This is how drunk drivers are punished after causing an accident in West Virginia

Bridgeport, WV – Each state has DUI laws passed by the government which explain how those who are arrested and convicted will be punished for breaking the law. There are also additional consequences for drunk drivers who cause accidents such as paying compensation to the victim and increased auto insurance costs. The combination of these factors can make a DUI accident life changing experience for both the victim and the person responsible. 

Attorneys near me are available to meet with anyone who is an accident victim and provide specific guidance regarding injury lawsuits and other related matters.

West Virginia’s drunk driving laws

People who are charged and convicted of DUI will have to deal with a number of different sentence conditions. A first offense DUI includes fines of up to five hundred dollars and up to six months in jail. A driver’s license suspension of ninety days is imposed, or this suspension will be only fifteen days if the driver agrees to have an ignition interlock device put on their car for one hundred twenty days.  

West Virginia also has a sentence condition where drivers are required to complete a safety and treatment program with their own money before their license can be reinstated. If the driver has prior convictions for drunk driving offenses or there are aggravating factors such as a high blood alcohol reading, underage offenses, or an accident that results in injuries or death, the penalties will increase greatly. For example, DUI resulting in death is a felony that carries up to a ten year sentence.  

Civil lawsuits

When the victim files a lawsuit against the driver in civil court, this can have serious financial consequences as well. If the drunk driver is found to be at fault for the accident, they will owe the victim various kinds of compensation to pay for their actions. In most cases, this includes costs related to their medical treatment, time away from work and lost income, and pain and suffering compensation related to the person’s trauma, physical pain, and quality of life problems caused by the crash. Drivers who cause collisions that result in fatalities or serious and life changing injuries should expect to pay more than those who cause minor accidents.

West Virginia accident attorneys

It is possible to get advice from an experienced local lawyer after a drunk driving accident in the state of West Virginia. Kaufman and McPherson is a firm that works with clients to help with the process to receive compensation for injuries and other losses. 

USAttorneys.com can be contacted to answer questions about the process to find a lawyer. Their phone number is 800–672-3103

Firm contact info:

Kaufman & McPherson, PLLC

16 Sterling Drive, Suite 205, P. O. Box 768, Bridgeport, West Virginia 26330

304-584-6463

wvattorneys.com