Summary
Operating a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol is one of the primary causes of auto accidents all over the United States. The legal limits of alcohol consumption in Arizona have been lowered and it does not take much to be over the legal limit. If you suffered injuries in an auto accident with a drunk driver or with a driver over the legal alcohol limit, you are entitled to compensation for damages. This article discusses statistics of drunk driving auto accidents and provides information on how you can recover damages.
Auto Accidents Resulting From Drunk Driving
According to statistics, about 329 fatalities out of a total of 937 in Arizona have resulted from auto accidents involving drunk drivers. This amounts to 35% of all fatalities in the state of Arizona. If an individual has been driving under the influence of alcohol they can face criminal penalties including fines of up to $250, a 90-day license suspension or jail time. There are many other penalties that can occur depending on the offense and how many offenses have been committed in the past.
DUI w/blood alcohol level 0.08 or higher
Minimum of 10 days in jail with a possibility of suspension of 9 days following completion of alcohol education. A $250 fine plus supplement charge (totaling $600 or more) will be charged. A maximum sentence carries a 6-month jail term with a $2500 fine including supplemental charge, a penalty of 3 years probation will also occur.
DUI w/blood alcohol level of 0.15 or higher
Minimum of 30 days in prison with possibility of 20 days suspended following completion of alcohol education. A fine of $250 will also be charged including other additional fees totaling $750. A maximum sentence carries a 6-month jail term plus $2500+ fee and 3 years probation.
Driving while under the influence of alcohol can harm other individuals on the road or pedestrians including children walking along sidewalks. In 2008, 1,347 children ranging from 14 years old and younger were killed in automobile accidents involving a drunk driver. In the same year, 34 child pedestrians either walking along sidewalks or riding bicycles were killed by drunk drivers.
All states in the U.S. have implemented two types of offenses in relation to driving under the influence of alcohol, one of which is newly implemented. The first, and longest standing offense is known as either DUI (Driving Under the Influence), DWI (Driving While Intoxicated), and OWI (Operating a vehicle While Intoxicated). The second and newest offense is known as the “illegal per se” law. Under this law, if a person operates a vehicle with a blood alcohol level of 0.08 or higher, they will be considered over the legal limit and will face criminal penalties. This limit of 0.08 has been implemented in all 50 states.
Drunk driving is a very serious offense that can put many people in harm’s way. You and your loved ones should not be put in any sort of danger from a drunk driver. Depending on the number of offenses, there are severe criminal penalties for drunk drivers and if you are a victim of a car accident involving a drunk driver, you are entitled to compensation for any damages you or your loved ones may have suffered. If you have suffered any sort of injuries as a result of an automobile accident involving a drunk driver, you can contact an Arizona lawyer for compensation.
Contact an Arizona Attorney
Losing a loved one to a drunk driver can be hard on all members of your family. The loss or injury cannot be replaced. You can contact an Arizona Attorney who can assist you in recovering damages for lost wages, medical expenses and any other damages you are entitled to. For more information contact www.justaccidentlaw.com to find out how you can get compensation for injuries from a DUI driver.
