Manchester Pedestrian Accident Lawyer

Pedestrian accident attorneys who pursue full recovery for injured clients and their families in Manchester, NH.

Welts, White & Fontaine, P.C. has represented injured plaintiffs across New Hampshire for over 48 years from our Nashua office. Our Manchester, NH pedestrian accident lawyer practice represents individuals who were struck by negligent drivers while walking, jogging, or crossing the street. Call our office to discuss how our firm can assist with your pedestrian accident case.

Pedestrian Accident Lawyer Manchester, NH

A pedestrian accident attorney represents individuals who have been injured or killed by a motor vehicle while on foot. These claims fall under New Hampshire personal injury law, but they involve distinct challenges. The evidence needed to prove fault differs from what applies in a collision between two vehicles, and the insurance dynamics can be complicated by the fact that the injured person had no vehicle or policy of their own involved in the crash.

What a pedestrian accident lawyer in Manchester does is reconstruct the collision, identify every source of liability, document the injuries, and hold the responsible driver and their insurer accountable.

Types of Pedestrian Accident Cases We Handle in Manchester

Pedestrian crashes happen across a wide range of circumstances, and the specific facts of each incident shape how liability is established and what evidence is needed. Welts, White & Fontaine, P.C. represents plaintiffs in the following types of pedestrian accident cases in Manchester.

• Crosswalk collisions. Drivers in New Hampshire are required to yield to pedestrians in marked and unmarked crosswalks. When a driver fails to stop, the pedestrian has little chance of avoiding the impact. These are among the most straightforward liability cases we handle, but the injuries are frequently devastating.
• Intersection crashes. A pedestrian crossing with a walk signal who gets hit by a turning vehicle has a strong negligence claim. Many of these collisions involve the same failure-to-yield behavior that produces car accident claims, but the physical consequences for a pedestrian are far more severe.
• Backing and reversing accidents. Parking lots, driveways, and loading zones are common locations for pedestrian injuries caused by a vehicle backing up. Children and elderly pedestrians are disproportionately affected because they may not be visible in a driver’s mirrors or camera.
• Hit-and-run pedestrian crashes. A driver who strikes a pedestrian and leaves the scene creates additional legal hurdles for the injured party. Identifying the vehicle requires an immediate investigation, and the pedestrian may need to pursue compensation through their own uninsured motorist coverage or other available sources.
• Distracted driver collisions. Drivers who are texting, adjusting a GPS, or otherwise distracted at the moment of impact frequently fail to see pedestrians in their path. Common misconceptions about who is at fault in these cases can delay claims, but cell phone records and traffic camera footage often establish a clear picture of the driver’s negligence.
• Truck and commercial vehicle crashes. When a commercial truck strikes a pedestrian, the resulting injuries are often catastrophic or fatal. These cases involve the same federal regulatory framework that applies to other commercial vehicle collisions.
• Crashes involving motorcycles and bicycles. Pedestrians struck by motorcycles or bicycles face a different set of liability questions. The speeds are generally lower, but the injuries can still be significant, particularly when the pedestrian is knocked to the ground and suffers head or spinal trauma.
• Winter weather pedestrian crashes. Snow, ice, and reduced visibility contribute to pedestrian crashes during New Hampshire’s colder months. When black ice or snow causes a driver to lose control and strike a pedestrian, liability may rest with the driver, a property owner who failed to clear a walkway, or a municipality responsible for road maintenance.

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

Attorneys With Strong Ties to Manchester and a Record in Injury Litigation

Israel F. Piedra lives in Manchester and has represented the city in the New Hampshire House of Representatives for two terms. He serves on the Board of Trustees of the Manchester City Library and is active on local civic boards and professional organizations throughout the community. Piedra earned his J.D. from Boston College Law School and joined Welts, White & Fontaine, P.C. in 2015, becoming a shareholder in 2022. He handles personal injury, civil litigation, and appeals, and is admitted to practice in New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Vermont, Maine, and before the U.S. Supreme Court. He sits on the Board of Governors of the NH Association for Justice and has been named to the SuperLawyers Rising Stars list from 2017 through 2025.

Michael J. Fontaine has led the firm since 1985 and has over 35 years of personal injury and workers’ compensation litigation experience. He is a member of the NH Bar Association Workers’ Compensation Section. Jack S. White has tried personal injury cases in New Hampshire courts for more than 40 years and was selected for Best Lawyers in America for plaintiff’s personal injury litigation. He is a member of the American Bar Association.

The firm has helped clients recover millions of dollars in personal injury cases. When you need a personal injury attorney in Manchester for a pedestrian collision or any related matter, our attorneys bring the preparation and litigation experience the case requires.

