What to do after a car accident in New Hampshire
Every rule below is quoted from New Hampshire law or a state agency, with a link. Checked September 17, 2026.
At fault state
The short answer
New Hampshire is an at fault state, also called a tort state. Unlike almost every other state, it does not require every driver to buy auto insurance up front. If you cause a crash, you are personally responsible for the other driver's injuries and damage, and proof of insurance or other security is only demanded afterward, to cover a judgment against you. New Hampshire law requires a written report of a crash within 15 days if anyone is injured or killed, or if property damage is more than $1,000, unless a police officer already investigated and reported it. You have 3 years to sue over injuries from a car crash in New Hampshire.
Deadlines in New Hampshire
- 3 years
- to sue for injuriesRSA 508:4
- 3 years
- to sue for car or property damageRSA 508:4
- 3 years (practical), 6 years (outer statutory limit)
- for a family to sue after a deathRSA 556:11
- 180 days (state notice), 60 days (municipal notice)
- to notify the government if a public vehicle or road was involvedRSA 541-B:14
Miss one of these and you can lose the right to claim, even with a strong case.
At the scene
Stop, share your information and help anyone hurt
After a crash with injury, death or property damage, New Hampshire law says a driver must stop at the scene right away and give their name, address, license number, insurance information and vehicle registration to the other people involved.
“shall immediately stop such vehicle at the scene of the accident”
When you must call the police
New Hampshire law requires a written report of a crash within 15 days if anyone is injured or killed, or if property damage is more than $1,000, unless a police officer already investigated and reported it.
“shall within 15 days after such accident report in writing to the division the facts required hereunder...if any person is injured or killed, or if damage to property is in excess of $1,000”
Moving your car out of traffic
If your vehicle is stopped in the road after a crash and it can still be driven, New Hampshire law says you must move it right away to the shoulder or another safe spot off the traveled part of the road.
“the driver shall immediately move the vehicle to the shoulder or to another safe area off of the traveled portion of the roadway”
In the days after
Whether you must file a report yourself
If your crash was not investigated by police and someone was injured or killed, or property damage was more than $1,000, you must report it in writing to the Department of Safety's Bureau of Financial Responsibility within 15 days.
“shall within 15 days after such accident report in writing to the division the facts required hereunder...if any person is injured or killed, or if damage to property is in excess of $1,000”
Getting a copy of the crash report
New Hampshire does not offer an online option. You request a crash report by mailing a completed Request for Motor Vehicle Records form, or using the Concord Drop Box, to the DMV. It costs $1 per page with a $5 minimum.
“To request a copy of an accident report, a completed Request for Motor Vehicle Records (DSMV 505) must be submitted by utilizing the Concord Drop Box ONLY. The fee for a crash report is $1.00 per page, with a $5.00 minimum.”
Who pays for the damage
New Hampshire is an at fault state, also called a tort state. Unlike almost every other state, it does not require every driver to buy auto insurance up front. If you cause a crash, you are personally responsible for the other driver's injuries and damage, and proof of insurance or other security is only demanded afterward, to cover a judgment against you.
“the director shall suspend the license and registration certificate...until such driver or owner...shall have furnished sufficient security to satisfy any judgment”
Insurance rules in New Hampshire
What insurance every driver must carry
New Hampshire's minimum liability limits, when insurance or other security is required, are $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for injury or death, plus $25,000 for property damage.
“$25,000 because of bodily injury or death to any one person”
Personal injury protection (PIP)
New Hampshire does not require personal injury protection, known as PIP. It does not even require liability insurance from every driver up front, only proof of financial responsibility after certain events like an at fault accident.
“the director shall suspend the license and registration certificate...until such driver or owner...shall have furnished sufficient security to satisfy any judgment”
If the other driver has no insurance
If you do have a New Hampshire auto policy, it must include uninsured and hit and run motorist coverage matching your liability limits, unless it is a commercial policy covering only non-owned vehicles.
“no policy shall be issued...unless coverage is provided therein or supplemental thereto at least in amounts and limits prescribed for bodily injury or death”
Medical payments coverage
New Hampshire does not require you to carry auto insurance at all, but if you do buy an auto insurance policy, it must include at least $1,000 per person in medical payments coverage.
“shall provide medical payments coverage therein or supplemental thereto in an amount equal to or greater than $1,000 per person for reasonable medical costs incurred as a result of injuries”
If an insurance company treats you unfairly
To file a complaint against an insurance company in New Hampshire, use the Online Consumer Complaint Form on the Insurance Department's Filing a Complaint page, or mail/fax the printable form.
“Online Consumer Complaint Form (Electronic version) Consumer Complaint Form (Printable) - This form is intended to be printed for completion and mailed or faxed to the New Hampshire Insurance Department.”
The deadline rules, word for word
Deadline to sue for injuries
You have 3 years to sue over injuries from a car crash in New Hampshire.
“within 3 years of the act or omission complained of”
Deadline to sue for car damage
You have 3 years to sue over vehicle or property damage from a crash in New Hampshire.
“within 3 years of the act or omission complained of”
Deadline for a wrongful death claim
New Hampshire law lets a new wrongful death action be brought within 6 years of the death, but that period is limited by the 3 year deadline that applies to the underlying injury claim. To be safe, treat the deadline as 3 years from the death.
“one may be brought for such cause at any time within 6 years after the death of the deceased party, subject to the provisions of RSA 508”
If a government vehicle or road was involved
If a state government vehicle or road was involved, you must give written notice within 180 days of the injury and file your claim within 3 years. If a city, town or county was involved, you must give written notice to its clerk within 60 days of the injury.
“Any claim submitted under this chapter shall be brought within 3 years of the date of the alleged bodily injury, personal injury or property damage”
Sources on this page
Each one was opened and checked on September 17, 2026.
Know My Claim is not a law firm or a government agency, and this page is not legal advice. Laws change, so check the linked source before you rely on a deadline.