New Hampshire Pedestrian Accident Lawyers

Protecting the Vulnerable in New Hampshire & Throughout New England

In our 30+ years of experience as a law firm, some of the most severe injuries our legal team has seen have been associated with pedestrian accidents. Getting hit by a car that weighs 3,000 pounds or more while lacking protective equipment like helmets can lead to disabilities, painful injuries that can take months to recover from, and oftentimes, death. The Governors Highway Safety Association calculated that the number of pedestrian deaths recorded in 2019 was the highest in 30 years.

Wyskiel, Boc, Tillinghast & Bolduc, P.A. has handled countless car accident claims, including those involving pedestrians. Our New Hampshire pedestrian accident lawyers can meet with you personally to calculate the extent of your damages and determine if we can hold the at-fault driver responsible for negligence. We care about our community and will work hard on your behalf to get the justice you deserve.

Schedule a free consultation with one of our lawyers today by calling (603) 742-5222—if you’re unable to come to us, we can visit you. You can also reach out via our online form.

What Are My Pedestrian Rights in New Hampshire?

Like many other states, New Hampshire pedestrian laws establish that drivers must yield to the right of way to pedestrians in crosswalks. This means that if you’re struck by a vehicle while legally crossing the street, the driver is breaking the law and can be held responsible for negligence. Drivers are also forbidden from passing other vehicles that have stopped at crosswalks to allow pedestrians to safely cross.

However, pedestrians are also required to obey traffic signals and must yield to the right of way of vehicles if there’s no crosswalk. Pedestrian accidents can also occur when the pedestrian is distracted on their phone and not paying attention. If you’ve been injured and you’re unsure of whether you contributed to your own accident, we still recommend contacting us so we can learn more about your accident. New Hampshire is a comparative negligence state, meaning it’s possible for multiple parties to be at fault for an accident.

How Pedestrian Accidents Happen

Drivers are often responsible for pedestrian accidents that occur on roads, sidewalks, and even in parking lots and driveways. Drivers are expected to practice caution when they detect pedestrians nearby, but unfortunately this doesn’t always happen, or the driver doesn’t notice the pedestrians in general.

Some common driver behaviors that contribute to pedestrian accidents include:

• Speeding: Driving too fast reduces a driver’s ability to notice and respond to a pedestrian in the road by changing lanes, swerving, or braking. Additionally, speeding can cause greater damage and almost certainly lead to severe injuries or fatalities when pedestrians are involved.
• Distracted driving: When a driver is on their phone, checking their GPS, eating, or even having conversations with others in the car, their eyes and/or attention are diverted from the road, meaning they may not see a pedestrian in time to avoid hitting them. Looking away from the road for just a couple of seconds is more than enough time for a child to run into the street to chase after a dropped toy.
• Drunk driving: Impaired driving greatly reduces a driver’s coordination, judgment, and ability to focus, which poses dangers to pedestrians crossing the street or even walking on the side of the road. Drunk drivers are especially less likely to spot a pedestrian walking around at night.
• Failure to check mirrors/blind spots: Some pedestrian accidents can occur when vehicles are backing up in driveways or parking lots and drivers fail to check their mirrors, cameras, or blind spots to ensure the coast is clear.

Pedestrian Accident FAQs

How can I prevent a pedestrian accident?

According to the NHTSA, pedestrian safety is a responsibility that both walkers and drivers must share. Some ways you can prevent a pedestrian accident as a walker include not texting or listening to music while you’re out and about (and especially while you’re crossing the street), using sidewalks when available, and always cross at intersections or crosswalks.

Drivers should make sure to slow down near crosswalks or intersections and be wary when driving at night, as many pedestrians don’t wear reflective clothing. Drivers should also check their mirrors before backing out or making turns and refrain from drinking before operating a vehicle.

I was jaywalking at the time of my accident. Can I still recover compensation?

If you weren’t using a crosswalk when you were hit by a car, it’s possible you may share some of the blame for your accident, but that doesn’t necessarily mean you should still file a personal injury claim. Though your compensation may be lowered if the courts find you’re partially at fault, you can still recover damages like medical bills, lost wages, and property damage. Hiring one of our lawyers is your best chance of ensuring you can still obtain compensation.

How much time do I have to file a pedestrian accident claim?

States vary when it comes to deadlines to file personal injury claims. In New Hampshire, victims have three years from the date of injury to file pedestrian accident claims and recover compensation. The sooner you call us to get started on your case, the sooner we can file your claim and lower the risk of having your case dismissed.

Recovery is here. Call our New Hampshire pedestrian accident lawyers to get started on your claim at (603) 742-5222. Free consultations!