New Hampshire Truck Accident & Commercial Vehicle Litigation Guide

The Impact of 80,000 Pounds: Navigating Your New Hampshire Truck Accident Claim

One moment you were driving to work through the Manchester woodpipe area or heading north toward the White Mountains for a weekend away; the next, 80,000 pounds of steel slammed into your life. An 18-wheeler doesn’t just cause a fender bender. It causes a life-altering catastrophe. In New Hampshire, where our winding scenic routes meet high-speed corridors like I-93 and I-95, the margin for error is razor-thin. When a commercial driver or a multi-billion dollar trucking corporation ignores safety regulations to save time, it’s New Hampshire families who pay the ultimate price.

We know exactly what you’re facing right now. The pain is constant, the medical bills are mounting for treatment at local facilities like Elliot Hospital or Dartmouth-Hitchcock, and the trucking company’s insurance adjuster is likely already calling you with a “quick settlement” offer. At Attorney911, we have spent over 25 years making sure these companies pay for the damage they cause. Managing Partner Ralph Manginello has a distinguished history of holding corporate giants accountable. Since 1998, Ralph Manginello has been the fighter in the corner of injury victims, bringing federal court experience to every New Hampshire case he touches.

You are not a file number to us. As our client Chad Harris once said, “You are NOT just some client… You are FAMILY to them.” We treat your recovery with the urgency it deserves. If you have been hurt by an 18-wheeler, a logging truck, or an Amazon delivery van, call us immediately at 1-888-ATTY-911.

Why Your Choice of a New Hampshire Truck Accident Attorney Matters

Trucking litigation is not the same as a standard car accident case. While a typical auto policy might provide $25,000 to $100,000 in coverage, federal law requires interstate motor carriers to carry between $750,000 and $5 million in insurance. Accessing those millions requires an attorney who knows how to peel back the layers of corporate structure.

Our team at Attorney911 offers an advantage few others can: Lupe Peña. Before he joined our fight for the people, Lupe Peña worked for the insurance companies. He used to defend these corporations. He knows their playbook, he knows the formulas they use to undervalue your suffering, and he knows exactly when they are bluffing. This insider knowledge allows us to anticipate their defense strategies before they even file them.

With Ralph Manginello’s 25+ years of litigation experience and Lupe Peña’s defense-side insight, we provide a level of representation that makes insurance companies take notice. We have gone toe-to-toe with Fortune 500 corporations like BP and secured multi-million dollar recoveries for traumatic brain injuries and amputations. Whether your accident happened on the “Spaghetti Bowl” of local interchanges or a rural route in the North Country, we bring the resources of a powerhouse firm to your neighborhood.

Hablamos Español. Llame al (888) 288-9911 para una consulta gratuita.

The 48-Hour Urgency: Protecting Evidence Before It Disappears

If you are reading this in New Hampshire within days of your accident, the clock is ticking faster than you realize. Trucking companies employ rapid-response teams—lawyers and investigators who are often at the scene before the ambulance arrives at the hospital. Their goal is simple: control the narrative and minimize their liability.

The most critical evidence in your case is electronic and ephemeral. Commercial vehicles are equipped with an Engine Control Module (ECM), often called a “black box,” and Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs). This data points to:

• The truck’s exact speed at the moment of impact.
• Whether the driver attempted to brake.
• How many hours the driver had been behind the wheel without sleep.
• Hard-braking events leading up to the crash.

In New Hampshire, black box data is frequently overwritten within 30 days. If the truck is put back on the road and continues to drive, it could erase the proof of the trucking company’s negligence forever. This is why we move with extreme speed. When you retain Attorney911, we send formal spoliation letters within 24 hours to every liable party—the driver, the trucking company, and the corporate parent. We demand that they preserve every byte of data and every maintenance record. Ralph Manginello has built a career on gathering this “smoking gun” evidence that forces companies to pay fair settlements.

Don’t wait. Evidence gets deleted, but your injuries don’t. Call 1-888-ATTY-911.

New Hampshire Trucking Hazards: From I-93 to the Logging Roads

New Hampshire presents a unique landscape for commercial vehicle traffic. The state acts as a major bridge between the shipping hubs of Massachusetts and the Canadian border, funneling massive freight volume daily.

