Neil Nicholson | Car Accident Lawyer

This past year we had a client who slipped and fell on an unsafe slippery floor. We cooperated with the insurance company at first to try and resolve the claim. The insurance adjuster made a very low offer to settle the claim. In response, my client allowed me to file a lawsuit. We took depositions of relevant witnesses and developed compelling evidence to persuade the insurance company that the claim was worth much more than what they had offered. After a year of fighting, my client successfully resolved the claim at mediation for about 20x the amount that was originally offered to settle the claim.

A successful practice is built through reputation. I am fortunate that many other attorneys and prior clients refer their friends and family to me. The reputation for working hard, caring about my clients, and understanding the relevant law has created trust with other attorneys and prior clients. This has allowed me to develop a successful practice.

A personal injury client should look to hire an attorney that has (1) the requisite experience, (2) an understanding that the attorney exists to serve you, and (3) one that shows empathy for your pain and suffering. (1) A lawyer who handles a few personal injury claims each year for thirty years is not as experienced as the attorney who has been practicing for more than a decade and has handled over 300 personal injury claims. We have handled over 300 personal injury claims. Some hints that a lawyer has the experience necessary to adequately represent you in a car accident claim, medical malpractice claim or dog bite claim include the following: (1) a lawyer who has taught other lawyers on issues related to personal injury, trial advocacy, trial skills and trial presentation; (2) a lawyer who has written publications on issues concerning personal injury matters or who has testified in the legislature against laws that harm the public’s access to justice; (3) a lawyer who has been recognized by his or her peers as a Best Lawyer® or SuperLawyer® in Plaintiff’s Personal Injury; and, (4) a lawyer who has received positive feedback from clients about the manner in which he or she handled their personal injury claim. If a lawyer satisfies this checklist then he or she has the requisite experience to pursue your personal injury claim with confidence. (2) Responsiveness doesn’t equate to instantaneous communication. But barring trial or vacation, you should expect to hear back from your lawyer or their paralegal within 24 hours of sending him or her an email or leaving a voicemail, even if it’s your lawyer or their paralegal telling you that they received the message but need more time to fully respond. (3) Choose a lawyer who expresses concern about your injuries and suffering. If not, you may want to choose a lawyer who has compassion for you. You’ll know if compassion exists during your first phone call with the lawyer, I promise.

Local knowledge is important. A lawyer who knows the terrain, the insurance adjusters, the court system and how New Hampshire "works" is valuable to the outcome of your claim.

In a free phone consultation we can discuss the nature of your claim and whether or not it is the type of claim that our law firm would pursue on a contingency fee retention agreement. Under a contingency fee, we don't get paid unless you get paid. Thus, we will discuss legal concepts during our call, like liability, damages and recovery.

It's helpful for me to know the names of all involved parties, the facts of the cases, the nature of your injuries, and insurance information. If you have this information available it will help us have a productive phone call.

My level of comprehensive experience in personal injury matters, unique background, commitment to client service and compassionate understanding are traits that many clients have found helpful in successfully recovering compensation for their injuries.

Sending my client a check.

I am an avid hockey player and enjoy everything in the mountains and streams - backpacking, camping, fly fishing.

As a member of the New Hampshire Bar Association, I serve on the Public Protection Fund Committee. I am honored to have served as past-president of the New Hampshire Association for Justice, a trial lawyers’ group dedicated to fight for the principles of justice for the injured. For several years, I had fun as a youth hockey coach and remain active with several charitable organizations.

