Highway Accidents

Car accidents can happen on any road, but they occur more frequently on highways and freeways due to the volume of traffic and the increased speed of travel. Regardless of traffic conditions, however, all drivers have a responsibility to drive safely, and any driver who fails to uphold this responsibility ought to be held responsible for any harm that he or she causes. If you suffered injuries or property damage due to a highway accident, you should meet with an experienced New Hampshire car accident lawyer to evaluate whether you may be able to recover compensation from the party responsible for causing the accident. At Peter Thompson and Associates, our skilled car accident attorneys have over 60 years of joint experience helping residents of New Hampshire who were injured in car accidents. We will aggressively advocate on your behalf to help you in your pursuit of compensation.

There are two main causes of accidents that occur on highways and freeways: unsafe road conditions and negligent driving. Unsafe road conditions can exist when the roads are not properly designed or maintained. For example, roads that are not properly illuminated or have unsafe curves can produce an unsafe driving environment in which accidents are more likely to occur. Additionally, drivers who fail to obey the speed limit, follow other drivers too closely, or drive while tired or distracted often cause accidents on highways.

The vast majority of car accident cases are brought on the theory that the negligence of one or more parties caused the accident to occur, and therefore those parties should be held liable. To show negligence, you must prove that the other party owed you a duty of care, the duty was breached by that party, and the breach caused the accident to occur. You must also show that you sustained actual harm due to the accident. In proving that the breach caused the accident, you must show both that the accident would not have occurred if the party had not breached the duty and that the breach was a significant factor in bringing about the accident.

If the accident was caused by another driver, the duty breached is most likely the duty to operate a vehicle in a safe and reasonable way under the given circumstances. If the accident was caused by a defect in the highway, the duty breached will generally be the duty to provide and maintain a safe roadway. In cases in which an accident is caused by an unsafe road, the party that designed and maintains the road may be a government entity. In New Hampshire, in many instances, government bodies are immune from liability under the New Hampshire Tort Claims Act. There are some exceptions to the Tort Claims Act, however, and in some cases, cities and municipalities can be held liable for harm caused by a hazardous roadway. A knowledgeable car accident attorney can assist you in determining which parties may be responsible for your accident and whether they may be held liable for damages.

A variety of damages may be recoverable in a highway accident case. First, you may be able to recover the cost to repair any damage to your car. You may also be awarded damages for the cost of any medical treatment that you underwent for injuries sustained in the accident, in addition to the reasonably anticipated cost of any medical treatment that you may need for those injuries in the future. If you could not work following the accident, you should be able to recover compensation for lost wages and loss of future earnings. In addition to the aforementioned economic damages, parties who sustained harm in car accidents often seek compensation for the pain and suffering caused by their injuries. If you were involved in a highway accident, it is important to act in a timely manner, since a lawsuit to recover damages for injuries sustained in a car accident must be pursued within three years of the accident.

Accidents that occur on the highway are often more serious than accidents on minor roads, and they can result in considerable injuries and property damage. If you sustained damages due to a highway car accident, you should consult a New Hampshire attorney to discuss the facts of your case. The attorneys of Peter Thompson and Associates will vigilantly pursue any damages that you may be able to recover. Our knowledge and skill have allowed us to maintain a record of successful outcomes. We have offices in Bedford, Nashua, Portsmouth, and Manchester, New Hampshire, and we assist injured parties throughout New Hampshire. Contact us at 800.804.2004 or via our online form to set up a meeting.