Wheaton DWI Lawyer

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Can a DWI Lawyer Help You if You Have Been Injured in an Accident with a DUI Driver in MD?

A personal injury DWI lawyer Wheaton, MD residents can rely on, may be able to help you if you or someone you love has been in an accident involving a driver who is driving while intoxicated (DWI) or a driver who is driving while under the influence (DUI).

Is there a difference between a DWI and a DUI?

A DWI and a DUI are both criminal charges in Maryland but a DWI is the lesser of the two charges.

A DWI may be given to a person whose blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is 0.07% – 0.079% and/or if a law enforcement officer has reasonable suspicion that a driver is intoxicated. Depending on circumstances, a DWI charge can turn into a DUI charge.

A DUI may be given to a person whose BAC is 0.08% or higher.

Regardless of whether a driver who injured you was driving while intoxicated or driving while under the influence, it may be in your best interest to discuss your rights with a personal injury lawyer who is experienced in successfully defending DWI accident victims in Wheaton, MD; or one who is licensed to practice in the jurisdiction where your accident occurred.

For a first DWI offense, a driver who is 21 or older faces up to:

• $500 fine
• 2 months imprisonment
• A 6 month license suspension

For a first DUI offense, a driver who is 21 or older faces up to:

• $1,000 fine
• 1 year imprisonment
• A 6 month license suspension

The penalties for both DWI and DUI charges increase when a driver:

• Has previously been convicted of more than one of these
• Was transporting a minor when they were pulled over
• Is under the age of 21 when they were driving while intoxicated or driving under the influence

When someone else’s negligence causes injuries to innocent people, the victims of this should not have to pay for the other person’s mistakes. A DWI lawyer from Wheaton or the place in MD where the accident occured, may be able to help a victim of a DWI/DUI accident get compensation for expenses that were caused by their accident.

Can I get compensation for my medical bills if a driver who was driving while impaired caused an accident?

If an impaired driver caused an accident, the victims of the accident may be entitled to compensation for medical and other expense that are the result of their accident. In the tragic event that a loved one dies as the result of an impaired driver’s negligence, their surviving family members may be entitled to compensation.

DWI and DUI accident victims and/or their families may be entitled to compensation for the following:

• Emergency services
• Medical bills
• Hospitalization
• Prescription and over the counter medications
• Treatments and procedures
• Rehabilitation
• Loss of income
• Loss of childcare and/or household management
• Loss of ability
• Loss of quality of life
• Pain and suffering
• Funeral and burial or cremation expenses
• Loss of spousal support
• Loss of benefits
• Loss of parental guidance
• Pain and grieving

Many people find it easier and more efficient to seek compensation for an accident with a driver who has been charged with a DWI or a DUI, with the help of a personal injury lawyer who is familiar with the courts where the accident occured.

When Should you Call 911?

If anyone is injured in an accident and/or the accident is causing a road hazard, someone should call 911. If injuries and dangers to other motorists are not an emergency, you should not call 911. If you are unsure of whether or not to call 911 you should err on the side of caution and call but make sure you let the operator know that you are not sure if you should be calling 911 or local safety authorities directly.

Regardless of whether there is a need to call 911, it is a good idea for people involved in an accident with a driver who is intoxicated to discuss what their rights are with reputable DWI lawyers in Wheaton or near where their accident occurred in MD.

When Should you Seek Medical Attention?

If someone is not injured to the point of needing emergency care but feels even the slightest bit off in the days and weeks following an accident, they should seek medical attention as soon as possible. Some injuries are not apparent to the victim until days or even weeks after an accident.

It is important that a DWI accident victim have record of any injuries they sustained as a result of their accident. Medical records can be important parts of evidence if a DWI accident victim needs to file a personal injury claim to try to get compensation for medical expenses that are related to their accident.

A good place to start finding out the things that you should do after an accident with a DWI or DUI driver, is by discussing your situation with DWI lawyers in Wheaton, MD or ones who are licensed to practice in the area where your accident happened.

When Should you Call the Police or Other Law Enforcement?

If you suspect that someone you were in an accident with is driving under the influence or driving while intoxicated, you should contact the police immediately even if the accident did not cause serious damage or injuries.

This should be done so that there is evidence of the accident happening, and to have a law enforcement officer make an official determination of whether or not the driver is intoxicated.

If the driver is intoxicated, it is important to keep them off of the road in order to prevent them from injuring someone or causing property damage down the road.

In the event a victim of an accident with an intoxicated driver needs to file a personal injury claim to hold the driver liable for their negligence, police records can often be used as evidence to help the victim and their Wheaton, MD DWI lawyers.

What are the most common signs that someone has had a few drinks?

While every person is different in his or her tolerance for alcohol, once someone has started to become drunk there are tell tale signs to look out for. Examples of observable signs that someone has drifted from sober to drunk are:

• Appearing increasingly relaxed
• Doing and/or saying things they would not otherwise
• Decrease in sense of caution, feeling rebellious
• Losing fine motor coordination
• Weakened sense of hearing
• Blurry vision
• Glossy and reddened appearance to eyes
• Sweating profusely
• Restless, anxious demeanor
• Nausea and/or vomiting
• Passing out
• Difficulty getting up and unbalanced walking
• Flushed face
• Inability to complete complex tasks
• Slowed reaction time

What should I do if I get hit by a drunk driver?

Wheaton, MD DWI lawyers will strongly suggest that anyone who has been involved in a crash due to a drunk driver should call 9-1-1 right away. Depending on the level of intoxication and how he or she handles alcohol, the driver may becoming threatening towards you. Let the operator know you believe this person may have been drinking and driving. An officer can take over the scene so you can have your health evaluated by medical professionals. After your injuries have been tended to, you may want to consider meeting with an attorney.

Why do people consult with an attorney after a drunk driving accident?

Victims of drunk driving crashes tend to suffer not only physical injuries, but financial losses as well. The costs for medical care, fixing a vehicle or having to buy a new car can cause a person to accumulate debts. The person who was innocently driving should not have to pay out of pocket his or her own money due to the drunk driver’s actions. Wheaton, MD DWI lawyers

can evaluate the accident and help you decide if filing a lawsuit is a route to take. Examples of paperwork to bring with you to your appointment can include the following:

1. Copies of medical bills, receipts, outstanding debts
2. Copies of doctor’s exams, evaluations and diagnosis
3. Any testing or diagnostics ran, and the results
4. The drunk driver’s information and insurance company name
5. Estimates for vehicle repairs
6. Witness contacts for those who saw the crash happen
7. Photographs taken at scene
8. Copy of the official incident report taken by officer

If you believe you could benefit from Wheaton, MD DWI lawyers, do not hesitate to call Cohen & Cohen and we will be happy to set you up with a skilled attorney on our team who specializes in cases like yours.

For DWI lawyers Wheaton, MD DWI and DUI accident victims can count on, contact Cohen & Cohen for a free case evaluation, today.

For a DWI lawyer Wheaton, MD DWI/DUI accident victims and their families can turn to in difficult times, contact Cohen & Cohen for a free case evaluation 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.