Car Accidents

New Hampshire Car Collision Causes Serious Injuries

Published on: October 12, 2022 | By Peter Thompson & Associates

In the quick second that it takes to have a car accident, car collisions can be scary, and navigating the aftermath of a car accident can be just as daunting. From laws that deal with the deadline for filing a claim, to laws that govern the amount of recovery you may be able to receive from a claim, there are factors that accident victims should consider when navigating lawsuits. Each state has different laws governing various aspects of a lawsuit, and depending on the specifics of a car accident, an accident victim may have a variety of considerations to make.

A recent news report revealed that two people were seriously injured in a car crash on South Stark Highway by Martin Road in New Hampshire. The drivers of both vehicles suffered serious injuries and were transported to a local hospital, and according to initial investigations, it appears as though a car going southbound crossed the center line into oncoming traffic and caused the crash.

Negligence Claims After a Car Accident in New Hampshire

New Hampshire Head-On Collision Leaves Four Dead

Published on: September 30, 2022 | By Peter Thompson & Associates

In New Hampshire, there are various claims a person can bring if he or she suffers damages from a car accident. One of the most difficult and, unfortunately, the most common, cases we encounter in our practice is a wrongful death claim, which allows family members of a deceased car crash victim to sue for monetary compensation in light of their loved one’s death.

Recently, a crash in Rollinsford, New Hampshire, left four people dead – two upon impact and two after short stints in the hospital. Police officers reported that a 2014 Subaru Forrester crossed into oncoming traffic and collided with a 2010 Dodge Caravan. Tragically, one of the drivers and one of the passengers involved in the crash were pronounced dead at the scene. The remaining two individuals were transported to the hospital, where they later died from accident-related injuries. Reports thus far have not included details on potential causes of the accident.

In general, when family members grieve from accidents of this nature, there can be a lot to think through and consider. And while filing a wrongful death claim can often be the last thing on a loved one’s mind, it is important to fully evaluate options moving forward. In many states, wrongful death claims are only available for immediate family members. In New Hampshire, however, anyone with a legal interest in the deceased person’s estate is eligible to file a wrongful death claim.

Woman Tragically Killed in Head-On Collision in New Hampshire

Published on: September 20, 2022 | By Peter Thompson & Associates

Too often in our practice, we meet with clients who are injured because one driver violated what seemed (at the time) to be a minor traffic law. Unfortunately, these apparently minor violations can have dire consequences, injuring and even killing other drivers and passengers on the road.

According to a news article from early September, one driver’s snap decision to cross a yellow line ended up killing another driver on a New Hampshire highway. Around 7:30pm one evening, a white sedan and a dark-colored Jeep collided head-on after one of the vehicles crossed the yellow line. Each of the cars had one driver and one passenger, and three of the individuals were immediately rushed to the hospital when emergency responders arrived at the scene.

Police officers closed the highway for approximately five hours as they cared for the victims and cleaned up the damage from the roadway. Shortly after the accident, one of the women involved tragically died due to injuries suffered at the scene.

Highway Accident Injures Several New Hampshire Passengers, Killing One Woman

Published on: September 10, 2022 | By Peter Thompson & Associates

Too often in our practice, we see firsthand how one seemingly minor mistake can have dire consequences. Unfortunately, driving is an inherently dangerous activity, and when drivers fail to obey traffic laws, it often affects other drivers and passengers on the road for the worse.

Recently, a driver in a 2006 Toyota Camry was driving eastbound on a major highway when it crossed over a yellow line and into the westbound lane. A second driver in a Jeep was going westbound on the same road and the two cars collided. Emergency responders immediately arrived at the scene to survey the damage and to address the needs of the two drivers and their passengers. Three people were rushed to the hospital, two of them flown by helicopter. One of the women was eventually pronounced dead.

