New Hand Held Electronic Device Laws for New Hampshire

Accidents can occur in an instant and there may be endless reasons or actions that cause them. One startling statistic pertaining to the cause of accidents has led to legislation aimed at prevention. According to the National Safety Council, roughly 26 percent of all vehicle accidents are the result of cell phone use. The phenomenon of distracted driving is a nation-wide problem and New Hampshire has stepped up the efforts to prevent those statistics from growing. Despite some opposition, the governor has passed legislation that will go into effect July 1, 2015. This new legislation is a state-wide ban on the use of hand held electronic devices while driving.

Texting & Driving Laws

As of now, there is a ban on texting and driving. This new law will ban the use of cell phones for conducting conversations, composing, reading, viewing, and sending electronic messages of any kind. Adults can use a hands-free system while behind the wheel to avoid breaking this new law. However, minors should understand any use of a cell phone, hands-free or not, is strictly prohibited. The ban also extends to putting information into a GPS system or other navigational device. The only exception to the ban on use of a cell phone is if the driver is calling 911, fire department, or other emergency personnel.

This law puts New Hampshire on the same page as a dozen other states and the District of Columbia. As it stands now, 43 states and the District of Columbia already ban texting and driving. If pulled over or involved in an accident, drivers won’t be able to use the excuse that they were unaware of the law because there is a marketing campaign underway to spread the word before the law takes effect. The campaign features a slogan that is resonating with residents. The slogan is “Hands Free, a Better Way to Be”.

For Employers

Employers need to understand how they may be held liable for the actions of employees under the new law. If an employee causes an accident while on a cell phone and it is proven that the employee was conducting business or following directions from an employer, that employer can be held liable in a civil court. For example, if an employee is on a conference call and wrecks or is putting an address in a GPS to deliver something on company time, the employer can end up paying damages in a civil case. A skilled injury lawyer in New Hampshire can investigate phone records or employer/employee training to determine if the employer can be held liable.

Car Accident Related To Hands Free Violations

Any kind of accident can be devastating for people and their families. Lives can be altered forever when injuries lead to disability or the inability to work again. On-going medical treatment, expensive therapies, and the unknown pace of a recovery can add stress and anxiety to an already upsetting situation. When an accident is caused by distracted driving and cell phone use, the devastation may seem worse. No victim should just accept this kind of accident as fate. If you are injured, you deserve compensation for your pain and suffering. It would be highly beneficial for you to have a New Hampshire car accident lawyer is in your corner fighting for your rights. An experienced auto accident attorney can determine if a violation of the new ban played a role in your accident. Then, let an accident attorney fight for a settlement that will help you move forward.

By Richard Monteith

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Avoid a DWI at Laconia Bike Week 2015

Since 1916, thousands of riders across the United States have flocked to Laconia, New Hampshire every year for the annual Motorcycle Week, taking place this year from June 13th to June 21st. Though fun, rallies like these have a tendency to escalate, so aside from information on the event, I’ll provide a few tips to avoid any DWIs while you’re out there.

What is Laconia’s Motorcycle Week?

Laconia’s Motorcycle Week is a gigantic gathering
of motorcycle enthusiasts and riders, a rally of sorts. It began in 1916 as a large gathering of a few hundred motorcyclists on a beach in Laconia. Soon it was included as a part of the Gypsy Tour, another motorcycle rally. Gradually participants began arriving in greater and greater numbers, extending what was once a weekend event into a weeklong affair. And so, Laconia’s Motorcycle Week was born. It is the oldest motorcycle rally in the United States, regularly attracting hundreds of thousands of participants. With the countdown already begun for its 100th birthday, this year’s event should have even more participants than usual.

What are the events?

There is no shortage of events to choose from at Laconia’s Motorcycle Week. During the day, you have the option to take guided scenic rides through the stunning White Mountains, or the picturesque Lake Winnipesaukee. If that’s not really your speed, you can always partake in some oil wrestling or mechanical bull riding at the Broken Spoke Saloon. You can also take a visit to the American Police Motorcycle Museum, or the Laconia Roadhouse. And, of course, you can enter into one of the countless bike shows that abound during Motorcycle Week. Aside from these there is live music every night, with a huge range of talented artists set for the lineup.

Avoiding DWI/DUIs

Where there are hundreds of thousands of riders gathered in a single place, the cops are sure to follow. And follow they do. In addition to the standard police force, elements from New Hampshire’s State Troopers are brought in to help maintain the peace as well. Because of the increased police presence, not to mention the incredible amounts of alcohol that will be available at the rally, getting slapped with a DWI/DUI is easier than ever. But you don’t have to have your fun cut short by jail time.

