New Hampshire Injury Lawyer Blog

New Hampshire Accident Involving Injured Motorcyclist is Still Under Investigation

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

When you are involved in a car accident, it can be a devasting and stressful time. On top of navigating any medical concerns caused by the accident, one may also find themselves navigating complex personal injury suits. Once a car accident occurs, it becomes important for those injured to gather evidence to prove what caused the accident and to prove what injuries resulted. Obtaining substantial evidence can help build a strong case, but can also present challenges.

For example, according to a recent news report, a motorcycle accident occurred this month In New Hampshire at the intersection of Concord Street near Courtland Street at about 8:15 a.m. An ambulance responded to a motorcycle down in the roadway and found an unresponsive man receiving treatment from bystanders. The male had serious injuries and was transported by ambulance to Southern NH Medical Center, before being transported by a helicopter to another hospital. The accident led to police officers shutting down Concord Street. In addition to the motorcycle found in the roadway, the area included a pick-up truck that had damage on the driver’s side. No one else was injured in the accident, but no further information has been shared by the Nashua police as they continue the investigation.

In civil lawsuits, the burden of proof of obtaining evidence falls on the plaintiff, or the person seeking damages. In other words, the person injured must provide evidence to establish that the other driver caused the car accident and as a result, the plaintiff suffered an injury. Evidence can range from medical records, photographs of the injury or from the scene of the accident, eyewitness testimony, or other forms.

New Hampshire Car Accident Involving a Driver Under the Influence Crashing into Police Cruiser

Published on: May 17, 2022 | By Peter Thompson & Associates

Driving under the influence can lead to serious physical injuries, property damage, and fatalities, and it is not a risk that any driver should take. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, about 28 people in the United States die in drunk-driving crashes, which equates to one person every 52 minutes.

Driving while under the influence of alcohol or other substances substantially impairs thinking, reasoning, muscle coordination, and reaction time, which are necessary components of driving. Being under the influence while driving leads a driver to engage in reckless behavior such as speeding, swerving, running red lights, and crossing lanes without checking for obstacles around them.

For example, last month, WMUR Manchester reported on a crash that occurred on the Everett Turnpike in New Hampshire. A silver Ford Edge struck the back of a police cruiser after the driver veered into the right breakdown lane. Both the driver of the Ford Edge and the trooper were taken to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The driver of the Ford Edge was charged with driving under the influence.

New Hampshire Multi-Vehicle Crashes Amongst Most Deadly

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

New Hampshire consecutive crash (“CC)” and chain-reaction accidents typically involve multi-vehicle collisions, often resulting in the most severe injuries. CC series accidents refer to instances of consecutive crashes composed of a primary accident and one or more subsequent secondary crashes that occur immediately within a certain distance. Chain-reaction accidents involve incidents where a collision occurs because of a sudden change of the lead vehicle. While there are many similarities between these types of accidents, by definition, CC series involves a group of multiple accidents, each of which can include single or multiple vehicles. In contrast, chain-reaction is considered as one crash with multiple vehicles.

Recently, a New Hampshire news report described a multi-vehicle crash on the Spaulding Turnpike that shut down two lanes of traffic. State police explained that they received reports of a two-vehicle collision, and moments later, additional reports came in about a third vehicle. An initial investigation revealed that a Volvo driver and a Nissan driver were traveling parallel in the southbound lane when the Nissan driver encroached into the Volvo’s path. As a result, both drivers took evasive steering actions to avoid a collision which caused both drivers to lose control of their cars. The Volvo driver stopped on the southbound on-ramp; however, the Nissan driver collided with a concrete barrier. Moments later, a Chevrolet driver traveling southbound slammed into the back of the Nissan. This impact dislodged the Nissan driver from the vehicle, and he was pronounced dead at the accident scene. A preliminary investigation indicates that distraction by an electronic device may have set the chain reaction into motion.

Traffic crashes are a serious concern for New Hampshire road users despite enhanced safety features in vehicles. Through significant research, a common understanding has formed that the severity of a secondary crash is highly dependent on the characteristics of the primary crash. In both CC and chain-reaction accidents, road design, traffic conditions, and the position of the primary crash all impact the result of the secondary accident. While there are many similarities, CCs often result in more burdens to the relevant road and traffic. These crashes involve multiple collisions in a limited area, which often causes congestions that are difficult to escape.

