Will a Personal Injury Lawyer in New Hampshire Investigate My Car Accident?

If you were involved in a New Hampshire car accident, you might need help investigating the incident. Perhaps you’re not convinced that local law enforcement can find out the information you need, or maybe the investigation is simply taking too long. Can a personal injury attorney help with this investigative process?

Law Enforcement Takes the Lead on Crash Investigations

When it comes to investigating car crashes, local officials are usually quite adept. They have access to advanced technology and investigative techniques that help investigators quickly determine the root causes of accidents. Sometimes, crashes lead to criminal charges for at-fault drivers. This is often the case for crashes involving serious injuries, deaths, intoxication, street racing, gross recklessness, and other misconduct.

Law Enforcement and Personal Injury Lawyers Have Different Goals

From a law enforcement perspective, the most important thing is to determine whether the crash should lead to criminal charges. As a result, investigators search for information that might indicate that a crime has taken place. This might include breath test results that indicate intoxication, cell phone records that point to distracted driving, text messages that suggest a planned street race, and much more.

Personal injury lawyers have different goals. They are not concerned with the criminal justice system, and their aim is to instead establish “negligence” in a civil court. As a result, a personal injury lawyer might search for slightly different kinds of evidence. Instead of simply trying to establish whether a crime has occurred, an injury lawyer might search for evidence of a reckless mistake that signifies a breach of duty of care.

Injury Lawyers Sometimes Uncover Evidence That Law Enforcement Misses

Law enforcement officials may be skilled, but they could be restricted by limited resources. As a result, officials may spend relatively little time on a crash scene investigation before moving on to a more pressing case. Often, officials conclude that collisions were accidental, moving on and declining to press charges.

A lawyer could be able to find signs of fault and negligence that have not previously been considered. For example, a lawyer might track down witnesses who saw the crash and obtain their testimony. A lawyer might also ask local businesses whether their security cameras captured the crash. These are steps that law enforcement might not have time to take.

That said, lawyers can also use reports and evidence that local investigators have already compiled. There is no sense in retreading ground that has already been covered by investigators, and you can access this information in preparation for your injury claim.

Can a Personal Injury Lawyer in New Hampshire Help Me?

While local law enforcement usually handles most of the investigative process, car accident lawyers in New Hampshire may also help you uncover key information. Sometimes, lawyers discover important evidence that local law enforcement overlooks. Discuss your unique goals and circumstances with Manning Zimmerman & Oliveira PLLC today to determine the most appropriate pathway toward compensation.

Source: 

nhsp.dos.nh.gov/our-services/field-operations-bureau/collision-analysis-and-reconstruction-car-unit