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

Do you know the most common reasons for a traffic ticket?

On behalf of James L. Finegan, P.C. posted in traffic violations on Friday, September 21, 2018.

As a driver, you must obey the rules of the road at all times. It's easier said than done, but any mistake can lead to trouble with the law.

There are many traffic violations that can result in a traffic ticket. Some of the most common infractions include:

Speeding: It doesn't matter if you're within city limits or on the interstate, you must follow the posted speed limit at all times.
Distracted driving: Police across the country are cracking down on distracted driving, as it greatly increases the risk of an accident.
Driving without a valid license: If you're pulled over for another offense, the officer may also find that you don't have a valid driver's license.
Reckless driving: This takes on many forms and comes into play any time you have willful disregard for the safety of those around you. An example of reckless driving is speeding through a construction zone or school zone.
Running a stop sign or red light: If you're trying to beat a deadline, you may speed through a stop sign or red light. Not only is this dangerous, but it's a violation of the law.

3 reasons why you should stop speeding now

On behalf of James L. Finegan, P.C. posted in auto accidents on Friday, September 7, 2018.

We should all strive to reduce stress and improve the quality of our lives with new perspectives on common problems. One way to do this is to address the fact that many American drivers are prone to speeding -- a topic we covered here recently. Regardless of why you speed, however, you might consider the following points about why this behavior is not a good idea.

It doesn't save that much time: Dangerously weaving through traffic while speeding might make you feel like you're getting from A to B faster. However, in reality -- even if you're driving 100 miles -- it might shave no more than ten minutes, if that, off your time. As for around-the-town driving, you might just arrive one or two minutes sooner. Is it really worth the stress and risk of getting into an accident? Wouldn't you rather relax and listen to two or three minutes of your favorite music anyway?

Teen drivers may benefit from a visit to the ER

On behalf of James L. Finegan, P.C. on Thursday, September 6, 2018.

Recently, a Baylor University study found that supplemental drivers’ education programs may save lives. These additional programs include tours of emergency rooms, intensive care units and morgues. The study hints that raising a greater awareness of the consequences of dangerous driving might be a wake-up call for young drivers.

Is it legal to text and drive in Colorado?

On behalf of James L. Finegan, P.C. on Monday, August 27, 2018.

In 2017, Colorado passed a state law for cellphone use and driving: In summary, you can and you cannot. If it causes distracted driving, you are out of luck.

Does a fast-paced culture lead to speeding?

On behalf of James L. Finegan, P.C. posted in auto accidents on Friday, August 24, 2018.

The psychology of speeding is very interesting. People know, technically speaking, that speeding just means going faster than the speed limit. Even one mile an hour over that posted limit is enough to break the law.

However, people never expect to get pulled over when going just a few miles per hour faster than the limit. Some even figure it is fine to go as much as 10 miles per hour over. Still others break the limit by even greater amounts, knowing that they're breaking the law and risking a ticket but clearly not caring about the outcome.

Colorado police urge pedestrians and drivers to pay attention

On behalf of James L. Finegan, P.C. posted in auto accidents on Friday, August 10, 2018.

Colorado Springs is mourning the sixth victim of an auto-pedestrian accident this year. Police are urging both distracted drivers and distracted walkers to pay more attention to their surroundings.

The most recent fatality involved a 17-year-old high school student who was walking her dog near the road in the evening. There have been no charges in the case, but an investigation continues.

Attention Colorado drivers: Criminal charges exist below .08 BAC

On behalf of James L. Finegan, P.C. on Friday, August 3, 2018.

Driving under the influence of alcohol proves extremely dangerous for you, other drivers and nearby pedestrians. To protect yourself from criminal charges, refraining from drinking and operating a vehicle is essential. Should you choose to drive after a few drinks, you must be aware of Colorado state’s laws.

If an officer pulls you over for suspicion of driving while drunk, he or she may arrest you even though you may breathalyze less than .08% BAC (the federal legal limit of bodily alcohol content to drive). A court may convict you, and you may face serious consequences. Understanding the details of specific laws for your state arms you with the knowledge in avoiding all charges.

Tips for fighting Colorado traffic violations

On behalf of James L. Finegan, P.C. posted in traffic violations on Friday, July 27, 2018.

Getting pulled over in Colorado does not have to be as stressful as many think it is. When you are issued a traffic ticket, you need to take it seriously. Do not toss the ticket in the trash, refuse to pay it or even argue with the officer about the suspected violation. Here are some tips for ,.

One of the most common defenses used to fight a traffic ticket is to dispute the evidence presented by the officer. This can be done using witness statements made by passengers in your vehicle or even other drivers around you at the time of the incident. This defense method is especially useful when you are traveling with people who are in other vehicles and can attest to what happened.

Bike and pedestrian advocates increase pressure on Denver

On behalf of James L. Finegan, P.C. on Wednesday, July 25, 2018.

Advocates for pedestrians and bicyclists are focused on making Denver’s streets more people-friendly through a recent infrastructure proposal. The proposal emphasizes the need for more sidewalks and bike lanes, similar to other cities such as Seattle, Oklahoma City and Cleveland.

According to Walkdenver.org, an investment of $40 million per year, over two decades, will reduce the fatalities for commuters while helping bikers and walkers. Advocates approached Mayor Michael Hancock to consider several requests in the city’s upcoming budget:

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.

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