New Hampshire Legal Blog

Officer, Teen Driver Collide in Manchester Motorcycle Accident

A Manchester teenager rear-ended a police officer on a motorcycle recently, according to an article in the Union-Leader. The officer was preparing to make a right-hand turn when he was struck from behind by the eighteen-year-old driver at the intersection of Hazelton Avenue and Faith Lane. The teenage driver was not under the influence of alcohol or drugs and appeared merely to have failed to pay attention to the traffic in front of him, resulting in the accident.

Both the officer on the motorcycle and the driver were evaluated for minor injuries at local hospitals. The officer was treated for minor injuries, including bruises and lacerations, and was then released.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), approximately 4,500 motorcycle and car collisions occur in the U.S. each year. Unfortunately, many of these are the result of drivers who don’t understand how to share the road safely with motorcycles, or who are simply not paying attention at a crucial moment.

To protect motorcycle riders and help prevent New Hampshire motorcycle accidents, remember that motorcycles can be more difficult to see than cars. Watch carefully for them while changing lanes or going through intersections. Also, leave plenty of room between your car and a motorcyclist ahead of you. Motorcycles are not as stable as cars, especially on wet pavement, and the motorcycle rider may need more time to stop or safely avoid a hazard than a car would.

If you or someone you love has been injured in a motorcycle accident and you suspect a driver’s negligence may be to blame, please contact the experienced New Hampshire motorcycle accident attorneys at Tenn And Tenn, P.A. Our skilled legal team will review your case thoroughly and fight to hold negligent parties accountable for their actions. Call 1-888-511-1010 today for a free consultation.

Older Motorcycle Riders are Increasing Motorcycle Death and Injury Rates

The number of older motorcycle riders is increasing the motorcycle fatality and injury rates, according to a recently released study reported in ScienceDaily.com. Researchers studied the records of over 60,000 motorcyclists involved in crashes between 1996 and 2005.

The researchers found that between 1996 and 2005, the average age of motorcyclists involved in crashes increased from 34 to 39. In addition, the proportion of injured motorcyclists over age 40 increased from 28 percent to 50 percent. Out of all injured motorcyclists that were studied, those between ages 50 and 59 were the fastest growing group, and 20 to 29 year old riders were the most declining.

Besides being more likely to be injured in a motorcycle accident, older riders who crash are more likely to have serious injuries, a longer hospital stay, or die when compared to younger riders. Motorcyclists over 40 are between one and a half and two times more likely to die in crashes than riders under age 40. The difference could be attributed to the body’s decreased ability to withstand injury as a person ages.

The study found that young and older riders had two things in common. Approximately 73 percent of each group of riders used helmets. Also, alcohol use was involved in about one-third of crashes for each group.

Tragically, motorcycle accidents in New Hampshire and throughout the United States are on the rise. Have you or a loved one been injured in a motorcycle crash due to someone else’s negligence? If so, contact an experienced New Hampshire motorcycle injury attorney. The legal team at Tenn And Tenn, P.A. have what it takes to garner the compensation you deserve and will protect your rights. Contact us today for a free consultation by calling 1-888-511-1010.

New Hampshire Motorcycle Accidents on the Rise

A 61-year-old Sandown man is in good condition after a serious New Hampshire motorcycle accident earlier this month. According to a report, the accident occurred one week after a motorcycle accident on the same road in which a drunk driver hit a motorcyclist riding in a charity event.

The victim wrecked his motorcycle on Route 111 in Hampstead. He was testing a new motorcycle at the time of the accident that he had borrowed from a motorcycle dealership. He crossed a double yellow line and hit two vehicles that were traveling in the opposite direction, a Volvo SUV and a Mazda. He was going about 30 miles per hour at the time of the accident.

The drivers of the Volvo and the Mazda were not hurt. The victim was badly injured at the time of the crash and was transported to Boston. He is now in good condition.

Tragically, in 2008 in the U.S. over 96,000 motorcyclists were killed. In New Hampshire, 29 motorcyclists were killed in 2008. In 25 percent of fatal motorcycle accidents, as in the aforementioned injury accident, the motorcyclist struck a fixed object, such as another vehicle.

