Frequently Asked Questions

Not necessarily, but you likely need a lawyer if you're injured and pursuing compensation. An attorney can negotiate with insurance companies, help understand claim requirements, and file necessary paperwork if negotiations fail. At Furey, Donovan, Cooney & Dyer, PC, we help you get the best possible result for your injuries.

Negligence is failing to behave with reasonable care under the circumstances. It requires proving duty of care, breach of that duty, actual cause of damages, foreseeable harm, and sustained damages. Furey, Donovan, Cooney & Dyer, PC analyzes all elements to build strong personal injury cases.

Settlement shouldn't happen until you've fully recovered from your injuries. The longest portion is waiting for your body to heal and medical treatment to finish. We negotiate based on your recovery timeline, treatment received, and final condition to ensure all costs are covered.

Yes, DUI arrests carry potential jail time and mandatory sentences for repeat offenses. The DMV will also attempt to suspend your license. An experienced DUI attorney can fight both criminal charges and license suspension while helping with work permits and ignition interlock requirements.

Contact a Connecticut-approved IID vendor to schedule installation, pay the $175 restoration fee and $100 IID administration fee to DMV. Install your IID and pay fees at least 10 days before your eligibility date, or 20 days if paying by mail.

You may be ineligible if you have more than two recent moving violations, prior work permit use, or previous license suspension for DUI. The Department of Motor Vehicles reviews your complete driving history when determining work permit eligibility for Connecticut residents.

A title search examines property ownership, mortgages, liens, exact dimensions, and transfer history going back decades. It verifies the seller's right to transfer property and ensures you're buying what you think you're purchasing from someone authorized to sell it.

Title searches verify you're buying from someone with authority to sell and reveal hidden costs like tax liens, biohazard cleanup issues, easements, or mortgages. These issues might need resolution before purchase, and buyers want to know about them before signing contracts.

Yes, a will ensures your wishes are followed regarding property distribution after death. Without a will, courts decide asset distribution and child custody. A will lets your wishes be known when you're no longer here to explain them to family and loved ones.

Connecticut uses published Child Support Guidelines with a specific formula available at courthouses. Both parents' salaries are combined to determine the child's entitled quality of life, then payments are calculated to maintain roughly the same economic life as if parents remained together.

If police have a warrant, they can arrest you anywhere, anytime. Most clients choose to turn themselves in for control. Call police to verify charges and bond amount, arrange for a bondsman to meet you, or turn yourself in early morning to appear in court that day for bond negotiation.

Yes, you can apply for license restoration after serving two years suspension and proving you haven't driven during that time. You must complete alcohol or drug treatment and have no drug or alcohol-related arrests. Some hearing officers prefer waiting three years to match second offense requirements.

Criminal defense costs vary based on charge complexity, case length, and required investigation. Felony cases typically cost more than misdemeanors due to increased preparation time. Many attorneys offer payment plans, and the cost of quality defense often prevents much higher long-term consequences like lost employment or permanent criminal records.

Officers conduct three standardized tests: horizontal gaze nystagmus, walk-and-turn, and one-leg stand. These tests check balance, coordination, and eye movement patterns. However, medical conditions, medications, injuries, and even nervousness can cause false failures, which experienced DUI attorneys can challenge in court proceedings.

Yes, Connecticut law allows recovery for emotional distress and pain and suffering in personal injury cases. This includes anxiety, depression, PTSD, and loss of enjoyment of life caused by your injuries. Documentation from mental health professionals strengthens these claims significantly.

A will distributes assets after death and goes through probate court, making it public record. A trust transfers assets during your lifetime, avoids probate, and remains private. Trusts offer more control over asset distribution and can provide tax benefits for larger estates in Connecticut.

Connecticut's statute of limitations is generally two years from the injury date for most personal injury claims. However, some cases have different deadlines, and discovering injuries later can extend this timeframe. Filing early preserves evidence and witness testimony while memories remain fresh.

Penalties depend on drug type, amount, and prior convictions. Marijuana possession under half an ounce is decriminalized, but other drugs carry potential jail time and fines. First-time offenders may qualify for drug education programs that can result in charge dismissal upon successful completion.

Yes, interested parties can contest a will within specific timeframes, typically citing lack of mental capacity, undue influence, fraud, or improper execution. Contest proceedings can be lengthy and expensive, which is why proper estate planning with experienced attorneys helps prevent successful challenges.

Strong evidence includes photos of the hazardous condition, incident reports, witness statements, medical records linking injuries to the fall, and proof the property owner knew or should have known about the dangerous condition. Quick evidence collection is crucial before conditions change.

First-time DUI offenders face 45-day license suspension, up to six months jail time, fines up to $1,000, and mandatory alcohol education programs. However, experienced attorneys can often negotiate reduced charges, alternative sentencing, or challenge evidence to achieve better outcomes than standard penalties.

Effective defense requires thorough case investigation, evidence analysis, witness interviews, and identifying constitutional violations during arrest or investigation. Early attorney involvement allows proper evidence preservation, strategic plea negotiations, and preparation for trial if necessary to achieve the best possible outcome.