James L. Finegan, P.C. | Lakewood Colorado Legal Blog

Driver negligence can result in a pedestrian accident

On behalf of James L. Finegan, P.C. posted in Personal Injury on Friday, July 13, 2018.

You're a pedestrian at many times of the day. From the time you spend in the parking lot at the grocery store to the many miles you jog in the evening, you should never lose sight of the dangers of being a pedestrian and the steps you can take to protect yourself.

Driver negligence is a big problem, as any mistake can result in a serious auto-pedestrian accident. Here are some of the most common factors in this type of accident:

Distracted driving: When a driver is not paying attention to the road, maybe because he or she is talking on the phone, there's a greater chance of hitting a pedestrian.
Driving under the influence: The use of alcohol or drugs before driving increases the likelihood of an accident, as the operator may not be of sound mind.
Reckless driving: There are many forms of reckless driving, such as speeding and failure to yield to pedestrians in a crosswalk.
Disregard for traffic or weather conditions: When traffic and/or weather conditions change, it's imperative for drivers to also adjust their approach.
Drowsy driving: When a person is too tired to drive, he or she may not be able to make quick decisions. Furthermore, they could fall asleep at the wheel, putting all other people on the road at risk.

What you need to know about aggressive driving and road rage

On behalf of James L. Finegan, P.C. on Friday, June 29, 2018.

Just this month, two adults and two children were shot in a road rage incident in Westminster. One of the children was pronounced dead at the scene.

The National Highway Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates that 94 percent of car accidents are caused by operator error, and that a third of those can be linked to aggressive driving and road rage.

300 DUI arrests occurred across Colorado on Memorial Day weekend

On behalf of James L. Finegan, P.C. posted in dui on Friday, June 29, 2018.

The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) issued a press release on June 12 announcing how many driving under the influence (DUI) drivers were pulled over during Memorial Day weekend this year. This year they nabbed 300 suspected impaired drivers, 32 less than the amount of arrests made during the same time frame last year.

This year's holiday operation, which was dubbed the "Heat is On," involved the participation of over 100 different police departments. Each stepped up their patrols of target areas between May 25-29.

Are you a bicycle commuter? Follow these 3 safety tips

On behalf of James L. Finegan, P.C. posted in Personal Injury on Thursday, June 14, 2018.

As a bicycle commuter, you enjoy the fact that you don't have to drive your car or use public transportation to reach your destination.

What you don't enjoy is the potential to be part of a serious bicycle-vehicle accident at some point in the future.

Why see a doctor if I feel fine after the accident?

On behalf of James L. Finegan, P.C. on Thursday, May 31, 2018.

Accidents are scary. Even if you do not experience pain afterwards, it is not unusual to have an injury that manifests in the days, weeks, or months after the accident. Sometimes existing health issues complicate matters, particularly if you were experiencing muscle pain.

Always see a doctor right after the accident, even if you feel “fine”

Do these things to prevent an accident with a truck

On behalf of James L. Finegan, P.C. posted in Personal Injury on Wednesday, May 30, 2018.

If you spend enough time on the roadways of Colorado, you'll find yourself in close proximity to commercial trucks, all of which are bigger than the vehicle you're driving.

It's easy to believe it will never happen to you, but it's possible you could one day be part of an accident with a truck. Since this is so dangerous, you need to do whatever it takes to avoid trouble. Here are some tips to follow:

Avoid driving in a trucker's blind spot
Don't drive between two large trucks for an extended period of time
Never change lanes abruptly in front of a truck
Use your turn signal when making a lane change
Never attempt to pass a truck in the right lane
If passing a truck, leave plenty of space before moving back in front of it
Take extra caution when merging onto the highway
If you need to pull to the side of the highway, make sure you move as far off the road as possible
Move to the left lane if a truck is entering the highway

No, you and your friends aren’t good at driving high.

On behalf of James L. Finegan, P.C. on Monday, May 21, 2018.

With school out, you and your crew may be planning a mini road trip through Colorado. Your friends are bringing cannabis and plan to smoke it along the way. Even though it’s illegal for you to consume, you tell yourself that it’s only a few joints and think nothing of it. You’ve been a passenger in a car with someone who was high before and didn’t fear for your safety. If that’s the case, you aren’t alone. A study from Colorado State University and Colorado School of Public Health found that 23 percent of young adults admitted to riding along with a driver who was high on cannabis, but that doesn’t make it okay.

These types of car accident injuries are common

On behalf of James L. Finegan, P.C. posted in auto accidents on Friday, May 18, 2018.

You never know what could happen as the result of a motor vehicle accident, as no two incidents are the same.

There are minor fender benders in which all parties walk away from the scene without any injuries. Conversely, there are situations in which a serious injury occurs.

Buying a car? Make sure it’s a safe one

On behalf of James L. Finegan, P.C. on Thursday, May 10, 2018.

Car accidents are some of the most frequent causes of serious personal injuries. Aside from never stepping into a car, odds are you’ll be in at least one minor car accident in your lifetime. So how can you know if the vehicle you’re in is truly as safe as can be?

It’s not as simple as driving the biggest truck (though, to be honest, that’s not a bad way to look for a safe car). In fact, there are four factors to consider when trying to buy a safe car, according to a recent report by the New York Daily News.

Will you remember to do these things after a car accident?

On behalf of James L. Finegan, P.C. posted in auto accidents on Wednesday, May 2, 2018.

If you spend any amount of time on the road, it's safe to assume that you've come across at least one motor vehicle accident. At that point, you probably took some time to think about what you would do if you were in that situation.

It's important to have a plan of action, just in case you find yourself involved in a car accident in the future. Here are some steps you should absolutely take:

Move your vehicle to safety if you are able to do so
Check both yourself and your passengers for injuries
Call 911 to request that police and an ambulance come to the scene
Wait for help to arrive before you do anything, especially if you have suffered an injury
Exchange information with the other driver or drivers
Make notes regarding the accident, which may include taking photos of the scene
File a claim with your insurance company
Follow the advice of your medical team

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