Car-Pedestrian Collisions

New Hampshire drivers are required to operate their vehicles with care when driving near pedestrians. Pedestrian accidents still happen frequently, however, and the injuries sustained in car-pedestrian collisions are often catastrophic. While no amount of money can take away the trauma caused by such an accident, it can help ease the financial burden incurred in treating injuries and help compensate you for your pain and suffering. If you or a loved one was struck by a car while walking, you should consult an experienced New Hampshire car accident attorney to determine which damages you may be able to recover from the driver. You only have one chance to prove your case, and it is essential to retain an attorney who will work diligently on your behalf. The attorneys at Peter Thompson and Associates have more than 60 years of combined experience helping residents of New Hampshire recover the compensation that they are owed following car accidents.

Injuries caused when a car strikes a pedestrian are often severe and can be fatal. Broken bones, brain injuries, lacerations, and spinal injuries are commonly caused by accidents. In some cases, the injured person may lose one or more limbs or suffer paralysis due to the accident. In addition to the physical injuries caused by getting hit by a car, car-pedestrian collision victims frequently suffer from psychological effects, such as depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder.

In order to hold the driver involved in your accident responsible for any damages caused by the accident, you must prove that the driver’s negligence caused the accident. In New Hampshire, to prove negligence, you must show a duty of care. In cases involving a car-pedestrian collision, this would be a duty to drive in a safe and reasonable manner in order not to harm any pedestrian. You also would need to show that there was a breach of the duty to drive in a safe manner, that the accident was caused by the breach of the duty, and that any injuries that you sustained were directly caused by the accident.

The driver may attempt to defend his or her actions by alleging that you engaged in negligent behavior as well, such as by walking in an area not designated for pedestrians or failing to obey traffic signals, and that your negligence caused the accident. If you are found to have been negligent, it does not automatically preclude you from recovering damages, however. Under New Hampshire law, as long as your fault is not greater than 50%, you may still be entitled to compensation. An experienced car accident attorney can anticipate the defenses that the driver will set forth in an attempt to avoid liability and formulate a case that will provide you with a strong chance for recovery.

If the driver involved in your accident is found liable for your injuries, there are a variety of damages that you may be able to recover. First, you may be entitled to any economic damages incurred due to your accident, which include the cost of any past medical treatment and the cost of any future treatment. If you were temporarily unable to work, you may be able to recover lost wages, and if you are permanently disabled, you may be entitled to damages for loss of future earnings. If you are married, your spouse may be entitled to damages for the loss of your companionship and services due to your injuries. In addition to economic damages, you may be entitled to damages for the pain and suffering caused by your injuries.

Any lawsuit to recover damages caused by a car accident must be filed within three years from the date of the accident. If you sustained injuries in a car-pedestrian collision, you should consult an experienced lawyer as soon as you can to ensure that any claim for damages is filed within the statute of limitations.

Pedestrians should be able to walk freely without fear of harm. If you were struck by a car while walking, you may be able to recover damages from the driver responsible for causing your injuries. At Peter Thompson and Associates, our attorneys are mindful of how devastating the effects of a car accident involving a pedestrian can be, and we can aggressively advocate on your behalf to help you recover the full amount of compensation that you are rightfully owed. Our knowledge and skill in litigating New Hampshire car accident cases have enabled us to maintain a high success rate and a record of favorable outcomes. We have offices in Bedford, Nashua, Portsmouth, and Manchester, and we assist injured people throughout the state. Contact us at 800.804.2004 or via our online form to set up a consultation.