Alexandria DUI Lawyer

A DUI lawyer Alexandria VA residents can depend upon might be a critical resource following the immediate arrest or charges associated with driving under the influence. Even if the authorities tell you there is proof beyond a reasonable doubt that you are guilty, you should still consider retaining a Alexandria DUI lawyer. By doing so, your case can be investigated to ensure there were no rights violations, contradictions, or feasible loopholes. If any of the aforementioned are identified, you could have your charges reduced or dropped.

Cohen & Cohen provides a DUI lawyer Alexandria VA trusts for effective and considerate legal counsel. Guided by over 40 years of experience, our law firm possesses extensive knowledge of the laws, regulations, and precedents associated with DUI incidents. When we work together, you may feel confident in knowing your case will be looked after in the best way possible. With this mindset and our determination to fight for our clients, we aim to get the most sensible outcome for you and your family.

Why Have a DUI Lawyer in Alexandria VA on Your Side?

Facing DUI charges can be a very anxious time and you might feel worried about the potentially devastating repercussions. You may wholeheartedly regret your actions but are unsure how to express this in front of the court system. On the other hand, you might feel like your rights have been violated or that you’ve been wrongfully accused. Whatever you are experiencing, it might help to have a DUI lawyer Alexandria VA has to offer to the people.

Cohen & Cohen is prepared to act as a legal advocate and may speak on your behalf. This voice could make all the difference in the outcome of your case and prevent you from making erroneous statements. A lawyer might also be able to arrange a deal with the judge that ultimately reduces the penalty warranted by some courts.

Potential Outcomes of DUI Charges

The penalties associated with DUIs can vary from state-to-state. They are typically dependent upon specific factors unique to your case, as well as any previous offenses. The outcomes of the charges brought against you may reflect these underlying factors and could include:

• Suspension or revocation of your driver’s license
• Large fines and court fees
• Jail or prison time
• Permanent criminal record
• Community service
• Insurance hike
• Probation
• Random urine or blood testing

The consequences of a DUI could be extremely damaging to your personal and professional life. Family problems, employment struggles, and emotional grievance may arise and contribute to continuous hurdles that last well into the future. A DUI lawyer Alexandria VA respects understands these possible outcomes and will work diligently to lessen them, thereby allowing you to return to a stabilized life.

How is Drug Impairment Measured

If a driver is pulled over and found to have a blood alcohol concentration of more than 0.08 percent, it is illegal in Virginia as in most other states. Alcohol leaves the body fairly quickly, so it is fairly easy to measure a driver’s BAC during the time the traffic stop takes place. Breathing into a Breathalyzer is also very accurate, so if a driver has a reading of 0.08% or more, they will be charged and arrested for a DUI.

This is not typically the same case with drugs. For instance, some components of marijuance are able to stay in someone’s bloodstream or urine for up to a month after they use it. Because of this, it is difficult to conclusively prove that the driver was impaired by that drug at the time of their arrest. On the other hand, cocaine usually leaves the body fairly quickly, staying no more than two days. To determine if there were drugs present in the driver, there is usually a blood sample or a urinalysis.

Regardless of what has or has not been done to determine if a driver that injured you or a loved one was under the influence, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries. DUI lawyers from Alexandria or who ones who are licensed to practice throughout VA can help you to determine whether or not you should pursue a personal injury claim.

“Per Se” Laws

It is more difficult to prove that a driver is under the influence of drugs than it is to prove they are under the influence of alcohol. Some states have “per se” laws which make it illegal to drive a vehicle if there are any detectable traces of specific drugs in the driver’s system.

Over the Counter and Prescription Medications

Some medications that are bought legally at a drugstore are just as hazardous for drivers as alcohol is and can cause a DUI. It is important to read warning labels and speak to your pharmacist if you are questioning how a drug can impair you.

Medical Marijuana

If a driver lives in a state where medical marijuana is legal with a doctor’s note, they can still be charged with a DUI. If the police officer was able to gather enough evidence of the driver being impaired by the medical marijuana, simply having a medical exemption is not valid as a defense. If the medical marijuana causes impairment it is then treated the exact same as any other prescription drug that could affect one’s ability to drive.

DUI charges for alcohol are pretty straightforward, however, when other substances become involved it can be tricky. It is important to speak with an experienced lawyer if you or someone you love has been injured by someone who was driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

For highly rated personal injury DUI lawyers Alexandria, VA DUI accident victims and their families recommend, contact Cohen & Cohen for a free case evaluation any time of the day, any day of the week.

What does DUI stand for?

