Drunk driving has claimed thousands of lives and resulted in countless injuries. If you choose to drink alcohol, it’s your responsibility to keep yourself and others safe from harm by choosing not to get behind the wheel. However, mistakes do happen and if you’re pulled over on suspicion of drunk driving, you do still have legal rights. One of those rights is the ability to arrange for legal representation from a DUI attorney . A DUI attorney in Baltimore can help you understand the charges against you and explain your legal options.

DWI Charges

Like many states, Maryland has different classifications of drunk driving. Driving while impaired (DWI) is the least severe compared to driving while under the influence (DUI). A Maryland driver can be charged with DWI for having a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.04 up to 0.08 percent. Sometimes, drivers who are charged with DWI have been involved in incidents that resulted in property damage or bodily injury. Although DWI charges are less serious than DUI charges, defendants still need the help of an attorney at law. A conviction of DUI can result in jail time up to 60 days, fines of up to $500, eight points on the driver’s license, and suspension of the license.

DUI Charges

A person who is alleged to have a BAC of 0.08 percent or higher may be charged with DUI. As your DUI lawyer can inform you, the first conviction of DUI can lead to up to one year behind bars, fines of up to $1,000, and a six-month license suspension. For a second conviction of drunk driving, Maryland residents may face up to two years behind bars, $2,000 in fines, and a one-year license suspension. A third conviction can result in three years in prison, $3,000 in fines, and a minimum license suspension of 18 months.

Wet Reckless Plea Bargain

Maryland law does not have a statutory provision for a “wet reckless” charge. However, it is possible that your DUI attorney can negotiate with the prosecutor to have your DWI charges reduced to this. In exchange for pleading guilty, a wet reckless plea bargain may allow you to receive reduced penalties.

Individuals who have sustained injuries as a result of their employment may file a temporary or permanent disability claim in Baltimore. If you think you could be entitled to receive benefits, it’s in your best interests to contact a workers’ compensation attorney. A workers’ compensation attorney can advise you of your legal rights and evaluate your eligibility for a temporary or permanent disability claim.

Temporary Partial Disability Benefits

If you are found to be temporarily and partially disabled, it means that you may still perform limited work duties while you recover and that you are expected to return to your full capacity upon recovery. Generally, you can expect to receive 50 percent of the difference between your normal wages and your current wages while disabled. As your workers’ comp attorney can explain to you, your medical expenses arising directly from the on-the-job incident are fully covered.

Temporary Total Disability Benefits

Temporary total disability applies to individuals who are not able to work at all on a temporary basis. If your healing period is 14 days or less, then you cannot expect to receive a portion of your wages for the first three days of your recovery. Your medical expenses are still fully covered. Your temporary total disability benefits may be terminated if a medical professional is of the opinion that you have reached a maximum level of recovery, even if that level is not the same as your pre-injury capacity.

Permanent Partial Disability Benefits

If you are determined to be permanently partially disabled, you may receive payments of no less than $50 per week, provided your average weekly wages were not previously less than $50. The length of time you can receive these payments will vary, depending on your injury. For instance, you will receive payments for 100 weeks if your thumb was amputated or you lost all function in a thumb.

Permanent Total Disability Benefits

Permanent total disabilities include the loss or the loss of use of at least two of the following: eyes, feet, legs, hands, or arms. For example, you may have lost both legs or you may have lost one leg and one arm. Payments for these disabilities equal two-thirds of the previous average weekly wage, subject to minimum and maximum limits.

Qualifying for Social Security disability benefits is notoriously challenging. Many individuals are denied benefits the first time they apply, especially if they do so without the help of an attorney at law in Baltimore. To improve your chances of receiving disability payments, contact a personal injury attorney. The attorney at law will determine whether your health condition may qualify. For the purpose of receiving disability benefits, disabling health conditions are defined as those that prohibit you from performing previous work and from adjusting to new types of work. Additionally, the condition must be expected to either result in death or last at least one year.

Your personal injury attorney may determine that you could have a qualifying condition if you are blind or have low division, are a cancer patient, have suffered an amputation, or have lost the use of a major body part. You could also qualify if you are a wounded warrior, a widow or widower, or if you have a disabled child. Talk to your accident lawyer to find out if you could be eligible to receive disability payments.

