Add to that an arrest for drunk driving, and it becomes a very difficult situation to manage. A high-quality DUI lawyer can help you navigate this complicated legal territory.
Just as in all other DUI cases, a police officer must establish a case that you were impaired at the time of the accident. Tests must be performed, and anything you say could be used against you in court. Though some people flee from the scene of the accident, this isn’t advisable, as it could result in further charges.
If you are arrested for DUI after a car accident, you could be found liable for any damages caused in a civil action as well as face the legal penalties of your DUI arrest. This could mean costly civil litigation and payment of monetary damages awarded to the other party. Criminal penalties can also be higher if you have been involved in a crash. Whether or not you’re convicted of driving under the influence can be very important to the results of other legal matters.
An accident can result in a felony charge instead of a misdemeanor charge. If a conviction is obtained, longer jail sentences are possible than with a normal DUI, especially if there are prior convictions. Life-threatening injuries caused by a drunk driving accident can result in thousands of dollars in fines and years in prison. You may also face costly civil litigation and payment of any monetary damages awarded to the injured party or parties.
Typically, in a case of an accident, the officer didn’t actually see the drivers involved at the exact moment of the accident however they can determine who was driving by eyewitness statements, and other investigative techniques. Then they need to establish that the driver was impaired before making an arrest. If a suspected drunk driver is injured and requires medical treatment as a result of an accident, blood tests taken at the hospital or other medical facility can provide information about a driver's blood alcohol content to police and can also be used at trial.
Often cited statistics claim that as many as one-third of accidents result from driving while impaired. However, not every case is the same, and everyone deserves a vigorous defense of his or her rights.
DUI accidents can make a very serious infraction (DUI) all the more damaging. There is so much at risk with a normal DUI charge, the added weight of an accident and potential injury to another driver can raise the stakes significantly. If you have been involved in a DUI accident there is little time to waste. Contact a qualified Maryland DUI attorney today for a consultation of your case at: 866-952-1500.
Learn More:
- DUI Fines
- DMV Hearings
- DUI Sentencing
- Loss of License
- Loss of Income
- Loss of Transportation
- Multiple DUI Offenses
- DUI Accidents (who pays? Insurance? Who’s at fault?)
- Vehicular Manslaughter (fines, sentencing)
Alpert Schreyer
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