Did You Know:
Every day, 28 people in the U.S. are killed in motor vehicle accidents where alcohol is involved. That means there is a death every 53 minutes and the annual cost of these alcohol-related collisions amounts to more than $44 billion according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Drunk driving accidents are a serious issue, and you need to know that you aren’t alone.
Drunk drivers affect the lives of many individuals and their families as their impairments prohibit them from operating their vehicles in the safe manner they normally would.
But the fact is, when a drunk driving accident transpires, these mishaps can alter the way in which you live your life and take away abilities you may have once had. So, take a moment and ask yourself the following questions. If you answer yes to any, scheduling your free consultation with one of our trustworthy and compassionate drunk driving accident attorneys is the next step you want to take.
- Are you no longer able to take part in any hobbies that once completed your life?
- Has your financial security become diminished because your injuries and inability to work affected your lifestyle?
- Have you lost the functionality of one or more of your limbs?
- Are you a grieving spouse who lost your partner in a drunk-driving crash?
Ready to make the call? Our agents are more than ready to speak with you now.
DUI Accident lawyers are instrumental in the resolution of drunk driving accidents in the United States.
U.S. Roadway death.
Drunk driving is the number one cause of U.S. Roadway death, and it is a crime in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. While urban areas accounted for a higher percentage of drunk-driving fatalities in the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) 2017 data, the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s published arrest rates for this offense are highest in rural areas. Some states refer to this illegal action as DUI (driving under the influence), and others as DWI (driving while intoxicated), but in every case, it is a serious charge with high-stakes punishments, penalties, and fines attached to it. Criminal lawyers across the country may be able to help drivers who are charged with DUI and personal injury lawyers assist accident victims who have been catastrophically injured, while the services of wrongful death attorneys may be required if someone dies because of a drunk driver.
Federal law.
Federal DUI laws are strictly enforced in federal courts, carrying serious charges and penalties. President Clinton signed Federal DUI Laws into existence in 2000 that set a new national standard by changing the blood alcohol content (BAC) legal limit of drivers to 0.08 to save American lives. Despite this change, one person was killed in a drunk-driving crash every 50 minutes in the United States in 2018. Federal law mandates that states adopt open container and repeat offender law requirements to avoid funding penalties.
State law.
State laws vary regarding DUI outcomes. Utah is the only state that has a different BAC than all other United States. Effective December 30, 2018, Utah’s BAC was set at 0.05.%. Forty-eight states, D.C., the Northern Mariana Islands, and the Virgin Islands have administrative license suspension (ALS) for a first-time offender, where this law allows confiscation of a driver’s license for failing a chemical test with limitations specific to work-related travel in some instances. All states have some type of ignition interlock program ordered by a presiding judge. Individuals charged with DUI, or those involved in drunk driving accidents should seek experienced legal counsel who knows the particular state laws where an incident occurred.
Insurance impacts.
DUI convictions can be costly driver mistakes because proven violations may increase insurance rates by 71.0%. Individuals can lose their driver’s license, face jail time and legal fees, forced use of ignition interlock devices installed in cars, and live with injuring, or killing another person, which may include jail time and financial ruination. Drivers should speak with a state-specific insurer to find out what options are available after DUI convictions.
Seek legal counsel from Dui accident attorneys.
A drunk driver’s actions immediately after a crash might support a defense framework for DUI actions. Penalties will depend on factors including blood alcohol level, age, and repeat offender status. Contact legal counsel to map out strategies in court for individuals who need criminal representation, or those who have been harmed by an accident involving a drunk driver.