You may already know that you may be entitled to receive compensation for physical injuries sustained in a car accident. But did you know that an accident attorney may also secure compensation for your psychological injuries? When you consult a personal injury attorney serving Baltimore, be sure to inform him or her of all of the losses and problems that have occurred because of your accident.

Claims for Emotional Distress

An accident attorney may file a claim for compensation of emotional distress that may have been unintentionally or intentionally inflicted. In some cases, if the accident lawyer can prove that emotional distress was intentionally inflicted, you may be entitled to receive substantially greater compensation. An example of the intentional infliction of psychological injuries is when an individual is the victim of a driver engaged in acts of road rage.

Extent of Emotional Distress

When your attorney at law is preparing your claim, it is helpful if you can explain the extent of your psychological injuries. Any car accident or injury, whether minor or major, has the potential to inflict a certain degree of mental anguish. If your emotional distress was so severe that it interferes with your normal daily function, you have a better chance of recovering compensation. For example, consider whether your mental state after the accident has prevented you from going to work, caring for your family, or caring for yourself.

Proof of Emotional Distress

It can be difficult to prove emotional distress. One way your accident attorney may substantiate your claim is through the use of your medical records. Let your lawyer know if you have sought medical treatment, psychological counseling, or another type of care for your emotional distress. You might also keep a daily record of the severity of your psychological symptoms and the extent to which they reduced your quality of life.

Compensation for Emotional Distress

When filing your claim, your accident attorney may seek compensation for your anxiety, fear, depression, sleep loss, and similar problems. Maryland, like many other states, has damage caps that apply to personal injury lawsuits. This means that the total amount you might recover for your claim is limited. Since the limit on pain and suffering damages can be affected by new legislation, it’s best to ask your attorney at law about the current damage caps.

If you have been charged with a DUI , it is imperative to consult with a DUI attorney in Baltimore to learn about the upcoming process. Drunk driving is a serious charge, and only a DUI attorney can make sure your rights are protected throughout the process. If you don’t hire a lawyer, you can face jail time, license revocation, skyrocketing insurance rates, hundreds of dollars in fines, and a permanent criminal record. Keep reading to find out why a DUI attorney is vital after an arrest for drunk driving.

Explain Consequences

Many people falsely believe that DUI is a minor charge, but nothing could be further from the truth. A conviction for any crime can permanently alter your life and even make it nearly impossible to find a job. A DUI law firm can assess your case and help you understand the potential fines or jail time that could accompany a trial. A DUI lawyer will also often offer a free consultation, so you can weigh the costs and benefits of taking legal counsel.

Manage Process

Dealing with a prosecutor can be incredibly intimidating. DUI arrestees also have to take on the frustrating and time-consuming task of fielding calls from a state’s motor vehicle department. Your DUI and DWI attorney will complete required forms, make phone calls, and represent you at hearings so you can get your personal life and career back on track.

Reduce Penalties

Hiring a DUI lawyer is essential to ensuring you get the most minor penalty possible. If you have several DUIs or hurt someone in a DUI accident, you need a lawyer to take on these complex charges. After more than one DUI, you can face extremely harsh penalties, including serious jail time. A DUI attorney is familiar with state drunk driving and personal injury law and can ensure your liability is limited. A DUI attorney is also familiar with criminal law and can negotiate with a prosecutor on your behalf.

If you are hurt in a car accident, you need an accident lawyer in Baltimore by your side. A car accident attorney can help you recover compensation if the other driver is at fault for your personal injury.

After an auto accident, you may feel understandably overwhelmed and confused about your rights. An accident lawyer at a personal injury law firm is a vital resource. Your attorney at law can review the facts of your case to determine if you have a good claim for damages. If the other driver’s negligence caused your injury, his or her insurance company can be responsible for your medical bills, repair costs, and missed work. Your accident lawyer can speak to the insurance company directly to negotiate a higher settlement. If the insurance company refuses to settle, your lawyer will represent you in court and argue for your right to compensation. Anytime you suffer a personal injury in an auto accident, you should consult with a car accident attorney.