Here are a few suggestions to help you avoid DWI/DUIs:

•  Keep track of the amount of alcohol you consume, and make sure that you are not drinking on an empty stomach.
• Understand your tolerance levels for alcohol: only you know exactly how much you should be drinking. Take this into consideration when consuming alcoholic beverages.
• Keep an eye out for drivers who might be under the influence themselves, and do your best to avoid them. The greater number of motorcycles around during Motor Week means that accidents are far more likely to occur in any case, and adding intoxicated drivers to that mix will undoubtedly result in serious injury for a party involved.
• Have contact information available to a reputable DUI attorney in New Hampshire

The fact of the matter is that there are bad drivers out there. They put themselves and everyone else on the roads at risk. If you do have the misfortune of being involved in a motorcycle accident, make it one of your top priorities to acquire an experienced motorcycle accident attorney in NH. It could mean all the difference to your case to have a qualified individual fighting on your behalf.




By Richard Monteith


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Spring Motorcycle Safety Tips in New Hampshire

Spring has finally arrived in New Hampshire. And with the warmer temperatures come a brand new riding season! If you’re like most riders in New Hampshire, you have had your motorcycle in some sort of storage or garage for the last few months. Or maybe you opted to save a little cash and store your bike yourself. Wherever it has been all winter, you can finally break it out of its hiding place and take it for a spin.

But keep in mind that even with the utmost care and attention during the winter months, the fact remains your motorcycle was lying unoccupied for a significant amount of time. It will, without a doubt, require a bit extra upkeep before your next trip. Here are some pointers on making sure you keep your motorcycle in the best form possible, and a few tips on general motorcycle safety as well.

 
Do a Thorough Checkup

Even if you’ve done it a million times before, it still pays to give your motorcycle a comprehensive once-over before riding it again. As you have no doubt heard before, the Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) provides a quick acronym-based checklist that should ensure that you cover all of your bases. The T-CLOCS check (which stands for Tires, Controls, Lights, Oil, Chassis and Side stand) should take no longer than five minutes, and it is definitely worth your time to make sure that everything is in proper working order.

Dress Safely

Wear conspicuous clothing, especially if you will be driving at night. Obviously, this will help the other drivers on the road notice you better, but in doing so, you will also prevent a good deal of unnecessary collisions. In addition, always wear a durable, well-fitted helmet. That may seem self-evident, but a large number of motorcycle collisions result in deaths that could have been prevented if only the rider were wearing a helmet.

Think Carefully Before Taking a Passenger

This is something best suited for experienced drivers, which is something that you may well be. But if you have only been riding for a short period of time, refrain from adding a passenger to the mix until you get better acquainted with your bike.

If you’re going to be riding with another person, make sure that they understand the rules of the road as well as you do. If not, clearly and concisely explain what is expected of them before the trip. Double-check that they have protective gear that fits them and a helmet that they feel comfortable wearing.

Consider Professional Rider Training

It has numerous benefits, many of which (like possible insurance discounts) you may not even be aware of. Aside from improving your skills and giving you a bit more confidence, many states will even waive some or all of the requisite licensing test if you’ve taken a course of some sort.

Use these tips, and your own common sense, to stay safe on the roads this spring. Unfortunately though, there are careless drivers out there, and if you do have the misfortune of getting into an accident, be sure to hire a good motorcycle accident lawyer. A great lawyer could mean the difference between a period of recovery free from financial worry and the exact opposite.

By Richard Monteith

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5 Tips to Avoid a DUI on St. Patrick's Day in New Hampshire

Every year around this time, people look forward to St. Patrick’s Day on March 17.   In fact, in some areas of New Hampshire, the festivities may extend beyond the seventeenth for special events, like the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Manchester (Sunday, March 29th, 2015 at noon).  For most people, however, the traditional day is the time they will be slinging back their drinks, indulging in tasty food, and perhaps even head out searching for some leprechauns and four-leaf clovers – well, everyone except DUI lawyers, anyway.

Whether your Irish heritage obliges you to celebrate and pay homage to St. Patrick and the arrival of Christianity in Ireland, or whether you are celebrating just because it’s a great time to party, either way, you’re going to have to be careful.  St. Patrick’s Day may come with a lot of pints of green beer and micro-brewed Irish ale, but the New Hampshire laws regarding drunk driving aren’t taking the night off – and if you take things a little too far, you may end your celebratory night by calling a DWI attorney.
Since calling a DUI attorney doesn’t sound like a whole lot of fun, here are five tips to avoid a DUI on St. Patrick’s Day in New Hampshire.

Designate a Driver – Sounds like a no-brainer, right?  Unfortunately, a lot of people fail to designate one in advance on St. Patricks Day, leaving Bob thinking it was Bill who was going to skip the drinks, and vice versa.  For such a festive holiday, you can expect in this circumstance that both Bill and Bob end up too drunk to drive, and whoever is driving is likely to end up with a DUI.

