by cooneylaw | Jun 27, 2023 | Criminal Defense, DUI
Most DUI charges in Washington State are gross misdemeanors and not felonies. Gross misdemeanors have a maximum penalty of 364 days in jail and a $5,000 fine. Washington law makes Felony DUI a Class B crime carrying a maximum penalty of up to 10 years in prison and a...
by cooneylaw | Jun 20, 2023 | Auto Accidents, Bodily Injury, Car Accidents, Pedestrian Accidents
Schools are out for summer vacation! There are so many great things about summertime in Spokane: longer days and playing outside at the local parks and pools. It’s also a good time to remind drivers to keep an eye out for our little ones, yield to pedestrians at...
by cooneylaw | Jun 6, 2023 | Auto Accidents, Car Accidents
Have you ever heard someone say most car accidents happen close to home? It’s easy to assume that most accidents occur far from home on unfamiliar roads, instead of the neighborhood streets that you drive everyday. But it’s true. One study found that around 77% of car...
by cooneylaw | May 23, 2023 | Criminal Defense, DUI
A DUI charge in Spokane usually triggers a First Appearance court hearing the next business day. At this hearing the judge will read your rights and the consequences of a DUI conviction, which may include jail time, fines, loss of driver’s license, ignition interlock...
by cooneylaw | May 16, 2023 | Auto Accidents, Bodily Injury, Car Accidents, Motorcycle Accident
Motorcycle riders who are in collisions, like the one recently in Spokane Valley, often suffer more serious injuries than those in passenger vehicles. Folks riding in cars and trucks are protected by a metal shell that helps absorb the forces of a collision. This lack...
by cooneylaw | May 2, 2023 | Auto Accidents, Car Accidents, Motorcycle Accident
Motorcycle safety is particularly important as winter turns to spring and riding season fires up. The National Highway Traffic Safety Association reports motorcyclists are 29 times more likely to die in a collision than those in passenger vehicles. Let’s commit to...
by cooneylaw | Apr 25, 2023 | Auto Accidents, Bodily Injury, Car Accidents, Uninsured/underinsured Motorist Accidents
Car accidents involving Uninsured and Underinsured Motorists are a serious problem in Spokane and throughout Washington State. Drivers are required to purchase automobile liability insurance by law, with only a handful of exceptions. However, the most recent data from...
by cooneylaw | Apr 11, 2023 | Auto Accidents, Bodily Injury, Car Accidents, Pedestrian Accidents
Pedestrian and bicycle collisions increase every spring as the weather in Spokane warms up. Both children and adults are getting outside for an evening stroll and riding their bikes around neighborhoods and parks. Many drivers at this time of year are still in a...
by cooneylaw | Apr 4, 2023 | Auto Accidents, Bodily Injury, Car Accidents
April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month. In 2022 there were an estimated 46,000 highway fatalities and many of those were a result of distracted driving. As our lives become busier and personal technology devices become more powerful, it’s up to each and every...
by cooneylaw | Mar 28, 2023 | Criminal Defense, DUI
A DUI charge in Spokane will most likely lead to two separate cases: a criminal case in court and a separate Department of Licensing (DOL) administrative case. These are two completely independent cases. You can win one and lose the other. The court case usually...
