New Hampshire Injury Lawyer Blog
Although any accident can result in serious physical and emotional injuries, New Hampshire hit and run accidents tend to have worse outcomes. In the same vein, motorists who leave the scene of an accident may face significant criminal and civil penalties. Victims of a hit and run should contact an attorney to discuss how they can pursue a claim for financial compensation, as these claims are often complex.
The law imposes specific duties on drivers involved in a traffic accident. Under New Hampshire RSA 264:25, a driver of a vehicle who knows or should have known that they were involved in an accident which resulted in property damage, personal injury or death, must stop their vehicle at the scene. At a minimum, drivers must contact emergency services and provide the victim and law enforcement with their identifying information.
A hit and run accident occurs when a driver leaves an accident scene before law enforcement can respond. Hit and runs often occur because of driver distraction, fatigue, or impairment. Although rare, drivers can claim that they did not know they were involved in a hit and run accident. However, in many situations, a driver flees the accident scene for fear of repercussions. Drivers often flee because:
- They have an outstanding criminal warrant,
- They are driving without a valid license, or
- They are driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
To address situations where a driver may not have been aware they were involved in an accident, New Hampshire law allows a hit and run driver a 15-day grace period to fill out an accident report before they face criminal charges.
A driver’s failure to contact emergency services can cause the victim to suffer needlessly, and even die. For example, recently, a local New Hampshire news source reported on the arrest of a 20-year-old woman charged in a November hit and run accident. According to police reports, the woman faces charges in a hit and run pedestrian accident that left the victim with serious injuries.
Additionally, after these types of accidents, victims often experience challenges recovering compensation for their damages. In these cases, many victims seek compensation through their uninsured motorist coverage. However, insurance companies often present significant challenges to policyholders. Insurance companies go to great lengths to delay and avoid paying out claims. Moreover, even if a victim meets the insurance company’s onerous requirements, the coverage may not satisfy all of the victim’s losses. In these cases, victims should contact an experienced New Hampshire attorney.
Have You Suffered Injuries in a New Hampshire Hit and Run Accident?
If you or someone you love has suffered injuries in a New Hampshire car accident, you should contact the attorneys at Peter Thompson & Associates. The attorneys at our law firm have a long history of successfully representing personal injury claimants. We handle claims stemming from New Hampshire car, truck, and motorcycle accidents, product liability, premises liability, and medical malpractice. Our attorneys understand the importance of holding responsible parties liable for the damages their negligence or recklessness causes. Through our representation, our clients have recovered significant amounts of compensation for their losses. Contact our office at 800-804-2004, to schedule a free initial consultation with an attorney at our law firm.