New Hampshire Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

Do New Hampshire riders have to wear helmets?

Only riders under 18. Adults may legally ride without a helmet in New Hampshire, and that choice does not bar a claim against a careless driver.

After a crash, though, insurers often raise helmet use. They may argue a head injury would have been less severe with a helmet. That argument generally relates to damages for that particular injury, not to who caused the crash. It has no bearing on injuries a helmet would not have prevented, such as broken bones or road rash. Our team works with medical experts to separate those issues.

What risks come with Laconia Motorcycle Week?

Large crowds, heavy traffic and many riders on unfamiliar roads. Laconia Motorcycle Week each June draws riders from across the country to the Lakes Region.

During rally week, common crash patterns include:

• Group riding where one sudden stop causes a chain reaction.
• Drivers pulling out of parking lots and side roads into steady motorcycle traffic.
• Impaired drivers and riders near events.
• Congestion on routes around Lake Winnipesaukee, where cars and motorcycles compete for space.

Responsibility may involve another rider, a driver, or in some cases a property owner or event organizer that failed to manage traffic or hazards.

Why are White Mountains routes so demanding for riders?

They combine tight curves, changing surfaces and distracted drivers. The Kancamagus Highway, routes through Franconia Notch and roads around Mount Washington draw riders for their scenery, but that scenery also distracts drivers.

Hazards include:

• Sand and gravel left from winter road treatment, especially in spring.
• Frost heaves and pavement breaks.
• Drivers stopping suddenly in the lane to look at views or wildlife.
• RVs and trailers crossing the center line on curves.
• Moose and deer, especially at dawn and dusk.

If a road defect contributed to a crash, the agency responsible for the road may share fault, though special rules apply to claims against government bodies.

How does fault work in a New Hampshire motorcycle crash?

Your award is reduced by your share of fault, and you recover nothing if your share is greater than the fault of the defendants. Riders often face bias, so insurers push for higher percentages.

Suppose a car turns left in front of you on Route 3 near Meredith. Your damages total $220,000. The insurer argues you were going 10 mph over the limit. If a jury assigns you 20% of the fault, you receive $176,000. If it assigns you 45%, you receive $121,000. If it assigns you 51%, you receive nothing.

Evidence about sight lines, damage patterns, witness accounts and any video can answer speed arguments. The driver who turns without looking is usually the one who caused the crash.

Riders also face a quieter kind of bias. Some adjusters, and some jurors, start from the belief that anyone on a motorcycle accepts a high level of danger. Our team answers that with specifics: the rider's training and experience, the bright gear and headlight that made the bike visible, and the exact point at which the driver should have seen it. Helmet camera footage from the rider or from others in a riding group can be especially powerful. So can a crash reconstruction that measures how far away the motorcycle was when the driver began to turn. When the facts are laid out clearly, the question shifts from what riders are like to what this driver did.

What insurance pays for a New Hampshire rider's injuries?

The at-fault driver's insurance, if there is any. Because many New Hampshire drivers carry no insurance, your own coverage often matters most.

Motorcycle policies sold in New Hampshire generally include uninsured motorist coverage, and you may also have medical payments coverage. Health insurance and other household policies may apply too. Our team reviews every policy to find all available coverage.

What should I do after a motorcycle crash in New Hampshire?

Get checked by a doctor, even if you feel fine. Then protect evidence.

1. Keep the bike, helmet and gear as they are.
2. Photograph the scene, road surface and any sand or defects.
3. Get contact details from witnesses and other riders.
4. Ask whether the other driver has insurance.
5. Notify your own insurer promptly.
6. Talk with our team before giving a statement.

You generally have three years to file suit. Learn more on our motorcycle accidents practice page and our New Hampshire injury law overview. Severe injuries are covered on our catastrophic injuries page, and our New Hampshire car accident page explains how uninsured driver claims work.