DUI With Accident / Injury

When you’re facing a DUI charge that involves an accident, sentencing enhancements can become a major part of your case. This is when the district attorney seeks to increase the penalties you face beyond the standard consequences. You could be looking at more jail time, higher fines, and a longer license suspension. This is why it is essential to have a skilled and determined attorney on your side.

Understanding DUI Accident Sentencing Enhancements

Let’s break down what DUI accident sentencing enhancements mean for you. A very serious charge the prosecutor might file is Aggravated Assault While Under the Influence, which is classified as a second-degree felony. A conviction on this charge could lead to severe penalties, including fines up to $25,000 and a prison sentence of as long as ten years. A qualified Wellsburg criminal lawyer can help you navigate these serious charges.

Under Pennsylvania’s DUI laws, the district attorney has the burden of proving beyond a reasonable doubt that the injuries sustained by another person were a direct consequence of you driving while intoxicated. Specifically, the law requires that the injury results in “serious, permanent disfigurement or protracted loss or impairment of the function of any bodily member or organ.” This applies to injuries to anyone other than the driver accused of the DUI. If the prosecution can’t meet this high standard, you might face a lesser charge, but sentencing enhancements could still be applied. It is also important to note that simply being over the legal blood alcohol limit doesn’t automatically mean your intoxication caused the injury. Other contributing factors, such as texting while driving, various distractions, or a general lack of attention from any party involved at the time of the crash, must also be evaluated. Having a knowledgeable Wellsburg DUI attorney is critical in these situations.

Given the serious consequences tied to sentencing enhancements, it is absolutely vital to secure the help of a competent and aggressive Wellsburg criminal lawyer. You can find top-tier representation at Logue Law Group.

Penalties and Charges for DUI Accidents in Pennsylvania

In Wellsburg, just as across Pennsylvania, charges for Driving Under the Influence are taken very seriously. The core purpose of our state’s DUI laws is to protect everyone on our streets, highways, and rural roads. Driving a motor vehicle while impaired by alcohol or drugs presents a substantial danger to the public. Consequently, DUI cases are prosecuted vigorously.

In many situations, a person charged with drunk driving can be held responsible both in criminal court and in civil court for any accidents they cause. If an accident leads to injuries or even fatalities, the impaired driver will face additional, more severe charges. These can include manslaughter, vehicular homicide, assault, and reckless endangerment, among other serious offenses. An experienced Wellsburg criminal lawyer will be familiar with defending against these complex charges.

The criminal penalties can be life-altering, involving license revocation, long prison sentences, a permanent criminal record, and significant fines. In addition to criminal penalties, there are also civil liabilities. These can include paying damages for victims’ lost wages, emotional distress, medical bills, property damage, and the pain and suffering they have experienced. Pennsylvania law allows a drunk driver to be prosecuted on two separate fronts: once for the DUI charge in criminal court and a second time for civil liabilities in civil court. A Wellsburg DUI attorney can provide guidance on both aspects of your case.

How Can a Wellsburg Criminal Defense Attorney Help You?

At Logue Law Group, our attorneys are committed to extensive and continuous training in DUI laws and procedures. We specialize in finding errors that may have occurred during your arrest or with your BAC (Blood Alcohol Content) testing. This detailed approach often provides a strong foundation for your defense, which can lead to having your charges reduced or even dismissed entirely.

If you or someone you care about is facing DUI charges involving an accident in or near Wellsburg, you need the support of a skilled Wellsburg DUI attorney. The Logue Criminal Defense team serves clients in Wellsburg and the surrounding areas. To arrange a free initial consultation with a seasoned Wellsburg criminal lawyer from Logue Law Group, please call us today at (844) PITT-DUI. You can also contact us online through our website.

Don’t wait to get legal representation! The more time that passes, the more difficult it can be to build a strong defense and achieve a positive outcome for you and your case. Call us today!