• Vision International Missions, Director – General Counsel (2020-current)
  Epsom Bible Church, Missions Deacon (2020-current)
  New Hampshire Bar Association Public Protection Fund Committee (2011-current)
  Manchester Bar Association, Member (2007-current) and Executive Committee (2012-2014)
  New Hampshire Association for Justice, President (2017-2018)
  New Hampshire Association for Justice, Board of Governors (2011-2019)
  NH Pro Bono Referral Program Annual Hockey Game, Founding Member and Co-Chair (2015-current)
  Manchester Christian Church, Elder Team (2016-2018)
  Manchester Christian Church, Administrative Leadership Team (2014-2018)
  Appalachian Mountain Club, Current Member
  Christian Legal Society, Member (2012-current)
  Federalist Society, Current Member
  100 Hundred Club, Current Member
  New Hampshire Bar Association, Member (2007-current)
  Vermont Bar Association, Member (2020-current)
  Trinity High School Advisory Board, Member (2014-2016)
  Pinkerton Academy Law Advisory Committee, Past Member
  Manchester Regional Youth Hockey Association, Director (2010-2014)
  New Hampshire Amateur Hockey Association, Director (2012-2013)
  International Brotherhood of Police Officers, Local #371, President (2003-2005)
  Goffstown Police Association, President (2002-2005)

• Best Lawyers© – Plaintiff’s Personal Injury, 2021
  SuperLawyers© – Plaintiff’s Personal Injury, 2021, 2020, 2019
  Martindale-Hubbell, AV Preeminent Rating in Legal Ability and Ethical Standards
  Union Leader’s Forty Under Forty, Class of 2016
  SuperLawyers, New England Rising Stars, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014
  Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum
  The National Trial Lawyers Top 40 Under 40, recipient
  The National Trial Lawyers Top 100 Trial Lawyers Recognition
  Philip C. Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition
  Suffolk University Law School Jurisprudence Award: Property Law
  Suffolk University Law School Jurisprudence Award: Environmental Law
  Suffolk University Law School Best Oral Advocate Award
  Goffstown Police Department: Lifesaving Award
  Goffstown Police Department: Chief’s Exemplary Service Award
  Goffstown Police Department: Officer of the Year Award

• Case Results
  Attorney Neil Nicholson has advocated for many people who have suffered tragic injuries from car accidents, motorcycle accidents, defective products, medical malpractice, and unsafe stores, restaurants and buildings. Every case is unique. Many factors determine the value of a settlement, jury verdict, or court judgment, including fault, causation, extent of injuries, and available insurance coverage. Past results are not determinative of future results. Confidentiality provisions may prohibit disclosure of other settlements or settlement amounts and therefore only general information is provided in the sampling of settlements and verdicts.

• May, 2018: Campground Bill Erodes Constitutional Rights, Concord Monitor, Seacoast Online
  May, 2018: President’s Message, NHAJ Trial Bar News
  February, 2018: President’s Message, NHAJ Trial Bar News
  September, 2017: President’s Message, NHAJ Trial Bar News
  January, 2016: Unveiling the Mysteries of Med Pay Coverage, NHAJ Trial Bar News
  December, 2014: Stryker Rejuvenate and ABG II Hip Replacement Litigation, NHAJ Trial Bar News
  October, 2014: NCAA Concussion Litigation, NHAJ Trial Bar News
  July, 2013: Multidistrict Litigation Briefing, New Hampshire Bar Association Bar News
  April, 2013: Litigating Transfer Issues in MDL, New Hampshire Association for Justice Trial Bar News
  December, 2012: Protect Your Customers’ and Employees’ Personal Information – Top 10 data security guide for 2013, Portsmouth Herald – Seacoast Online
  June, 2012: Guarding Patient’s Personal Information: You’re the Sentry, Portsmouth Herald – Seacoast Online
  April, 2011: Can I ask a potential employee to take a lie detector test to evaluate the accuracy of his or her application? New Hampshire’s Union Leader
  April, 2011: Right to Work Act could change N.H.’s labor landscape, Portsmouth Herald – Seacoast Online
  January, 2011: Red Flag Rules Legal Update, New Hampshire Business Review
  December, 2010: Complying with the Red Flags Rule, New Hampshire Business Review
  October, 2010: Does my company need to comply with the Federal Trade Commission’s Red Flags Rule? New Hampshire Union Leader
  June, 2010: What types of wages can be withheld from the employee? New Hampshire Union Leader
  April, 2010: Deductions From Wages, New Hampshire Union Leader
  August, 2009: Data Security: No Longer Someone Else’s Problem, New Hampshire Business Review

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