No one wants to be in a car accident, but even the best driver can get into one. One of the most devastating types of accidents is a hit-and-run, which is an accident in which one party leaves the scene without exchanging information or checking to see if anyone is injured. Hit-and-runs are illegal in New Hampshire, as they are in most of the United States. If you’ve been the victim of a hit-and-run in New Hampshire, Bankrate has created this guide to help you know what to do and how it may affect your car insurance.
Hit and run in New Hampshire
A hit-and-run accident is when a negligent driver strikes a pedestrian, stationary object, or another vehicle and leaves the scene without stopping to provide assistance or exchange information. New Hampshire’s hit-and-run law states that drivers must stop if they are involved in an accident that causes death, injury, or property damage. Failure to stop is considered a misdemeanor and in some cases a felony.
Additionally, a police report is required if your damages exceed $1,000. Even if your damages do not exceed this limit, it is usually a good idea to file a police report. A police report can be a valuable document if you file an insurance claim for damages, and it can help prove liability for the accident, even if the other driver fled the scene.
Car insurance is not required in New Hampshire, but if you are the victim of a hit-and-run in New Hampshire, having insurance can help protect you from financial loss. If you are the perpetrator of a hit-and-run, liability insurance may be essential to pay for expenses if you are found.
New Hampshire Hit and Run Laws
In New Hampshire, it is a crime to cause an accident and leave the scene. You are required by law to stop your vehicle after a collision and give the other driver or property owner your name, address, license number, and insurance information. If the other driver is injured, you must give this information to the police officer. You or the police officer must file a report with the DMV within 15 days. If you fail to follow these instructions, you may be charged with a misdemeanor. Providing false information will likely result in a Class B felony charge.
Damaging property or abandoning a vehicle during a hit-and-run accident is a Class A misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in jail and a $2,000 fine.
If you are involved in an accident that results in death or serious injury, you could be charged with a Class B felony, punishable by up to seven years in prison and a fine of up to $2,000.
How does a hit and run affect car insurance in New Hampshire?
If you are involved in a hit and run and you flee the scene or fail to follow proper post-crash procedures, you may need to file for a New Hampshire SR-22 if you are caught. Hit and runs are one of the more serious high-risk driving behaviors for which insurance companies may charge higher premiums because they may indicate a driver is more likely to be involved in accidents in the future. Therefore, having this accident recorded on your motor vehicle record can have serious financial consequences. The average cost of full coverage auto insurance in New Hampshire is $1,700 per year, but it can increase significantly if you don’t have a clean driving record.
Being involved in a hit-and-run accident can also affect your insurance. If the at-fault driver is found, they will be responsible for your damages and medical expenses, but if they can’t be found, you may have to file a claim on your own. Your insurance premiums may then go up, but likely not as much as if you were the one at fault for the accident.
How much do insurance premiums go up after a hit-and-run accident? While Bankrate doesn’t publish specific premiums for hit-and-run accidents, we can calculate the average increase in premiums after an at-fault accident. For comparison, drivers with a clean accident record in New Hampshire pay an average of $435 for minimum coverage and $1,700 for full coverage, including collision and comprehensive insurance.
According to Quadrant Information Services, after an accident, these average rates increase to $642 for minimum coverage (a 48 percent increase) and $2,376 for full coverage (a 40 percent increase over pre-accident rates). These figures are averages, and rates can vary because they are based on factors specific to you and your situation. If you weren’t at fault for the accident, some insurance companies may not increase your rates.
What to do if you are involved in a hit-and-run accident in New Hampshire
You may be wondering what to do if you are involved in a hit and run accident in New Hampshire. Safety comes first, and here are some helpful things to consider if you are the victim of this type of accident.
- Stay safeIf you can do so safely, move your vehicle off the road or to a safe shoulder. If you are on a busy roadway, use caution when exiting your vehicle.
- Check for injuriesCheck yourself, your passengers and any other people involved for injuries. If necessary, seek immediate medical attention.
- Call the police: Although the police will usually respond if you call for medical assistance, it’s best to contact the authorities separately from calling for medical assistance, especially in hit-and-run cases. A police report can help prove fault and make the insurance claims process go more smoothly.
- Collect documentsIf it is safe, take photos of the damage and the roads you were on when the accident occurred. If you don’t have a camera or smartphone, write down as many details as you can, including the weather and traffic. If you know of any witnesses, ask for their contact information and see if they’d be willing to talk to police.
- Cooperate with the police: If you have any information you can give to officers to help track down the perpetrators, we would appreciate your help.
- File a claim: If possible and necessary, contact your insurance company to file a claim. Calling an agent can answer your questions and work with you to review your coverage. Or, if you prefer, many insurance companies allow you to file a claim online via their website or mobile app.
FAQ
Methodology
Bankrate uses Quadrant Information Services to analyze April 2024 rates for every zip code and insurer in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Rates are weighted based on population density in each area. Estimated rates are based on a 40-year-old male and female solo driver with a no-accident record, good credit, and the following full coverage limits:
- $100,000 bodily injury liability per person
- Bodily injury liability of $300,000 per accident
- Property damage liability of $50,000 per accident
- $100,000 per person in bodily injury claims caused by uninsured motorists
- Uninsured motorist bodily injury compensation of $300,000 per accident
- $500 collision deductible
- $500 comprehensive deductible
To determine the minimum coverage limits, Bankrate used the minimum coverage that meets each state’s requirements: Our base profile driver owns a 2022 Toyota Camry, commutes to work five days a week, and drives 12,000 miles per year.
These are sample rates and should be used for comparison purposes only.
Incident: The charges were calculated by assessing a base profile applying the following accidents: a no accident record (base) and at-fault accidents.
