When a tractor-trailer barrels down I-93 or Route 101 and something goes wrong, the consequences can be devastating. In New Hampshire, a truck accident doesn’t just cause damage to a vehicle. It can also result in severe injuries. It shakes lives, disrupts routines, and can leave lasting physical and emotional scars.
At Munley Law, our Nation’s top rated truck accident lawyers know how much is at stake. If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck accident, you don’t just need someone with legal knowledge. You need a New Hampshire truck accident lawyer who cares, who will treat your case like it is their own, and who knows how to get real results.
$32 Million Wrongful Death
$26 Million Truck Accident
$20 Million Commercial Vehicle Accident
$19.8 Million Truck Accident
$17.5 Million Car Accident
$12 Million Work Injury
$11 Million Truck Accident
$9 Million Truck Accident
$8 Million Truck Accident
$8 Million Truck Accident
$7.5 Million Auto Accident
$6.9 Million Garbage Truck Accident
What Sets Munley Law’s New Hampshire Truck Accident Attorneys Apart?
Our legal team has spent over 65 years handling truck accident cases across New Hampshire. We’ve gone toe-to-toe with national corporations and insurance giants, and we know how to build strong claims that hold negligent parties accountable. More importantly, we know how to do it while maintaining a human touch.
We take the time to discuss the legal case with you, and what it means for your family. You are not a claim number. You are a neighbor, and we will never forget that.
We Get Real Results for Real People
Here are a few examples of the kinds of top settlements and verdicts we’ve achieved for truck accident victims:
- $9.95 million for a mother hit head-on by a tractor-trailer
- $6.9 million for a victim struck by a garbage truck
- $6.5 million for a man who suffered a traumatic brain injury after a collision with a garbage truck
- $3.97 million for a wrongful death victim’s family
Every case is unique, but what remains constant is our commitment to fighting for what is right and never settling for less than our clients deserve.
Where Do New Hampshire Truck Accidents Occur?
While any stretch of main highways can be dangerous, certain roads in New Hampshire may be more prone to truck collisions. These include:
- I-93, a major north-south artery connecting Manchester to Concord and beyond
- Route 101, running east-west and serving as a busy corridor for commercial trucks between Keene and the Seacoast
- I-89 and I-95, both used heavily by freight haulers crossing state lines
- Local roads in and around Manchester, where construction zones, city traffic, and industrial areas create conditions ripe for accidents
According to the New Hampshire Department of Transportation (DOT), 15% of all traffic fatalities occur on interstates and freeways, 47% happen on arterial roads, and 38% occur on collector and local roads.
What Are the Most Common Types of Truck Accidents?
Our firm has represented clients hurt in all kinds of truck crashes, including:
- Rear-end collisions caused by distracted truck drivers
- Jackknife accidents during icy New Hampshire winters
- Rollovers from overloaded or improperly secured freight
- Side-swipes and merging accidents on narrow rural roads
- Accidents involving delivery trucks and box trucks in residential neighborhoods
Every case is different, but what they all have in common is a need for careful investigation, thoughtful preparation, and relentless follow-through. We take that responsibility seriously.
Why Are Truck Accidents Complicated?
Truck crashes are not like car accidents. Accident claims become more complicated when a collision involves a commercial truck. Here is why these cases require a focused approach:
Federal Regulations
Trucking companies and their drivers must follow strict federal regulations established by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). These cover everything from the maximum number of hours a driver can be on the road to the frequency of truck maintenance.
Multiple Parties
Fault is not always straightforward in a truck accident. While the driver may bear some blame, that is just the beginning. The trucking company may be responsible for poor hiring or training practices. A maintenance contractor might have skipped a needed repair. The manufacturer of a faulty truck part could be liable. A third-party loading company may have made an error that contributed to the crash.
Pinpointing who is responsible takes careful investigation. We pursue every accountable party so that you receive the full compensation you are owed, not just the portion the insurance company is willing to offer.
Complex Evidence
These cases often involve gathering specific evidence:
- Black box data: Many commercial trucks have black boxes that record data about speed, braking, and other operations leading up to a crash.
- Driver logs: These logs indicate the number of hours a driver was on duty, helping to determine if fatigue was a factor.
- Maintenance records: We will review the truck’s history to see if the owner properly maintained it.
- Witness statements and police reports: These records may contain pertinent information about the accident’s cause and the responsible party.
Our team gathers as much evidence as possible to strengthen your claim and pursue maximum compensation.
Insurance Companies
Trucking companies have powerful insurance carriers and legal teams whose primary goal is to minimize payouts. They are formidable, but we’ve faced them countless times and are never intimidated. We work tirelessly to stand firm against their tactics.
Severe Injuries
The weight of an 18-wheeler, often exceeding 80,000 pounds when fully loaded, means collisions tend to be serious. The injuries are usually more severe, leading to higher medical bills and more extensive treatment. We focus on your legal claim so you can focus on your recovery.
What Are Common Causes of Truck Accidents?
Most truck accidents are preventable. When people cut corners or ignore rules, others get hurt. We routinely find that crashes are caused by:
- Driver fatigue: Truck drivers often work long hours due to pressure to make deliveries quickly, and despite federal hours-of-service regulations, they can still become drowsy. A moment of inattention at 60 miles an hour on I-93 can have devastating results.
- Distracted driving: Cell phones, GPS systems, and other devices can be deadly distractions in the cab of a big rig.
- Improper maintenance: Brakes, tires, lighting equipment, and other critical components need regular inspections and upkeep. Neglecting maintenance can lead to equipment failure.
