06Jan

The Cost of a Dui and How to Prevent It

According to data, the group most likely to be charged with DUI are millennials between 25 and 39 years old. Statistics indicate that 35.8% of this group find themselves more prone to driving under the influence. Also, many DUIs happen during the fall and cold weather.

Unfortunately, when the law catches up to you, there is more to lose than just your driver’s license. Other costs come with a DUI, including the following.

Fines, Court, and Attorneys’ Fees

Driving under the influence can be categorized as a misdemeanor or a felony. That will depend on whether or not you are a first-time offender. Usually, the latter will get away with a misdemeanor charge, but a serial offender may get a felony. Indeed, either way, it is never a good thing to have a DUI charge on your records, especially because it could hinder your ability to apply for certain jobs in the US. Even that may not be the worst of it all. With a DUI charge, you are most likely to incur at least a cost amounting to $4000. This involves fines, attorney’s fees, and court.

If contact was made with another vehicle, you would need a car accident lawyer regardless of the extent of physical damage. Your lawyer will then have the responsibility to fight the charge, prove you innocent or help post bail. In this scenario, you can be sure to pay more than the amount stated above. In some cases, it can be triple the sum stated. To avoid these costs, it helps to stay away from driving immediately after consuming anything that could be described as a DUI.

Drug Education and Treatment

Persons charged with a DUI must attend drug education classes or programs in the US. It may include treatment with accompanying costs. Mind you, all the costs or fees will be borne by you and not the state. All put together, you could end up spending $650, in addition to the $4000 you initially dished out to take care of court, fines, and fees for your attorney. While at it, any drug education class or treatment you are asked to undergo may range from eight hours to several weeks or even months.

The duration of education and treatment will depend on how high your blood alcohol content was during the arrest. This can be an inconvenience, especially when you have a day job. More so, it may become necessary to inform your current employer about a DUI charge you have been slapped with. If you’re not lucky, that could also go against you.

A Possible Increase in Your Car Insurance Premium

As you may already know, insurers are in business with the hope of dealing with minimal risks or none at all. Therefore, with your DUI charge, your insurer will likely see you as a high-risk client who will likely cost them more than they are willing to pay for. As a precautionary measure, it will not be surprising to notice a substantial increase in your premium. Indeed, some may see it as a logical progression looking at how things could pan out after a DUI.

To conclude, a DUI charge could mean a lot more than withholding your license to drive. Therefore, it pays to deliberately be on the right side of the law whenever you can.

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