DUI Involving an Accident

Accused of causing a collision while driving drunk?

A large percentage of those who are arrested for DUI are convicted and punished not so much for what they did, as for what they might have done. Unlike many crimes, such as theft or assault, driving under the influence does not, by itself, cause anyone to suffer any harm or loss. It is a crime largely because of the fact that it greatly increases the risk of causing an accident. Drivers who are under the influence of impairing substances are statistically more likely to cause collisions, due to factors such as increased reaction time, loss of physical coordination and reduced judgment. If you have been involved in a collision while driving under the influence, you will most likely have to overcome a strong presumption that you are at fault for the accident as a result of alcohol or drug impairment.

DUI Manslaughter Orlando

If you are convicted of causing a car crash while driving drunk or under the influence of drugs, the penalty you will receive depends on the severity of the accident and the resulting injuries. For accidents which result in property damage or injury, you can be convicted of a misdemeanor, fined up to $1,000 and sent to jail for up to a year. If, on the other hand, the accident caused serious bodily injury to another person, you can be convicted of a felony DUI and fined as much as $5,000, as well as being sent to prison for up to five years and being subject to a minimum three-year driver's license revocation. Fatal drunk driving accidents can be charged as DUI manslaughter, punishable by as much as thirty years in prison and $10,000 in fines.

Orlando DUI Attorney: Fighting for Your Rights

In order to have you convicted of the crime, the prosecutor will have to prove beyond any reasonable doubt that you were, factually, the driver who caused the accident-a standard which can be difficult to achieve in many cases. It will further be necessary to prove that your blood alcohol concentration was over the legal limit or that your normal faculties were impaired by alcohol or drugs. An Orlando DUI lawyer from Parks & Braxton, PA is ready to begin working on your case immediately, examining the evidence and finding weaknesses which can be exploited to your advantage. You are legally presumed innocent until proven guilty, and we want to help you clear your name.