Older Adults and New Hampshire Wrong-Way Accidents

Published on: May 1, 2022 | By Peter Thompson & Associates

Driving helps older adults maintain independence and stay mobile; however, advancing age can present impairments that may impact driving ability. New Hampshire car accidents involving older and wrong-way drivers can result in serious injuries and deaths.

According to recent statistics from the Centers for Disease Control (“CDC”), there are more than 45 million licensed drivers over 65. Further, approximately 8000 older adults over 65-years-old received emergency treatment for crash injuries. A study from the Journal of Safety Research indicates that drivers over 70 years old have a higher crash death rate than middle-aged drivers. The higher accident rates among that age group are predominately associated with increased vulnerability to serious injuries. In the last reporting year, 73% of fatal accident victims killed in crashes involving drivers 70 years or older were either the driver themselves or their older passengers.

Generally, older adults engage in safer driving behaviors than other age groups; however, age-related declines may affect some older adults’ abilities to operate their vehicles safely. Physical, cognitive, and visual abilities may decline with age, and this functional impairment can interfere with safe driving. These impairments can cause confusion while driving, leading to a wrong-way accident.

New Hampshire Teens Pull Man Out of Burning Vehicles

Published on: April 23, 2022 | By Peter Thompson & Associates

Vehicle fires can lead to serious property damage, significant injuries, and fatalities. Most New Hampshire car fires stem from situations where gas or diesel ignites and causes an explosion. Some common causes of a car fire include:

Vehicle defects: A design or manufacturing defect can increase the likelihood of a car explosion and fire. A defect combined with other factors may ignite a fire or create unfavorable conditions that lead to a fire.
Motor vehicle collisions: The force of an accident can cause one or more cars to ignite. The vehicle’s engine, battery, or another component may become damaged during an accident and cause gas spillage and an explosion.
Improper vehicle maintenance: Poor vehicle maintenance can cause a car explosion or fire.
System Failures: Faulty wiring or defective computer systems can increase the likelihood of a vehicle fire.

In some cases, drivers may notice certain signs that indicate a potential explosion or fire. Consumer Reports advises consumers to be aware of warning signs such as:

A burning or melting smell.
A warning light on the dashboard.
Smoke coming from the vehicle.

Vigilance about the presence of these signs can prevent severe injuries and deaths.

Peanut Butter Sold In New Hampshire on Recall List

Published on: April 17, 2022 | By Peter Thompson & Associates

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) announced that a limited number of Skippy Peanut Butter sold in New Hampshire is being recalled. Skippy Foods, LLC recalls 9,353 cases, nearly 161,692 total pounds, of peanut butter. According to the peanut butter manufacturing company, Hormel Foods, the recall affects SKIPPY® Reduced Fat Creamy Peanut Butter Spread, SKIPPY® Reduced Fat Chunky Peanut Butter Spread and SKIPPY Creamy Peanut Butter Blended With Plant Protein.

According to the announcement, the recall stems from concerns that some peanut butter jars may contain stainless steel fragments from a part of manufacturing equipment at the plant. The company explained that they had not received consumer complaints about the stainless steel fragment; however, they are issuing the recall out of an abundance of caution. Consumers who have the listed products should return the items to their retailer or contact the company’s consumer engagement line for instructions and information.

Those who consume metal or other foreign objects in food may hold the company, restaurant, or another responsible party liable for injuries resulting from ingestion. “Foreign body ingestion” refers to when a person swallows a non-edible object. The condition also refers to edible items that become lodged before reaching the gastrointestinal tract. While many foreign things pass through a person’s body without complications, some objects may require urgent medical treatment.

DUI Driver Crashes into Library, Seriously Injuring Passenger

Published on: April 8, 2022 | By Peter Thompson & Associates

Driving while intoxicated is one of the most reckless and dangerous behaviors for New Hampshire drivers to engage in. Impaired driving generally encourages other dangerous driving behaviors, such as speeding and failure to yield, and can have catastrophic results. A recently published local news report discusses a driver in New Hampshire who crashed into a library while allegedly intoxicated, leaving his passenger with life-threatening injuries.

According to the local news report, a 31-year-old man lost control of his vehicle and crashed into the Conway Public Library. When authorities arrived on the scene, the driver and a 21-year-old female passenger were trapped in the vehicle. After freeing the occupants and rushing the woman to the hospital with life-threatening injuries, the driver of the vehicle was arrested and charged with aggravated DUI after showing signs of impairment.

