A recent study by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration(NHTSA) has found that the proportion of drivers under the influence of alcohol has declined by 30 percent from 2007 to 2014 and has declined by 80 percent since 1973.  In 2014 about 1.5 percent of weekend nighttime drivers had a BAC above the legal limit.

While this is a positive trend, drugged driving or driving has actually increased.  In 2014 20.0% of drivers tested positive for at least one type of drug. In 2007 this number was about 16.3 percent.  Some of this increase was due to increase marijuana use. In 2014 12.6 percent of drivers had evidence of marijuana in their systems up from 8.6 percent in 2007.

Not all is lost however, another study by the NHTSA found that drivers under the influence of alcohol were four times as likely to crash than sober drivers while drivers under the influence of marijuana were only 25 percent more likely to be involved in a crash.

Taken as a whole these studies suggest a shift in the type of intoxicated drivers to look out for should you be out an about on the weekend.  Be sure to watch out for any driver that appears to be under the influence and report them to local law enforcement if it is safe to do so.

The Cunnane Law Office has provided this content for informational purposes only.  You should refer your questions to a personal injury attorney.

www.cunnanelaw.com

With spring upon us the days are getting longer and the weather is getting nicer. It’s time to catch up on all those projects around the house that you put off in the winter. That means trips to the hardware store and in your downtime getting out and about to enjoy the sunshine. However you’re not alone out there.

Better weather means more traffic, road construction, and increased chances of automobile accidents. You usual commute may take longer than expected as a result. Spring also tends to be the time for new driver to practice their skills.

Changing your driving habits to accommodate these changes may take time. Prepare yourself by ensuring your vehicle is insured, in good condition, and allow yourself plenty of time to reach your destination.

The Cunnane Law Office has provided this content for informational purposes only.  You should refer your questions to a personal injury attorney.

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It is not uncommon now for most of us to have a camera on our phone. While this has been to the bane of many celebrities and makes some social occasions more awkward, this technology can be vital if you are ever in an accident.

Use your camera to document everything if you are ever injured in an automobile accident. Take pictures of your injuries, your vehicle, and even the surrounding environment. Note where the vehicles were positioned after the accident has occurred. If the other drive appears intoxicated, take a video of your interaction with them.

Documenting the evidence quickly ensures you have an accurate picture of what took place before any of the evidence becomes obscured by weather or other vehicles.  This information can be vital for your case and ensure you have more than enough documentation to support your claim.

The Cunnane Law Office has provided this content for informational purposes only.  You should refer your questions to a personal injury attorney.

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With the somewhat sluggish economy, some of us may have put off some much needed household repairs. While this may seem not to be a big deal, if someone is injured on your property you may be held liable if they are injured while on your property.

Household hazards need not be something major like a hole in the roof or floor to pose a danger.  A loose floorboard or an oil slick on the driveway may be enough to cause a slip that results in an injury and a claim against you.

As a property owner it is your legal responsibility to make a reasonable effort to ensure the safety of anyone on your property. Contact a local contractor you trust to ensure the repairs are done properly and that your home is safe from all foreseeable injuries.  A few minor repairs now can alleviate a larger headache in the future.

The Cunnane Law Office has provided this content for informational purposes only.  You should refer your questions to a personal injury attorney.

www.cunnanelaw.com

While none of us like to think of a future where we are not around to take care of our families it is an eventuality that we must all face someday. Here at Cunnane Law we strive to make the process as easy as possible to make sure your whishes are honored.

We make the process simple and convenient by sending out a questionnaire for you to fill out at your convenience which we will then use to draft out your Will and Estate documents for your approval.  After you have approved these documents we will set up a time to meet with you and finalize the documents.  Our standard will package contains four documents: Last Will and Testament, Healthcare Directive, Healthcare Power of Attorney, and Financial Power of Attorney.

Our goal is to give you peace of mind knowing that your family will be taken care of in the event of your absence.

The Cunnane Law Office has provided this content for informational purposes only.  You should refer your questions to a personal injury attorney.

www.cunnanelaw.com

After being injured in an auto accident is no time to start learning how to navigate the insurance world on your own. You may already be burdened with medical expenses and car repairs while being unable to work due to your injury. This is where a navigator or personal injury lawyer comes into play. They can help you file the proper paperwork and insure that everything is done by the book allowing you to focus on what you need to do to get better.

The insurance company is a business. They make their profits by paying out the least amount of money possible for your injury claim. They do this every day and have become successful for it. Likewise a good personal injury lawyer makes their profit by ensuring you get every cent that you are entitled to. In fact in my book “What Every Injured Victim In Washington State Must Know To Avoid Getting Ripped Off!”, I mention that Allstate paid out the average NON represented case at $3,464 while represented cases averaged $7,450.