The Interstate Corridors

Interstate 93 is the backbone of New Hampshire, connecting the hubs of Salem, Manchester, and Concord. It is also one of the most dangerous stretches for rear-end collisions and jackknife accidents. During the winter months, whiteout conditions and black ice on the Franconia Notch Parkway turn these highways into icy traps for 80,000-pound rigs that cannot stop in time.

The Logging Industry Risk

In the Northern part of the state, logging trucks are a constant presence on routes like NH-16 and US-2. These vehicles carry thousands of pounds of heavy timber that is notoriously difficult to secure. A single failed chain or an overweight load can result in logs rolling into oncoming traffic with lethal force. Ralph Manginello handles these complex cargo-securement cases with an eye for FMCSA Part 393 violations—federal rules that are strictly defined but frequently ignored by timber haulers.

The “Tax-Free” Delivery Rush

Because New Hampshire has no sales tax, our retail centers in Nashua and Merrimack see a staggering amount of delivery traffic. Corporate fleets from Walmart, Amazon, and Sysco are in a constant race to restock shelves. This creates a high-pressure environment where drivers are pushed beyond the federal 11-hour driving limit set by 49 CFR § 395.3. When a tired driver takes a wide turn too fast in a downtown Manchester shopping center, innocent people get hurt.

Commercial Vehicle Types We Handle

While many firms only talk about 18-wheelers, the term “truck accident” covers a broad spectrum of commercial vehicles. In New Hampshire, you are just as likely to be hit by a delivery van or a construction vehicle as you are a semi-truck.

• 18-Wheelers & Semi-Trucks: The standard 80,000-pound rigs that dominate I-95 and I-89.
• Logging Trucks: Heavy-duty timber haulers prevalent in the North Country and Coos County. These require specialized knowledge of cargo-loading physics.
• Amazon & Last-Mile Delivery Vans: These frequently cause accidents in residential areas of Nashua and Concord. Amazon Logistics often tries to hide behind an “independent contractor” model, but we know how to pierce that corporate shield.
• Dump Trucks & Concrete Mixers: Essential to New Hampshire’s construction boom, these vehicles have massive blind spots and are prone to rollovers when overloaded.
• Dump Trucks with Raised Beds: When a driver fails to lower the bed, they can strike overpasses on I-93, dropping tons of debris on drivers behind them.
• Rental Trucks (U-Haul/Penske): Inexperienced drivers operating 26,000-pound trucks they aren’t trained for.
• Public Transit & School Buses: Cases against government entities involving sovereign immunity and strict tort claim notice requirements.

If it has a commercial license plate and it hit you, we can hold them accountable. Call 888-ATTY-911.

Dangerous Truck Accident Types in New Hampshire

The physics of a truck crash determine the severity of the injuries. Ralph Manginello and our legal team work with accident reconstruction experts to prove exactly how these collisions occurred and which safety regulations were violated.

Jackknife Accidents on Icy Roads

In New Hampshire, jackknifing is a major winter hazard. This occurs when the trailer outruns the tractor, folding the vehicle like a pocketknife. This often violates 49 CFR § 392.14, which requires extreme caution and speed reduction during hazardous conditions. If a trucker was doing 65 mph during a January snowstorm on I-89, they were breaking the law before the crash even happened.

Underride Collisions

Among the most lethal accidents we handle, these occur when a car slides beneath the side or rear of a trailer. These frequently happen at night on dark New Hampshire routes like US-3 when trailers lack proper reflective tape (49 CFR § 393.11) or have damaged “Mansfield bars” (underride guards). The results are almost always fatal or result in permanent traumatic brain injuries.

The “Squeeze Play” Wide Turn

Trucks in downtown Nashua or Manchester must swing wide to navigate tight intersections. If a driver fails to check their right-hand blind spot or signal early enough, they can “squeeze” a passenger car against the curb. This is a classic example of driver inattention and negligent training by the motor carrier.

Tire Blowouts and Brake Failure

Descending steep grades in the White Mountains puts immense strain on a truck’s braking system. 49 CFR Part 396 requires systematic inspection and maintenance. If a trucking company deferred maintenance to save a few dollars and those brakes failed on a New Hampshire mountain pass, they are liable for every penny of your damages.

Whether it was a blind spot collision or a high-speed rear-end crash, we hit back. Call 1-888-ATTY-911.

