Washington DC Drunk Driving Accident Lawyers

Serious injuries deserve experienced attorneys

Washington DC Drunk Driving Accident Attorneys

Whether this is the first of the fourth time you or someone you love has been charged with driving while intoxicated, impaired, or under the influence, it may be in your best interest to discuss your situation with a drunk driving law firm Washington DC drivers are fortunate to have in their midst.

Any time a person gets pulled over can be scary. It can be horrifying to get pulled over in Washington DC when you know you may have had one too many. The District of Columbia takes a strict and aggressive stance toward all driving under the influence (DUI) or driving while intoxicated (DWI) or operating while impaired (OWI) violations (the aforementioned acronyms are often used interchangeably even though they do in fact have unique definitions) . A DUI is a criminal charge that may result in fines, jail time, license suspension, points on the convicted person’s license, and raised insurance rates, to name a few of the hardships that come with a DUI conviction. A DUI usually stays on a person’s permanent record forever. While many people who are convicted of a DUI or DWI are in fact guilty of this crime, many people who are charged with one of these get charged wrongly or inappropriately.

Fighting a DWI without the help of a lawyer can be tricky. If you think you may need help in upholding your or a loved one’s rights, a member of Cohen & Cohen’s legal team is available to talk to you to give you a free case consultation and free case evaluation. Our law firm has been in the business of successfully fighting for the rights of our clients for over 30 years. Someone is available to take your call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. If you think you may need the help of the reputable car accident lawyer DC is fortunate to have available to them, give us a call today.

To be charged with a DWI, a driver must be either operating a vehicle or in physical control of a vehicle while having a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 or more. This means that a person who is just sitting in a parked car with the ignition on and with a BAC of .08 or higher can be charged with a DWI because they were in “control” of the vehicle even though it was not being driven. In theory, an officer of the law can pull over someone that they suspect is driving while under the influence but the reality of this is that very often, a driver gets pulled over for a minor traffic violation or a fix-it ticket, etc., and it is only after this that the officer suspects the driver of driving drunk. As well, there are situations where police officers do not adhere to the protocols for making drunk driving arrests. An example of this is that DUI checkpoints are supposed to be run according to their rules, including things such as only questioning every third driver (for example). If it turns out that the police questioned someone at random and charged them with a DUI, this charge may be invalid. An experienced lawyer may be knowledgeable about these and many other things that may be helpful in recusing a person of a DUI charge.

Even though Washington D.C. has laws against driving while intoxicated, the unfortunate reality is that many injured people find themselves looking for a top drunk driving accident law firm Washington D.C. community members recommend. The compassionate and knowledgeable lawyers at Cohen & Cohen have helped many victims of drunk driving accidents and their families.

It has been estimated that almost every day, 29 people die in accidents involving a drunk driver. This is equal to almost one person dying in alcohol-impaired vehicle crashes almost every 50 minutes. 10,497 people died in 2016 because of drivers who were driving while under the influence of alcohol. The need for a good drunk driving accident law firm Washington D.C. drunk driving victims have felt fortunate to have on their side, is unfortunately high.

Alcohol reduces the function of the brain. It impairs thinking, reasoning, and muscle coordination. When alcohol levels rise in a person’s system, it negatively impacts their central nervous system. These reasons, plus others not mentioned here, are why we have laws against driving while under the influence of drugs and alcohol.

If you or someone you love was injured in a motor vehicle accident with a driver who was under the influence of alcohol, or if someone close to you was killed because of this, it may help you to understand your rights when you talk to a car accident lawyer DC relies on. Someone from the Cohen & Cohen, team is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to listen to your situation and to give you a free case evaluation.

The facts surrounding drunk driving are startling. There are thousands of sites and organizations dedicated to spreading the word about the effects of driving while under the influence of alcohol and yet, one person every 53 minutes is killed in an accident involving a drunk driver. Drunk driving accounts for about 1/3 of both motor vehicle and bicycle fatalities and close to 1/2 of pedestrian fatalities each year. Despite the facts, millions of drivers per year nationwide drive while under the influence of alcohol. In 2012 in Washington, DC Metro Region, over 50,000 drunk driving arrests were made.

Any person driving while under the influence of alcohol is exhibiting negligent behavior, and this negligence has a variety of consequences, including property damage, serious injuries, and thousands of deaths, each of which can be extremely expensive and stressful. If you or someone you know is the victim of a drunk driving accident you should seek legal counsel immediately. There are many additional factors to consider when filing a claim against a drunk driver, including how much the driver was drinking, where they were drinking, and who they were drinking with. Although the laws vary by state, the person or establishment responsible for providing alcohol to the intoxicated person that was behind the wheel can often be held accountable for the resulting accident caused by that drunk driver.

Drunk driving is serious and dangerous and poses multiple threats to drivers and pedestrians every day. If you were injured, or had your property damaged, as the result of an intoxicated driver in Washington, DC, contact the automobile accident lawyer Washington DC has come to trust. Cohen & Cohen is here to make a plan of action and to ensure that all of the facts are being found in order to gain the maximum amount of compensation for your damages, injuries and losses.

When to Hire an Attorney for a Car Accident

For drivers who are dealing with the aftermath of a drunk driving collision, they may trust the counsel of a Washington DC Drunk Driving Accidents Attorneys at Cohen & Cohen for representation. We take pride in assisting each and every individual facing loss due to the poor driving or negligence of another party. We do not believe you should have to suffer and can help you get to the place of peace and healing.

