If you have been hurt by someone else’s negligence, New Hampshire

Concord is not only the capital of New Hampshire, but it is also a great place to live. The city’s downtown is one of the most beautiful, and the most walkable, within the state and it is also home to many locally owned shops and restaurants. As picturesque as Concord is, accidents still happen. Car crashes, slip and falls, and pedestrian accidents are just a few ways in which people become hurt in the city every year.

If you or someone you love has been hurt by another person’s negligence, you can file a claim against them to recover financial compensation for your losses. Obtaining the full settlement you deserve is not easy. A personal injury lawyer in New Hampshire can help you hold the at-fault party liable.

Personal Injury Law Relies on Negligence

Everyone has a duty of care to keep everyone else around them safe. Motorists on the roads must drive safely so they do not cause an accident that results in serious injuries. Property owners, landlords, and occupiers are expected to keep their premises in a safe condition so no one gets hurt when they enter the property. Doctors and other healthcare workers have a duty to provide the highest standard of care so their patients do not suffer.

When a person fails to act in a reasonable manner and someone else becomes hurt as a result, that is considered negligence. Negligence is a legal theory that forms the basis of most personal injury lawsuits. Accident victims can file a claim for financial compensation against negligent parties. This financial compensation is known as damages. Common damages in personal injury claims include medical expenses, lost income, and pain and suffering.

Comparative Negligence is an Important Part of Personal Injury Law

In certain instances, there may be more than one party at fault for an accident. For example, a driver may have been speeding when a pedestrian jumped out in front of their vehicle in the middle of the street. The driver would be at fault for violating the speed limit, and the pedestrian would be at fault for not yielding to traffic.

When two or more people are at fault for an accident in Concord, the state’s modified comparative negligence law applies. Under this law, accident victims can still claim compensation even if they are found partly at fault. Any damages awarded, though, are reduced by the victim’s same percentage of fault. For example, if you were in an accident and are found 20 percent at fault, you could still claim damages. The compensation you will receive will be reduced by 20 percent. However, if you are found more than 51 percent at fault, you lose your legal right to claim any compensation at all.

It is important to understand New Hampshire’s modified comparative negligence law because the liable party will almost always raise it as a defense. They do this to shield themselves from paying full damages. It is important to work with a Concord personal injury lawyer who can successfully refute these arguments.

The Time Limit on Personal Injury Claims in Concord

All personal injury claims in Concord, and throughout the rest of Vermont, are governed by the statute of limitations. This is the amount of time you have to file your claim. For most personal injury claims, you must file within three years from the date of the accident. If you are hurt and you do not file your claim within this time, you will lose your right to claim any damages at all. While there are some exceptions to the statute of limitations, they are very limited.

To many people, three years sounds like a long time. When filing a personal injury claim, it is not. Before you can file, a lawyer will conduct a full investigation into your accident to determine how it happened. Your attorney will also collect evidence to prove your case and to show that someone else is responsible for your injuries. All of this takes time and if you wait too long, the statute of limitations may expire before you can file your claim.

Our Personal Injury Lawyer in Concord Will File Your Claim On Time

If you have been hurt in an accident, do not hesitate to call our Concord personal injury lawyer at Sabbeth Law. Our seasoned attorney knows the law and can explain how it applies to your case while holding the liable party fully accountable for paying the fair settlement you are entitled to. Call us today or reach out to us online to request a free consultation and to obtain the legal advice you need.