It took police officers approximately five hours to re-open the part of the road where the accident occurred. Even as traffic began operating as usual, though, the families of the woman who died mourned her death and worked with investigators to figure out exactly what happened to cause the collision. Reports thus far have not indicated on whether any alcohol was involved in the accident.

Four Hospitalized after Chain-Reaction Crash on Route 12

Published on: August 31, 2022 | By Peter Thompson & Associates

Multi-Vehicle car accidents often start as minor collisions between two vehicles, which are then struck by other vehicles that are unable to stop in time to avoid a collision. Often, the damage and injuries that result from the secondary collisions are worse than the effects of the initial crash. A local news report recently discussed a multi-vehicle accident near Westmoreland, New Hampshire earlier this month that resulted in four accident victims being hospitalized.

According to the news report, the accident occurred on Route 12 when one vehicle slowed down, attempting to turn from the highway, and was struck from behind by another vehicle that may have been following too closely. Two other following vehicles were then unable to avoid the crash. According to the report, a separate fatal crash earlier this month occurred less than a mile away on the same road.

Following too closely is one of the leading causes of car accidents in New Hampshire and nationwide. Many accidents caused by other situations could be avoided if drivers would leave more space between themselves and the car in front of them. As the speed of a vehicle increases, the distance it takes to stop increases exponentially. Most highway drivers do not realize the distance it would take to stop when traveling at higher speeds, and follow too closely as a result, resulting in deadly accidents.

Accident Injures New Hampshire Family, Kills Son

Published on: August 14, 2022 | By Peter Thompson & Associates

Car crashes of any type can upend and disrupt families’ and victims’ lives, work, and finances. But when an entire family is killed or injured in an accident, the fallout can be catastrophic. While many families can lean on friends, family, and the community for help in this trying and devastating time, often the resulting financial strain can be too much to bear.

According to a recent article, a New Hampshire family is suffering and grieving after being involved in a three-car collision in Albany. An 8-year-old son passed away in the crash, while his 11-year old brother and both parents were seriously injured. Police are investigating the accident, and not much is publicly known. A Ford F550 collided with the Kia belonging to the family, which then collided with a Volvo. According to a GoFundMe page posted by friends of the family, the mother suffered a broken arm and pelvis, the father is recovering from nearly all of his ribs being crushed, and the surviving son suffered a broken ankle.

Navigating New Hampshire Wrongful Death Claims

Although financial damages do very little to repair grieving families, those who are injured and emotionally drained should be able to navigate this time without financial distress. Unlike other states, any person interested in the estate of the deceased may file a wrongful death claim in New Hampshire, so long as the death was caused by an individual or person acting carelessly.

Bicyclist Struck on New Hampshire Roadside and Airlifted to Local Hospital

Published on: July 26, 2022 | By Peter Thompson & Associates

New Hampshire is known for its quaint country roads and scenic drives, however many of these roads can be dangerous to drivers, and especially to pedestrians and bicyclists. The narrow, tree-lined roads that are so desirable for leisurely driving have not always been designed and maintained to maximize safety. A bicyclist traveling on Route 103 near Sunapee, NH was recently injured when he was hit by a car that veered into the breakdown lane near a curve in the road.

According to a local news report describing the crash, witnesses saw a man walking his bicycle on the side of Route 103 near Sunapee, when a vehicle approached from the rear and left the travel lane, striking the bicyclist and sending his body over a guardrail. Witnesses stopped to offer aid to the bicyclist, and authorities were called to the scene. According to the article, the bicyclist was treated at the scene and eventually airlifted to a local hospital by a medical helicopter.

