Uninsured Motorist Accidents

Most states require all cars to be covered under a policy of insurance to protect both the driver of the car and other people on the road. In New Hampshire, however, drivers do not need to purchase automobile insurance. As a result, it is an unfortunate reality that New Hampshire car accidents are frequently caused by uninsured motorists. If you sustained injuries in an uninsured motorist accident, you should speak with a knowledgeable New Hampshire car accident lawyer as soon as possible to determine your options for seeking compensation for your harm. The attorneys at Peter Thompson and Associates have collectively dedicated over 60 years to helping New Hampshire residents pursue damages for accidents caused by uninsured motorists. We will aggressively advocate on your behalf to help you pursue any damages that you may be owed.

While drivers are not expressly required to carry automobile insurance in New Hampshire, the law requires drivers to have proof of financial responsibility. In other words, drivers must show that if they are liable for an accident involving a motor vehicle, they can cover the cost of the damages incurred in the accident. The driver must be able to cover a minimum of $25,000 for the bodily injury or death of another person, as well as a minimum of $50,000 for the bodily injury or death of two or more people. Drivers must also be able to offer compensation for at least $25,000 in property damage. Typically, drivers fulfill the requirements of the financial responsibility law via insurance, but there are other ways in which drivers can prove that they are able to cover the costs of any damages that they cause. Unfortunately, however, some drivers forego the responsibility altogether and operate vehicles even though they have no means to compensate anyone for any harm.

To recover damages in a car accident case in New Hampshire, you must first show that the other driver caused the accident. In most car accident lawsuits, the injured party will allege that the negligence of one of the drivers involved in the accident caused the accident. To prove that the driver was negligent, you must show that he or she owed you a duty of reasonable care and that he or she breached the duty. You must also establish that the breach was the cause of the accident and that you sustained actual damages due to the accident. Typically, once liability is established, the driver will be liable for any damages that you sustained in the accident. When a driver has no insurance, however, you may not be able to recover any damages from the driver.

Drivers who do not have automobile insurance are known as uninsured motorists under insurance policies. Attempting to recover compensation from an uninsured motorist is often a fruitless pursuit, but that does not mean that you are precluded from recovering compensation altogether. If you were covered under an automobile insurance policy, you might be owed benefits under the policy. Under New Hampshire law, insurers must draft automobile insurance policies to provide uninsured motorist coverage for the same amount as the bodily injury liability coverage under the policy. Thus, if an insurance policy provides an individual with $75,000 in bodily injury liability limits, it must provide $75,000 in uninsured motorist coverage as well. If you were injured in an uninsured motorist accident, you can seek uninsured motorist benefits under your policy, up to the amount of your coverage limit. Proving liability and negotiating with insurance companies can be a stressful process, and you should seek the assistance of a skilled car accident lawyer to help you in your pursuit of benefits.

Being involved in a car accident can be a traumatic experience, but learning that the driver who caused the accident is unable to compensate you for the damages that he or she caused can lead to increased uncertainty and apprehension. If you were injured in a collision with an uninsured motorist, it is in your best interest to contact a seasoned car crash attorney to discuss your case and your options for seeking damages. At Peter Thompson and Associates, our aggressive advocacy on behalf of New Hampshire residents injured in car accidents has resulted in a record of successful outcomes. Our offices are located in Bedford, Nashua, Portsmouth, and Manchester, New Hampshire, and we represent injured parties in cities throughout the state. We can be reached at 800.804.2004 or via the online form to schedule a meeting.