Protect Yourself from a DUI This New Year’s Eve

Many DUI defense lawyers in Colorado start the New Year by fighting for the rights of those who were charged with driving under the influence of alcohol on New Year’s Eve. Not everyone who is charged with a DUI in Colorado is guilty, but a charge can cause serious hardships for anyone - starting with the loss of a driver’s license, which typically follows a DUI arrest.

Colorado Constitutional Amendment 64 Legalizes Recreational Marijuana Use

On November 6, 2012, voters passed Colorado Constitutional Amendment 64, which legalized the recreational use of marijuana for individuals 21-years-old or older. While this is a historical law, experienced defense attorney Timothy R. Bussey reminds Coloradoans that this does not mean that they can’t be arrested for a marijuana-related crime.

Putting Kids First on Universal Children’s Day

As parents, we do everything we can to give our children the things that they need to be happy, healthy, and productive as children and when they grow up to be adults. But, at Breyer Law Offices, P.C., we believe it never hurts to have a little reminder about what kids really need, which is what Universal Children’s Day is all about.

Buying Safe Toys for your Children This Christmas

It can be difficult to know which toys are safe and which pose a significant risk. There are many toys in the marketplace that simply are not safe for younger children. Some toys currently being sold in New York toy stores are even under investigation by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).

Insurance Company Survey Finds Cell Phone Distractions Still Harm Drivers

Washington was one of the first U.S. states to ban texting while driving and to require drivers to use a hands-free device when talking on a cell phone. Since Washington’s laws went into effect, many U.S. states have followed suit in banning or restricting texting and cell phone use behind the wheel. However, these changes may not be enough to protect those on the road from a cell-phone related auto accident.

What Happens after an Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Accident?

In Washington, motorists are expected to carry auto insurance in case of a crash.  Most drivers live up to this responsibility by buying a policy or using another method to ensure they have coverage if a crash occurs. However, some drivers don’t carry insurance, or they don’t carry enough insurance to cover all the bills in a serious accident.

Colorado’s New Marijuana Law May Conflict with Federal Rules

With the passage of Amendment 64 in Colorado, voters approved the legalization of the use and possession of less than one ounce of marijuana for residents 21 years of age and older, giving the state the power to regulate and tax the drug. However, some experts are pointing out that legalization may not be smooth sailing.

Fair Sentencing for Youth Act Passed in CA, Gives Hope to Juvenile Offenders with Life Sentences

California Governor Jerry Brown recently signed into law the Fair Sentencing for Youth Act, which requires youth offenders sentenced to life without parole for crimes committed when they were minors to serve at least 25 years in prison before they become eligible for parole. Young offenders now have several opportunities to ask for a reduced sentence of 25 years to life, the first coming after a young offender has served 15 years in prison and shown signs of rehabilitation and remorse. An individual may also be eligible if they had an adult co-defendant.

Debris or Potholes Can Cause Serious Injuries for Motorcycle Riders

Debris in the roadway can cause very serious injuries to motorcycle riders. Design defects or holes in the roadway can also lead to serious injuries for motorcycle riders

Washington Leads the Nation in Seat Belt Use

A recently-released federal report on seat belt use throughout the U.S. showed that Washington leads the nation in seat belt use, according to a press release from the Washington State Patrol. Washington’s seat belt use rate is about 97.5 percent, according to the study performed by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

NHTSA Continues to Investigate BMW 7-Series Car Transmission Problems

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recently took steps to begin recalling several BMW 7-series model vehicles after a continued investigation into the cars’ transmission problems revealed a series of incidents in which drivers, passengers, or pedestrians could have been seriously injured.

Safe Costumes Mean a Safe and Happy Halloween for Kids and Adults

Parents throughout Washington know that Halloween trick-or-treating can pose certain dangers, including an increased risk of pedestrian accidents. However, many Halloween injuries are caused not by cars or other people, but by costumes that put children at unnecessary risk.

NHTSA Study Claims 10% of Fatal Crashes Involve Distracted Driving, St. Louis Personal Injury Lawyer Examines Dangers

St. Louis, MO – The St. Louis personal injury attorneys of Page Law are dedicated to protecting the rights of those injured by negligent or reckless parties, with one of the most dangerous reckless actions on the road today being distracted driving.

CDC Study Shows Decrease in Teen Drunk Driving

A new study released by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reveals that the percentage of U.S. teens that drive drunk has decreased by 54 percent between 1991 and 2011. A BrevardTimes.com news report says that a Vital Signs study shows that even as gas prices and teen unemployment have reached an all time high, as well as the abuse of prescription drugs amongst teens, which has become an epidemic, the total amount of teens who drive under the influence of alcohol has gone down, with nine out of 10 high school teens (ages 16 and older) not drinking and driving during 2011.

