New Hampshire Legal BlogA car accident can happen to anyone anywhere, and it will often take a person completely by surprise and leave him or her reeling in shock, especially if injuries were sustained. Maybe you were out with your family driving along any one of our Granite State’s scenic highways, or maybe you were just running a quick errand to the store. Being in a car accident can irrevocably change your life in a matter of a few seconds.
Articles Posted in car accident
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How Comparative Fault Works in New Hampshire
In July 2021, a four-vehicle collision (including a semi-trailer truck) shut down several lanes of traffic on I-93 in New Hampshire. Fortunately, none of the injuries were life-threatening, but the accident itself is an object lesson in the complexities of figuring out percentages of fault under New Hampshire’s tort laws. Multiple personal Continue reading →
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When Car Safety Features Fail, Who is Responsible?
As our cars’ safety and technological features increase in complexity every year, you may be concerned about how safe they are. It’s difficult to give up control of your speed, braking, and lane changes to a machine. We’re so trained to actively drive our cars that it can be disconcerting when your steering wheel thinks you’re trying to change lanes without signaling when you’re really passing through a construction zone with old, faded lane lines crossing through your path. At least three people have already died in driverless car crashes. As our automotive future “steers” us towards driverless cars, should we be concerned? And what happens when our car safety features don’t work the way they should?
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What are the Dangers of Driving Too Slowly?
When we think of dangerous driving, our minds often go to fast cars zipping in and out of traffic, threatening the safety of everyone around them. While it’s true that the need for speed can indeed be hazardous, driving too slowly can be just as perilous.
Why People Drive Too Slowly
Distractions are one of the leading causes of slow driving. As humans, we like to think of ourselves as excellent multitaskers, able to drive and check our texts or emails at the same time. In Continue reading →
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Car Accidents Involving Rocks Or Natural Debris
New Hampshire is known for its beautiful scenery, filled with mountains, lakes, fall foliage, and more. Along with that beauty comes the risk of natural debris. Last summer, a New Hampshire woman died after crashing into trees. In April 2021, a New Hampshire woman hit a tree on a Vermont road and died. A fire ensued mid-May 2021 after a driver hit a deer on Rt 118 in Dorchester.
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Why Have Auto Accident Rates Spiked so Dramatically During the Pandemic?
In the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, mandatory lockdowns resulted in many companies moving to remote work, resulting in fewer cars on the road. For months, highways and roads that had been stop-and-go during rush hour were now open and empty. With the decrease in activity, one would expect a decrease in automobile accidents. In fact, the opposite was true.
A National Safety Council report found that an estimated 42,060 individuals died in auto accidents during 2020—this represents an increase of 8% compared to 2019. Eight states had an increase of more than 17% (ranging from 18% to 33%) in the number of estimated deaths due to car crashes. Examined through another lens, if you compare national “traffic deaths to the number of miles driven, the rate of fatalities rose 24%.”
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The Unique Perils of New Hampshire Weather For Drivers
New Hampshire—home of Mount Washington, which is known for its erratic weather—receives heavy amounts of snowfall, rain, and ice every year. On average, precipitation occurs 133 days per year. The average rainfall is 46 inches of rain (compared to the US average of 38 inches) and 68 inches of snow (28 inches for the US). And precipitation is not the only concern. Mount Washington, located in the Presidential Range of the White Mountains in Coös County, has recorded wind speeds of 231 mph (which held the worldwide record from 1933 to 1996). Although the rest of the state does not necessarily experience such extreme winds, the overall weather does present some unique concerns.
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Rideshare Accidents
These days we think nothing of grabbing an Uber or hopping into a Lyft instead of a cab or driving ourselves. Rideshares have become a cost-effective part of our lives, with easy-to-use apps, cash-free payment, and the ability to leave driver feedback instantly. More than 36% of people used rideshares in 2018, and the two largest companies – Uber and Lyft – reported more than $17.7 billion in net revenue in 2019. Rideshare companies are popular among riders, but these companies raise some unique legal issues because they treat their drivers as contractors and state lawmakers haven’t figured out how to regulate them.
While rideshares are similar to taxi cabs, there are some important differences. Rideshare companies don’t own a fleet of cars. Rather, these companies act more as a platform to allow car owners to operate as a taxi in their private car. Moreover, rideshare platforms don’t fall under the same regulatory and licensing requirements that govern traditional taxi companies, leaving many grey areas concerning legal liability for accidents. Luckily, the New Hampshire legislature stepped into this regulation vacuum, passing legislation in 2016 to pass a law setting statewide rules for ridesharing.
Liability for Car Accidents
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Can COVID-Related Neurological Damage Cause Slip & Falls and Car Accidents
Since the world began tracking COVID-19 cases, there have been nearly 168 million cases worldwide and more than 33 million cases in the United States. Although the long-term consequences of COVID-19 infection are still unfolding, some of the effects came into play as early as last summer, when experts predicted that as many as 1 in 3 patients could experience neurological after-effects of the disease.
Neurological Impact
Beyond lung damage, this is perhaps the most concerning long-term effect. Although scientists are undecided on whether COVID-19 attacks the brain itself, the evidence clearly points to the ongoing potential results: increased fatigue, sleep disorders, gait challenges, loss of vision, and tingling/numbness in limbs. And, the prediction from last August has proven to be prescient and accurate by several longitudinal studies. “The survivors displayed a wide array of neurological symptoms: fatigue, from memory and attention issues to sleep disorders, myalgias followed by depression/anxiety, visual disturbances, tremors, and anosmia, the loss of the sense of smell.”
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What happens if injuries are delayed after a car crash in New Hampshire?
After a car crash, depending on the severity of it, you may feel fine and decide you don’t need medical attention. No one will make you go to ER or Urgent Care (unless, of course, you are noticeably in need of it), so it is all up to you. But what happens if you don’t go and then a few days later, even weeks later, you start getting headaches or other aches and pains in the neck and shoulder area? How do you explain this new pain?
One answer: the car accident. But how do you now prove it?
You didn’t go to the hospital, so what happen if your injuries are delayed after a car crash? Can you still be compensated for them if the accident was caused by another person? You better believe the insurance company for the other party will do all it can to argue that these new aches and pains have nothing to do with the accident. So, the first takeaway here is: always seek medical attention after an accident if you in any way struck your head or were jolted backwards, forwards, or sideways – even if you feel fine after the sudden shock of it.