New Hampshire car accident laws

The rules in one table

Deadlines can be shorter or longer for minors, for injuries found later, and for claims against a government. A lawyer licensed in New Hampshire can tell you the date that applies to you.

Next steps after a New Hampshire crash

Questions

Sources

1. Deadline to sue for an injury (N.H. RSA 508:4, I): gc.nh.gov/rsa/html/LII/508/508-4.htm

   I. Except as otherwise provided by law, all personal actions, except actions for slander or libel, may be brought only within 3 years of the act or omission complained of, except that when the injury and its causal relationship to the act or omission were not discovered and could not reasonably have been discovered at the time of the act or omission, the action shall be commenced within 3 years of the time the plaintiff discovers, or in the exercise of reasonable diligence should have discovered, the injury and its causal relationship to the act or omission complained of.

2. Claims against a government body (N.H. RSA 507-B:7, I): gc.nh.gov/rsa/html/LII/507-B/507-B-mrg.htm

   As a condition precedent to commencement of the action, the clerk of the governmental unit shall be notified by registered mail within 60 days after the time of the injury or damage or discovery of the injury or damage, if it could not reasonably have been discovered at the time of the occurrence of the injury or damage, as to the date, time and location where the injury or damage occurred, and provided that in any case where lack of written notice, actual knowledge or reasonable opportunity to obtain knowledge of any injury or damage within the 60-day period is alleged by the governmental uni…

3. Insurance system (Insurance Information Institute (NH has no compulsory liability insurance law; financial responsibility required after an accident, RSA 264)): www.iii.org/article/background-on-compulsory-auto-uninsured-motorists

   New Hampshire does not have a compulsory insurance liability law. It requires that drivers demonstrate that they can provide sufficient funds in the event of an “at-fault” accident.

4. If you were partly at fault (N.H. RSA 507:7-d): gc.nh.gov/rsa/html/LII/507/507-7-d.htm

   Contributory fault shall not bar recovery in an action by any plaintiff or plaintiff's legal representative, to recover damages in tort for death, personal injury or property damage, if such fault was not greater than the fault of the defendant, or the defendants in the aggregate if recovery is allowed against more than one defendant, but the damages awarded shall be diminished in proportion to the amount of fault attributed to the plaintiff by general verdict.

5. Minimum liability coverage (N.H. RSA 259:61, I): gc.nh.gov/rsa/html/XXI/259/259-61.htm

   to the amount or limit of at least $25,000 on account of injury to or death of any one person, and subject to such limit as respects injury or death of one person, of at least $50,000 on account of any one accident resulting in injury to or death of more than one person, and at least $25,000 for damage to property of others

6. Dog bites (N.H. RSA 466:19): gc.nh.gov/rsa/html/xlv/466/466-19.htm

   Any person to whom or to whose property, including sheep, lambs, fowl, or other domestic creatures, damage may be occasioned by a dog not owned or kept by such person shall be entitled to recover damages from the person who owns, keeps, or possesses the dog, unless the damage was occasioned to a person who was engaged in the commission of a trespass or other tort.

Read October 2, 2026. Laws and fees change; the linked page is the authority.