District Heights DUI Lawyer

Serious injuries deserve experienced attorneys

If you are in need of a DUI lawyer District Heights MD residents can turn to in a situation like yours, take a deep breath and know that you can contact the experienced and compassionate team at Cohen & Cohen for a free case evaluation any time, including right now.

DUI & DWI

Driving under the influence (DUI) and driving while impaired (DWI) are considered crimes that are punishable by fines, suspension of driver’s license, jail and probation, and mandatory alcohol and drug counseling. People’s freedoms, finances, and their daily routines can be taken away from them because of driving while over the legal amount of alcohol (or other substances) in their systems. Many states prosecute a DUI as a criminal conviction which can negatively impact future employment possibilities in addition to threatening the employment you have now.

Many states also suspend a person’s driver’s license which takes away a person’s freedom to do things like get to his or her job, or to take their kids to school, get groceries for their family, etc.

What are the signs that someone should not drive themselves home?

After a celebration or get together that involves alcohol, it can be a good idea to keep an eye out for each other to prevent someone you love from getting behind the wheel while even a little tipsy.

Here is a list of common signs that someone has started to become affected by their alcoholic drinks:

• Demeanor of being increasingly relaxed
• Saying or doing things they usually wouldn’t (lowered inhibition)
• Warm to the touch and/or flushed cheeks
• Lessened sense of caution, feeling rebellious
• Loss of fine motor coordination
• Slurred speech, that may be too loud or fast
• Inability to perform complex tasks (such as driving a car)
• Profusely sweating
• Slowed reaction time
• Nausea and/or vomiting
• Passing out
• Lowered ability for sound judgements and reasoning
• Glossy look or reddish tint to the eyes

If you have been injured in an accident with a driver who seems to be intoxicated, discussing your rights with a District Heights DUI lawyer, or one located in Maryland near you, as soon as possible may enable him or her to start building a strong case to get you the compensation you are entitled to.

What if I get hit by a driver who I think is intoxicated?

Those who have been hit by a potentially drunk driver should always call 911 for help. An officer may need to make an arrest and create an official incident report of the crash. While at the scene, the most important thing you should be focusing on is your health. Ask for a medical evaluation so your injuries can be treated as soon as possible. Depending on how fast the driver was going, victims may suffer moderate to very severe or critical conditions.

Regardless of the nature of a car crash involving an intoxicated driver, if someone is injured they should seek compensation for expenses related to their injuries with the help of a District Heights, MD DUI lawyer.

How can an attorney help me regarding the car crash?

By meeting with an attorney about the accident, you can find out more information about how to seek financial retribution from the driver at-fault. You may have accumulated substantial medical costs and other damages. Consulting with an attorney can help you narrow down your legal options and decide whether filing a lawsuit is something you want to pursue. During the appointment, have ready as much information as you can about the accident, so your attorney can provide a thorough evaluation of your current situation.

For a District Heights, MD DUI lawyer that DWI/DUI accident victims and their families can rely on, contact Cohen & Cohen for a free case evaluation.

Criminal Charge

A criminal charge is stressful for the person who is charged as well as for their friends and families. There are many complicated laws and proceedings that are intimidating and overwhelming for most people. An experienced DUI lawyer District Heights MD is fortunate to have available to its community members, may be able to alleviate some of the stress and anxiety you are feeling by providing guidance, understanding and knowledge throughout the process.

An advantage to contacting a lawyer right away is that he or she may be able to start protecting your rights, right away. A good lawyer will be able to guide you on who you should and should not talk to, and what you should and should not say, in order to protect your rights.They will know when deadlines need to be met in order to protect your driving privileges and other freedoms that can be taken away because of a DUI charge.

Even though the tests indicate that you were in fact over the legal amount of alcohol, this does not say that the reason why you were pulled over or stopped was done legally or that the arresting officers followed proper procedures. Many times this is not the case. For example, many states have random DUI checkpoints that are supposed to follow strict guidelines such as only stopping every third car. If the officers running the checkpoint did not comply with this, a person charged with drunk driving may not be convicted because of the checkpoint’s non-compliance. Another example is that a police officer is only supposed to pull people over who are not following the rules of the road. If you can prove that you were driving the speed limit, adhering to all traffic signs, etc., the case may be made that the officer did not have the right to pull you over.

