minimum of $750 in fines and a mandatory minimum sentence of 17 days in a county prison. Upon release from prison, the person must undergo a substance use disorder evaluation and comply with the resulting service plan to treat the person’s substance abuse. The fact that drivers may face criminal fines for a DWI does not preclude injured victims from suing drivers for the harm they suffered. In addition to criminal charges, an injured plaintiff can bring a negligence lawsuit against the driver in civil court.