Briones Law Group Blog

Luke Bryan might think rain is a good thing but for motorists, it’s not and here’s why.

Are you aware that the most dangerous time to drive is immediately after it starts raining? The first few moments of a rainstorm pose an increased risk to drivers. And it’s not because of decreased visibility if that’s what you were thinking. Roadways are subject to build up from hazardous materials left behind by vehicles. During a dry spell oil and grease from car engines is built up on the roadway. In the first moments

Fathers, know your rights!

Did you know that fathers, even if listed on the birth certificate, have no rights with respect to their children if they were not married to the mother unless they file a court action? In Massachusetts, unmarried mothers have all of the rights and control until such time as father files for those rights in court. For example, if father and mother end their relationship and mother wants to move to a different State, it

Driving with your JOL

In the state of Massachusetts, you are allowed to obtain a Junior Operator License at the age of 16 ½. A Junior Operator License or JOL is provided to any driver under the age of 18 allowing them to operate a vehicle under the following restrictions: A driver with a JOL license cannot have a passenger unless it’s an immediate family member or a licensed driver over the age of 21. Additionally, a driver with

When you are in an accident while driving a rental car.

If you’re renting a car for your travels this holiday season, you may have asked yourself: what happens if I get in an accident in a rental car? In Massachusetts, the process of a personal injury claim when driving a rental car, is similar to that of a claim in a personally owned vehicle. However, there are a few minor differences, of which you should be aware. If you are involved in an accident in

Driving under the influence of marijuana.

As most of you may know, two dispensaries in Massachusetts; Cultivate, in Leicester, and New England Treatment Access, in Northampton, have begun selling marijuana for recreational usage. Before patronizing your nearest dispensary, it is important that you are aware of Massachusetts’ state laws regarding Marijuana consumption. One of the largest issues related to the legalization of Marijuana, is how to measure an individual’s level of impairment while driving. It is illegal to operate a vehicle

The Gray Revolution

Have you ever heard of a “gray” divorce? This term refers to a marital split between two people who are over the age of 50. The divorce rate for this demographic is skyrocketing. Why would a long term marriage come to an end at advanced ages? There are a few factors at play; beginning with the fact that life expectancy has increased. Once a couple’s children have grown up and moved out, they may find

What information do I need to get when I am involved in a motor vehicle accident?

No one anticipates being in a car accident. When it happens, you often aren’t thinking clearly and there can be a lot going on. People often ask me what information they need if they are in a motor vehicle accident. Here’s a list of very helpful information to obtain from the other driver: -Take a picture of their driver’s license if possible. If not possible, ask to see their license and write down their name,

Ice, snow and slush, oh my!

If you found yourself slipping in this slush this morning, you are not alone. While the snow last night may have been beautiful, the conditions we woke up to this morning pose some dangers. Accidents can happen to even the most seasoned New Englanders. During the winter, your risk of personal injury drastically increases. In the coming season, it is important to know that it is the responsibility of a property owner to maintain safe

Slipping and falling at the Supermarket

Falls at the supermarket happen all the time. The most common place to fall is in the produce aisle. The reason for this is those little sprayers that spray water on the fruits and veggies to keep them fresh. They also cause a lot of people to wipe out. Another big cause of falls at the supermarket are spills on the floor from any number of causes. When is a supermarket responsible for their customers

What happens to me if I refuse to take a Breathalyzer test when pulled over?

Drivers in Massachusetts ought to be especially wary when they see those blue lights flash behind them, given the spotty track record of the Breathalyzers used to test for DUI violations by police departments across the Commonwealth. Sober, responsible drivers found themselves in a lot of trouble because of inaccurately prepared and used Breathalyzers. Since 2017, numerous legal challenges and complaints have surfaced regarding the main Breathalyzer model used in the state, the Draeger 9510

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