Post-DUI Expenses

Certainly, you’ve heard of the high price tag a DUI comes with. The national average for a DUI is $10,000. However, does that include the residual expenses you will definitely encounter? Probably not. There are a wide variety of post-DUI expenses that some might not even think about. Therefore, it’s important to consider them as you prepare to face the battle ahead.

Post-DUI Expenses: At What Cost?

Court Costs, Legal Fees, Etc.

When you get pulled over for driving under the influence, you will not be given the opportunity to drive your car home. This will result in one of your first post-DUI expenses, the cost of the towing and impoundment. In addition to the fines associated with your charge, you will also need to seek legal counsel and pay court costs. If you go to court multiple times, you will have to pay the court fees each time.

Transportation

After a DUI, you may not have your license immediately. Now, you’ll need to figure out alternative methods of transportation. Using ride sharing apps, taking taxis, and other modes of transportation are post-DUI expenses people rarely think about. This daily spending adds up. Eventually, when you get your license back, you may have to pay a restoration fee.

Ignition Interlock Device

If there is a requirement for an ignition interlock device, also known as a car breathalyzer, you will have to pay those costs. These devices can make your post-DUI expenses increase by a couple thousand dollars, on average. There is a one-time cost to install the device, but you can lease the device monthly to help with the cost. These devices are leased on average for $60-$90 per month.

Insurance

After a DUI, you will be considered a risky driver by insurance companies. Because of this label, your insurance rates will increase. Of all the post-DUI expenses, this will probably be the most lasting monetary obligation you have. 

Education and Employment

These post-DUI expenses might not be immediately apparent, but are relevant. Your education can be stalled because of a DUI. You may have to switch schools, move home, or pay fines to your institution. Additionally, a DUI goes on your record. As technology continues to grow, the ability for employers to see past convictions and charges gets easier and easier. Keep this in mind before getting behind the wheel after a few drinks!

Preventing Hangovers: Avoiding that Headache

When it comes to drinking, it’s all fun and games until the next morning. Then, the hangover can pack a serious punch. Some people experience severe headaches and nausea that can last all day. For others, a hangover may include their overall body feeling bad and lacking energy. Whatever the symptoms, most of us can agree that hangovers are no fun and we’d love to never have one again. So, it is possible to avoid a head splitting hangover. While there’s no magic cure, you can take some steps in preventing hangovers.

Preventing Hangovers: How Can You Avoid It?

Limit Your Intake

Of course, the most obvious step for preventing hangovers is to limit your alcohol intake. You’re probably thinking, “well duh, but I want to drink.” However, if you really want to avoid a hangover, the best way to do it is to limit your drinks. For instance, you may want to carry a certain amount of cash, so you know you can only buy a few drinks.

Perhaps, you want to set a goal for only having three drinks. Use a tally mark system and mark your hand for each drink you purchase. Just find a system that works for you to know how to limit yourself. By doing so, you can be far more successful in preventing hangovers.

Try Drinks that Are Low In Congeners

During the process of making alcohol, toxic chemical by-products called congenersalso form. These congeners can increase the likelihood that you’ll suffer a hangover. In addition, they can actually make the hangover symptoms more intense and last longer. So, in hopes of preventing hangovers, you may want to stick with alcohol that’s low in congeners.

For example, vodka, gin, and rum are all very low in congeners. In fact, vodka contains almost none at all. So, sticking with alcohol that has a low number of congeners can be a good way for preventing hangovers.

Drink Plenty of Water.. and Then Some More

Dehydration can make hangover symptoms far worse. Since alcohol dehydrates, you’ll more than likely become dehydrated, making the next morning much worse. Therefore, it’s important to fight this by drinking plenty of water. Try mixing in a glass of water after every alcoholic beverage you drink. Not only will this help you stay hydrated, it can reduce the number of alcoholic drinks you have.

In addition to drinking water the night of drinking, try to drink plenty the next morning. Your body is still processing the alcohol in your system and water will help.

Proximate Cause in Felony DWI Cases | Charlotte DUI Lawyer

When charged with a felony DWI, the State must prove both impairment and proximate cause. So what does this term really mean?

Proximate Cause in Felony DWI

While every DUI starts the same, a felony DWI adds a new defense of proximate cause. In addition to usual defenses, we also address the cause of the accident. For example, we look at how the officer did the investigation and BAC level. But we also look at the accident facts as well. Because you are only guilty of a felony DWI is your impairment causes the accident. Otherwise, only a misdemeanor charge is proper. So what is proximate cause?

While law students focus on various definitions, it really is just commonsense. Either your impairment caused the accident and resulting injury or it did not. For example, running a red light and crashing in an intersection probably is proximate cause. However, sliding on ice probably is not. In addition, if another driver strikes your vehicle, any impairment would not be an issue. After all, you did not cause the accident, but you can still face a DWI. Even though this may not seem right, it is still better than the alternative. Rather than prison time, most folks prefer to pay a fine and get a limited driving privilege.

So What About Driving in Bad Weather

Whether it be hard rain or ice / snow, this is where the proximate cause issue gets a little harder. For example, if driving too fast for conditions and you lose control, is the impairment or bad weather to blame? As a legal matter, only lawyers are curious. On the other hand, juries are not sensitive to these distinctions. Instead, they will most likely convict you based on the emotions of seriously injured or killed victims. Moreover, innocent victims of drunk drivers are exactly why DUI laws are so harsh. So if you lose your proximate cause Motion, we do not recommend you take your chances at trial. Otherwise, even worse things can happen. Better know when to hold’em and when to fold’em.