Intoxication Assault Motor Vehicle

Intoxication assault is defined as an accident involving driving under the influence that causes serious bodily injury.  Driving under the influence (DUI), or driving while intoxicated (DWI) is legally defined as the individual operating a motor vehicle after consuming enough alcohol to impair their driving ability.  More than 17,000 people are the victims of drunk driving accidents every year.  Approximately 40% of all motor-vehicle fatalities are alcohol-related.  In the U.S., drunk driving is the leading criminal cause of death.  Consequently, states have been enacting much stricter DUI penalties.  Any person that drives under the influence of drugs or with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) at or above .08 percent will be subject to a suspension of their driver’s license.

Fines and Penalties

If involved in a DUI accident, the damages and DUI penalties can be severe.  Serious injuries, property damage, legal fees and other costs can be extensive, depending on the laws governing the state where the accident occurred.  More jail time has been added to some new state DUI laws.  First-time offenders may be required to install Ignition Interlock Devices in their vehicles.  The average cost of a DUI conviction can amount to over $10,000 which includes the cost of high-risk auto insurance, fines, court costs and loss of income due to jail time or time spent doing community service or enrolled in a rehabilitation program.

Points and Impact on Driving Record/License

License suspension or revocation may result in a conviction for alcohol-impaired driving.  Under a procedure called administrative license suspension, your license can be taken before you’re even convicted or if you refuse to submit to chemical testing.  A driver under the age of 21 if convicted of a DUI will lose their driving privileges for two years and may also face stiff fines and imprisonment.  Most states that have the driver point system will assess 8 points against the individual if convicted of a DUI accident.

Hiring a Lawyer

The laws governing DUI offenders frequently change and their defense requires an attorney with experience and technical knowledge of the science involved in this specific area of law.  As soon as you are arrested, the clock begins and you will only have a short deadline to file a notice for hearing with the Department of Licensing in order to keep your driver’s license from being suspended indefinitely.