There are a variety of circumstances under which someone may choose or need to consult with an attorney. When someone is arrested for allegedly driving under the influence of alcohol, for example, they would want to consult with a DUI attorney. Since there may be other issues involved, such as vehicle accidents that resulted in injuries or fatalities, receiving counsel from an attorney may be advised.
The Costs Associated With Drunk Driving
While people drive drunk nearly 300,000 times a day, less than 4,000 of these individuals are actually arrested, according to Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD). It’s been determined that the average drunk driver will operate their vehicle while under the influence of alcohol 80 times prior to being arrested for the first time.
A person is injured every two minutes due to being involved in a drunk driving crash. Given the total number of traffic fatalities that occur every year, 32% are due to drunk driving. MADD also reports that the annual costs associated with drunk driving in the United States amount to $199 billion.
Distracted Driving and Other Causes for Accidents
Distracted driving also contributes to a significant percentage of accidents that cause injuries as well as fatalities. Recent data shows that 16% of fatal accidents were the result of someone using their cell phones or otherwise manipulating electronic devices when they were driving.
Other causes for car crash fatalities include speeding and inclement weather. According to recent figures, drivers that speed cause 31% of these fatalities, and 11% are directly related to weather conditions.
Preventing Drunk Driving
In order to prevent convicted drunk drivers from driving drunk in the future, there are a variety of measures that are being taken. In some instances a previously-convicted drunk driver may lose their license to drive, while in others they may have ignition interlocks placed on their vehicles.
Despite the fact that there may be similarities, laws do vary from state-to-state. If someone has been convicted of drunk driving in Virginia, for example, it is important to note that they enacted a specific law in 2012 to address future drunk driving. This law mandates ignition interlocks for everyone that has been convicted of driving drunk. During the year following this law being enacted, there were over 8,500 interlock installations made.
When to Contact an Attorney
There are, of course, a number of legal situations where someone may need a specific type of criminal defense attorney, such as a drug lawyer. In some instances, a person may be falsely accused of committing a crime and/or there were extenuating circumstances. While this could be an individual’s first offense, there are other cases where these individuals may be repeat offenders.
Given these and other legal situations, it’s important to consult with an attorney that has experience in a specific area of the law. A drug lawyer, for example, will be able to explain an individual’s rights and responsibilities as well as determine the most appropriate course of action under the circumstances. Whether someone needs a drug lawyer or a DUI lawyer, contacting a law firm for a consultation can assist them with beginning the process.