For more than 100 years, our team of car accident lawyers in New Hampshire have been helping victims of car accidents as they seek the maximum compensation available for their specific situation. If you have been harmed by another driver’s negligence while on the road, your first step should be to call Upton & Hatfield, LLP to discuss your legal options.
Whether your injuries were a result of drunk driving, distracted driving, or even a rideshare accident, our team is here to help you get the compensation you deserve. Call Upton & Hatfield today at (603) 634-9560 to get expert representation!
A primary objective of the insurance company will be to settle the case as soon as possible. The at-fault party’s insurance company will attempt to low ball the settlement from what you are actually entitled to. Another tactic they might use will be to get you to incriminate yourself and admit some level of fault. The insurance company can even ignore your claims for compensation or deny your requests to cover immediate expenses.
Is It Worth Getting a Car Accident Lawyer?
That is why you will want to work with a car accident attorney in New Hampshire through each step of your case. Our team can begin with an investigation and take any necessary legal action to fight for the maximum compensation you deserve. We will take each of the following measures on your behalf:
Obtain your medical records
Protect you from the insurance companies
Work with experts in the car accident field
Deal with the claims process
Whether you need assistance handling a wrongful death case of a loved one or have suffered injuries of your own, our team is available to work with you.
Common Types of Car Accidents
Car accidents can range from minor fender benders to serious, multi-car pileups. Some of the most common types of car accidents include the following:
Even if your accident was minor, you may still be eligible to receive compensation if you required medical treatment or were forced to miss work following your accident.
How Much Should I Ask for in a Car Accident Settlement?
Knowing how much to ask for while negotiating a car accident settlement
can
be confusing if you don't understand what types of damages you
will
need
to
cover. In general, most accident settlements
seek to compensate
the
victim
for out-of-pocket expenses
resulting from their injuries.
This
can include:
Medical bills
Lost wages or income
Ongoing medical treatment
However, depending on how severe your injuries are you may be entitled
to compensation
for the following additional damages:
Pain and suffering
Wrongful death (if you lost a loved one)
Emotional damages
Loss of consortium or companionship
Our car accident lawyers are here to walk you through the process of determining
a fair settlement amount and then pursuing that compensation
on
your behalf.
What Is the Average Car Accident Settlement?
Car accidents lawsuits that involve personal injury will usually be higher
than those that only involve property damage. In the realm of personal
injury
lawsuits, your settlement will vary depending on how
severe
your
injuries are
and what the long-term effects are.
For example, if you suffered only soft-tissue injuries, your compensation
will
be considerably less than if you suffered a traumatic brain or
spinal
cord
injury. In general, a car accident settlement
can range anywhere
from $10,000
to $100,000 (or possibly more).
How Long Does it Take to Settle a Car Accident Lawsuit?
Every case is going to carry its own set of complications and there is
no set
timeline as to how long a car accident lawsuit will take to settle.
They
can
range from anywhere between a few short months to
years
of litigation.
The
length of your case will depend
on the nature
of your injuries and
several
other factors,
some of which include:
Cooperation of the insurance company
Whether court is required or the case can be settled
How many vehicles were involved
Our New Hampshire car accident lawyers are prepared to help you handle
your
case with efficiency and grit. Although we are unable to guarantee
an
outcome,
we will give it the energy and drive it requires.
What Happens In An Auto Accident Lawsuit?
A typical car accident lawsuit will go through the following phases:
Filing a claim - First we'll work to compile evidence regarding your accident, then we will submit a claim on your behalf to try and obtain fair compensation from the insurance company.
Discovery - If the insurance company refuses to offer a fair settlement, we will proceed in preparing your case for trial. The discovery phase includes researching and compiling evidence for your case, collecting testimonies from witnesses, and exchanging information with the the defendant's legal team.
Going to trial - During the trial we will present our evidence before a judge or jury and argue your case. We will fight to obtain maximum compensation on your behalf.
How Do You Prove You're Not At Fault in a Car Accident?
While some car accidents may be straight-forward when it comes to determining fault, others may be contested. If you believe that the police report taken at the scene of the accident is inaccurate, or if the other party is denying fault, here are some steps you can take to help prove you weren't at fault:
Always request to see the police report as soon as possible after your accident, if you believe there are errors you should contact the police department and attempt to get them corrected
Take as many pictures as possible at the scene of the accident (of your injuries, your car, the scene, etc.)
Contact witnesses who may have seen the accident and can help back up your version of events
Hire an auto accident lawyer to represent you in your claim
How Do I Get a Copy of My Accident Report?
Accident or crash reports are one of the documents you will need when pursuing legal action for your accident. This report is taken by the responding police officer at the scene of the crash, and summarizes their findings regarding who they believe was at fault and details about the crash.
To get a copy of your accident report, you will need to contact the New Hampshire DMV and pay a small fee (a minimum of $5) to have the report sent to you. You can read more about the process for requesting a crash report on the DMV's website.
How Soon After My Accident Should I Hire a Car Accident Attorney?
If you have suffered serious injuries or have suffered serious damage to your car, you should hire a lawyer as soon as possible after your crash. The sooner you secure representation, the easier it will be to obtain evidence in your case and ensure that you have plenty of time to build your case before going to court. Not only that, but it can help ensure you get compensation for your injuries as soon as possible.
What Is the Statute of Limitations for Car Accident Lawsuits in New Hampshire?
New Hampshire allows car accident injury victims to file a personal injury claim for up to 3 years following the date of their accident. This is true for any type of car accident claim, with the exception of wrongful death claims. If your loved one died as a result of a car accident, you have up to 3 years after the date of their death to pursue legal action.
Our firm has been serving New Hampshire since 1908! Call Upton & Hatfield today to get started on your case. You can also fill out our online contact form. We have offices located in Concord, Peterborough, Hillsborough and Portsmouth.
“I was very fortunate to have Upton & Hatfield represent me. Could not of asked for a better experience. I highly recommend using Upton & Hatfield. A++”