If you or someone close to you has been injured in an accident in Maryland that was caused by a driver who was under the influence of alcohol or drugs, it may be in your best interest to discuss your situation with DUI lawyers District Heights, MD accident victims recommend. Depending on the circumstances of the accident, injuries, and property damage, you may be entitled to compensation. 

Maryland DUI & DWI

It is illegal to drive while under the influence of alcohol and other sensory altering substances, including some prescription and over the counter medications. If the police and other law enforcement officers find someone who is doing this, they will typically charge and arrest them for driving under the influence (DUI) or driving while intoxicated (DWI). 

It is a crime to have a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) also referred to as a blood alcohol content (BAC) above a certain level in all states and while many states have similar DUI/DWI laws, each state has their own unique set of laws and standards.

If you were injured in District Heights by the negligence of a driver who was under the influence, it does not matter whether or not they were charged and/or convicted of a DUI or DWI, a team of Maryland lawyers may be able to help you seek compensation in a civil claim. 

Both, DUIs and DWIs are crimes in Maryland but a DWI is a slightly less serious charge compared to a DUI. Some states use the terms interchangeably and some states use only one or the other. 

In Maryland, it does not matter whether or not a person was charged with a DUI or DWI, if they injured someone and/or damaged property, District Heights, MD lawyers may be able to help the victim(s) seek compensation for damages the negligent driver caused. 

Damages From the Accident

Probably the biggest group of factors that will influence your case are the damages that you could claim. This refers to what you have suffered as a result of the accident. Tangible economic damages include things like:

• Damage to your personal property (such as your vehicle and other personal items inside during the accident)
• The cost of medical care following the accident
• Projected future medical costs for accident-related injuries
• Lost income from missing work during your recovery period

Noneconomic damages are more difficult to calculate. Many insurance companies and court systems use algorithms to determine how much compensation to give someone for their pain and suffering. Your District Heights, MD DUI lawyers may be able to give you a general idea of how much you might receive in noneconomic damages.

Punitive damages may also be a factor, especially in a case like a drunk driving accident. These damages serve to punish the defendant for their actions. Many personal injury settlements do not include punitive damages, but in a case where the defendant made an egregiously negligent choice and caused severe harm, a DUI injury lawyer may argue that punitive damages are reasonable.

The Other Driver’s Insurance Company

It is usually not the defendant themselves who pay out a settlement after causing a drunk driving accident; instead, it is their insurance company. As you might expect, auto insurance companies rarely want to offer the injured plaintiff the actual settlement amount that they deserve. If you wish to collect a settlement as soon as possible, you might end up receiving less money than if you waited longer and negotiated with the insurer.

Furthermore, as skilled District Heights, MD DUI lawyers will tell you, the defendant’s policy limits determine how much money the insurance company can be required to pay out in a claim. If the defendant has lower policy limits but has a significant amount of personal assets or income, the court may require the defendant to pay money to the plaintiff in addition to what their insurance company offers. If they have no significant personal assets, then the maximum amount your claim might be worth could be determined by their policy limits.

The best way to figure out how much your case may be worth is talking to a DUI injury lawyer.

If you or someone you know has suffered from an injury as a result of a drunk driver, do not hesitate to contact Cohen & Cohen to set up your free consultation with trusted District Heights, MD DUI lawyers.

District Heights DUI Lawyers

Lawyers who are licensed to help victims of DUI accidents in District Heights are licensed to practice law and to help people throughout Maryland. If you have been injured in an accident in a District Heights DUI accident, lawyers anyplace in MD may be able to help you but ones that are familiar with District Heights streets, courts and law enforcement, might make you feel more comfortable knowing they have this familiarity.

For highly-rated DUI lawyers District Heights, MD accident victims are fortunate to have in their midst, contact Cohen & Cohen for a free case evaluation with no obligations, any time of the day or night, any day of the year.

An experienced DUI lawyer will know how to best protect your rights and freedoms. To talk to a highly rated DUI lawyer District Heights MD is proud to have in its midst, contact Cohen & Cohen today.