District Heights DWI Lawyers

Serious injuries deserve experienced attorneys

District Heights DWI Accident Lawyers

DWI lawyers District Heights, MD residents recommend, may be able to help you if you have been injured in an accident in Maryland that was caused by a negligent driver. Not only is it a crime to drive while intoxicated, but it may also be seen as negligent and/or reckless in a civil court of law. You may be able to file a civil claim to seek compensation for expenses that are related to your injury, as well as for property damage. 

If you or someone you love has suffered after being in an accident that was caused by a driver that was under the influence of alcohol or drugs, District Heights, MD DWI lawyers may be able to fight to get you the compensation you are entitled to.

District Heights DWI Accident Laws

What the victim of a District Heights accident can do to seek compensation for their injuries is dictated by the same laws that apply to accidents throughout the state of Maryland. Maryland is an at-fault state for determining who is financially liable for the damages a crash causes. 

A person seeking compensation for damages that are the result of an accident with an intoxicated driver, will likely file a personal injury claim. If someone dies as the result of this type of accident it is often called a wrongful death personal injury claim.

If you have been in a DWI accident in MD, District Heights lawyers may be able to help you to prove that the influenced driver’s negligence is what caused your injuries and other damages. 

To prevail in a personal injury claim of negligence in Maryland, the plaintiff (the injury victim, usually with the help of a lawyer or a team of lawyers) must prove the following four elements:

• The defendant was under a duty to protect others from injury
• The defendant breached their duty to protect others from injury when the defendant became injured
• The plaintiff suffered actual injury or loss
• The loss or injury was directly a result of the defendant’s breach of duty

It can be difficult to prove a personal injury claim, especially when insurance companies are involved. This is one of the many reasons that people recommend getting the help of reputable District Heights DWI lawyers when they have been injured in an accident where insurance companies are involved.

At-Fault Insurance

Maryland, like many other U.S. states, is an at-fault state when it comes to determining responsibility for causing an accident as well as for liability. States that have at-fault vehicle insurance are known as tort states. 

Drivers in at-fault states are required by law to carry a certain amount of insurance in the event that they are found to be at fault for causing a crash. This is called liability insurance. Driver’s of private automobiles must have the following, minimum amounts of insurance coverage:

• $30,000 for bodily injury
• $60,000 for 2 or more people
• $15,000 property damage

Driver’s must have the above minimum amounts of insurance to register a vehicle in Maryland but even when a negligent driver has insurance, it is not often easy for accident victims to get everything they are entitled to without a fight.

DWI Charges Compared to DWI Injury Claims

Depending on the particular situation, a person who is driving while intoxicated and gets in an accident where one or more people are injured, may be given a criminal DWI charge by the state and they may also face civil, personal injury claims from people who were injured and/or whose property was damaged. If someone dies as a result of an accident with an intoxicated person, their surviving family members may be able to sue the negligent driver on behalf of their deceased loved one’s estate as well as for their own losses.

Even though some states have similar criminal and civil laws for situations involving accidents involving people who have driven while under the influence, each state has their own unique set of laws that can only be applied in that state. If you have been injured in an accident in District Heights or anywhere else in Maryland, only a DWI lawyer who is licensed in MD is allowed to represent you in Maryland courts.

If you have been injured in an accident that was caused by an intoxicated driver, it does not matter whether or not they are arrested, charged or convicted of a DWI- you most likely have the right to make a civil claim to hold them liable for your injuries and other damages. Discussing your situation with a knowledgeable District Heights, MD DWI lawyer may help you to determine whether or not you have a claim worth pursuing and what your next steps should be.

DUI Compared to DWI

In Maryland, the terms DUI (driving while under the influence) and DWI (driving while intoxicated) are two different criminal charges where a DWI, while still a serious criminal charge, is a less serious offense than a DUI.  

Some states have similar DUI/DWI laws to Maryland’s, others officially only use one or the other of the terms, while others use the terms interchangeably to mean the same thing.

Regardless of whether or not a person who caused the accident you were injured in was charged with a crime, you may be eligible to seek compensation from them through a civil lawsuit. 

For highly-rated DWI lawyers District Heights, M.D. accident victims are fortunate to have in their midst, contact Cohen & Cohen for a free case consultation and evaluation with no obligations.

Injuries or a tragic and untimely death can be especially hard to cope with if the accident was the result of a negligent driver who was driving while intoxicated or under the influence. In the best case, you will be uninjured, but you will still certainly spend time and money repairing your vehicle, talking to insurance companies, and finding alternate transportation. In worse case scenarios, you may experience serious pain or disability, lose your car completely, and be out of work for an extended period of time; or in the worst case scenario, you lose a loved one. In any of these scenarios, and for all of the scenarios in between, you may need a competent, caring, and professional DWI lawyer from District Heights or the area of MD where your accident happened, to help you get back on your feet.

Although an accident can change your life in a fraction of a second, resolving a personal injury case takes time. The law firm of Cohen & Cohen have over 25 years experience representing people in situations that are similar to yours with personal injury lawsuits involving car crashes. They have seen first hand the life-altering effects of car accidents and they know how to help at all stages of your claim.

First, the attorneys at Cohen & Cohen will be there to help you talk to your insurance company and the insurance company of the other driver. Remember, insurance companies do not usually have your best interest in mind. They are concerned about their bottom line, not about helping you get back on your feet. A DWI lawyer at Cohen & Cohen who is licensed to practice in District Heights and throughout MD, knows what to expect from insurance companies and knows how to help your claim get the attention it deserves.

Second, Cohen & Cohen has a DWI lawyer who is licensed to practice in District Heights, MD, Washington, DC, and Virginia. He or she will be willing and able to use their knowledge to help you file a lawsuit to seek compensation from the other driver. They know how to defend your case and know what you may be able to recover for damage to your vehicle, injury to your body, and for any time you may have missed from work.

Third, the attorneys at Cohen & Cohen are skilled negotiators. They know how to respond to settlement offers and know strategies to help you get a good outcome from any settlement negotiation. The attorneys at Cohen & Cohen also know how to evaluate your case and will help you understand its value, as well as advise you regarding how and when to settle.

Fourth, the lawyers at Cohen & Cohen are experienced litigators and most likely have a DWI lawyer who will be well suited to your District Heights, MD personal injury claim. Although settlement is often the most efficient way to get you compensation for your claim, sometimes it is not possible. If your case goes to trial, the attorneys at Cohen & Cohen are ready to be your advocates in court. They know the local courts, judges, and defense attorneys, and they know how to make a strong case to the judge and jury.

If you have been in a car crash that was caused by someone else, consider calling the attorneys at Cohen & Cohen today. Through every stage of your case, the experienced, competent, and caring attorneys will be there, fighting on your behalf.

For a DWI lawyer District Height, MD accident victims and their families recommend, contact Cohen & Cohen, P.C. for a free case consultation and evaluation.