Backus, Meyer & Branch, LLP Attorney Manchester NH | Backus, Meyer & Branch, LLP2026-08-27T12:18:28Zhttps://www.backusmeyer.com/feed/atom/WordPressOn Behalf of Backus, Meyer & Branch, LLP<![CDATA[Do you need a lawyer for a minor injury claim in Manchester?]]>https://www.backusmeyer.com/?p=485132026-08-27T12:18:28Z2026-08-27T12:18:28ZA fender bender on Elm Street or a slip on a wet floor in the South Willow shopping area can cause injuries like whiplash or a sprained wrist. Even when the medical bills seem small at first, dealing with an insurance company can bring new problems. An adjuster may offer a quick payment before you know how much your injury will cost.
Why minor injuries can still cause claim problems
Insurance companies may treat sprains, minor concussions and other soft tissue injuries as low-value claims. An adjuster may offer less money than your injury is worth. Taking a quick payment can also end your claim before you know how well you will heal.A few factors may show whether handling an injury compensation claim on your own makes sense:
Clear acceptance of fault by the other driver or property owner
Full recovery after a single medical visit
Minor vehicle damage costing a few thousand dollars or less to repair
Medical bills that remain well below the insurance policy limit
Looking at these details can help you decide whether your claim may need more help before signing any papers.
When a lawyer may help
A Manchester personal injury lawyer can help when an injury seems minor at first but later affects your daily life or ability to work. For example, a lawyer can help assess whether a settlement offer still makes sense if neck pain worsens or concussion symptoms appear days after an accident.Because these changes can affect the value of a claim, keeping medical bills, doctor visit records and notes about missed work can help show how the injury has affected you over time. Photos from the crash near the Millyard and a copy of the police report can also give a lawyer a clearer picture of what happened.
Protecting your recovery
A minor injury does not always mean a simple claim. If fault is disputed, symptoms continue or an insurance company offers less than the losses may justify, legal help can become more valuable. The right choice depends less on how serious the injury looks at first and more on how the accident affects your health, work and finances over time.]]>On Behalf of Backus, Meyer & Branch, LLP<![CDATA[Can police search your phone after an arrest?]]>https://www.backusmeyer.com/?p=485122026-08-14T13:31:11Z2026-08-14T13:31:11ZPicture the moment right after the handcuffs go on. An officer picks up your phone, and you wonder whether every text, photo and app is now fair game. A phone often holds more private information than a home ever could, which makes that worry real. The rules for searching a phone after an arrest are more protective than many people expect, and knowing them helps you know what comes next.
The general rule after a lawful arrest
During a lawful arrest, officers may search your body and the area within your reach to stay safe and preserve evidence. For years, some treated a phone like anything else in a pocket. A landmark Supreme Court decision changed how that rule applies to phones, holding that police generally need a warrant before searching digital contents. Officers may still take the device, but reviewing messages, photos or location history usually requires a judge's approval.
When officers can look without a warrant
A warrant is the general rule, but recognized exceptions can apply in particular circumstances. If you agree to let an officer search, that consent can make the search valid, so you may politely decline; courts also recognize emergencies, called exigent circumstances, when waiting for a warrant is not realistic. A specific risk that someone will erase evidence remotely can qualify, although officers must justify that exception case by case.
How New Hampshire adds its own protection
Federal rulings establish a minimum level of protection, while the state constitution adds its own safeguard through Part 1, Article 19. That provision shields your person, papers and possessions from unreasonable searches. New Hampshire courts read it independently and sometimes give residents broader protection than the federal standard. A state court may therefore weigh a phone search under both constitutions.
What an unlawful search can mean for your case
An improper search can affect whether the prosecution may use what police found. If police went through your phone without a warrant, your consent or a true emergency, a defense attorney can ask the court to exclude that evidence. Evidence discovered because of an illegal search may face a challenge too. Anyone facing a criminal charge gains from a close review of how officers obtained and searched the device.
Protecting your privacy from here
If officers searched your phone, write down what happened as soon as you can. Note whether they asked for permission, what you said, when they took the device and whether they showed you a warrant. Keeping those details clear can make it easier to evaluate the search later and identify any questions that may affect the case.]]>On Behalf of Backus, Meyer & Branch, LLP<![CDATA[How do divorced parents make decisions for their child?]]>https://www.backusmeyer.com/?p=485112026-08-02T08:50:47Z2026-08-02T08:50:47ZThe way divorced parents make decisions on their child's behalf depends on their child custody arrangement after the divorce.
Many parents first think about where the child is going to live and which parent they will spend time with. This is known as physical custody, and it is important, but it does not have anything to do with decision-making authority.Instead, couples need to identify which parent has legal custody rights. That is the parent who should make decisions for the child regarding education, religion, healthcare and more.
What if both parents have legal custody?
