Gaithersburg, MD DUI lawyers
A drunk driver has the potential to change your life forever and put you in need of a trustworthy team of Gaithersburg, MD DUI lawyers. If you are a victim of a drunk driving incident, you may be confused and not know the steps you need to take to file a personal injury claim.
What do all Those Acronyms Mean?
Depending on your state, there are different acronyms for driving under the influence. Lawyers who are licensed to practice in Gaithersburg and throughout MD can help you to understand Maryland’s DUI laws and how they may affect your claim.
DUI: Driving Under the Influence
DWI: Driving While Intoxicated
OUI: Operating Under the Influence. Under this classification, the driver can be charged even if they are not actually driving; the car can be stopped and not running and the driver can still be arrested.
Driving While Impaired: even if a person’s BAC is under the legal limit, a police officer can make the decision that a driver is too impaired to safely drive.
BAC: Blood Alcohol Content. Across the country, it is illegal to operate a vehicle if your blood alcohol content is at or above 0.08%.
If you have been injured by an impaired driver in Gaithersburg, it may be in your best interest to discuss your situation with DUI lawyers who are licensed to protect DUI victims through MD.
What is the Difference Between a Drunk Driving Case and Other Personal Injury Cases?
When a drunk driver is arrested, they have to go through both criminal and civil court procedures. Criminal court only focuses on the driver and their resulting fines and jail time, not the victim of the accident. After these proceedings, an attorney will file a personal injury lawsuit in a civil court where they will fight to protect your rights and gain compensation for the injuries or illness you have suffered from.
Is There a Statute of Limitations for Filing a Civil Case?
It is important to be timely when it comes to filing a civil case, so do not hesitate to contact Gaithersburg, MD DUI lawyers as soon as you can after the accident. When you do so, they can give you an idea of how to proceed with your case prior to the criminal case finishing and what next steps you can expect.
Having Gaithersburg, MD DUI lawyers on your team as soon as possible after an accident can help to assure that deadlines are met and that your claim does not exceed the statute of limitations.
Am I Guaranteed Compensation?
Unfortunately, no. The drunk driver who caused the damage may not have adequate insurance, which means you may not get all the compensation you are entitled to. This is why it is important to invest in your own uninsured motorist insurance so you will be covered if you are in an accident with someone without an adequate policy.
What Happens If I I was Also Partially Responsible for the Accident?
Again, this is dependent of your state, but most states recognize something that is called comparative negligence. This means that even if you are partially responsible, you may be able to still collect a portion of damages that you would have collected if you were without fault.
Personal injury lawyers can act as a legal advocates for you during this troubling time while also navigating the confusing world of criminal and civil law.
For highly rated Gaithersburg, MD DUI lawyers, contact the dedicated team at Cohen & Cohen for a consultation any time of the day or night, any day of the year.
