Motor vehicle accidents are a leading cause of death worldwide. In the United States alone, over 37,000 people die due to car crashes each year, and another 2 million suffer debilitating injuries. This is why laws have been established to regulate driver behavior and hold those who break these laws accountable for their actions. These laws can be challenging to understand at times – as statutes constantly change as drivers’ habits evolve with technological advancements in the automobile industry – making it difficult for drivers to remain fully aware of what is legal and what isn’t permitted on the road today.
The consequences of not seeking help may prove to be devastating, if not fatal. If you find yourself in any of these following situations, you should consult a professional attorney before taking action:
Driving License Suspension Due to Drop in Point System
If your driving record is tarnished with multiple traffic offenses, you can lose the privilege of operating a motor vehicle. A suspension can occur as a direct result of committing several violations within a certain period or directly following an arrest for driving under the influence (DUI). The point system used by state and local authorities is also known as driver’s license sanctions. The accumulation of too many demerit points in a short period – usually 12 months – will cause your license to be revoked. To save yourself the inconvenience of losing your driving privileges, you should always seek help from a legal professional at https://www.terry-lawfirm.com/car-accident-lawyer/drivers-license-point-system/ to review your case and argue on your behalf. Some offenses can cause the points system to go into effect against you, resulting in suspensions that could be as long as three years for repeat offenders. Include:
- Speeding
- Running red lights or stop signs
- Not wearing seat belts
- Failure to yield the right-of-way
- Passing in no-passing zones
- Parking illegally
Driving Under the Influence (DUI) Charges
Drunk driving is a severe problem in the United States. Thousands of people are killed due to intoxicated driving. If you are found guilty of operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, not only will your driver’s license be suspended, but you may also be required to forfeit your car and face fines and possible imprisonment. Suppose someone else suffered injury or death due to your actions, and you refused to seek legal assistance before speaking with law enforcement officials. In that case, charges could potentially be upgraded against you.
Crashing Into a Fixed Object
Another leading cause of car crashes is when a driver fails to navigate their vehicle around fixed objects (such as trees) on the roadside. These accidents can be deadly if they occur at night and the driver cannot see what they are hitting in time to swerve out of the way. While driving at night does present its dangers, drivers must be aware that objects such as trees may come into view suddenly and require quick reaction times to avoid a collision. Drivers who find themselves in this situation should remain quiet before consulting an attorney. As with most accidents, it is best for involved parties not to say anything until they have legal counsel by their side protecting their rights and interests.
Negligence Cases
A traffic accident occurs every minute on average in the United States. The most common cause, however, has been attributed to distracted driving. This includes texting while at the wheel, phone calls, and simply operating a vehicle while fatigued or preoccupied with another activity. If you were to become distracted and cause an accident as a result, not only could you face criminal charges, but you may be held financially responsible for injuries incurred by those involved in the crash. This is why it’s vital to seek legal counsel before making any statement(s) to authorities after such an incident occurs.
Receiving Fines for Driving with an Expired License
Driving with an expired license is another common offense that car owners make without understanding the consequences of their actions. Being caught behind the wheel with an expired driver’s license can be expensive. Not only will you have some explaining to do when law enforcement pulls you over, but more than likely, you’ll receive a hefty fine across your vehicle’s windshield. If this is not paid on time, more fees will be tacked on, and the total payment will increase, leading to a suspended driver’s license and possibly even a suspended vehicle registration. This will create an endless cycle of penalties and fines, which can be avoided by seeking legal counsel before the situation escalates even further.
In many cases, a traffic accident can result in criminal charges, which could have legal consequences for the driver. It is best to seek legal advice before being interviewed by law enforcement agents to avoid this. Sometimes an attorney may be able to assist you in getting a case dropped so that there are no ramifications regarding your driving history.
