Manchester Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

Dedicated motorcycle accident representation grounded in decades of plaintiff-side trial work in Manchester, NH.

If you or a family member has been involved in a motorcycle accident in Manchester, NH, the legal claim that follows requires an understanding of the liability issues specific to motorcycle collisions and the particular challenges riders face when seeking compensation from insurance carriers.

Welts, White & Fontaine, P.C. has represented injured plaintiffs across New Hampshire for over 48 years from our Nashua office. Our Manchester, NH motorcycle accident lawyer practice represents motorcyclists who have been harmed by the negligence of other drivers. Call our office to discuss how our firm can assist with your motorcycle accident case.

Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Manchester, NH

Riders who are hurt in collisions caused by another motorist, a government entity that failed to maintain a road, or a manufacturer that produced a defective motorcycle component need an attorney who understands how these claims differ from standard auto accident cases. The core negligence principles are the same. But the injuries tend to be far more severe, and the bias that motorcyclists encounter from adjusters and juries adds a layer of difficulty that does not exist in other vehicle collision claims.

What a motorcycle accident lawyer in Manchester does is piece together the facts of the crash, determine every party that bears responsibility, build the evidentiary record, and pursue compensation through settlement negotiations or trial.

Types of Motorcycle Accident Cases We Handle in Manchester

The circumstances behind motorcycle crashes vary widely. Each set of facts changes the liability analysis and the type of evidence needed to prove the case. Welts, White & Fontaine, P.C. handles the following motorcycle accident cases in the Manchester area.

• Left-turn collisions. A driver turning left across oncoming traffic frequently does not see an approaching motorcycle. The bike’s smaller profile makes it harder to spot, and the collision that results is often at full speed with no time for the rider to brake or maneuver.
• Lane-change and merge crashes. Blind spots are the primary cause. A driver who changes lanes without checking will force a motorcycle off the road or into another vehicle, and riders in highway merge zones or right-lane positions face the highest risk because car accident dynamics consistently favor larger vehicles.
• Intersection crashes. A motorcyclist who enters an intersection with the right of way and is struck by a driver running a red light or failing to yield has a strong negligence claim. Traffic camera footage and witness testimony become critical when the drivers’ accounts conflict, which they often do.
• Rear-end collisions. There is no crumple zone on a motorcycle. A rear-end impact, even at moderate speed, can eject the rider and produce spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, or road rash that requires surgery. Post-accident complications from these crashes often continue long after the initial treatment.
• Crashes involving commercial vehicles. The weight difference between a motorcycle and a commercial truck makes catastrophic outcomes far more likely. Federal trucking regulations, carrier maintenance logs, and the potential fault of multiple parties beyond the driver all factor into these claims.
• Road defects and debris crashes. Potholes, loose gravel on a curve, uneven pavement joints, or construction debris create hazards that a car might absorb but a motorcycle cannot. Depending on the facts, liability for these crashes may rest with a municipality, a state highway agency, or the contractor tasked with maintaining that stretch of road.
• Dooring collisions. In urban areas where parked vehicles line the street, an occupant who opens a door into an approaching motorcycle’s path can cause a violent collision. The rider typically has no time to stop or swerve, and the injuries from being launched over a door or deflected into moving traffic are severe.
• Single-vehicle motorcycle crashes. Another vehicle is not always involved. A defective tire, a mechanical failure, or a sudden road hazard can cause a rider to lose control entirely on their own. Liability in these situations may fall on the manufacturer, the last mechanic to service the bike, or the entity that should have addressed the road condition. Proving causation without another motorist in the picture demands a detailed investigation into the motorcycle itself and the conditions on the road at the time.

Why Choose Welts, White & Fontaine, P.C. as My Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in Manchester, NH?

Attorneys With Decades of Personal Injury Trial Experience

Michael J. Fontaine has led Welts, White & Fontaine, P.C. as managing director and shareholder since joining the firm in 1985. He holds a J.D. from St. Louis University School of Law along with a B.A. and M.A. from Assumption College, and is admitted to practice in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and federal court. Across nearly four decades, Fontaine has litigated personal injury, workers’ compensation, and contract disputes. He presents regularly at continuing legal education seminars and is a member of the NH Bar Association Workers’ Compensation and Family Law Sections.

Israel F. Piedra, who lives in Manchester, handles personal injury and appellate matters and has appeared on the SuperLawyers Rising Stars list every year from 2017 through 2025. He serves on the Board of Governors of the NH Association for Justice. Jack S. White has tried personal injury cases in New Hampshire courts for over 40 years. His plaintiff’s personal injury work earned him selection to Best Lawyers in America, and he is a member of the American Bar Association.