The aggressive New Hampshire injury lawyers at Tenn And Tenn, P.A. can help motorcyclists who sustain injuries due to another driver’s negligence obtain the compensation that they deserve. A motorcyclist involved in an accident should contact a knowledgeable New Hampshire motorcycle attorney to help determine which party is responsible. Compensation can include amounts for medical expenses, lost wages, property damage, and more. Contact the experienced attorneys at Tenn And Tenn, P.A. today for a free consultation about your New Hampshire motorcycle accident by calling 1-888-511-1010.

Summer NH Motorcyclist Riding Guidelines

If you are like most conscientious motorcyclists in New Hampshire, then you are constantly concerned with how to remain safe while enjoying the open road. In our previous blog post, we discussed some important safety tips to help prevent NH motorcycle accidents. Here are three more suggestions that should provide you with more ways to stay safe while riding your motorcycle.

1. Motorcycle Maintenance - Part of a motorcyclist’s responsibility is to make sure that his or her bike is properly maintained. Motorcycle riding coaches suggest that riders should check their tires before each season and before each ride. A motorcycle’s braking, turning and accelerating functions are highly dependent on the traction of both tires.
2. Be Seen - Motorcyclists should wear bright and/or reflective clothing, such as jackets or vests, when riding at night. It is important for riders to remember to stay out of the No-Zones of large trucks and should go to the lane that makes them more visible to other vehicles.
3. Be Prepared - Even though the summer months present ideal riding weather for motorcyclists, the weather in New Hampshire can change in a matter of seconds. Motorcyclists should be ready with the appropriate equipment and gear to fit all hours and weather conditions. A motorcycle’s operation can be affected by humid or dry weather, rain, snow, as well as cord or warm temperatures.

The skilled New Hampshire motorcycle accident injuries lawyers at Tenn And Tenn, P.A. have seen first-hand how devastating a motorcycle crash can be for a motorcyclist. If you or someone you care about has been injured in a motorcycle accident due to another person’s negligence, our attorneys will aggressively work to protect your rights and help you obtain the compensation that you deserve. Contact the New Hampshire injury lawyers at Tenn And Tenn, P.A. today for a free consultation by calling 1-888-511-1010.

New Hampshire Motorcycle Safety Tips

Riding a motorcycle is an experience that motorcyclists in New Hampshire look forward to for the summer months. However, a rider must be constantly aware of his or her surroundings and should be visible to other motorists on the road. Here are three important New Hampshire motorcycle safety tips to remember.

1. Motorcycle Safety Courses - To ensure that your motorcycle riding experience is a safe one, no matter how long you have been riding, look into local safely courses for beginning, basic, intermediate, or experienced motorcyclists to brush up on your riding techniques and skills.
2. Learn How to Manage your Brakes and Turns - According to a citizen.com article, over 50% of single-vehicle motorcycle accidents take place during turns. Failing to negotiate a turn can be devastating for a motorcyclist. Another common mistake made by motorcyclists that often leads to an accident relates to braking either too much or not enough. Learning how to properly ride a motorcycle in terms of controlling turns and becoming familiar with the appropriate pressure to apply to the brakes is worth the time and effort to ensure safety.
3. Use Protective Gear - The article also mentions that full-face helmets are useful in preventing injury to a motorcyclist’s jaw, which is an injury that occurs about 35% of the time. While eye protection is required by all motorcyclists in New Hampshire, only riders under the age of 18 are required to wear helmets.

While these safety tips should be helpful to even the most seasoned motorcyclist, there are several other ways in which a motorcyclist can help prevent accidents and stay safe even when other motorists are not following the rules of the road. To learn more, please refer to our next blog post on motorcycle safety in New Hampshire.

The experienced NH motorcycle injury attorneys at Tenn And Tenn, P.A. have been protecting the rights of injured motorcyclists for years. We understand the importance of accurate accident reconstruction as well as the value a thorough investigation has in obtaining a successful case outcome for our clients. Call our dedicated and aggressive accident lawyers in New Hampshire today at 1-888-511-1010 for a free consultation.