- Improperly loaded cargo: Shifting or unbalanced loads can cause rollovers and make trucks more difficult to control.
- Speeding or aggressive driving: The immense weight of a truck means it needs a much longer distance to stop. Speeding or reckless driving can quickly lead to disaster on New Hampshire’s winding rural roads or during adverse weather conditions.
- Inexperienced or poorly trained drivers: Sometimes, accidents occur because drivers haven’t received the proper training or don’t have sufficient experience to handle a large vehicle safely.
Regardless of the cause, our job is to uncover the truth and hold those responsible accountable. A New Hampshire truck accident attorney reviews driver logs, inspects maintenance records, and consults with expert witnesses to reconstruct what happened. We don’t stop until we have the complete picture of exactly how your accident happened.
What Damages Might You Be Entitled to Recover?
When you’ve been through a truck accident, medical bills can be staggering, time away from work means lost income, and the long-term impact on your life can be profound. We help you pursue compensation for all the ways this accident has affected you, so you can focus on getting better without the added worry. Generally, the financial awards in a personal injury case, like a truck accident, fall into a few categories:
Economic Damages
These are the measurable, out-of-pocket costs you have incurred or will incur because of the accident. They can include:
- Medical expenses: These include emergency room visits, ambulance rides, doctor appointments, surgeries, medications, physical therapy, rehabilitation, and future medical care that your injuries might require.
- Lost wages: If your injuries kept you from working, we account for the income you’ve lost. This includes your regular wages and any bonuses, commissions, or benefits you missed out on.
- Loss of earning capacity: If your injuries are so severe that they prevent you from returning to your previous job or diminish your ability to earn a living in the future, we will seek compensation for that long-term financial impact.
- Property damage: This includes the cost to repair or replace your vehicle and any other personal belongings damaged in the collision.
Non-Economic Damages
These are harder to put a specific dollar amount on, as they address the personal, intangible impact the accident has had on your life. These may include:
- Pain and suffering: This accounts for the physical pain and discomfort you have endured immediately after the accident and on an ongoing basis.
- Emotional distress: The psychological toll of such a traumatic event can be immense, leading to anxiety, depression, fear, or post-traumatic stress.
- Loss of enjoyment of life: When your injuries prevent you from participating in hobbies, social activities, or daily routines that once brought you joy, you deserve to be compensated for that diminished quality of life.
- Scarring and disfigurement: If the accident left you with permanent scars or disfigurement, this type of compensation recognizes the physical and emotional impact of these changes.
- Loss of consortium: This addresses the impact of your injuries on your relationship with your spouse or partner, acknowledging the loss of companionship, affection, and support.
Enhanced Compensatory Damages
Unlike some other states, New Hampshire does not allow punitive damages meant to punish the at-fault party. Instead, it focuses on fully compensating the injured person through enhanced compensatory damages in specific circumstances. The court may award this compensation in limited cases when the defendant’s actions were wanton, malicious, or oppressive. This means their behavior showed a reckless indifference to your safety, or involved ill will or an abuse of power.
Who Is at Fault in New Hampshire Truck Accident Cases?
In New Hampshire, even if you were partially liable for the accident, you could still receive compensation. The state operates under a modified comparative fault rule, stating that you can still recover damages as long as your percentage of fault is 50% or less of the total. In this case, the court will reduce your total compensation by the amount of your fault. For example, if your total damages are $100,000, and you were 10% responsible, you can recover $90,000.
How Long Does a Truck Accident Case Take in New Hampshire?
We understand that you are seeking answers and a path forward, but there’s no single answer to how long your case will take, as every case has unique circumstances. Some simpler cases might resolve in a few months, especially if they involve less severe injuries and clear fault. However, truck accident cases are often more involved. Factors that can influence the timeline include:
- Severity of injuries: More severe injuries often mean longer medical treatment, which in turn means it takes more time to assess the full scope of your damages accurately.
- Complexity of the case: If multiple parties are involved or disputes arise about who is responsible, the investigation and negotiation process can be prolonged.
- Evidence collection: Gathering specialized evidence, such as black box data and driver logs, can help your claim, but it can also be time-consuming.
- Insurance company tactics: Insurance companies sometimes drag out the process, hoping you will settle for less. We will not let them rush or intimidate you.
- Court process: While many cases settle out of court, it adds time to the process if we need to file a lawsuit and it goes to trial.
We work diligently and efficiently, always keeping your best interests at heart, to move your case forward as swiftly as possible without compromising your right to full and fair compensation. We will keep you informed at every turn, so you are never left guessing.
What Is the Statute of Limitations for New Hampshire Truck Accident Cases?
In New Hampshire, you generally have three years from the date of your injury to file a personal injury lawsuit. This is called the statute of limitations. If you miss this deadline, you may lose your right to file a legal claim and recover compensation.
While three years might seem like a long time, it passes quickly when you’re focusing on recovery and unsure about the legal process. It is always best to seek legal help as soon as possible to preserve evidence and build the strongest possible case.
Contact Munley Law Today
If you have been involved in a truck accident in New Hampshire, you deserve clear answers and straightforward legal guidance. These cases often involve severe injuries and complex questions of liability.
At Munley Law, we offer free, no-obligation consultations. We will review the facts, answer your questions, and give you a straightforward assessment of your case. If we represent you, there are no fees unless we recover compensation for you. To speak with our New Hampshire truck accident lawyers, contact us today.
