Injury Lawyers Tag Archives — New Hampshire Legal Blog

Published on: December 9, 2021

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%.”

Continue reading →

Published on: June 28, 2020

What Types of Injuries Happen in an NH Auto Accident?

By Tenn And Tenn

Whether you’re driving a few short blocks away from your New Hampshire home or you’re enjoying a scenic drive along one of NH’s many mountainous highways, there’s always the potential for an accident to happen.

Moreover, despite recent events, the number of auto accidents and associated injuries seems to be spiking.

The New Hampshire Office of Highway Safety found that the first half of 2020 featured a 70% increase in traffic-related fatalities compared to previous years. This doesn’t even touch on the number of life-changing injuries that can happen in conjunction with an auto accident. In the U.S. alone, nearly 3 million people experience auto accident injuries every year. 2 million of those people experience permanent effects as a result.

Continue reading →

Published on: May 20, 2015

Avoid Auto Accidents in NH this Memorial Day

By Tenn And Tenn

Memorial Day Travel Tips for New Hampshire – Avoid Auto Accidents

Memorial Day is the day which we remember all the men and woman who died serving our great country, and for that we are grateful. This day also signifies the unofficial start of summer, celebrations that last late into the night, and vacations. It also begins the “100 Deadliest Days” of the year according to the NHTSA. More than 33 million Americans are expected to hit the road during Memorial Day weekend with plans to travel at least 50 miles from home by car. As a result, it is definitely time to review auto accident and travel safety tips to improve your chances of having a happy and safe holiday weekend.

Buckle up!

Continue reading →

Published on: May 4, 2014

What is My NH Injury Case Worth?

By Tenn And Tenn

In New Hampshire, accidents happen every day. Some are severe, even fatal. The fatality rate of persons killed by motor vehicle accidents in NH remains steady year after year. These numbers could rise with the mass amount of smart phone usage and texting while driving increases. If you are looking at filing a legal claim or lawsuit due to injuries sustained through the negligence of others, you are probably wondering what your injury case may be worth. There are a lot of factors that will decide the dollar amount, however you must first determine if there is enough evidence to prove negligence, if the injuries are causally related and severe enough to provide for a monetary recovery or settlement.

In the end, it boils down to the damages sustained. You have to determine what your injuries cost you physically, mentally and monetarily. When it comes to personal injury cases, the company or the individual who is responsible for the accident can be held liable and ordered to pay monetary compensation to the injured party. Damage awards can be determined by a negotiated settlement between the attorneys, insurance company and the parties involved, or a jury and judge can decide at trial.

Don’t Sign Anything Until First Speaking With an Experienced NH Injury Attorney

Continue reading →

Published on: February 10, 2013

NH Supreme Court Upholds Negligent Homicide in Cellphone case.

By Tenn And Tenn

NH Supreme Court Upholds Negligent Homicide in Cellphone case.

If you are not convinced that talking on a cellphone while driving is dangerous, consider this recent ruling by NH Highest Court. On Friday, February 8, 2013, the Court ruled unanimously to uphold the conviction of Lynne Dion in the 2009 death of pedestrian Genny Bassett. Although talking on a cell phone while driving is not illegal in New Hampshire, by its ruling, the Supreme Court says doing so can be used to convict a driver of criminal negligent homicide.

According to the Court Opinion, the collision occurred a little after 9 p.m. on June 28, 2009. Genny Bassett was walking her close friend, Elsa Gonnella home, after an evening of playing cards and watching movies. The two women were crossing a bridge in Franklin and had almost reached the sidewalk when they were struck by Dion’s car. Dion said she never saw the women in the newly painted, well-lit crosswalk. Dion braked when she heard a loud “pop” and felt glass coming into her car. Her vehicle had hit Bassett’s right leg and Bassett’s head hit the passenger side of the windshield, fracturing her skull and causing a fatal head injury.

Continue reading →

Published on: July 20, 2012

How Insurance Companies Value Personal Injury Cases

By Tenn And Tenn

As New Hampshire Injury Lawyers, we are often asked by our personal injury clients: “How do insurance companies value my injury claim”. The answer is neither simple nor straight forward. However, our injury attorneys have more than 60 years of combined experience in dealing with these companies and have come to learn many of their evaluation methods.

Many insurance companies today utilize a computer program to determine the value of your NH automobile or motorcycle accident. The computer program is called Colossus. And, by our estimation, is used by more than 50% of claims adjusters. Colossus, and other such programs, allows the claims adjuster to input information about your NH injury, such as your medical injuries, medical bills and lost wages. The computer system will also accept information concerning the severity of the collision, the location of where the injury occurred and where the claim, or potential lawsuit, may be filed. With that information, Colossus will provide a range of values for your injuries, which values the adjuster will use when offering to settle your claim.

Colossus and other such programs also consider whether or not your injuries are permanent in nature, when determining value. Broken bones, bulging or herniated disks, and loss of mobility or functionality will be awarded greater value than soft tissue injuries. These types of injuries which can be objectively documented by CT-scans and MRI’s are given more weight and value.

Continue reading →