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.
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.
