What are the potential punishments and consequences for drunk drivers in Tucson?

Tucson, AZ – All drivers in Arizona and other states are aware of the serious nature of drunk driving and the possibility of criminal charges if convicted. There are also other problems that can affect intoxicated drivers, even if they are not convicted, such as civil lawsuits, insurance rate increases, and employment consequences. 

For those who need additional advice, there are attorneys near me who focus their efforts on helping clients with all matters related to a collision involving a drunk driver. 

Criminal penalties

Anyone who drives after using drugs or alcohol may be arrested and penalized in various ways if they are caught and convicted. Arizona’s DUI laws say that convictions can include mandatory fines and jail time, driver’s license suspension, and other consequences. The state has some of the most severe penalties for drunk drivers out of all states, including mandatory jail time for all offenders. However the deterrent effect of even these strict DUI laws is dubious, as driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs remains a very common crime and cause of accidents all over the United States.  

These penalties are increased if drivers have a high blood alcohol concentration, caused any injuries or fatalities, or the person has prior DUI convictions. The enhancements for having a blood alcohol concentration of greater than 0.15 are referred to as extreme DUI under state law. 

Civil consequences

Anyone who causes an accident while they are intoxicated can potentially be sued and lose large amounts of money. Tucson DUI accident lawyers are legal professionals who handle these matters regularly. This is because a drunk driver needs to pay for medical bills, lost wages, and other problems that they caused when they collided with the victim. Things like funeral and burial expenses are also the responsibility of the driver if they cause a fatal crash while intoxicated and are sued by the victim’s family.

Tucson accident lawyers focus their time on helping their clients recover as much compensation as necessary through a lawsuit and settlement. 

Other consequences

Drunk drivers may lose their employment if they need to operate vehicles or machinery. This can depend on the employer’s specific rules and policies, and a person who is fired for this reason may also have difficulty finding similar jobs in the future. There are also consequences for auto insurance, as some providers may refuse to cover the person at all, while others may expect the person to pay a much higher rate. 

Advice after an accident with a drunk driver in Tucson

USAttorneys.com is a web directory that lists lawyers in Arizona and other states throughout the country. Anyone who needs legal advice can choose a relevant practice area and their state to get started.