Frederick DWI Lawyers

Serious injuries deserve experienced attorneys

How do I Make Frederick DWI Drivers Pay for Their Actions?

Despite the many consequences that come with driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol, people still make this incredibly dangerous decision to get behind the wheel of a vehicle and innocent people get hurt to the point of needing Frederick, MD DWI lawyers to help them seek compensation for their injuries. As a result of these negligent drivers, many other drivers on the road are put at risk for falling victim to an accident. Accident victims who have suffered at the hands of a drunk driver may look to make drunk drivers pay for this lapse of judgement:

How many people die in drunk driving crashes each year?

According to the CDC, car accidents involving drunk drivers account for 28% of all traffic fatalities. In the year 2016, nearly 10,000 lives were lost at the hands of drunk driving.

What do police look for in drunk drivers?

Drunk drivers pose serious risks to not only themselves, but others on the road. Police play an important role in helping to build safety on the roads. When a driver is behind the wheel, police may look for:

• Irregular speeds
• Swerving
• Drifting from one lane to another
• Avoiding traffic rules, especially traffic lights

In addition, once a police officer has pulled someone over, they are likely to look for the following signs:

• Slurred Speech
• Odor of alcohol on the breath
• Constricted pupils
• Lack of coordination with the body

When a suspected drunk driver has been pulled over a police officer may conduct a series of field sobriety tests and a Breathalyze to confirm that the driver has been drinking.

If you think that a driver that caused a car crash was intoxicated, it may be in your best interest to discuss your rights with Frederick, MD DWI lawyers.  

If I am hit by a drunk driver, will they be charged with a DWI?

If a driver is caught driving with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of more than .08%, they may be charged with a DWI. If a driver is charged with a DWI following a car accident, their charge may raise in severity, making their charge an aggravated DWI. DWI convictions can mean a number of consequences for a driver. If a driver was driving under the influence, they will almost always be to blame for the accident. If you were injured by a DWI driver in Frederick, lawyers who are licensed to protect injured peoples’ rights may be able to help you.

How can I file a civil claim against a drunk driver who hit me?

If you suffered losses in a car accident caused by a drunk driver, you may look to make the person who harmed you pay for their behavior. Civil claims can be brought forth by accident victims to obtain compensation for the losses they have suffered at the hands of someone else. When the person who caused the accident has been charged or convicted of a DWI, victims may have a strong case for compensation. Frederick, MD DWI lawyers can work with you to determine whether you should pursue a settlement with the insurance company or a lawsuit.

How will lawyers help me in achieving positive outcomes?

lawyers can prove to be an invaluable asset when pursuing a car accident case against a drunk driver. Once they have reviewed your case and determined that key elements of personal injury are present, they will work with you to gather as much information as possible to help support your claim. Many Frederick, MD DWI lawyers not only know the ins and outs of the law, they also can help to value your claim and negotiate a fair settlement with insurance adjusters and the other parties’ lawyers.  

The decision to get behind the wheel after indulging in alcohol can produce outcomes that may be irreparable. The injury and trauma faced from an accident can take years to heal from. In some cases, injuries may be irreversible and even fatal. For those looking to seek damages for their losses, and make drunk drivers pay for their mistakes, contact lawyers with experience of successfully defending injured people.

WHO CAN BE COMPENSATED FOR A DWI INJURY?

Very often, when someone is injured because of someone else’s negligent or reckless actions, the victim may be entitled to compensation for expenses related to their injuries. Many people in Frederick recommend that a MD DWI victim try to do this with the help of a personal injury lawyer who is experienced with defending the rights of DWI and DUI victims.

When a family loses a much loved member because of this, the family may be able to seek compensation through two different kinds of claims. One of these can be filed on behalf of surviving family member is through a wrongful death claim. The other claim, a survival action, is filed on behalf of the deceased victim.  While a victim and/or their family have the right to file and fight for these claims on their own, this can be difficult to do even for people who are in the best places. This can feel impossible for someone who is trying to recover from an injury or for someone taking care of an injured loved one; and it can be completely beyond a grieving family’s ability to do this.

Having a reliable and compassionate Frederick, MD DWI lawyer may help to take away a lot of the anxiety that is being caused by the unknown, while also helping to make you to feel less alone during a difficult time.

IS THERE A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A DWI AND A DUI IN MARYLAND?

Even though a DWI is a lesser charge than a DUI in Maryland, both of these are criminal offenses and both DWI and DUI drivers may face criminal charges and convictions that will stay on their criminal records for life.

Some states use the terms DWI and DUI interchangeably to refer to the same charge. If you or someone you love was injured in either a DWI or DUI accident in Frederick, a good MD DWI lawyer may be able to help you.

SHOULD YOU STILL SEEK COMPENSATION FOR YOUR DWI INJURY IF THE DRIVER WHO CAUSED YOUR ACCIDENT IS FACING CRIMINAL CHARGES?

If you were injured in a DWI accident, you are probably already facing expenses related to your accident which is why you should probably seek compensation even if the driver is also facing criminal charges. Criminal and civil suits are separate whose outcomes do not necessarily reflect on each other’s validity.

If you think that you might need help with filing a personal injury civil claim, contact a Frederick, MD DWI lawyer or paralegal at Cohen & Cohen for a free case consultation and evaluation with no obligations, any time of the day or night, any day of the year.

For highly rated Frederick, MD DWI lawyers, contact the dedicated team at Cohen & Cohen for a free case evaluation with no obligations.