Drivers who are traveling on narrow roads with limited visibility have a responsibility to use extra care when navigating corners and making other traffic maneuvers in order to prevent pedestrians and bicyclists from being injured on the roadside. A driver who fails to adjust their driving habits to road conditions could be held accountable in the event of an accident, even if they were otherwise following all of the traffic laws. If a bicyclist is traveling on the roadway or in the breakdown lane, it is the responsibility of a passing driver to ensure that they can safely execute the maneuver before starting to pass a cyclist. Any bicyclist or pedestrian who has been injured in a New Hampshire crash may have a claim for damages against the other drivers involved. The bodily injury liability auto insurance coverage that is mandatory for drivers in New Hampshire to have does cover injuries caused to bicyclists or pedestrians in accidents that are the fault of the policyholder. This means that any bicyclist or pedestrian who has been injured by an insured driver should be able to seek compensation by making a personal injury claim.

New Hampshire Car Accidents on the Fourth of July

Published on: July 10, 2022 | By Peter Thompson & Associates

The Fourth of July is a favorite summer-time holiday for many. Fireworks, BBQs, and spending time with friends and family are staples for many over the Fourth of July weekend. However, so too is drinking, which means that the roads during this time have a high concentration of drunk drivers.

In fact, the Fourth of July is one of the most dangerous holidays for drunk driving. Several studies have shown that the 4th of July sees the highest number of drunk drivers on the road. Thus, it is essential for anyone who drives over the holiday to take extra precautions and remain especially vigilant.

Of course, even the most careful drivers cannot avoid every accident. This is especially the case with New Hampshire DUI accidents. Drunk drivers are often irrational and unpredictable, meaning there may be little to no opportunity to avoid a collision. Those who are injured in a New Hampshire DUI accident can pursue a personal injury claim against the at-fault driver.

Damages in a New Hampshire DWI Accident

Published on: June 26, 2022 | By Peter Thompson & Associates

Drunk driving accident fatalities have steadily declined in the US over the past few decades; however, the numbers remain startlingly high. Especially concerning is that preliminary studies revealed an increase in drunk drivers during the COVID-19 pandemic, a time when fewer drivers were on the road. Despite widespread public knowledge about impaired driving, New Hampshire is one of the only states with more DUI arrests in 2019 compared to 2010.

Notwithstanding extensive efforts by safety advocates, politicians, and lobbyists, driving while intoxicated remains one of the top related factors for drivers involved in fatal accidents. The other contributing factors include speeding, failure to yield, improper lane usage, and distracted driving.

Pursuing Compensation After a New Hampshire Drunk Driving Accident

After a New Hampshire drunk driving accident, the at-fault party can face serious civil and criminal penalties. Generally, three types of damages are available after a favorable New Hampshire personal injury lawsuit. These damages include:

Economic,
Non-economic, and
Enhanced compensatory.

Escaped Convict Struck and Killed on New Hampshire Turnpike

Published on: June 20, 2022 | By Peter Thompson & Associates

Auto-pedestrian accidents are some of the most deadly types of motor vehicle incidents that occur on New Hampshire roads. Drivers may struggle to see pedestrians near the roadway, especially at night, and when pedestrians are struck by a moving vehicle, the damage can be catastrophic. A man who had walked out of a minimum-security corrections facility in New Hampshire earlier this month was struck by a car and killed while walking on a New Hampshire turnpike.

According to the facts discussed in a local news report coving the crash, the deceased man had walked away from a minimum-security transitional housing unit that was operated by the New Hampshire Department of Corrections. The man had been listed as escaped by the Department of Corrections for about a week when they received word of the crash. The man had been walking on the side of the Everett Turnpike in Nashua when he was struck by a driver and killed. The turnpike where the man was hit is not designed for pedestrian traffic, and pedestrians are not allowed to walk on the side of the road where the accident occurred.

Determining fault and financial liability for auto-pedestrian accidents can be a complicated endeavor in New Hampshire. Certain accidents are black-and-white, as one of the people involved was obviously responsible for the crash. In situations where both parties may have been negligent, New Hampshire law allows for the liability to be divided among the parties based on their portion of fault. New Hampshire practices comparative negligence law, which means that an accident victim is entitled to compensation for the proportion of the other driver’s fault. Unlike other states, this rule applies even in situations where the victim is substantially more at fault than the other driver.