Accidents happen every day. When these accidents result in a fatality, however, those who are survived by the deceased accident victim may have the ability to file a New Hampshire wrongful death claim in court. These claims can often be complex, and like other states, New Hampshire has state-specific rules governing who can file such claims and what damages and remedies are available for the parties who decide to bring these claims to court.
According to a recent news report, a local New Hampshire man was arrested after a roadway accident killed the passenger on his motorcycle. The driver of the motorcycle failed to account for a curve in the roadway and lost control. After losing control, the driver and his passenger were both thrown from the motorcycle off the shoulder of the roadway where his passenger sustained fatal injuries from the crash. The driver sustained life-threatening injuries and was transported to a local hospital where he was charged with negligent homicide. The investigation into the crash is still ongoing, but local authorities reported that alcohol was potentially a factor in the crash.
To advance a successful wrongful death claim in New Hampshire, one must first be eligible to bring such a claim to court. New Hampshire allows wrongful death suits to be filed in cases where the “negligent, reckless, or intentional act” of another party causes death. Wrongful death claims are just like other personal injury claims, except the injured person is deceased and no longer able to bring a suit on their own for damages. Instead, the deceased’s estate or family must file on their behalf.