Set Limits – Do you know how much alcohol you can consume before being over the legal limit?  Most people think they do, but their "eyeball" measurement of how much liquid is actually in a 4oz. glass of wine or what an ounce of alcohol really looks like are often skewed.  In addition, some beers have more alcohol content than others.  Know what you're drinking, and what an actual portion looks like in advance, or you might just be over the limit without knowing it.

Hire a Driver – While it may cost a little extra, it may save you significantly in the long run.  Drunk driving and needing a DUI attorney might be the least of your problems if you injure someone.  In fact, you may end up needing a criminal lawyer.  Your freedom is priceless, so don’t think it can’t happen to you, because anyone who is driving under the influence has the possibility of injuring or killing someone when they get behind the wheel.

Get a Hotel Room – If you know you’re going to be over-indulging, plan ahead and get a hotel room nearby to where you’re going to be celebrating.  Depending on what you’re doing, you can either take a cab to the event, stay on-site and celebrate with the other hotel guests at the hotel's planned festivities, or perhaps take advantage of any shuttle service they may offer.  Call around to local hotels and ask what services and shuttles they will be offering that night.  You may be surprised.

Plan Ahead – Perhaps you don’t think you will be participating in any drunk driving, but if you accidentally over-indulged, would you know who to call? It may sound counter-productive to plan ahead for potential problems; however, having the number of a reputable DUI lawyer handy may make a difference. Being picked up for a DUI and being convicted of one are two different things, and perhaps even consulting with a DWI attorney is a good idea, so you know what to do if it ever happens.

There isn’t anyone who ever gets into their car thinking they’ll be pulled over and arrested for driving while intoxicated. Even less so, those who critically injure or kill others in the process never plan that out either. If you find yourself in the unfortunate position of needing a DUI attorney or criminal attorney, we can help. But, you can save yourself the trouble and just don’t drive drunk in the first place.


By Richard Monteith


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New Hampshire DUI Charges and Penalties

A DUI Charge in New Hampshire Can Have a Long-Lasting Impact

Any criminal charge in New Hampshire should not be taken lightly. While some charges may be more complicated and result in harsher consequences compared to others, any kind of criminal charge can impact your record, your finances, and your reputation. A criminal charge can also affect your career or job opportunities. When it comes to the criminal charge of driving under the influence, knowing your rights and consulting with a criminal lawyer should be a priority.

 DUI Consequences

A DUI charge in New Hampshire can have far-reaching consequences and should be taken seriously. With a help of an experienced DUI lawyer, the possible consequences can be clearly spelled out and possibly avoided altogether. Far too many people assume a DUI is not really a big deal and a fine and license suspension is all that they will need to worry about. However, there are times when a DUI charge can lead to very serious consequences and permanently affect your life. If the DUI charge is a felony level charge or is an aggravated DUI, a criminal lawyer who specializes in DUI cases is a must.

Felony DUI

A felony DUI charge can come about if there is an accident involved. If the situation or incident resulted in the injury or death or another, the charges can be upgraded to a felony offense. If the DUI charge is the fourth offense in a 10 year period, it will be upgraded to a felony level. A felony can lead to high fines and prison time. The consequences of a felony conviction don’t go away once you serve a prison sentence or pay fines. A felony conviction is on your record forever. Having a felony on your record can mean you are ineligible to vote and can’t own a gun either. When it comes to everyday life experiences, such as applying for a loan or an apartment, a felony conviction can stand in the way and prevent you from qualifying for either. A felony conviction can also mean you can’t work in education in New Hampshire or work for certain government agencies.

Aggravated DUI

An aggravated DUI charge also carries serious consequences for New Hampshire residents. A DUI can be considered an aggravated offense if you were driving 30 miles over the speed limit or if the DUI actions caused a car accident. Also, if you tried to flee or had a passenger under the age of 16 in the car, the charge can be upgraded to aggravated. Trying to flee from police while they tried to pull over your car can also lead to an aggravated offense.

Because of the wide range and far-reaching impact an aggravated or felony DUI can have on your life, it is imperative to have a drunk driving attorney by your side throughout the entire process. A skilled and aggressive criminal attorney who has experience winning DUI cases can help reduce the charges and possibly get a DUI dismissed, saving you money and possibly securing your freedom. Everyone has rights and a New Hampshire DUI attorney can fight for those rights, especially when there is so much at stake concerning an aggravated or felony DUI charge.




By Richard Monteith



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Bike Week Laconia NH 2014 - Driving Safety Tips

Are you planning on attending the Laconia Bike Week, but you are coming out of state? Then you must understand some of the rules and regulations in New Hampshire. For example, it is required that you wear extra eye protection, unless the visor on your helmet is down while you are riding, but helmets are not required in New Hampshire.