We have protected the rights of people in this community and beyond for decades. You can trust we are on your side and aim to award you compensation for money spent due to your injuries.

When to Hire an Attorney

• If there is severe damage to yourself and/or your car and feel you are not receiving fair compensation

• Always seek an attorney, they know the ins and outs of the legal system and may recommend tips in support of your case, which you hadn’t originally considered or been aware of

• An attorney can help with legal process, is knowledgeable of terms and can process paperwork

• They can be an objective party during an emotional and turbulent situation

• Mediate and speak up on your behalf in the courtroom

• Talk with your insurance company about the accident

• Ensure you can receive the maximum settlement possible
• Prepare you and your case for evaluation in court

By choosing Washington DC Drunk Driving Accident Attorneys from Cohen & Cohen you can receive any of the above legal assistance.

Two Important Definitions

• Mediation = a non-formal meeting with the two involved parties in order to establish a resolution that both can agree on with the help of a mediator
• Arbitration = more-so formal, both involved parties showcase their argument and evidence, then an arbitrator legally concludes a verdict

Do not face a lawsuit by yourself. A Washington DC Drunk Driving Accident Attorneys from Cohen & Cohen is experienced in such cases and knows the best strategy in order to award you compensation. The legal process can be long and strenuous, however with the help of attorney they can make it more streamlined and simplified.

It is vital to your case you choose a Washington DC Drunk Driving Accident Attorneys that focuses on car accident cases which involve personal injury and/or damage to property. They should have consulted with people like you before, have created a positive reputation, makes you feel supported and comfortable along with continually being dedicated to handling your case with care.

Please do not hesitate to contact us to schedule a free case evaluation with a car accident attorney at Cohen & Cohen We can be reached by dialing (202) 955-4529 or coming by our legal offices. Do not let this accident result in immense losses due to no fault of your own, and let Washington DC Drunk Driving Accident Attorneys help so you can focus on getting better.

CAR ACCIDENTS BY DRUNK DRIVERS

There are many minor to severe injuries and deaths that have come across our desks at the drunk driving accident law firm Washington DC has trusted for years. When the organization Mothers Against Drunk Driving (M.A.D.D.) was formed in the 1980s, there was a significant decrease in the number of accidents caused by drunk drivers. Unfortunately, even though many states now have even stricter laws against drunk drivers than they did back then, drunk driving accidents happen with startling frequency.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) someone is injured in an accident involving a drunk driver every ninety seconds. NHTSA data shows that, “in 2012, 10,322 people died in drunk driving crashes – one every 51 minutes.” Although new laws and regulations are brought into effect every year to try to limit alcohol consumption and eliminate driving while under the influence of alcohol, drunk driving accidents continue to happen at alarming rates.

If you or a member of your family were the victim of an automobile accident involving a drunk driver, you deserve to make a claim for your damages. Automobile accidents already happen with disquieting frequency. If someone has made you an unfortunate party to one of the many drunk driving accidents that happen on the roads, you are entitled to compensation.

Car accidents are often physically and emotionally traumatic and can cause injuries resulting in death for their victims. If you were sober and driving responsibly and still got into a car accident with an intoxicated driver, it was probably not your fault.

DRUNK DRIVING LAWS VARY IN DC, MARYLAND, & VIRGINIA

In Maryland, someone is considered driving under the influence of alcohol when his or her blood alcohol content is 0.04% or higher. Maryland has an additional separate charge if the driver has a BAC of over 0.08%. This is called driving while intoxicated or DWI and is the worst drinking infraction.

In Virginia, a driver is considered under the influence when his or her blood alcohol content is 0.08% or higher if the driver is over twenty-one, 0.02% or higher if the driver is under twenty-one, and 0.04% or higher if the driver has a commercial drivers license.

In Washington, D.C., the legal driving limit is 0.08% for adults over twenty-one, 0.04% for adults over twenty-one with a commercial drivers license, and 0.00% for people under twenty-one because of “zero tolerance” in D.C.

Even with laws that are strictly enforced and prosecuted, there are still too many damaging drunk driving accidents that ruin peoples lives.

CONTACT A DRUNK DRIVING ATTORNEY TO LEARN MORE ABOUT YOUR POTENTIAL CASE

If you or someone that you care about suffered property damage, was injured, or was killed by a drunk driver call the car accident lawyer DC relies on immediately and have an evaluation done of how much you might be entitled to. Car accidents, especially when they occur at no fault of your own, are terribly devastating and unjust. By making the decision to fight back and at least get compensation for your medical bills, property damage, time off of work, and emotional trauma, you can at least relieve the financial stresses associated with a violent car accident.

If you choose to file a lawsuit to recover your damages, choose the knowledgeable and caring drunk driving attorneys at Cohen & Cohen. The attorneys at Cohen & Cohen will take a personal and professional approach to your case to make you feel comfortable about their ability to win your lawsuit. Don’t hesitate to call Cohen & Cohen and begin your lawsuit because the longer you wait, the longer you will go without the compensation that you need and deserve.

Or someone you love has been the unfortunate victim of one of the many drunk driving accidents that occurred recently, contact Cohen & Cohen today.