Car accident claims arise when a driver makes a mistake behind the wheel and causes a collision that injures another person. The injured victim in the accident has the right to file a personal injury claim to recover financial compensation for any accident-related expenses. As with other types of negligence cases, the victim must prove that the other driver breached their duty of reasonable care under the circumstances. The victim must also prove that the other driver’s mistake caused their injuries. A successful claim allows the victim to recover compensation for hospital bills, physical pain, emotional distress, and more.
Kenison Law Office is tenacious when it comes to auto accident claims. Our Manchester car accident lawyers will not stop pursuing a valid claim until our client obtains fair compensation. This approach garners Attorney John Kenison a great deal of respect as a car accident lawyer in Manchester, NH, and it can produce a favorable result in your case.
What to Do After a Car Accident in Manchester, NH?
Enduring the effects of a severe accident may be challenging for anyone involved and injured in a collision. Car accidents cause many injuries for those involved, relating to economic and non-economic damages. In the days following a car collision, you may be wondering what steps you should take and how an attorney may help you recover the compensable damages you may be entitled to receive.
Steps to take immediately after a car accident include:
- Seek immediate medical assistance for any accident-related injuries.
- Call 911 and file a police report with law enforcement.
- Exchange contact information with any individuals involved in the accident.
- Gather evidence in images, video, and any witness accounts on scene.
- Contact your insurance company and any necessary parties to report the accident.
- Contact your car accident attorney in Manchester, NH to file a claim.
Depending on the severity of your injuries, the events and process of the days following the crash may vary. Speaking with a knowledgeable car accident attorney and resourceful legal team in Manchester, New Hampshire, may help you put your best foot forward to take legal action against a negligent party that caused you to be harmed in a car accident.
An Experienced Manchester Car Accident Lawyer Can Help
Shortly after a car accident, the adjuster for the other driver’s insurance company will often contact the injured party to discuss the case. An adjuster determines how much money the insurance company will agree to pay the injured party. In other words, insurance adjusters are professional negotiators.
It can make sense to deal with the adjuster directly when an accident only involves vehicle damage. However, when injuries are involved, there is too much at stake. Even minor injuries can require treatment and rehabilitation that lasts well into the future. The insurance adjuster’s goal is not to help you recover or provide enough compensation to regain your quality of life. Instead, their goal is to pay as little in damages as possible, if not deny your claim entirely.
At Kenison Law, our car accident attorneys understand that victims need and deserve to recover fair compensation for their injuries. We are dedicated to offering the best legal representation for accident victims in Manchester, New Hampshire. Attorney John Kenison worked for large insurance defense firms before devoting his practice to representing injury victims. He also serves as a mediation lawyer and arbitrator, helping parties reach settlement agreements in accident cases. Having sat at all sides of the negotiating table, Attorney Kenison knows what it takes to protect his client’s interests during settlement talks.
Possible Damages in a New Hampshire Car Accident Claim
Compensation in a car accident case is divided into economic and non-economic damages.
Economic damages are damages that can be calculated using receipts and bills. The estimated value of economic damages is meant to cover the cost of any present and future expenses related to the accident and the injuries sustained in the accident. Economic damages cover:
- Doctor and hospital services
- Physical therapy
- Medication
- Lost wages
- Property damage
- Miscellaneous expenses, such as a car rental
Non-economic damages compensate for the subjective harm related to the car accident that is subjective in nature. When negotiating non-economic damages, insurance adjusters sometimes start by calculating the victim’s medical expenses. Non-economic damages are meant to compensate for the accident injuries’ effect on the victim’s quality of life. The final determination of value always reflects the individual circumstances of the claim. Non-economic damages cover:
- Physical pain
- Emotional and mental distress
- Scars and disfigurement
- Permanent impairments
- Reduced quality of life
There are no bills or receipts to establish non-economic damages. Determining the extent of pain and suffering an individual is experiencing is not as easy as simply adding numbers up. Therefore, they become a point of negotiation with the insurance company. Our personal injury attorney works closely with his clients to document the intangible ways the car accident has impacted their life and ensures the information is readily available at the time of settlement.
Proving Fault in a New Hampshire Car Accident Claim
New Hampshire is a “fault” state meaning that at-fault motorists may be held liable for injuries and damages caused by their negligent behavior. Therefore, victims of negligent drivers must prove the other driver was responsible for the accident to pursue compensation for their losses. While this may seem straightforward, insurance companies are not eager to pay victims the total value of their claims. They will try to minimize their client’s role in the accident. To receive total compensation, a victim must prove the other driver’s negligence directly caused their injuries. To prove the other driver is at-fault, the victim must:
- Establish the other driver owed them a duty of reasonable care
- Prove that the driver breached their duty of reasonable care
- Link their injuries and other damages to the accident
Negotiating with insurance companies can be stressful and frustrating, especially if you are trying to recover from severe injuries. An experienced car accident attorney can handle negotiations and collect the necessary evidence for your claim to pursue the compensation you are owed while you focus on recovering.
Contact Our Manchester Car Accident Lawyers at Kenison Law
If you were injured in a collision and you believe the other driver was at fault due to distraction, speeding, intoxication, or other negligence, you need to act quickly to protect your right to compensation. It’s crucial for your well-being and ability to collect damages to seek medical attention immediately. Once you are stable, contact a knowledgeable car accident attorney in Manchester, NH to schedule a consultation. Even if you think your personal injury claim is straightforward, having a trusted attorney at your side can ensure insurance companies don’t take advantage of you.
Kenison Law Office is here to help protect your right to fair and just compensation. Attorney John Kenison has dedicated over 25 years to securing compensation for injured clients in New Hampshire. Contact our office at (603) 945-7142 or complete our contact form to schedule a consultation.