Taking care of your health after a truck accident comes first. To protect your rights, you should also act quickly to support your truck accident claim and pursue full compensation. While you focus on recovery, our New Hampshire truck accident attorneys at Upton & Hatfield, LLP can handle the challenges of your case on your behalf.
With more than a century of personal injury practice, our law firm stands as one of the most respected teams in the state. Upton & Hatfield, LLP has remained successful by delivering high-quality legal guidance, supporting our communities, and challenging large insurance companies when others may hesitate. Our firm blends tradition, rigorous preparation, and a deep commitment to New Hampshire.
Truck accidents often result in major property damage and serious injuries. Tractor trailers and big rigs frequently travel on major New Hampshire highways, such as Interstate 93 and I-89, increasing the risk of collisions. Insurance carriers and trucking companies employ teams who work to minimize claims, making it essential for injured parties to have advocates with local experience. Our attorneys have deep roots in New Hampshire courts and use their knowledge of state and federal regulations to support our clients in these complex cases.
What Are Common Causes of Truck Accidents?
Accidents involving large trucks raise important questions about frequency and causation. While details vary across each case, large commercial trucks have been involved in at least 10% of all fatal motor vehicle accidents, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Big rigs and semi-trucks make up a much smaller percentage of vehicles on the road, which highlights the significance of each crash.
This data prompts closer examination: What factors lead to so many truck accidents? Understanding those causes is critical in establishing legal responsibility in these complex claims.
Four of the most common causes of truck accidents are:
Exhaustion: The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) allows most commercial truck drivers to drive up to 11 hours a day during a 14-hour shift and a 70-hour workweek. These limits, along with the demands of the job, contribute to fatigue. Many truck accidents involve drivers who fall asleep or become too tired to focus while driving.
Impairment: Some truck drivers turn to drugs or alcohol to fight off fatigue. Substance use behind the wheel endangers the driver and everyone else, creating risks even greater than exhaustion alone.
Speeding: Truck drivers are primarily paid by the mile, not the hour. This system creates pressure to break posted truck speed limits, endangering others as they rush to finish longer shifts or increase their earnings.
Brake failures: Mechanical breakdowns, especially brake failures, are extremely dangerous. Bringing an 80,000-pound semi-truck to a stop places immense strain on the braking system, especially when the truck carries heavy or overloaded cargo.
New Hampshire weather also creates challenges for commercial truck drivers. Snowy winters, icy highways, and sudden rain on roads like I-95 or the White Mountain Highway can limit visibility and increase the risk of skidding. Trucking companies and drivers must remain vigilant in these conditions to avoid crashes and meet strict safety obligations under state and federal law.
Getting Medical Care & Documenting Your Injuries
See a medical professional quickly after any truck accident, even if you feel fine. Prompt care creates a record of your physical condition and ties your injuries directly to the accident, protecting your legal claim. Attending all appointments and keeping thorough documentation gives you a stronger foundation when negotiating with insurance companies after a truck accident in New Hampshire.
Many New Hampshire hospitals and urgent care clinics, including those in Concord, Portsmouth, and Manchester, have dedicated processes for accident injuries. These providers properly document treatment details and assist with referrals for specialists or further imaging.
Honest, complete reporting of your symptoms helps identify hidden injuries that may become disabling over time. Well-organized medical records allow you to pursue the compensation appropriate for your full range of injuries and support your recovery.
What Damages Can You Pursue After a Truck Accident in New Hampshire?
New Hampshire law allows people injured in truck accidents to seek compensation—known as damages—for multiple types of losses. Most claims focus on reimbursement for current and future medical bills, damaged property, and lost wages from time missed at work. Cases involving a big rig, tractor-trailer, or semi-truck often lead to significant or catastrophic injuries, which can bring additional long-term financial and medical needs.
You may also seek damages for pain and suffering, emotional distress, and lasting disability. The impact of a truck accident often extends well beyond immediate expenses. Because New Hampshire uses a modified comparative fault rule, your recovery could be reduced if you are found partially responsible. Working with a team like Upton & Hatfield, LLP, which has deep experience in local cases and courts, helps make sure every potential type of compensation is carefully considered. Our thorough approach and local perspective serve each client’s best long-term interests.
Who Can Be Held Liable for a Truck Accident?
Determining who is responsible after a truck accident involves careful investigation, because several parties can share liability. Below are some of the possible parties who may hold responsibility in a New Hampshire truck accident case:
Truck driver: If the truck driver acted negligently or recklessly, they may be held liable.
Trucking company: Employers may be liable if they do not train, supervise, or screen their drivers properly, or if they fail to inspect trucks and enforce safety standards.
Owner of the truck: When a separate company or individual owns the truck, they may be responsible for maintenance defects or failing to correct known mechanical issues.
Cargo loaders: If a truck’s cargo is loaded incorrectly, the company or individuals who loaded the truck can be responsible if shifting or falling cargo causes a crash.
Maintenance companies: Outside vendors entrusted with truck maintenance may be liable for sloppy repairs or skipping required inspections.
Government entities: In some cases, a local or state government responsible for road design, maintenance, or signage could share liability if poor conditions contributed to the accident.
New Hampshire’s busy interstate corridors mean many commercial trucking operations regularly cross state lines, adding layers of state and federal oversight. Who holds responsibility can hinge on the truck’s registration, the specifics of insurance policies involved, and where the accident took place. Both New Hampshire and federal agencies may examine these incidents for violations of FMCSA standards and state law. Addressing these layers of liability is key to pursuing fair compensation in complex truck accident claims.
If you have been injured in a truck accident, consult with a truck accident lawyer in New Hampshire to discuss your claim. An attorney can help you determine which parties may share fault and how state law could affect your right to recover damages.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to file a claim after a truck accident in New Hampshire?
State law generally gives you three years from the accident date to bring a personal injury claim in New Hampshire. Deadlines may vary depending on the specific details of your case, so speak with a truck accident attorney to protect your rights.
What should I do at the scene of a truck accident?
Your safety comes first. Move to a safe place if possible, call law enforcement, get medical attention right away, and collect contact information for witnesses. Take photos of the crash scene and vehicles to preserve important evidence.
Does New Hampshire require higher insurance coverage for truck drivers?
Yes, commercial truck drivers in New Hampshire must meet higher insurance requirements than drivers of standard vehicles. These higher limits protect accident victims and can affect how claims are handled when multiple insurers or parties are involved.