According to Alexandria, VA DUI lawyers, the exact definition of a DUI varies depending on the state you live in, and/or where the collision occurred. Generally speaking, a DUI stands for “driving under the influence.” Typically, this refers to driving under the influence of alcohol or any other drug-related substance. It is also important to understand that when most people reference a DUI, they insinuate that a driver’s driving abilities were impaired by whatever substance they were under the influence of.

How do I know if the driver is drunk?

A common question you may wondering is “how do I tell if a driver is drunk?” According to Alexandria, VA DUI lawyers, there is not one answer to this question. In fact, as another driver, you can never know for certain. That being said, there are many telltale signs that somebody could be under the influence on the roads. It is critical to keep an eye out for these signs so you can take extra caution. It is especially important to give the suspected driver a large amount of space so as not to endanger yourself with potential sudden and reckless actions.

Although every individual may act differently under the influence of various types of alcohols and drugs, there are certainly common traits to a drunk driver. According to Alexandria, VA DUI lawyers, some of the most common signs of a drunk driver include:

• Weaving in and out of traffic
• Sudden, jerking movements
• Slow driving
• Speeding
• Driving on the wrong side of the road

If you happen to see the person operating the vehicle, you can also keep a look out for:

• A confused driver
• The driver’s eyes are bloodshot
• The driver looks extremely fatigued or tired

If you notice any of the above signs, you should call 911 as soon as you can. When it is say to do so, you should pull over to call 911 and inform them of the suspected driver. This can potentially help keep others on the road safe and will ensure that you also keep your distance. Alexandria, VA DUI lawyers may also suggest that you record their license plate if it is safe to do so.

What happens if a drunk driver hits me?

At the scene of the collision, you should first contact a law officer. It is also recommended that you try your best to collect information from the other driver, however, they may not want to cooperate. It is important not to aggravate somebody under the influence because you may be putting yourself in danger. In the case that a drunk driver hits you and causes you to suffer from an injury, it is in your best interest to seek out Alexandria, VA DUI lawyers.

Hiring a legal professional is an excellent way to better your chances of having a successful case. Experienced attorneys can help you navigate the complexities of the legal system and can help you answer the question “who is liable for my injury?”

If you or a loved one has suffered from a drunk driver who hit you, do not hesitate to contact Cohen & Cohen, a group of skilled personal injury lawyers proudly serving Washington D.C., Maryland, Virginia, and the surrounding areas for years. At Cohen & Cohen, we believe that you deserve to have the best legal representation for an injury, especially when your injury is caused as a result of somebody else’s negligence.

The Role of Negligence in Personal Injury Cases

One of the most important things in a personal injury case in establishing who is at fault. You need to consider if you were at fault at all or if the blame could be placed on you event if this blame is just partial. Weather or not you receive compensation is highly dependant on the amount of blame put on you after an accident.

The Role of Negligence in Personal Injury Cases

As most DUI lawyers in Alexandria, VA will inform you, it’s important to understand how negligence plays a role in personal injury cases before learning about whether or not you can recover compensation if you are partially to blame for the accident.

It is the role of the plaintiff in every personal injury case to prove that the defendant was negligent. This includes proving;

• The duty of care was breached
• The defendant owed a duty of care to the plaintiff
• The plaintiff was injured as a result of the defendant’s negligent acts by them being either irresponsible or not following the rules of the road.

DUTY OF CARE – A duty of care is a legal obligation that everyone should take precautions while performing any act that may harm others. This means that if you breach a duty of care, you are putting yourself in the category of negligence because you are not acting reasonably or responsibly.

An example of breaching a duty of care is when a driver choses to get behind the wheel while they are under the influence of alcohol. Driving drunk is not at all safe and puts others in risk of injury or event death. Any victim from a breach of duty of care has the right to sue and should most likely take legal action.Talking to DUI lawyers Alexandria, VA locals rely on may help clarify how to best take action.

How to Determine If You Are Partially to Blame

Determining blame in personal injury cases can be one of the most difficult steps of filing the claim. Putting someone at fault includes gathering lots of evidence from interviewing witnesses, reviewing surveillance footage, examining photos of the scene of the accident, and working with an accident reconstruction expert.

Call the personal injury attorneys at Cohen & Cohen today to discuss your accident and help determine who was at fault and if you should pursue a personal injury claim. Call today to speak to DUI lawyers Alexandria, VA residents count on.

Cohen & Cohen: The Right DUI Law Firm

If you have been charged with a DUI, you have the right to a lawyer. A private DUI lawyer in Alexandria VA may be able to provide counsel that heavily impacts the outcome of your case. If you’re attending an arraignment, a hearing or trial, Cohen & Cohen are equipped with the legal knowledge necessary to craft a legal argument suited to each case. For trusted legal representation from a DUI lawyer Alexandria VA can provide, call Cohen & Cohen today at 301-250-1957.