Identifying the Web of Liability

Most lawyers only sue the driver. We know better. In a New Hampshire truck accident, there are often up to 16 different parties who could share the blame. Finding them all is the only way to ensure you recover the full value of your case.

1. The Truck Driver: For direct negligence like speeding or distraction.
2. The Trucking Company: Under the doctrine of respondeat superior, they are responsible for their employees’ actions.
3. The Corporate Parent (Amazon/Walmart/FedEx): Even if they use contractors, we look for “ostensible agency”—where the company exerts so much control they are legally the employer.
4. The Cargo Loader: If shifting logs or a top-heavy shipping container caused a rollover.
5. The Maintenance Provider: If a third-party mechanic in Manchester failed to repair a known brake defect.
6. The Parts Manufacturer: If a defective tire or steering component failed at high speed (Product Liability).
7. The Freight Broker: For hiring a carrier with a notorious safety record (Negligent Selection).
8. The Government Entity: If poor road design or an unplowed stretch of I-93 contributed to the crash.

In New Hampshire, we also deal with the Independent Contractor Defense. Companies like FedEx Ground will tell you the driver was just a “contractor” and they aren’t responsible. Lupe Peña, our former insurance defense attorney, has seen this trick a thousand times. We use the “Control Test” to prove the parent company dictated the route, the uniform, and the schedule—making them liable for the damage caused.

Proving Violations of FMCSA Regulations

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) sets the rules for the road. Every 18-wheeler passing through New Hampshire must follow 49 CFR Parts 390-399. When we find a violation, it is powerful evidence of negligence.

• Part 391: Driver Qualifications. Did the company hire a driver with a history of DUIs or a suspended license?
• Part 392: Driving of Commercial Vehicles. Was the driver using a handheld phone? Were they driving while ill or fatigued?
• Part 395: Hours of Service. This is the most common violation. Drivers are limited to 11 hours of driving and must have 10 consecutive hours off. Tired drivers have the same reaction times as drunk drivers.
• Part 396: Maintenance and Inspection. Every truck must have a pre-trip and post-trip inspection. We subpoena those logs to see if they were falsified.

Ralph Manginello’s federal court experience means he knows how to cross-examine a trucking company’s safety director on these specific rules until their defense crumbles. We don’t just say they were “careless”—we prove they broke federal law.

Put 25+ years of trucking law expertise in your corner. Call (888) 288-9911.

The Reality of Catastrophic Injuries

A collision with an 80,000-pound truck is not something you “walk off.” At Attorney911, we have recovered multi-million dollar settlements for the most devastating injuries a person can survive.

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

The violent force of a truck impact causes the brain to strike the skull, causing axonal shearing. Even a “mild” concussion can lead to lifelong issues with memory, concentration, and emotional regulation. Our firm has achieved TBI settlements ranging from $1.5 million to over $9.8 million. We work with leading neurologists to ensure your settlement covers a lifetime of cognitive care.

Spinal Cord Injuries and Paralysis

When the spine is crushed in an underride or rollover, the damage is often permanent. A spinal cord injury requires home modifications, 24/7 nursing care, and specialized vehicles. We have secured settlements from $4.7 million up to $25.8 million for paralysis victims, ensuring they never have to worry about the cost of their care.

Amputation and Limb Loss

Crushing forces frequently lead to traumatic amputations at the scene or surgical amputations because the bone and tissue cannot be saved. The cost of prosthetics alone can reach hundreds of thousands of dollars over a lifetime. Our amputation recoveries have reached between $1.9 million and $8.6 million.

Wrongful Death

If you have lost a family member in a New Hampshire truck accident, we offer our deepest condolences. No check can bring them back, but we can make sure the company responsible experiences the financial consequences of their negligence. New Hampshire wrongful death recoveries can range from $1.9 million to over $9 million depending on the decedent’s age and earning capacity.

You focus on healing. We’ll focus on the fight. Call 1-888-ATTY-911.

Recovering Full Damages Under New Hampshire Law

In New Hampshire, you are entitled to “make whole” damages. Because truck insurance policies are so large, we can pursue the full spectrum of your losses.