Also, if you are using a State of Maine Learner's Permit, then it is not valid in New Hampshire. If you live in New Hampshire, it is best to attend a motorcycle class at the New Hampshire DMV so that you will have a good understanding of the various motorcycle laws and safety tips.

It is also important that you know how to avoid both DWI arrest and motorcycle accidents. The Laconia Bike Week is a very exciting and open event that is filled with good food, contests, bike shows, races, rallies, and even live music. However, there are also drinking tents, and many people take refuge there to avoid the scorching sun or the rainy weather in New Hampshire.

This not only leads to increased drinking, but it also leads to an increased chance for motorcycle accidents and DWI arrests. The following tips below will help ensure that you not only have a fun weekend at Laconia Bike Week, but that you also remain safe and free from a DWI arrest.

Tips on How to Avoid a Motorcycle Crash

Motorcycle accidents in Laconia NH are higher during Bike Week so here are a few tips to follow before heading out.

• Never drive aggressively. Make sure that you give other vehicles plenty of room and never dart in front of another vehicle.

• Always slow down when crossing an intersection and look in both directions. Many vehicles do not look for motorcycles when crossing an intersection, and most accidents happen when a vehicle approaches from the left.

• Wear brightly colored clothing when driving at night, and keep your head lights on. This will make you more visible to other drivers

• Always signal before making a turn and allow other vehicles to pass.


Tips On Avoiding DWI

These are fairly straightforward commonsense tips. But it is worth mentioning, because being charged with DWI in New Hampshire can land you in jail so think before you drink.

•    Always limit the amount of alcohol you consume.

•    Eat – Don’t drink on an empty stomach

•    Wait between 6-8 hours after consuming alcohol before you drive.

•    If you must go somewhere, find someone who has not consumed alcohol.

•    Know your limits


Always use good common sense. Be safe, responsible and ride safely.

Enjoy Bike Week 2014!

By Richard Monteith


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St.Paddy's Day is Monday March 17, 2014 - Think Before You Drink in NH!

Take Care on St. Paddy’s Day!

As March 17 approaches, people prepare to head out and celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with their friends and family. They gear up to drink the tasty green ale that numerous pubs serve around the country, without ever giving a thought as to what might come later on that evening. For those who aren’t aware of what St. Patrick’s Day is all about, it’s a day to commemorate Saint Patrick and the coming of Christianity to Ireland. Some refer to it as the Feast of Saint Patrick. This is one of those days that celebrates Irish culture and all of those things that they hold dear in Ireland. Locally the 19^th Annual Manchester St. Patrick’s Parade will be Sunday, March 30, 2014 in Manchester NH.

There are a lot of fun things going on this week prior to St. Patrick's Day Monday. There is a  Shamrock Shuffle 5k Run & 1 Mile Fun Run, a St Patty's day party at Cowabunga's in Hooksett NH , a Saturday Night Corned Beef & Cabbage Supper and More. For complete list of activities click here.

Don’t Get Swept Away in the Celebration

At times, people can end up celebrating far too vigorously. They get caught up in what’s going on around them and often forget about how many brews they have put down. Make sure you keep this in mind when you head out to the pubs with your green shamrock and pound back the pints of green beer. In New Hampshire, the local law enforcement officials are ramping up patrols in efforts to try and catch those who make bad decisions. If you have been drinking, you need to refrain from getting behind the wheel to drive yourself home.

Make Plans Ahead of Time for a Driver

No one said you can’t go out and enjoy yourself, but you have to make sure you are doing it in a responsible manner. Heading out and getting drunk is one thing, but getting behind the wheel of a vehicle when you clearly shouldn’t be driving is another. Due to recent changes in New Hampshire DWI laws, getting caught drinking and driving has some serious repercussions when convicted. St. Patrick’s Day is like Christmas for law enforcement officials. They end up catching countless people who choose to disobey the law time and time again.

Make sure you have a solid plan in place before you head out to enjoy yourself. For example, bring the phone number of a local cab company or have transportation arranged in advance with a relative or friend who isn’t celebrating the holiday. Getting a designated driver ready to go right from the start is one of the best things you can do.

Repercussions Can be Costly

Think about it. The risk of having your license taken away from you is going to cost you money, time, fines, expensive programs, an increase in your insurance policy, impaired driving record and so much more. Is that really how you want to end up after celebrating on March 17?

If you find yourself in trouble, you can turn to our team of professionals to help you along the way. Give us a call immediately to discuss what we can do for you and your case. 603-437-2733.


By Attorney Richard Monteith - Criminal Lawyer For New Hampshire


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