New Hampshire Car Accident Claims
Legal Options After a Car Accident in New Hampshire In New Hampshire, car accident victims have multiple legal options. They may file a claim with the at-fault driver's insurance company or pursue a personal injury lawsuit in civil court. New Hampshire follows modified comparative negligence with a 51% bar under RSA §507:7-d - recovery is barred only when the plaintiff's negligence is greater than the defendant's causal negligence (i.e., when fault exceeds 50%). Below that threshold, recovery is reduced proportionally. Compensation can include medical expenses, lost wages, property damage, and pain and suffering. The statute of limitations for personal injury claims is three years, so acting quickly to gather evidence, including police reports and medical records, is essential to strengthen your case and maximize potential compensation.
Quick Facts
- Statute: 3 years.
- Fault Rule: Modified comparative negligence, 51% bar (RSA §507:7-d - barred only if fault exceeds 50%).
- Minimum Coverage: $25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident / $25,000 property damage.
Key Facts for New Hampshire Accident Claims
Statute of Limitations
3 years.
Personal injury claims
Fault System
Modified comparative negligence, 51% bar (RSA §507:7-d - barred only if fault exceeds 50%).
Comparative fault rules
Min. Liability Coverage
$25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident / $25,000 property damage.
State minimums
Uninsured Motorist
Must be offered unless rejected in writing.
Coverage status
Statute of Limitations in New Hampshire
New Hampshire requires that personal injury claims be filed within three years of the accident. Filing late can generally bar recovery. Acting promptly helps preserve medical records, witness statements, and police reports, which are critical to establishing liability. Timely filing ensures that your case has the strongest foundation and improves the chances of receiving full compensation for injuries and property damage.
New Hampshire's Fault System
New Hampshire follows modified comparative negligence with a 51% bar under RSA §507:7-d. Victims can recover damages as long as their fault does not exceed 50%. Recovery is barred only when the plaintiff's negligence is greater than the causal negligence of the defendant - a plaintiff found exactly 50% at fault is not "greater than" the defendant and can still recover. Compensation is reduced by the plaintiff's percentage of fault. Detailed documentation of the accident, including photographs, medical records, and witness statements, is essential for proving liability and maximizing recovery.
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Insurance Requirements
New Hampshire drivers must carry minimum liability coverage of 25/50/25. Liability insurance covers bodily injury and property damage caused to others. Insurers must offer uninsured motorist coverage unless it is rejected in writing. UM coverage provides critical financial protection in accidents involving uninsured or underinsured drivers, ensuring victims are not left with uncompensated losses.
Crash Data for New Hampshire
New Hampshire records too few large-truck crash deaths each year for a reliable state-level breakdown, so the national figure is the honest one: 85.3% of people killed in large-truck crashes nationwide were outside the truck, in passenger vehicles or on foot (Cash4Crashes analysis of NHTSA FARS 2024).
Of the 10 pedestrians killed in New Hampshire crashes in 2024, 7 (70.0%) died at locations without a marked crosswalk, suggesting a large share of pedestrian fatalities occur in unprotected crossing environments (Cash4Crashes analysis of NHTSA FARS 2024).
Related research: Truck crash victims study · Pedestrian crossings study.
Frequently Asked Questions
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