Economic Damages (The Calculable Bills)

• Medical Expenses: Every ER visit at Southern New Hampshire Medical Center, every surgery, and every physical therapy session.
• Future Care: The cost of projected surgeries, medications, and medical equipment for the next 30-50 years.
• Lost Wages: The income you missed while in the hospital.
• Loss of Earning Capacity: If your injury prevents you from returning to your trade or profession, we calculate what you would have earned until retirement.

Non-Economic Damages (The Human Cost)

• Pain and Suffering: The physical agony of your injuries and the difficulty of treatment.
• Mental Anguish: The PTSD, nightmares, and anxiety that follow a near-death experience.
• Loss of Consortium: The impact on your relationship with your spouse and children.
• Disfigurement: Compensation for the permanent scars or lost limbs that change how you see yourself.

New Hampshire Comparative Negligence Rule: New Hampshire follows the 51% bar rule. This means you can recover damages as long as you are 50% or less at fault for the accident. If the jury finds the truck was 60% at fault and you were 40% at fault, you still recover 60% of your damages. This is why you need a lawyer like Ralph Manginello, who knows how to minimize your percentage of fault to maximize your payout.

Frequently Asked Questions (New Hampshire Edition)

How long do I have to file a truck accident lawsuit in New Hampshire?
In New Hampshire, the general statute of limitations for personal injury is three years from the date of the accident. However, if you are suing a government entity (like a city bus or a state vehicle), the notice requirements are much shorter. Regardless of the legal deadline, you should call an attorney within 48 hours to preserve the “black box” evidence.

What if the truck was from out of state?
Most 18-wheelers on I-93 are from out of state. Because they are involved in “Interstate Commerce,” your case may be heard in federal court. Ralph Manginello is admitted to federal court and has decades of experience navigating the complex rules of federal litigation.

Can I sue the company whose logo was on the truck?
Yes. If you was hit by a truck with a Walmart or Amazon logo, we pursue the parent company under “ostensible agency” and “respondeat superior.” These companies have deep pockets and often self-insure, meaning they have massive resources to pay major claims.

What if the insurance company offers me a check right away?
Do not sign it. That check is a “lowball” offer designed to make your claim go away before you realize you have a herniated disc or a TBI. Once you sign, you can never ask for more. Let Lupe Peña review the offer—he knows their valuation formulas and can tell you how much they are really hiding.

How much does a truck accident lawyer cost?
At Attorney911, we work on a contingency fee basis. You pay nothing upfront, and we advance all the costs of hiring experts and filing the lawsuit. We only get paid if we win your case. If we don’t recover money for you, you don’t owe us a dime.

Why Other New Hampshire Attorneys Drop Cases We Win

We frequently receive calls from clients whose cases were rejected by other firms. They were told the case was “too complex” or that “liability was too disputed.” Client Donald Wilcox came to us after another company said they would not accept his case. “Then I got a call from Manginello… I got a call to come pick up this handsome check.”

We don’t run from a fight. If a trucking company lied on their logs or if a corporate giant like Amazon is trying to dodge liability, we dig deeper. We use forensic accountants to prove earning loss and accident reconstructionists to prove speed. Because we prepare every case as if it is going to trial, insurance companies know they can’t push us around.

The Manginello Difference: Legal Emergencies Require Emergency Lawyers

A truck accident is a legal emergency. You wouldn’t wait a week to go to the ER for a broken leg; don’t wait a week to protect your legal rights. Ralph Manginello and the team at Attorney911 are ready to start working on your New Hampshire case today.

Our 4.9-star Google rating and over 251 reviews tell the story of a firm that cares. We have recovered over $50 million for our clients, but our greatest accomplishment is the trust of families who have seen their lives restored after a disaster. As Ernest Cano said, “Mr. Manginello and his firm are first class. Will fight tooth and nail for you.”

Your recovery starts with a single phone call. Let us take the weight of the legal battle off your shoulders so you can focus on getting your life back.

Contact Attorney911 Now

Available 24/7 for New Hampshire Victims:
Toll-Free: 1-888-ATTY-911
Direct: (713) 528-9070
Email: ralph@atty911.com
Spanish: Hablamos Español. Llame al 1-888-288-9911.

No Fee Unless We Win. Free Consultations. Powerful and Proven.

This content serves as a guide and does not constitute an attorney-client relationship. Every case is unique, and results depend on specific facts. Call 1-888-ATTY-911 for a personalized evaluation of your New Hampshire commercial vehicle accident.