Understanding Pedestrian Accident Cases

Damages, Liability, and Compensation for Pedestrian Accident Cases

The severity of pedestrian accident injuries drives the damages calculation in these cases. Economic damages include hospital and surgical costs, rehabilitation and physical therapy expenses, prescription medication, lost wages, and long-term diminished earning capacity for injuries that affect the ability to work. Non-economic damages account for pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and loss of consortium. Where the driver’s conduct was especially reckless, New Hampshire law may allow enhanced compensatory damages.

New Hampshire follows a modified comparative fault rule. Under that rule, a pedestrian’s own negligence does not automatically prevent recovery, but it will reduce the damages awarded proportionally. If the pedestrian’s degree of fault crosses a certain threshold, recovery may be barred altogether. Insurance adjusters frequently try to assign fault to the pedestrian for not using a crosswalk, wearing dark clothing, or being distracted. Countering that argument with evidence is a central part of building the claim.

Important Aspects of a Pedestrian Accident Case

Pedestrian accident cases require specific types of evidence that are not always present in vehicle-to-vehicle collisions.

Witness statements carry significant weight because pedestrian crashes often involve disputed accounts of where the pedestrian was walking and whether they had the right of way. Surveillance camera footage from nearby businesses, traffic cameras at intersections, and dashcam recordings from other vehicles can corroborate the pedestrian’s version of events. Gathering pedestrian accident evidence quickly is essential because much of this footage is overwritten within days.

The driver’s conduct at the time of the crash must be documented. Phone records can prove whether the driver was texting. Speed can sometimes be estimated from the severity of the pedestrian’s injuries and the damage pattern at the scene. If the driver was under the influence of alcohol, the criminal case may produce evidence that supports the civil claim.

Pedestrians struck by vehicles frequently sustain traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, and multiple fractures. The treatment timeline for these injuries is longer, the costs are higher, and the long-term prognosis is often uncertain.

Pedestrian Accident Case Timeline

Pedestrian injury claims in Manchester, NH move through several phases. How long the process takes depends on the injuries, the liability evidence, and the insurer’s approach.

• The investigation begins as soon as possible after the crash. Your attorney works to obtain the police report, any available camera footage, witness contact information, and the driver’s insurance details.
• Medical treatment takes priority and must continue until the injured party reaches maximum medical improvement. Resolving a pedestrian accident case before treatment is complete risks undervaluing the claim.
• Once treatment concludes, a demand letter is sent to the at-fault driver’s insurer outlining the full scope of damages and the basis for liability. The negotiation process that follows can extend for weeks or months depending on the insurer’s position.
• If the insurer will not agree to a fair resolution, a lawsuit is filed and the case enters discovery, depositions, and motion practice.
• The case concludes through either a negotiated settlement or a trial verdict.

In most personal injury cases, New Hampshire law provides a general filing deadline of three years from the date of injury, though certain circumstances may alter that window.

What to Bring to Your Pedestrian Accident Consultation

When you meet with a Manchester pedestrian accident attorney for the first time, having certain documents and materials available will help the attorney evaluate the strength and value of your case.

• The police report or incident report from the crash
• Photographs of the accident location, any visible injuries, and the clothing you were wearing at the time
• All medical records and bills related to the injuries
• Documentation of lost wages and missed work
• Any correspondence from the driver’s insurer
• Your own auto or health insurance policy information, if applicable

It is important not to provide a recorded statement to the driver’s insurance company before consulting with an attorney. Adjusters in pedestrian cases often attempt to place fault on the injured person for crossing outside a crosswalk, being distracted, or failing to make themselves visible. An attorney can address these arguments before they are used to reduce or deny the claim.

Important New Hampshire Legal Resources for Pedestrian Accident Cases

New Hampshire law governs pedestrian accident claims filed in the state. Below are several public resources for understanding the relevant statutes and safety data.

• The NH General Court website publishes RSA 508:4, which establishes the general filing deadline for personal injury lawsuits in the state, along with exceptions that may apply in certain circumstances.
• RSA 507:7-d, the state’s comparative fault statute, governs how a plaintiff’s own negligence affects their ability to recover damages and the amount they can receive.
• The NHTSA pedestrian safety page provides national data on pedestrian fatalities and injuries, along with safety resources for both drivers and pedestrians.
• The CDC Injury Center tracks unintentional injury data, including pedestrian crash outcomes across the United States.

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

Pedestrian accident cases in Manchester require prompt investigation and experienced legal representation. Welts, White & Fontaine, P.C. handles these claims on a contingency fee basis, so there are no upfront attorney’s fees. Contact us to schedule a free initial consultation with a pedestrian accident attorney who can review the circumstances of your case and advise you on the path forward.