This can be fairly simple when only one parent has sole legal custody rights. It is their responsibility to make these important decisions, and the other parent cannot infringe on their rights by doing so. This can lead to disputes, however, when one parent oversteps their authority.If both parents are granted joint legal custody rights, however, then they typically still need to work together the way that they did when they were married. They both have a say in what school the child attends, for example, or what medical treatment is authorized.In many cases, couples need to work together and find joint solutions. If they cannot do so, rather than one parent making the decision on their own, they may need to go to court. It is very important for parents not to violate the custody order by independently making choices they do not have the right to make.It is critical to define legal and physical custody rights during a divorce, and parents also need to know what legal options they have when a dispute arises.
]]>On Behalf of Backus, Meyer & Branch, LLP<![CDATA[What does it mean if a TBI is getting worse?]]>https://www.backusmeyer.com/?p=485102026-07-22T16:07:48Z2026-07-22T16:07:48ZIf you have symptoms from a traumatic brain injury, you should generally expect them to get better as your brain heals. If they are instead getting worse, it may be time to talk to medical professionals. It could indicate that there is a much more serious injury.For instance, even a mild concussion can give you a headache. In the weeks following that concussion, your symptoms should clear up and you should feel more like yourself.If your headache persists or even gets worse, or if it develops into a migraine, this shows that the type of healing you expected is not occurring. That could mean that the TBI is more serious than a concussion, and it could be something like a subdural hematoma.
Why do the symptoms get worse?
With a hematoma, symptoms get worse because there is bleeding in the brain or in the tissue surrounding the brain. There is a limited amount of space within the skull, so this unchecked bleeding causes pressure to increase.Additionally, bleeding in brain tissue means that blood flow is not necessarily getting to all of the parts of the brain where it is needed. This can reduce the amount of oxygen that those parts of the brain receive, which can cause your symptoms to worsen.For these reasons, it is very important to keep an eye on your symptoms after you have suffered a head injury. Never assume that it is minor. If it is getting worse, talk to medical professionals to find out the underlying cause. This type of medical care can be expensive, but you may deserve financial compensation if someone else was responsible for the injury.
]]>On Behalf of Backus, Meyer & Branch, LLP<![CDATA[Navigating a DUI or OUI traffic stop in Massachusetts]]>https://www.backusmeyer.com/?p=485092026-07-09T02:15:01Z2026-07-09T02:15:01ZA DUI or OUI stop can feel overwhelming, and the situation may unfold quickly. Clear decisions made in the moment can influence what happens later in court.
Understanding your rights and obligations helps you respond calmly and avoid making mistakes that could damage your legal position. Below are some best practices to consider in a police encounter.
Stay focused during the initial stop
Drivers must pull over as soon as it is safe. Officers will observe behavior, speech, and movement, so steady actions matter. Speak respectfully and provide requested documents without making any sudden gestures. You may answer basic identifying questions, but you are not required to explain where you were or what you consumed.Try to avoid unnecessary communication with the police officers during the traffic encounter. This helps prevent accidental self-incrimination.
Field sobriety and roadside testing
Massachusetts drivers have the right to decline field sobriety tests without facing administrative penalties. Portable breath tests offered roadside are also completely voluntary and optional, although declining them may be noted in a report. The police officers can arrest you anyway, even if you decline to participate in testing. However, they must have established probable cause to take you into custody.
The aftermath of an arrest
An arrest in Massachusetts can trigger strict timelines that may pose license consequences. Additionally, chemical testing at the police station carries implied consent rules, which means refusal can lead to a lengthy driver's license suspension. Remember that you have the right to remain silent and request legal guidance before answering detailed questions from police officers. The right support can make a positive difference in the outcome of a Massachusetts OUI case.]]>On Behalf of Backus, Meyer & Branch, LLP<![CDATA[How is property divided in a New Hampshire divorce?]]>https://www.backusmeyer.com/?p=485052026-06-30T18:23:22Z2026-06-30T18:23:22ZNew Hampshire follows equitable distribution
New Hampshire uses an equitable distribution system to divide property during a divorce. Equitable does not always mean equal. Instead, the court divides property in a way it considers fair after evaluating the unique circumstances of the marriage.
Before dividing property, the court first determines which assets belong to the marital estate and which qualify as separate property. Marital property may include:
Income earned during the marriage
The marital home and other real estate
Retirement accounts and pensions
Investment and bank accounts
Business interests acquired during the marriage
Separate property generally includes assets you or your spouse owned before the marriage, along with certain gifts and inheritances. However, the court may consider some of these assets during property division depending on the circumstances.
What factors do courts consider?
After identifying the marital estate, the court evaluates several factors to determine a fair distribution. These factors may include:
The length of the marriage
Each spouse's age, health, and financial circumstances
Each spouse's financial and non-financial contributions to the marriage
Each spouse's income and earning capacity
The opportunity for each spouse to acquire future assets and income
No single factor determines the outcome. Instead, the court considers the overall circumstances of the case.
Complex assets may require additional analysis
Property division can become more complicated when the marital estate includes closely held businesses, investment portfolios, retirement accounts, or multiple real estate properties. In these situations, the court may rely on appraisals, financial records, and expert opinions to determine an asset's value before dividing it.
Accurate financial disclosure helps ensure that the court has a complete picture of the marital estate.
