New Hampshire Motorcycle Accident Frequently Asked Questions

After a motorcycle accident in New Hampshire, your safety and well-being should be your top priorities. If you’re able to do so safely, move to a secure location away from traffic and call emergency services. Seek medical attention for any injuries, no matter how minor they may seem. Additionally, gather information from the scene, such as the other driver’s contact and insurance details, and take photos of the accident scene and any visible injuries.

Although motorcycle insurance coverage may not be mandated under New Hampshire law, the motorcycle injury attorneys at Tenn And Tenn, P.A. strongly encourage every rider to carry full insurance coverage on their motorcycle. This usually includes:

• Bodily injury liability limits and uninsured/underinsured limits of at least $250,000;
• Medical payments coverage of at least $10,000; and
  Collision, comprehensive and property coverage on your motorcycle.
• In a non-mandatory insurance state such as New Hampshire, if you do not maintain sufficient insurance coverage and are seriously injured in a motorcycle accident, there may be no insurance monies available to compensate you for your injuries.

Regardless of whether you maintain motorcycle insurance, you are always entitled to bring a claim against the at-fault party, so long as you do so within the Statute of Limitations.

Yes, if you have been injured in a hit-and-run motorcycle accident, you can file a claim under your own uninsured motorist policy for your injuries and damages.

While it’s not required to hire an attorney after a motorcycle accident, having legal representation can significantly benefit your case. An experienced attorney can navigate the complexities of New Hampshire’s laws and insurance policies, handle communication with insurance companies, gather evidence to support your claim, and negotiate for fair compensation on your behalf. At Tenn And Tenn, PA, we offer free consultations to assess your case and provide personalized guidance on the best course of action.

In New Hampshire, the statute of limitations for filing a personal injury claim, including motorcycle accident cases, is generally three years from the date of the accident. It’s crucial to initiate legal proceedings within this timeframe to preserve your right to seek compensation. However, it’s advisable to consult with an attorney as soon as possible after the accident to ensure all necessary steps are taken to protect your rights.

If you’ve been injured in a motorcycle accident due to someone else’s negligence, you may be entitled to various types of compensation. This can include medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, property damage, and in some cases, punitive damages. The exact amount of compensation you may receive depends on the circumstances of your case and the extent of your injuries.

New Hampshire follows a comparative negligence system, meaning that if you were partially at fault for the accident, your compensation may be reduced proportionally to your degree of fault. However, even if you were partially responsible, you may still be eligible to recover compensation. It’s essential to consult with an attorney who can assess the details of your case and advocate for your rights effectively.

Uninsured motorist coverage is designed to cover you and provide compensation for your injuries and damages in the event the at-fault driver cannot be identified.

In most situations the answer is “yes.” Most health insurance policies provide for a right of subrogation, meaning that they are entitled to be paid back on any bills they paid on your behalf, if you receive a personal injury settlement or award. Often, your injury lawyer can negotiate down the amount recoverable.

If you are over 18 years of age, New Hampshire law does not mandate helmet use. As such, wearing a helmet or not, is left up to you. The motorcycle lawyers at Tenn And Tenn, P.A. strongly recommend all riders and passengers wear DOT-approved helmets.

If the other driver was the cause of the motorcycle accident and your resulting injuries, you are entitled to compensation for your injuries. Your failure to wear a helmet does not prevent you from asserting a claim against the at-fault party.

If you were involved in a New Hampshire motorcycle accident that resulted in significant property damage and/or personal injury, you are required to report the accident to the police. Contacting the police allows them to document the collision, obtain witness and insurance information, and determine who was at fault for the collision. This information will be critical in bringing a claim against the responsible driver.

It is critical to initiate a prompt investigation because insurance companies will often attempt to prove that the motorcyclist was reckless or at fault for the crash, all in an attempt to reduce the value of your claim. An experienced New Hampshire motorcycle injury attorney will stay on top of the official investigation and ensure that the facts of the case are represented and that the victim’s rights are protected.

An uninsured motorist is one who does not have auto or motorcycle insurance coverage. Uninsured motorist coverage is a clause in your insurance policy, which pays you for injuries and damages when an uninsured motorist hits and injures you. Underinsured motorist coverage pays for your injuries when the at-fault motorist has insurance coverage, but the liability limit is not high enough to fully compensate you for all the damages you have suffered.

If you were injured due to a manufacturing defect or product defect in your motorcycle, then you may have a claim against the manufacturer of the motorcycle. An experienced motorcycle accident lawyer will retain an expert to thoroughly examine the motorcycle for any evidence of defects, malfunctions or design flaws. It is important to preserve the vehicle unaltered so it can be thoroughly examined for defects.

A number of motorcycle accidents in New Hampshire are caused by roadways or intersections that are dangerously designed or roadway defects such as uneven pavement, potholes or missing signage. In such cases, you may be able to file a claim against the governmental entity responsible for maintaining the roadway in question.

The loss of a loved one under any circumstances can be devastating. If you have lost a loved one in a motorcycle accident as the result of someone else’s negligence or wrongdoing, you can file a wrongful death claim against the negligent or responsible party. Typically, an estate will be open and the estate will initiate the claim on the decedent’s behalf. Such claims seek compensation for losses including, but not limited to, medical expenses, funeral costs, lost future income and benefits and emotional distress.