Serious accidents involve injury or death, so a car accident is serious when someone is injured or dies. In New Hampshire, all serious motor vehicle accidents must be reported to the Division of Motor Vehicles within 15 days.
According to the state, a serious car accident is:
“Any motor vehicle accident causing death, personal injury, or combined vehicle/property damage in excess of $1,000.00.”
What to Do Immediately After a Serious Car Accident
If you get into a serious car accident, call the police to report the collision and make sure injured passengers can get medical attention. If anyone needs immediate medical attention, call 911 and request an ambulance.
Accept medical transportation if you need it. Otherwise, do not leave the scene of the accident until the responding officers give you permission to do so – and make sure to request a copy of the police report.
When you leave, go to the nearest hospital or urgent care center, or schedule an emergency appointment with your doctor. Seek medical attention as soon as possible after the accident – even if you feel fine. Encourage your passengers to do the same.
There’s No Such Thing as a Minor Car Accident
All car accidents are traumatic events that can cause serious injuries. You might feel fine after a “fender bender,” then notice whiplash or internal injuries a few days later. Even if your car accident seems minor, treat it like it is serious (because it might be).
Always report car accidents to the police and seek medical attention after a crash.
What Is a Serious Injury?
A serious injury is any injury that requires hospitalization, results in a fracture (broken bone), affects the internal organs, involves second- or third-degree burns, or causes damage to the nerves, muscles, or tendons.
Sometimes, serious injuries escalate to the level of catastrophic.
What Is a Catastrophic Injury?
A catastrophic injury is one that takes away your ability to work or causes permanent disability. Examples of catastrophic injuries include:
- Spinal cord injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Burn injuries
- Amputations
- Dismemberment
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Vision loss
For more information, read our blogs, “What Makes an Injury Catastrophic?” and “What Are the Most Common Catastrophic Injuries?”
How to Cope with the Aftermath of a Serious Accident
If you have been in a serious car accident, you are probably without a vehicle and dealing with medical bills and other accident-related expenses.
Your car insurance company should be able to help with some of these expenses, but you may also need to file a personal injury claim against the at-fault driver and their insurance company.
Douglas, Leonard & Garvey, P.C. can help.
Although insurance companies are often hesitant to accept liability and settle claims fairly, they are more likely to do so when you have an attorney on your side. Most insurance companies want to avoid litigation at all costs, which means we can help you recover compensation for:
- The cost of the ambulance
- Hospitalization costs
- Medical bills
- Rehabilitative care
- All other medical expenses
- Missed wages
- Lost professional opportunities
- Decreased earning potential
- Your totaled vehicle
- Pain and suffering
- Changes to your quality of life
- And more
If you suffered a catastrophic injury, we can also help you get the assistive care you need and acquire devices that can make it easier for you to live independently. Additionally, a successful settlement or verdict can help you replace your income, so you do not have to worry about money on top of everything else.
Our team has been fighting for people like you since 1997, and we have over 100 years of combined legal experience.
You’re not just another client to us, and we want to help you.
Start moving forward from your serious accident today – call us at (603) 288-1403 or contact us online to schedule your free consultation.