Legal Question in Traffic Law in New Hampshire

Leaving scene of single car accident near home.

I was returning home at approx. 8PM with unopened alcohol (over 21) in my truck.

Reaching down to get CD's I hit a tree very close to my own home. There was damage to my truck and broken glass that gave me minor to moderate cuts and bruises. The windows broke when I hit the tree head on. The unopened alcohol containers also broke, soaking the seats in alcohol. I left the truck where it was and began to walk home to my parents house, because it was relatively close by. I tried to return to the vehicle later through a path in the woods, apparently fainted for a time.When I came to, I returned to my home again, not the truck and my parents had already talked to the police. The accident had been reported by someone passing by. The police came by again in the morning and told me that I was going to be charged with leaving the scene of an accident. I thought that if there were no other cars involved and no property damage that I had more time to report it. I was not seriously injured although cut and dazed. The police did talk to me within 24 hours. I made no attempt to remove license plates or anything criminal to disguise the fact that it was my truck.

It was off the side of the road.Please advise.


Asked on 9/27/02, 6:54 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Roy Weddleton Granite Law

Re: Leaving scene of single car accident near home.

You have a point. The purpose of the statute is to make sure that the person you hit is informed. Since it was a single car accident, you had no one to inform. You are suppose to go to the police ASAP but again the statute is unclear when only you are involved.

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Answered on 10/01/02, 8:14 am


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