U.S. Supreme Court to Review Forced Blood Tests for Drunk Driving, Musca Law Examines Effect on Florida

Jacksonville, FL – The Florida drunk driving attorneys at Musca Law know the importance of police procedure and the rights of citizens concerning testing and charging suspects for driving under the influence of alcohol.

FMCSA Hours-of-Service Regulations and Dangers of Truck Driver Fatigue

Commercial trucks are the largest and heaviest vehicles on the road at up to 57.4 feet long (in Colorado) and 80,000 pounds. These characteristics make semi trucks potentially hazardous to the safety of other motorists, which is why these vehicles, and their drivers, are governed under strict federal regulations under the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). A traffic accident involving a big rig can cause a devastating amount of damage, even if it is relatively minor as far as the truck is concerned.

Do You Have an Unknown Brain Injury?

When many consider the effects and circumstances surrounding a traumatic brain injury (TBI), the idea of suffering from one seems like an obvious event. However, many Maryland victims suffer from TBIs without knowing that they have been seriously injured.

September 27, 2012 is RAINN Day: Raise Awareness and Educate against Sexual Violence and Assault

Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN) Day is an annual campaign to help spread awareness about sexual assault and recovery resources as well as educate students against sexual violence. While the campaign’s main focus is college campuses, the message of RAINN Day is for people of all ages and walks of life.

National Bike Helmet Use Survey Shows Bicycle Safety Journey Isn’t Over Yet

Significant steps have been made in encouraging bicyclists to wear helmets whenever they ride, according to a national bike helmet use survey conducted by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). However, only about half of bicyclists surveyed say they wear helmets at all, indicating that plenty of work is left to be done.

Despite Recent Shootings, Overall U.S. Firearm Death Rate is Decreasing

Recent mass shootings in Colorado, New York, and other states have left the nation reeling. But despite these high-profile events, the overall number of firearm-related deaths in the U.S. has decreased in recent years, according to a study by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

The Complex Nature of Marijuana Laws in California

California's marijuana laws are extremely complicated and can be challenging to understand. Back in 1996, Proposition 215 was the first statewide medical marijuana initiative that passed in the United States. Since then, individuals with a medical condition were authorized in California to use marijuana for medical purposes provided they have doctor's prescription. This law, however, is no guarantee that possessing and using marijuana – even for medical reasons -- will not result in drug charges. In fact, under federal law, marijuana use is still illegal.

Always Speak to a Lawyer First

A story reported by the Orlando Sentinel on Friday demonstrates how much a case can be changed by the actions of a lawyer. It also illustrates how important many of the procedures of the law are, and how much the trial can change from one day to the next.

Feds Push for Tougher State Drunk Driving Laws in Maryland, Other States

Virginia recently passed a tough new drunk driving law requiring those who receive their first-ever drunk driving conviction to have an ignition interlock device installed on their vehicles. Now, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is encouraging other states and the District of Columbia to adopt similar measures.

“Distracted Walking” an Increasing Cause of Pedestrian Injuries

Distracted driving is a well-known source of serious injuries and death, claiming about 5,000 lives nationwide each year according to the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). However, “distracted walking” caused by using a cell phone or texting while traveling on foot is also starting to be a factor in car, pedestrian, and other accidents, according to the NHTSA.

Obtaining SSI Benefits for Children with Disabilities

For children living with disabilities, the costs of ongoing medical care and treatment needed for the child can be costly. As such, it is vital for the parents, caregivers, and representatives of a child with a disability to know that financial assistance that can aid in the child’s care may be available in the form of Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments. A child must be under the age of 18 to qualify for this financial support as well as meet the definition of disability for children as defined by the U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA). In addition, the income and resources of the child must fall within the eligibility limits.

Usher’s Stepson Considered Brain Dead after Jet Ski Accident

Usher’s Stepson Considered Brain Dead after Jet Ski Accident: Head Injury Lawyers Emphasize Need for Increased Safety Awareness

There is no easy way to cope with a loved one suffering a permanent and debilitating traumatic brain injury (TBI). Unfortunately, R&B singer Usher and his family have to do just that. According to various news outlets, Usher’s 11-year-old stepson has been diagnosed as brain dead by doctors after he was struck in the head while riding an inner tube on Lake Lanier in Georgia. It has been reported that a family friend was driving a watercraft that struck Usher’s stepson and a 15-year-old girl who was also riding on the inner tube. The young girl suffered a deep cut to her head and a broken arm. An investigation is underway into more details surrounding the tragic incident.

FBI Report Shows Violent Crime Rates in U.S. Drop, Approach Historic Lows

New data released from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) reveals a significant drop in violent crime rates in the U.S. which are now reaching historic lows, according to an MSNBC.com report. The organization’s findings, released in the FBI’s Preliminary Annual Uniform Crime Report, represent a small decline in crime overall; criminologists, however, state that these drops are not a blip and are representative of a larger downward trend and the result of a “series of changes that have contributed to a more peaceful society.”