Persons who are injured while a passenger in a single-vehicle collision may enjoy less insurance coverage than when involved in a multi-vehicle collision. In a multi-vehicle collision, the bodily injury coverage of the at-fault driver will pay for the damages of anyone injured in the crash. Furthermore, the uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage of any driver with an injured occupant can cover damages in excess of the bodily injury coverage policy limit. Because victims in single-vehicle accidents usually have less insurance coverage to work with, it is essential for them to consult with an experienced legal team to help collect all of the damages they are entitled to. Damages vary based on a number of factors, but may include compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, property damage, as well as for any pain and suffering a victim experienced as a result of their injuries.

Staying Safe from New Hampshire Pedestrian Accidents

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

As the weather warms up, more people will be out and about than usual. Although many of us are welcoming the warmer weather and sunshine, this also means that more pedestrians and cyclists will be sharing the roads with drivers. For pedestrians and drivers alike, it is crucial that they are proactive when they are sharing these often busy areas to prevent accidents from taking place.

According to recent national statistics, 5,977 pedestrians were killed in traffic crashes in the United States in 2017. Based on estimates, that equates to about one death every 88 minutes. This number has only increased since, with the National Center for Health Statistics estimating that 7,668 pedestrians died in pedestrian accidents in 2019.

Although pedestrian accidents and their associated injuries or deaths can occur in a variety of settings, they most often occur in urban ones. In 2019, 82 percent of pedestrian traffic deaths took place in urban settings, 73 percent occurred on the open road, 26 percent happened at intersections, and an alarming 80 percent involved dark lighting conditions with minimized visibility.

Mechanical Failure Leads to New Hampshire Truck Accident

Published on: March 25, 2022 | By Peter Thompson & Associates

Throughout the country, there have been efforts to restrict older trucks and enhance the safety measures of all large trucks on the road. In addition to environmental benefits, newer trucks can decrease the likelihood of a serious New Hampshire truck accident. There have been few studies to explore the impact of trucks’ age on their crash occurrence. However, a recent study by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Association revealed that mechanical defects, new routes, and fatigue are the most common cause of truck accidents in the country.

Mechanical defects can occur from and of the hundreds of complex parts of a large truck. However, some defects can lead to more severe accidents and subsequent injuries. Older trucks are more likely to experience a mechanical failure, although some newer electronic systems and steering wheel defects can pose significant risks. Some states require trucks to have 2010 model year engines or newer within the following year.

The most common mechanical defects that lead to accidents involve a truck’s tires, wheels, and braking systems. Tire defects frequently involve tread separation, steel belt separation, improper puncture repair, retread failure, manufacturing defects, and damage during the mounting process. These severe defects can lead to the tire dislodging or blowing out. A tire blow can create a dangerous road obstruction.

New Hampshire Head-On Collision Leaves Two Dead and Two Injured

Published on: March 17, 2022 | By Peter Thompson & Associates

Although there are multiple variations of car accidents that can be particularly dangerous, perhaps the most dangerous and deadly for those involved is the head-on crash. Because the vehicles are typically moving at high speeds directly toward each other, the sheer force of the accident often results in injury or death of both drivers and significant injuries for passengers. Understanding the common causes and steps forward following these accidents can help you, as a proactive driver, best avoid these tragedies.

According to a recent local news report, a head-on car accident in Oxford County left two people dead and two other individuals injured. The Oxford County Sheriff’s Office reported that a vehicle crossed the center line and crashed head-on with another vehicle. Both drivers were pronounced dead on the scene, and the car that was hit caught on fire as a result of the accident. Although two of the second vehicle’s passengers escaped the burning car, they were both transported to a local hospital to be treated for non-life-threatening injuries. As the accident remains under investigation, local authorities suspect that road conditions and driver impairment may have contributed to the crash.

Although New Hampshire experiences fewer car accidents than many other states in the country because of its smaller population size, the state is, unfortunately, no stranger to similar head-on car accidents. Head-on accidents are most often caused by distracted driving, driving under the influence, or drivers attempting to pass the vehicles ahead of them by moving into the oncoming traffic lane. Poor road conditions involving slippery, icy, or poor visibility for drivers can also exacerbate the possibility of an accident taking place.