Multi-Motorcycle Crash Injures Toledo Man

A recent Route 2 motorcycle crash in Ottawa County, Ohio resulted in one motorcyclist having to be airlifted to the University of Toledo Medical Center. According to a report featured in the Toledo Blade, the 45-year-old injured motorcyclist is listed in good condition. The other two motorcyclists involved in the incident, ages 71 and 53, sustained minor and no injuries, respectively, and did not require immediate medical treatment.

As with any motorcycle accident, a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident will undoubtedly reveal whether or not negligent action played a contributing role. Across the country each year, a total of 88,000 motorcyclists are injured in crashes, many of which were caused by another motorist’s negligence. Given that there are about 6.2 million motorcyclists in the U.S., according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, an overwhelming one in seven motorcyclists is injured each year, and that’s not even counting those motorcyclists who lose their lives in crashes.

Motorcyclists in New Hampshire are just as susceptible to being involved in crashes as other motorcyclists throughout the country. In the event that a motorcyclist is injured in an accident, the best course of action should involve retaining the services of an experienced New Hampshire motorcycle attorney who will help determine at-fault parties. Furthermore, negligent parties deemed responsible for New Hampshire motorcycle accidents can be held liable for damages associated with injuries resulting from the accident, such as medical bills and physical therapy fees.

If you’ve been involved in a New Hampshire motorcycle accident, please call the dedicated lawyers at Tenn And Tenn, P.A. today at 1-888-511-1010 for a free consultation and visit our motorcycle accident website at http://www.motorcycleaccidentlawyers.org/ for more information.

Motorcyclist Suffers Head Injury, Broken Bones in Dublin Collision

A www.wmur.com article discusses a recent motorcycle accident in Dublin that has severely injured a 60-year-old motorcyclist. While the cause of this accident is still being investigated, the article mentions that a car collided with the motorcycle on Route 101. As of June 10, the motorcyclist is in critical condition and sustained multiple broken bones and a head injury. The 93-year-old driver of the car was reported to have injuries that were not severe and a passenger in the car did not sustain injury.

New Hampshire motorcycle accidents that result in serious injuries, such as head injury and broken bones, present many physical, emotional, and financial challenges for an injured motorcyclist to overcome. In many auto accidents involving motorcycles, drivers and passengers of small passenger vehicles and trucks typically do not suffer injuries as severe as the motorcyclist. This is mainly due to the fact that a motorcyclist is more susceptible to enduring serious impact from contact with the road, surrounding vehicles, and other objects that may be present. Also, in New Hampshire, only motorcyclists under the age of 18 are required to wear a helmet. Even so, several motorcyclists of all ages wear helmets and other protective gear to enhance their safety in the event of a crash. .

The aggressive and skilled New Hampshire motorcycle accident lawyers at Tenn And Tenn, P.A. understand how devastating a motorcycle crash can be for an injury victim and his or her family. Our legal team has successfully handled many motorcycle accident cases relating to hazardous roads, hit and run accidents, motorcycle design defects, motorist negligence, uninsured/underinsured motorists, and much more. Contact the dedicated lawyers at Tenn And Tenn, P.A. today by calling 1-888-511-1010 for a free consultation and visit our motorcycle accident website at http://www.motorcycleaccidentlawyers.org/ for more information.

Help Prevent New Hampshire Fatal Motorcycle Accidents

Motorcycle collisions in New Hampshire can result in injuries such as broken bones, lacerations, torn ligaments, or in more catastrophic injuries such as brain injury, spinal cord injury, and even death. As the weather becomes more favorable for motorcyclists to take to the road, motorcycle safety cannot be stressed enough to help motorcyclists maintain control of their bike and be as protected as possible in case an accident does occur.

The following is a list of safety tips for motorcycle operators to review to lessen the possibility of a New Hampshire motorcycle accident.

