New Hampshire at a glance
New Hampshire allows three years for most personal actions.[1] A plaintiff whose fault is greater than the defendants’ cannot recover.[2] New Hampshire does not require drivers to carry auto insurance, but they must meet financial responsibility requirements.[3]
Filing deadlines
N.H. RSA 508:4, I
Except as otherwise provided by law, all personal actions, except actions for slander or libel, may be brought only within 3 years of the act or omission complained of, except that when the injury and its causal relationship to the act or omission were not discovered and could not reasonably have been discovered at the time of the act or omission
Source: [1]
In plain English, most injury lawsuits in New Hampshire must be filed within three years, with a discovery exception in the same section.[1]
Shared fault
N.H. RSA 507:7-d
Contributory fault shall not bar recovery in an action by any plaintiff or plaintiff’s legal representative, to recover damages in tort for death, personal injury or property damage, if such fault was not greater than the fault of the defendant, or the defendants in the aggregate
Source: [2]
This is modified comparative fault, often called the 51% bar. An injured person who is 50% or less at fault can recover damages reduced by their share; one who is more at fault than the parties the statute compares them to cannot recover.
Auto insurance requirements
The New Hampshire Insurance Department explains: “New Hampshire motor vehicle laws do not require you to carry auto insurance, but you must be able to demonstrate that you are able to provide sufficient funds to meet New Hampshire motor vehicle financial responsibility requirements in the event of an ‘at-fault’ accident.” If a driver buys insurance, “the minimum limits available for Liability Coverage are 25/50/25.”[3] For an injured person, this means the at-fault driver may have no insurance at all, which makes the injured person’s own uninsured motorist coverage especially important. See uninsured motorist claims.
What this page does not cover
This page covers the main deadlines, fault rule, damage limits and auto insurance requirements. Statutes also contain exceptions, such as rules for minors, people who are incapacitated and claims discovered later, and special rules apply to medical malpractice and workers’ compensation. Always read the full statute at the official source linked below.
Frequently asked questions
How long do I have to file a head injury lawsuit in New Hampshire?
In plain English, most injury lawsuits in New Hampshire must be filed within three years, with a discovery exception in the same section.[1]
This page provides general information about the law from the sources listed below. It is not legal advice, and reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship. Laws vary by state and change over time. See our legal disclaimer.
Sources
- N.H. RSA 508:4. New Hampshire General Court. https://gc.nh.gov/rsa/html/LII/508/508-4.htm
- N.H. RSA 507:7-d. New Hampshire General Court. https://gc.nh.gov/rsa/html/lii/507/507-mrg.htm
- New Hampshire Insurance Department. “New Hampshire Auto Insurance Guide.” https://mm.nh.gov/files/uploads/nhid/documents/nh-auto-guide.pdf
Sources last checked: October 11, 2026
