Personal Injury Statistics in New Hampshire
Understanding personal injury statistics in New Hampshire helps you benchmark your case value, understand the legal environment, and set realistic expectations for your claim.
For informational purposes only. Not legal advice. Consult a licensed attorney.
$12,000 – $58,000
Average Settlement Range
Varies widely by injury severity and case type
Modified comparative fault (51% bar)
Fault System
Directly affects how damages are calculated
3 years
Statute of Limitations
Time to file from date of injury
At-Fault (Tort)
Auto Insurance System
At-fault driver's insurer liable
New Hampshire Injury Cases — By the Numbers
9,000 cases/yr
PI Cases Filed Annually
$46,000
Average Settlement
$28,000
Median Settlement
47%
Plaintiff Trial Win Rate
14 mo
Avg. Time to Settle
Motor Vehicle Accident
Top Injury Type
10 mo
Civil Court Backlog
33%
Avg. Contingency Fee
Key Facts About New Hampshire Injury Law
New Hampshire uses modified comparative negligence under RSA 507:7-d with a 51% bar — plaintiffs who are found 51% or more at fault cannot recover any damages, while those with lesser fault have their award reduced in proportion to their assigned fault percentage.
New Hampshire is uniquely the only US state that does not require drivers to carry auto liability insurance, though drivers must demonstrate financial responsibility; the state also does not require no-fault PIP coverage, operating purely as a tort-based system.
Personal injury claims must be filed within 3 years from the date of injury or discovery under RSA 508:4; New Hampshire courts apply the discovery rule, which can extend the filing deadline for latent injuries that were not immediately apparent at the time of the incident.
New Hampshire Personal Injury Law Overview
New Hampshire is unique in that it does not require drivers to carry auto liability insurance — instead requiring proof of financial responsibility in other forms — and also does not mandate no-fault PIP coverage. This makes New Hampshire the only state without compulsory auto insurance. The state applies modified comparative fault with a 51% bar. The statute of limitations is 3 years. New Hampshire's "live free or die" ethos extends to its tort law, which imposes relatively few restrictions on personal injury claims. The state has no statutory cap on compensatory or punitive damages for most personal injury claims. New Hampshire's outdoor recreation and tourism industries generate ski injury, water sports, and hiking accident claims. New Hampshire courts apply the discovery rule for latent injuries. Workers' compensation provides exclusive remedy for workplace injuries under RSA Chapter 281-A. Medical malpractice cases do not have a separate pre-litigation screening requirement.