Why legal guidance matters
Property division decisions can affect your financial stability long after your divorce becomes final. An experienced New Hampshire family law attorney can help identify marital assets, evaluate complex property, negotiate a fair settlement, and advocate for your interests if your case proceeds to court.
If you are preparing for a divorce in New Hampshire, a knowledgeable family law attorney can explain how the state's property division laws apply to your situation and help you protect your financial future.]]>On Behalf of Backus, Meyer & Branch, LLP<![CDATA[Why some newer vehicle designs increase serious injury risks]]>https://www.backusmeyer.com/?p=485042026-06-27T18:26:59Z2026-06-27T18:26:59Zabove their center of gravity, the person is more likely to be knocked backward, which means they are at risk of being run over by the vehicle.
In contrast, with a shorter vehicle that had a sloping front end, people were often struck below their center of gravity. This would cause them to fall forward onto the vehicle's hood. They could still suffer serious injuries, but they do not face the same risk of being run over after the impact.
Creating blind spots
Another issue with these flat front ends on modern vehicles is that they are so high that they can create blind spots directly in front of the truck. For instance, a pedestrian may have the right of way and start crossing the street in front of a pickup truck that is waiting to turn right. But the driver of the truck may not see the pedestrian, so they simply start to execute their turn, without realizing that they are going to hit someone in the crosswalk.
These vehicle design issues can cause serious injuries to pedestrians -- especially children. It is important for those who have been injured or who have lost a loved one to know what legal steps to take to seek justice and compensation.]]>On Behalf of Backus, Meyer & Branch, LLP<![CDATA[Planning vacation trips while sharing custody]]>https://www.backusmeyer.com/?p=485032026-06-07T11:32:44Z2026-06-07T11:32:44ZWhat issues cause vacation disputes?
Several different issues may arise when parents plan vacations. First and foremost, the timing of the trip could require an adjustment of the current custody schedule. They may rely on the other parent approving the request for an extended vacation with the children. That process may require sacrificing other future dates with the children to compensate for the loss of parenting time during the vacation.
Parents also frequently disagree about long-distance travel. Parenting plans may sometimes include provisions that require pre-approval for out-of-state trips or that offer advance permission for such trips. If the plan is to travel internationally, THEN consent from both parents is typically legally necessary.
Working to address common custody issues proactively before they arise can help parents to better ensure that their parenting plans effectively address their family's needs. Including terms about rescheduling parenting time for vacations and approving out-of-state travel can help parents protect their parental rights and facilitate easier vacation planning.]]>On Behalf of Backus, Meyer & Branch, LLP<![CDATA[How the body hides early warning signs of injury]]>https://www.backusmeyer.com/?p=485022026-06-02T19:04:52Z2026-06-02T19:04:52ZThe body responds aggressively to trauma
The human stress response is a defense mechanism that allows for survival in dangerous scenarios. The stress response hides pain and provides energy to help people fend off an attacker or flee a dangerous predator.
Unfortunately, the stress response may hide the early warning signs of injuries, which may delay a person’s decision to secure medical attention. Delays in treatment and diagnosis can affect a patient's prognosis and can also complicate compensation claims. Car crashes as well as serious falls and other frightening, potentially dangerous incidents can trigger the stress response, making it difficult for people to accurately diagnose their injuries.
Seeing a doctor shortly after a car crash, fall or similar incident is the best way for people to ensure they receive the care they require. A prompt and accurate diagnosis makes it easier for injured people to seek compensation through personal injury litigation and recover their losses and damages as fully as possible.]]>On Behalf of Backus, Meyer & Branch, LLP<![CDATA[How to redeem yourself after a DUI arrest]]>https://www.backusmeyer.com/?p=485012026-05-18T13:33:14Z2026-05-18T13:33:14ZA DUI arrest can leave you worrying about your job, your reputation and how people see you. Therefore, it is important to know that one mistake does not define your entire life. Many people move forward after a DUI by taking responsibility and making positive changes.
The steps you take after an arrest can shape what happens next. Staying calm, following court requirements and focusing on personal growth can help you regain confidence. It is also important to understand your legal rights and responsibilities during the process.
Rebuilding life after a DUI
Recovering after a DUI takes time, but small actions can make a huge difference. The goal is not only to fix the immediate problem but also to rebuild trust in yourself and with others. Here are a few helpful steps:
Attend all court dates and complete required programs on time.
Avoid driving if your license has restrictions or suspensions.
Consider counseling or support groups if alcohol use has become a concern.
Be honest with employers or family members when necessary.
Focus on healthy routines like exercise, work goals and better decision-making.
Keep records of completed classes or community service.
These actions can show personal accountability and a willingness to improve. Over time, they may also help restore opportunities that felt out of reach after the arrest.A DUI charge can feel like the end of your reputation, but it does not have to stay that way. Growth often comes from difficult experiences. As you work toward rebuilding your life, understanding the legal side of your situation can also help you make informed decisions. Having reliable legal guidance during this process may give you a clearer view of your options and next steps.]]>