If you are still wary about contacting a personal injury lawyer regarding your case there are four criteria in which I believe you should still at least speak with an attorney : If you have been seriously injured, or a loved one was killed as a result of an accident, the actions of the insurance company involved are unacceptable to you, your injury claim has been denied, or the at-fault party doesn’t have insurance. A quick consultation can help you decide if you are ready for legal representation.

The Cunnane Law Office has provided this content for informational purposes only.  You should refer your questions to a personal injury attorney.

www.cunnanelaw.com

In the moments after an accident has occurred you may be disoriented or in a heightened emotional state. This is not the time to be making any type of formal statement to an insurance adjuster about the incident. In my book What every Injured Victim in Washington State Must know to avoid getting Ripped Off!, I discuss this as one of the common blunders that can destroy your accident settlement. You can find my book at www.cunnanelaw.com.

The insurance adjuster will want to get you to make your statement as soon as possible, not to help you but to increase the probability of you making mistakes that will decrease the settlement amount they need to pay. Simple statements such as “I’m Fine,” after an accident can be interpreted to mean that you were not seriously injured and therefore are not entitled to compensation.  Even the common courtesy of saying you’re sorry could mean that you have admitted guilt or fault for the accident while your intention could be that you are sorry the event occurred.

It is important to remember even in a heightened emotional state that the insurance company is not necessarily your friend. They are a business and their profits are based on paying out as little as possible for your claim. It is during these stressful times that legal representation can be most effectively used to protect you and your insurance claim.

The Cunnane Law Office has provided this content for informational purposes only.  You should refer your questions to a personal injury attorney.

www.cunnanelaw.com

The coming of a new year brings a welcome discounts on used cars. Before you sign the paperwork there are a few things you should check out to ensure you start 2015 with a gem instead of a lemon.

History of the vehicle.

There are multiple online resources where you can get a detailed report of the history of the vehicle.  Be sure to note any collisions and to forward this information to a mechanic you trust to ensure that the repairs were done properly.  This information also gives you some ground to stand on when negotiating the price of the vehicle.

Inspection by licensed mechanic you trust!

Hire a good mechanic to inspect the vehicle before you purchase it. They will be able to give you a clearer picture on what maintenance or repairs are currently needed or may come up in the future. If the repairs are minor enough you may even be able to deduct their cost from the final price of the vehicle with some negotiation.

Is the price far for that model?

A quick check of Kelly Blue Book www.kbb.com can give you a rough estimate of the true value of the vehicle. The discounts you see could actually be specific to that dealer and not a true reflection of the value of the vehicle. Alternatively, if the price seems too good to be true, be weary as it could be the result of a known or suspected mechanical issue.

Having a properly maintained and functioning vehicle can mitigate the possibility of you being found at fault in the event of a motor vehicle accident.

The Cunnane Law Office has provided this content for informational purposes only.  You should refer your questions to a personal injury attorney.

www.cunnanelaw.com

With a collective sigh of relief the holiday season has passed and with it hopefully came some fond memories spent with family.  Before you post your precious moment onto social media, consider who may be viewing those photos.

When around family we often find ourselves doing more than we might normally do under normal circumstances. It would be perfectly human to want to carry your child or play a game with them even while injured to preserve their holiday spirit. If you have an active claim and you post a picture of you playing with your children or grand children it may appear that you are not indeed injured or in pain. This information can then be used against you and could diminish your claim amount.

We believe you should refrain from any activity that could further aggravate your injury however we do understand wanting to do more for the sake of your family. Protect yourself and don’t let your act of selflessness compromise your insurance claim.

The Cunnane Law Office has provided this content for informational purposes only.  You should refer your questions to a personal injury attorney.

www.cunnanelaw.com

Accidents can happen anywhere. They might be the result of nature, distractions or neglect. You can minimize injuries in your home by creating a safe environment.

Keep Medication and Chemicals out of Reach – If you have chemicals or medications in your home, clearly mark the containers and store them in a safe place out of reach by children and animals.

Maintain Property – Decks with broken floor boards or overgrown trees near power lines can be the perfect recipe for an accident. Keeping up with maintenance can help prevent accidents.

Pools and Hot Tubs – Keep pools and hot tubs covered when not in use. A fence will prevent unsupervised children and small animals from getting in.

The Cunnane Law Office has provided this content for informational purposes only. You should refer your questions to a personal injury attorney.

www.cunnanelaw.com