New Hampshire Car Accident Laws: Deadlines, Fault Rules & Insurance
A plain-English guide to the rules that shape a car accident claim in New Hampshire — how long you have to file, how the state handles fault, whether it's a no-fault state, and the minimum insurance drivers must carry. If you were injured and want help, we can connect you with a vetted, New Hampshire-licensed attorney in our network.
General information, not legal advice. Filing deadlines and fault rules change and have many exceptions. The figures below are a starting point only — confirm the details of your specific case with an attorney licensed in New Hampshire before relying on them.
Filing Deadline
3 Years
Statute of limitations (injury)
Fault Rule
Modified Comparative Negligence
No-Fault Auto?
No
Min. Liability
$25,000 / $50,000
The deadline to file in New Hampshire
New Hampshire generally gives injured people 3 years from the date of a crash to file a personal-injury lawsuit. Miss it and the court will almost always refuse the case, no matter how strong it is. The clock can run differently for claims involving a government vehicle, an injured minor, or a death, so the single most important early step is to confirm your actual deadline.
How New Hampshire handles fault
New Hampshire uses modified comparative fault: you can recover as long as your share of fault stays below the state's bar (generally around half), with compensation reduced by your percentage.
No-fault vs. at-fault in New Hampshire
New Hampshire is an at-fault (tort) state. The driver who caused the crash — and their insurer — is responsible for the resulting damages, so establishing fault is central to your claim.
Minimum insurance in New Hampshire
Drivers in New Hampshire must carry at least $25,000 / $50,000 in liability coverage. Those minimums are often far below what a serious injury actually costs, which is why your own uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage can end up being the coverage that matters most.
Injured in New Hampshire? Talk to a New Hampshire-licensed attorney.
CarInjuryLaw.com is a referral service. We'll connect you with a vetted attorney admitted in New Hampshire for a free case review — no cost and no obligation to hire.
How long do I have to file a car accident claim in New Hampshire?
New Hampshire's personal-injury statute of limitations is commonly cited as 3 years from the date of the crash. Deadlines have important exceptions (for minors, government defendants, and wrongful death, among others) and can change, so confirm the deadline that applies to your specific case with a New Hampshire-licensed attorney before relying on it.
Is New Hampshire a no-fault or at-fault state?
New Hampshire is an at-fault (tort) state. The driver who caused the crash — and their insurer — is responsible for the resulting damages, so establishing fault is central to your claim.
What happens if I was partly at fault for the New Hampshire crash?
New Hampshire uses modified comparative fault: you can recover as long as your share of fault stays below the state's bar (generally around half), with compensation reduced by your percentage.
What is the minimum car insurance required in New Hampshire?
New Hampshire's minimum liability limits are commonly cited as $25,000 / $50,000. Minimum coverage is often far less than a serious injury actually costs, which is why underinsured/uninsured motorist coverage matters. Confirm current requirements with the New Hampshire insurance regulator or a licensed attorney.