1. Practice Defensive Driving - Always assume that motorists cannot see you, and plan to maneuver accordingly.
2. Constantly Improve Your Skills - Attend safety and skills courses. Many are offered by the state of New Hampshire.
3. Do Not Drive If You Are Tired - Failure to remain alert only serves to heighten the danger of operating a motorcycle.
4. Do Not Ever Drive If You Have Been Drinking Or Using Narcotics - Remaining alert and responsive is the key to safe motorcycle operation.
5. Make Sure That You Are Visible On The Road - Never ride in “blind spots” and always wear reflective or highly visible clothing.
6. Avoid Sudden Breaking Or Turning On Wet Or Gravel Roads - Motorcycles lack the traction of four-wheel vehicles. One should alter his/her motorcycle driving to account for slippery road surfaces.
7. Do Not Tailgate - Allow yourself space and time to react.

If you have been injured in a motorcycle accident in New Hampshire, it is vital that you retain an experienced New Hampshire motorcycle accident injury attorney. The attorneys at Tenn And Tenn, P.A. appreciate the complexities of a motorcycle injury case, and have a proven track record of achieving outstanding results for our clients. Call 1-888-511-1010 for a free consultation.

New Hampshire Bikers Flock to D.C. to Protest Helmet Law

Many New Hampshire residents are outraged at a bill that would require all motorcycle riders to wear helmets. Currently, New Hampshire is one of three states that does not require helmets for motorcyclists. At the end of January, 2010, more than 250 people, most of which were in protest of the bill, attended a meeting in the Representatives Hall.

Bill sponsors plead that the new legislation would lead to fewer head injuries and would save the state significant medical care costs. Still, many motorcyclists believe that the bill is an attempt to control their behavior and infringes upon their rights. However, the state could lose federal highway dollars if the helmet law is not adopted.

With or without a helmet, NH motorcyclists face serious dangers on the road. Motorcycle accident injuries range from minor cuts and lacerations to severe brain injury and paralysis. Riding a motorcycle will always present a greater risk than driving a car.

Although wearing a helmet greatly reduces the risk of injury, it still may not always protect against traumatic brain injuries. If you, or someone you love, has been involved in a motorcycle accident in New Hampshire, you should speak with a skilled NH motorcycle accident injury attorney.

At Tenn And Tenn, P.A., we have the experience and knowledge required to help you obtain maximum recovery for your losses. Contact one of our motorcycle accident lawyers today for a free and comprehensive telephone consultation. Call 1-888-511-1010 today, or visit our motorcycle accident specific website at www.motorcycleaccidentlawyers.org.

Source:http://www.unionleader.com/article.aspx?headline=Helmet+bill+draws+hundreds+to+hearing&articleId=03d035d7-db9f-41bf-ad55-fca38360b79a

Understanding More about New Hampshire Motorcycle Accidents

Motorcycle operators and their passengers are exposed to great bodily harm every time they take to the open road. The common misconception is that motorcycle owners are reckless and pose a threat of harm to others. However, statistics reveal quite the opposite information, confirming that automobile drivers often cause the collisions that results in serious personal injury to, or the death of, the motorcyclist. Each year, thousands of motorcyclists lose their lives in collisions caused by negligent and careless drivers.
Motorcycle helmets, leather and armored jackets, chaps and riding boots offer little protection against some of the most serious injuries, including herniated discs, traumatic brain injury, neck injuries, spinal cord injuries, and broken bones. Substantial medical expenses and lost wages can cripple the finances of the family of a motorcycle accident victim.

In New Hampshire, a motorcycle driver or passenger who sustains an injury from a motorcycle accident must file suit within three (3) years from the day of the accident. If you have been injured in a motorcycle accident in New Hampshire, you may be awarded past and future lost wages, past and future medical expenses and damages for pain and suffering. In some situations, particularly where alcohol is involved by the at-fault driver, enhanced compensatory damages may be awarded.

If you or a loved one has been involved in a motorcycle accident in New Hampshire, call Tenn And Tenn, PA. today for your free consultation to ensure that you make the smartest possible legal decisions during this critical time. The initial consultation is always free of charge. Call us today on our Personal Injury Help Line 1-888-511-1010. Feel free to review our case results at www.tennandtenn.com or on our Motorcycle-onlysite www.motorcycleaccidentlawyers.org.