Driving under the influence of any substance, more commonly alcohol, is a misdemeanor in most states. But if you’ve caused an accident while driving intoxicated, it is considered a DUI accident and has serious implications. We now know that alcohol affects our cognitive functions and slows down the mind’s ability to see things clearly or respond quickly. As a result, you end up making decisions that could result in a serious accident. It takes anywhere between 30 minutes to two hours for the alcohol to be absorbed in the blood. During this time, your reflexes and judgment may slow down and impact your driving ability.
Laws and Penalties
Federal and state governments have set a legal alcohol limit for drunk driving to prevent drivers from putting themselves and others at risk. While driving, if your blood alcohol concentration level is at or above 0.08 percent, you can be arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol. The punishment for a DUI offense varies across different states in the U.S. The limit for underage drinkers is set between 0.00 to 0.02 percent in many states. Some states have enacted zero tolerance laws for underage drivers. BAC is measured using a breath analyzer or by identifying the alcoholic content of your blood samples. If you’re suspected of impaired driving, a field sobriety test, consisting of a horizontal gaze nystagmus test, a walk-and-turn test, and a one-leg-stand test is done to measure your balance, physical ability, attention level, and coordination.
A single conviction can lead to costly fines, license suspension, higher insurance premiums, installation of ignition interlock devices, attending drunk driving prevention classes, or a jail sentence depending upon the damages and injuries resulting from the accident. Your car may be impounded and you’ll have to pay a hefty fee to release it. The penalties for multiple DUI offenses can add up to a fine of between $2000 and $5000, a 90-day vehicle impound, three years’ imprisonment, and even a lifetime license suspension in some states. If you’re heavily intoxicated and have injured someone while driving, you can be sentenced to prison. If you’re associated with alcohol-related traffic crashes resulting in the death of another person, you can be prosecuted for vehicular manslaughter.
How Will an Attorney Help?
Since alcohol-related accidents involve complex legal challenges, a qualified DUI accident lawyer can help you with legal claims. If you are the victim of a drunk driving accident, contact Blakeley Law Firm. We can help you make a claim with the insurance company, and/or make a claim for compensation. We work on a contingency basis, i.e. we do not charge a fee unless we obtain a settlement or verdict for you. Call (954)-253-9445 and hire a Fort Lauderdale personal injury lawyer to file a case for monetary compensation. Fort Lauderdale personal injury lawyer