Usually no - in New Hampshire, a minor's injury settlement often needs court approval, and that catches families off guard.

What should have happened right after the crash: if your brother was hurt in a Dover-area wreck on Route 16, the Spaulding Turnpike, or I-95 during summer tourist traffic, a parent or legal guardian should have handled the claim. The child does not sign the release. Medical care should be documented right away, especially if he was seen locally and then transferred to Concord Hospital or Elliot Hospital in Manchester for trauma treatment.

Another trap in New Hampshire: the other driver may have no auto insurance at all. New Hampshire does not require drivers to carry liability insurance, so the claim may need to go through the household's own uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage instead of the at-fault driver's insurer.

What to do now: do not let an insurance adjuster rush a parent into signing a release or accepting a check made out only to the adult. If the injured person is under 18, the settlement usually has to be reviewed so someone independent confirms it is fair and that the money is protected for the child. In many cases, that means filing for approval in the New Hampshire Circuit Court.

Have these ready:

• crash report
• medical records and bills
• any proposed settlement paperwork
• proof of who the child's parent or guardian is

What comes next: the court looks at the amount, the injury, medical costs, and where the money will go. The judge may require funds to be placed in a restricted account or otherwise safeguarded until the child becomes an adult.

One more protection: the normal injury time limit is different for kids. In New Hampshire, a minor's statute of limitations is generally tolled until age 18, but don't use that as an excuse to wait. Evidence disappears fast, especially after summer highway crashes involving out-of-state drivers and rental vehicles.