Road Departure Accidents

Accidents caused by road departures occur relatively frequently and are among the leading causes of accident fatalities. Road departure accidents may be caused by a variety of factors, but in most instances, they are caused by negligent driving. If you or a loved one was injured in a road departure accident, you may be able to recover damages from the negligent party, and you should consult an experienced New Hampshire car accident lawyer to discuss the facts of your case. The attorneys of Peter Thompson and Associates jointly have more than 60 years’ experience assisting residents of New Hampshire harmed by road departure accidents in their pursuit of damages.

Road departure accidents typically occur when the driver stops paying attention to the road. For example, a driver may be distracted by his or her phone or by a GPS device. In some cases, a driver may fall asleep or lose focus due to intoxication. Road departure accidents can also happen when a driver is traveling too fast for the roadway in question. Lastly, some road departure accidents are caused by an inherently unsafe road design or a defect in the car that left the roadway.

The majority of road departure accidents occur because the driver was negligent in some way. To recover damages in a New Hampshire car accident lawsuit based on a claim that the driver who caused the accident was negligent, you must show that the driver owed you a duty of reasonable care. After you establish the duty owed, you must show that the driver breached the duty, and the breach caused the accident and any damages or injuries that you sustained in the accident.

In cases involving road departure accidents, the negligence of the driver who left the roadway is often easy to prove. Information such as eyewitness statements, police reports, and deposition testimony can be helpful in supporting your claim. In some cases, such as when the accident was caused by an unsafe vehicle or road, it may be necessary to retain an expert to offer an opinion as to the cause of the accident. If you were injured in a road departure accident, an experienced New Hampshire attorney can analyze all of the potential theories of liability and help you seek damages from any party responsible for your harm.

Road departure accidents often result in serious injuries and substantial property damage. Even in cases in which liability is clear, the negligent party may dispute the extent of the damages caused by the accident. In instances in which damages are disputed, it may be necessary to retain an expert to offer an opinion as to the cause and extent of any injuries suffered in the accident.

It is common for individuals harmed by road departure accidents to seek economic damages. These include the cost of repairing any damaged vehicle and the cost of any past or future medical care. If the injured party could not work following the accident, he or she may be able to recover compensation for lost wages. It is common for injured parties to seek non-economic damages as well, such as damages for the pain and suffering caused by the accident. If the injured party was married at the time of the accident, the injured party’s spouse may also be able to recover damages for loss of consortium.

Many road departure accidents result in the death of a victim. If you suffered the loss of a loved one due to a road departure accident, you can seek compensation via a wrongful death claim. Wrongful death lawsuits must be filed within three years of the date of the death. Damages that you may be able to recover in a wrongful death claim include funeral and burial costs and the cost of any medical treatment provided prior to your loved one’s death. You may also be able to recover compensation for the economic loss suffered due to your loved one’s death and damages for the conscious pain and suffering of your loved one prior to his or her death.

If you or a loved one were involved in a road departure accident, you should meet with a skilled car accident lawyer to discuss the facts of your case and develop a plan for pursuing damages. The attorneys of Peter Thompson and Associates can vigorously advocate on your behalf to help you seek any compensation that you may be owed. Our proficiency in litigating New Hampshire car accident cases has resulted in a long history of successful outcomes and favorable verdicts. We have offices in Bedford, Nashua, Portsmouth, and Manchester, and we can represent people injured in car accidents throughout New Hampshire. We can be contacted at 800.804.2004 or through our online form to set up a free appointment.