Vehicular Homicide Laws in New Hampshire

Vehicular Homicide Laws in New Hampshire

A new law was passed within the state of New Hampshire this year that will change the way court cases will proceed in regards to vehicular homicide charges. The state will now require the defendant to be responsible for burden of proof. The state will not have to prove that the driver of a vehicle was in violation of any motor laws. The state will only have to show that the driver was negligent in the operation of the vehicle that contributed to the crash taking place. This changes how lawyers will need to operate in regards to such cases.
Facing Homicide Charges?

If you are involved in a motor vehicle accident case in the state of New Hampshire that resulted in the death of other individuals, you will need a knowledgeable lawyer to assist you with providing the burden of proof. You will need a lawyer to be able to show that you were not negligent while driving and this may be difficult to do based on your individual case.

Benefits of Hiring an Experienced Accident Attorney

Because of the change in law, lawyers for the defendant in such a case will have to work harder to be able to prove their client is innocent. If you ever face such charges within the state, you want to be sure to hire an attorney that has researched the change in law as well as has experience with such cases in the past. This way, you can feel comfortable that you are represented well and will be able to avoid any jail time or fines based on the new law.


As soon as such an instance takes place, contact a personal injury attorney in New Hampshire to have your story heard. You want to have a team of lawyers supporting you from the very beginning to be able to fight the charges and be successful if the case goes to trial.


By Richard Monteith


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New Hampshire Auto Fatalities on the Rise - Avoid an Accident this Labor Day

How to Avoid an Accident this Labor Day

Traffic fatalities are on the rise in the United States and New Hampshire is at the top of the list when it comes to the largest increase in accidents involving deaths within the past two years. The latest report by the National Safety Council shows that fatalities are continuing to rise with an increase of 9% within the first six months of this year when compared to the same time frame last year.
New Hampshire actually ranked 3rd among the states with the highest increase in driving fatalities. For drivers this Labor Day, it is important to learn how to stay safe. Holidays can be the worst time to be on the road as fatalities are more likely to occur due to negligent behavior. Travel has picked up as well as the economy which has led to more vehicles on the roadways, which then leads to more accidents.

Avoiding an Accident

The best way to avoid an accident is to avoid the roadways. If you must travel, be aware of your surroundings. Avoid traveling late at night as many individuals like to drink then drive, which makes the roadways extremely dangerous. Check points are always posted during the Labor Day weekend so police can hopefully catch those who have had a bit too much to drink but everyone is not always caught. Try to get your traveling done during the day or before the weekend so you can relax at home and not have to worry about driving.

Take Less Traveled Roads

If you need to travel for any reason during the Labor Day Weekend, try to take less traveled roads. Stick to neighborhoods and back roads instead of the major highways. The speed limit is much faster on the major highways which can lead to traffic accidents. Limit your high speed travel to avoid an accident.

If you find that you are involved in a motor vehicle accident on the roadways during Labor Day Weekend, be sure to get off the highway. Get on the shoulder and contact police right away for assistance. You want to put yourself and any family or friends a safe distance from the busy roadways. If there is damage to your vehicle or someone is seriously injured, working with an attorney is a must. If injured, when physically possible, contact a trusted New Hampshire personal injury attorney who can help you with your individual case.


By Richard Monteith


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How To Protect Yourself In A Hit And Run In New Hampshire

Were You Are Involved In A Hit And Run In New Hampshire?

In our day-to-day lives, we have either stumbled upon a hit and run victim, know someone who was or have experienced the situation first hand. It is usually a confusing state and an individual is left gnashing their teeth and quite uncertain on how to get compensation for damages. You want to know how you can protect yourself when you encounter such an incident.

Hit and run accident

 
One of the first things you ought to do is know what you’re claiming and in this case, it is a hit and run claim. Basically, a hit and run is an accident in which a driver intentionally flees the scene. For example, when a car hits you and speeds off. In this scenario, just by the motorist fleeing and leaving the scene makes you liable. Also, to be included in hit and runs are parking lot collisions. If you hit an unattended car in the parking lot and fail to leave your contact information, that qualifies as a hit and run.

What to do

The question that is on many hit and run victims’ minds is what to do after such an accident? At this point most people are stressed, but it actually helps to keep calm and gather information on the car that hit you. You want to look out for the make, model, and license plate number to mention a few. It would be an added advantage if there were witnesses to the accident and ask for their contact information. Before leaving the scene, be sure to write the location of the accident, the time it happened, and take pictures of the scene.

Police involvement

Involving the police once the hit and run accident occurs is a sure way to protect yourself.  Immediately after the accident happens, be quick to dial the police and file an accident report. The advantage of doing so is that even if the police do not find the driver, having a police report can quicken the auto claims process.

Hit and run accidents can be classified as felony or misdemeanors. Felony hit and run occurs when a motorist flees the scene where there is any type of injury to a person and attracts graver penalties than hit and run misdemeanors. Though misdemeanors seem relatively minor, they also attract a significant fine.

Insurance claims

Unfortunately, victims of hit and run accidents are often forced to collect from their own insurance policies unless the driver can be found. If the motorist can be found, you can get the car insurance information and file a claim with their car insurance. If the driver did not have sufficient coverage, you can seek the services of an auto accident attorney and the court system. However, in most hit and run cases the victims cannot identify the driver. Some ways of identifying the driver is involving the police, asking eyewitnesses, and requesting business owners around the scene to check their video cameras for footage.

There is hope after all for hit and run victims provided you take the right steps in safeguarding your rights and follow up on legal aid. You will most likely be compensated for any damage caused.




By Richard Monteith



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