Drunk driving is a serious charge. The penalties for a DUI conviction can have long-term consequences for a driver. A DUI accident can cause traumatic injuries to passengers and other drivers. If you are charged with driving under the influence or you are injured in a DUI accident, contact the Nebraska DUI attorneys of Berkshire & Burmeister. Our lawyers can explain your legal rights and develop a strategy to protect you throughout the legal process of dealing with a DUI or drunk driving accident.
Nebraska has strict laws against drunk driving and drugged driving. The penalties for a DUI conviction can be severe. A DUI conviction can carry a variety of punishments, depending on the DUI charges. Even a first DUI offense can result in serious penalties.
Penalties for a DUI conviction may include one or more of the following:
In addition to the criminal penalties that you can face for a drunk driving conviction, a DUI conviction can also result in other negative consequences. For instance, most insurance companies increase insurance rates after a DUI conviction. If your driving privileges are suspended, you could have trouble getting to work, being hired for certain jobs, or taking care of your family’s needs.
Before you consider pleading guilty or no contest to a DUI offense, it is important to discuss your options with a Nebraska DUI defense lawyer. An attorney can review the DUI stop and the criminal charges to determine if your legal rights were violated. There could be several DUI defenses that apply in your case. For example, your attorney advises that you should question probable cause, the validity of the Standardized Field Sobriety Tests (SFST), or the result of a breathalyzer or other chemical test for blood alcohol concentration.
If your defense options are limited, an experienced DUI defense attorney can help you explore options for reducing the penalties for a drunk driving conviction as much as allowable by law. Your attorney can negotiate a potential plea agreement that might result in less severe penalties for a drunk driving charge.
If a drunk driver causes a DUI accident that results in injuries, that driver can be held liable for damages. The driver does not need to be convicted of drunk driving to be held liable for civil damages from a DUI accident. However, you must prove that the drunk driver was responsible for causing the crash. Being intoxicated at the time of the crash is not proof that the drunk driver caused the crash. You must have additional evidence to prove the driver’s actions were the cause of the collision.
Once you prove that the drunk driver caused the collision, you can pursue an insurance claim for your damages, losses, and injuries. However, proving that a drunk driver is responsible may not be simple. Our Nebraska DUI attorneys investigate drunk driving accidents to determine how the accident occurred and gather evidence proving that the drunk driver was responsible for the cause of the crash. We seek full compensation for all damages, including medical bills, loss of income, injuries, pain, and suffering.
If you have been charged with DUI or you need assistance with a DUI accident claim, contact the Law Firm of Berkshire & Burmeister for a consultation by calling 402-827-7000