The firm has helped clients recover millions of dollars in personal injury settlements and verdicts. When you need a personal injury attorney in Manchester for a motorcycle collision, our attorneys bring the preparation and litigation record the case demands.

Understanding Motorcycle Accident Cases

Damages, Liability, and Compensation for Motorcycle Accident Cases

Because riders lack the structural protection of an enclosed vehicle, the injuries from motorcycle collisions tend to be more severe and the damages correspondingly higher. Economic damages cover hospital and surgical bills, rehabilitation costs, prescription medication, wages lost during recovery, and reduced earning capacity for injuries that affect a person’s ability to work going forward. Non-economic damages address pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and loss of consortium. Where the at-fault driver acted with particular recklessness, New Hampshire law may also allow enhanced compensatory damages.

New Hampshire’s modified comparative fault rule governs liability. A rider’s own negligence will not automatically prevent recovery, but it does reduce the damages award in proportion to the rider’s share of fault. Past a certain threshold of fault, recovery is barred entirely. Insurance adjusters routinely argue that the motorcyclist was speeding, following too closely, or contributing to the crash in some other way, and building the evidentiary record to counter those arguments is a central part of every motorcycle accident claim.

Important Aspects of a Motorcycle Accident Case

Motorcycle claims demand a different kind of investigation than most vehicle collision cases, partly because of the evidence involved and partly because of the assumptions adjusters bring to these files.

Accident reconstruction is frequently necessary. Motorcycles leave different impressions on pavement than cars or trucks do, and a reconstructionist may need to examine skid patterns, gouge marks, and where each vehicle came to rest in order to calculate speed, angle of approach, and the point of impact. Whether the rider wore a helmet, used protective gear, and carried a valid motorcycle endorsement will all come under scrutiny. The tort principles that govern fault and damages in New Hampshire are the same for motorcycle cases as for any other personal injury matter, though the factual inquiry tends to be more technical.

Thorough medical documentation is also critical. Fractures, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, and extensive road rash are among the most common motorcycle injuries, and treatment is frequently prolonged. Accurately recovering damages that account for both completed and anticipated future treatment depends on how well the medical record captures the full picture.

Motorcycle Accident Case Timeline

Motorcycle accident claims in Manchester, NH move through several stages, and the overall duration depends on the injuries sustained, the parties involved, and how the insurer responds.

• Investigation starts promptly. The attorney obtains the police report, photographs, witness contact information, and any camera footage before that evidence is lost.
• Medical treatment proceeds until the rider reaches maximum medical improvement. Settling a motorcycle accident case before that point risks leaving significant damages on the table.
• The attorney prepares a demand letter to the at-fault driver’s insurer, laying out the full damages and the factual basis for the liability claim.
• If the insurer will not agree to a fair resolution, a lawsuit is filed and the matter moves into discovery, depositions, and pretrial motions.
• Resolution comes through a negotiated settlement or, if necessary, a trial verdict.

New Hampshire law generally provides a three-year filing deadline from the date of injury for personal injury cases, though certain circumstances may extend or shorten that window.

What to Bring to Your Motorcycle Accident Consultation

Before meeting with a Manchester motorcycle accident attorney, gathering the following materials will help the attorney assess the merits and value of your case.

• The police report or incident report
• Photographs of the crash scene, damage to both vehicles, road conditions, and any visible injuries
• Medical records and billing statements connected to the collision
• Records of lost wages or time missed from work
• Correspondence from the other driver’s insurance company
• Your motorcycle insurance policy, including any uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage

One important point: do not provide a recorded statement to the at-fault driver’s insurer before speaking with an attorney. Adjusters handling motorcycle accident claims routinely attempt to shift fault to the rider or attribute injuries to a lack of protective gear rather than the collision itself.

Important New Hampshire Legal Resources for Motorcycle Accident Cases?

New Hampshire statutes and federal safety agencies provide useful starting points for understanding the legal framework and data surrounding motorcycle crashes. Several key resources are identified below.

• The NH General Court website publishes RSA 508:4, the statute establishing the general filing deadline for personal injury lawsuits, along with exceptions that may apply in certain circumstances.
• RSA 507:7-d, accessible through the comparative fault statute page, addresses how a plaintiff’s own negligence affects recovery eligibility and the amount of damages available.
• The NHTSA motorcycle safety page publishes national crash data and rider-specific safety resources.
• The CDC Injury Center maintains unintentional injury surveillance data, including motorcycle crash outcomes nationally.

Reach Out to Welts, White & Fontaine, P.C. to Schedule a Consultation

Our firm offers a free initial consultation to individuals involved in motorcycle accidents in Manchester, NH. We handle motorcycle accident claims on a contingency fee basis, and no attorney’s fees are owed unless we secure a recovery on your behalf. Contact us to speak with a motorcycle accident attorney about the facts of your case.