Lakewood Colorado Legal Blog

Driving while tired makes commercial truckers more dangerous

On behalf of James L. Finegan, P.C. on Monday, December 2, 2019.

If you've ever had to get behind the wheel after a long, stressful day, you likely know how difficult it can be to drive safely while feeling fatigued. The best option for everyone's safety is to stay off the road if you aren't capable of your optimal performance. Unfortunately, particularly for people who drive for a living, staying off the streets because they feel tired simply won't be an option.

Commercial truck drivers often have to work incredibly long hours on strict schedules in order to support themselves and their loved ones. Still, truck drivers are human like everyone else, which means that they are as susceptible to exhaustion and the negative consequences fatigue can have on driving skill. Needing to drive while tired could increase the risk a trucker has of causing a crash.

Facial injuries can leave victims with permanent injuries

On behalf of James L. Finegan, P.C. posted in Personal Injury on Thursday, November 28, 2019.

Facial fractures -- broken bones anywhere in the face -- are an unfortunate consequence of serious car accidents. Even if an air bag exploded and kept you from further harm, you can end up with facial fractures from the sudden force.

What are the symptoms of a facial fracture?

Concerning side effects of broken bones that you should watch for

On behalf of James L. Finegan, P.C. on Wednesday, November 20, 2019.

Broken bones, which medical professionals call fractures, can occur for a wide range of reasons. Some people, particularly those at or past retirement age, could break a bone by slipping and falling. Broken bones can also occur in automobile accidents, exercise or sporting incidents and many other kinds of traumatic accidents.

Simple fractures involve a single break in the bone, while compound fractures involve a broken bone ripping the skin, becoming exposed to the air and infection. People can also experience complex fractures, such as spiral fractures, where a bone breaks into many pieces. Modern medicine is capable of rebuilding and reinforcing bones in a variety of break scenarios, although some require surgery.

Responsible drinking during Thanksgiving

On behalf of James L. Finegan, P.C. posted in dui on Thursday, November 14, 2019.

Thanksgiving is, traditionally, a time for celebrating the finer things in life with your friends and family -- including a cup or two of "holiday cheer." If you're not careful, however, the drinking can get a little out of control. That can leave you facing unintended consequences -- including hangovers, regrets about your behavior and even a drunk driving charge.

But being responsible with your drinking doesn't have to be a buzzkill. Here are some tips to follow:

Colorado fertility doctor sued for using his own sperm

On behalf of James L. Finegan, P.C. posted in Personal Injury on Friday, November 1, 2019.

When two Colorado sisters sent their genetic testing materials into a DNA testing company, they had no idea what they were about to discover. When the results came back, they found out that their parents had actually sought help from a fertility doctor and used donor sperm.

However, the news that the man they knew as their father wasn't biologically related was just part of the shock. They had numerous half-siblings out there, identified through similar genetic tests with both that company and a competitor. Worse, the tests indicated that their biological father was someone they had occassionally seen around town -- their mother's former fertility doctor.

Prompt treatment for brain injuries can improve outcomes

On behalf of James L. Finegan, P.C. on Wednesday, October 30, 2019.

Brain injuries are a serious matter that can come from many sources. Some of the more common causes include motor vehicle crashes of all sorts, including car, truck, motorcycle, and pedestrian wrecks. The vast majority of people who have a traumatic brain injury won't require hospitalization. Of the 1.5 to 2 million people impacted by this injury annually, around 235,000 are admitted to the hospital because of a moderate to severe injury. Around 50,000 patients die from the injury.

Regardless of the severity of the injury, anyone who thinks they have a brain injury should seek medical care. This enables doctors to determine what areas of the brain suffered damage in the accident so they can establish a proper treatment plan.

2 serious but hidden injuries to watch for after a car crash

On behalf of James L. Finegan, P.C. on Friday, October 18, 2019.

The average motor vehicle collision leaves behind a very obvious path of destruction. Between the damage to the vehicles involved and the visually dramatic injuries people suffer, such as broken bones, there is a lot to focus on and analyze in the immediate aftermath of a crash.

Unfortunately, dramatic injuries aren't the only ones people suffer. Two of the riskiest potential injuries you may suffer in a motor vehicle crash may not have any obvious sign at the time of the accident. Instead, you may go several days before you realize there is something seriously wrong.

Don't end your Halloween with a drunk driving charge

On behalf of James L. Finegan, P.C. posted in dui on Friday, October 18, 2019.

For kids, Halloween is all about the costumes and candy. For adults, it's often a chance to have some fun of their own -- especially since adult Halloween parties are all the rage right now.

Unfortunately, all of those alcoholic potions and spooky spirits that get served at such parties can easily lead to a charge of driving under the influence (DUI).

Distracted driving: 3 types of serious risk

On behalf of James L. Finegan, P.C. on Monday, October 7, 2019.

Distracted driving is more than just texting and driving. It's true that texting -- or cellphone use in general -- tends to get the most attention. In some ways, it should. People are addicted to their phones and these devices cause accidents every day. It's important to raise awareness and get people to put their phones down while they drive.

But it's also important to remember that distracted driving takes a lot of different forms. Drinking a cup of coffee on your commute to work can be a distraction. Turning around to talk to your kids can distract you from the road. Drivers face a host of distractions, and they have to fight back against this to keep themselves and others safe.

Should you rely on a portable Breathalyzer to avoid a DUI?

On behalf of James L. Finegan, P.C. posted in dui on Thursday, October 3, 2019.

These days, you can find just about anything you want online -- including a variety of portable Breathalyzers that are marketed directly to consumers (instead of law enforcement officers). Some of them are clearly designed for convenience during a night out. They're small enough to toss into a purse or the glove compartment of a car.

It's a quick, easy solution to that thorny problem you might experience when you've been out to eat at a nice restaurant or hanging with your friends in a bar to watch a game. You may have had a couple of drinks, but you don't think you're actually drunk. Checking your blood alcohol content (BAC) on a Breathalyzer can tell you if you're safe to drive fairly easily, right?

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