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The Facts of Driving Under The Influence in Mississippi

In our lives mistakes are bound to occur not only one and a while, but for the most of us pretty much every single day. Mistakes ultimately vary, which is dependent on the severity of the incident such as that of spilling milk, or colliding with another automobile. Either way, one thing is certain, mistakes in general carry a common bond, and variable, which is that of consequences, which are obviously dependent on how serious a mistake truly is. While some mistakes just simply result in us receiving a slap on the wrist others can impact our present, and future for years to come.

What Is Driving Under The Influence?

One mistake that individuals make today is that of driving under the influence. Yet, what does it actually mean to drive under the influence, and also, what can you expect from doing so? When an individual is said to be driving under the influence it means that they are “intoxicated” while behind the wheel either from alcohol, prescription medication, drugs, or other substances. When a driver is under the influence and behind the wheel of a vehicle they not only put their welfare and safety in danger, but also everyone else around them.

However, what can you actually expect legally to have to deal with when found to be driving under the influence. Many times, the consequences associated with a DUI are quite dependent on not only the severity of the crime, but also what substance was found to be the contributor to the incident. With alcohol, many consequences and penalties depend on an individual’s blood alcohol content, or BAC, score. For other drugs, depending on whether they are deemed to be legal, or illegal substances then puts different charges in the ring of penalties for an individual to have to deal with.

Ultimately, when you are charged, and/or later convicted of a DUI crime you face consequences that not only impact your life now, and later, but also the lives of your loved ones who now have to alter their plans, and dreams in order to help take care of your situation, and your new dependency. Make sure that when you are charged with a DUI of any kind to contact an experienced, and dedicated DUI attorney today.

If you, or a loved one, have been injured in a car accident due to someone else’s negligence, make an appointment with one of our Mississippi accident attorneys by calling (800) 707-9577.

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Understanding That of A DUI Crime

Mistakes are one aspect of our lives that can be seen literally almost every day. Whether we face the issue of spilling our coffee on the way to work, arriving late to an important meeting, or maybe simply trip and stumble on our way out the door we not only deal with our actually mistakes and the accident itself, but also the consequences that erupt from them. Usually, one can easily see that consequences of a mistake in most cases are determined by the severity of the mistake itself. So, what can you expect from participating in a DUI crime?

What Is A DUI?

A DUI, or driving under the influence, crime is something that can be seen all throughout the country. In most cases we associate alcohol to be the main contributor in DUI crimes, but it, however, is not the only substance that can cause an individual to drive under the influence. When an individual takes some prescription medications, uses drugs, or also that of illegal substances they also can be seen driving under the influence. When an individual drives under the influence they are not operating their vehicle, or holding their safety in a proper state of mind.

What You Can Expect

By committing this crime individuals not only put their lives at risk, but also other vehicle operators and pedestrians alike as well. When you are found to be driving with either a blood alcohol content, or BAC, high than that of 0.08, or test positive for drugs you will be charged with a DUI crime. The legal consequences that follow that of a DUI charge, and later conviction include, but are not limited to that of: license suspension, jail time, probation, community service, required involvement in substance abuse programs, and expensive legal fines. Personally, an individual who is charged, or convicted with a DUI crime can easily lose child custody, deal with risen insurance rates, be terminated of their employment, and ultimately be hindered from future opportunities as well.

Make sure when you have either had just a little too much to drink, or have taken some medicine to help you with that seasonal illness that you stay off the road, and rely on a friend, or family member to get you from one place to the next. Ultimately, by doing so, you not only are protecting your life now, but also your future as well.

At Barrett Law, our experienced Mississippi personal injury lawyers represent injury victims throughout Mississippi.  Our law firm has roots that reach back 75 years so contact us today for your free initial consultation at (800-707-9577) to see how we can help.

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Expectations With DUI Accidents

All throughout our lives with deal with many varying aspects that can be seen to be good, bad, or just plain ugly. However, we have to not only deal with the majority of these things that life has to throw at us, but also meet them head on. While some can simply be an issue that is ultimately out of our hands, others can be completely within our control from start to finish. Unfortunately, some individuals either cannot differentiate between right and wrong, or simply just make a mistake, and lack in judgment. One aspect that deals with all of these varying matters is that of a DUI accident.

The Premise of A DUI

When an individual who is intoxicated, or under the influence of drugs, and proceeds to get behind the wheel of a vehicle they are committing a crime by simply just sitting behind the wheel itself. However, when individuals drive under the influence they not only put themselves at risk of being involved in an accident, but also other motorists and pedestrians that can easily result in injuries and death in the blink of an eye. When an accident erupts from driving under the influence the results can be catastrophic, and completely unpredictable.

The Possibilities You Face

In many DUI related auto accidents the driver who is under the influence is driving erratically, and unpredictably, which means that as a sober driver it is your job to distance yourself accordingly from this driver and their vehicle, but to also alert the appropriate law enforcement entities as well. However, when drivers are unable to have an appropriate amount of time to protect themselves from a drunken drive they can expect to usually be involved in an accident. With this type of accidents drivers can not only expect serious, and severe damage to their vehicle, but also injuries that range from minor scratches to debilitating, and even that of death.

In the end, a DUI accident varies on a case-by-case basis, which contains many factors that differ from other situations depending on that of the blood alcohol content of the intoxicated driver, as well as where their crime is taking place. However, regardless of who, what, where, and why, if you or a loved one has been involved in a DUI related accident you need an experienced auto accident attorney on your side to fight for your case, and the potential damages you may be entitled to for your injuries, motor vehicle damage, and more.

At Barrett Law, our experienced Mississippi personal injury lawyers represent injury victims throughout Mississippi.  Our law firm has roots that reach back 75 years so contact us today for your free initial consultation at (662) 834-2376 to see how we can help.

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Is Mississippi Holding Drunken Drivers Accountable?

Driving is one activity in our lives that is participated in almost every single day. We rely on our motor vehicles to get us from one place to the next in order to keep up with the tasks and demands of our lives. Whether we are on the way to the office, picking the kids up from school, or running one of our various errands we rely heavily on our motor vehicles, and the road itself. Yet, can you always count on the road to be a place of safety or danger, especially with that of drunk driving?

The Premise of A DUI

A DUI, or driving while under the influence, crime is one that many of us are familiar with. When an individual gets behind the wheel of a motor vehicle under the influence of drugs, alcohol, medication, or other substances they put not only themselves in harm’s way, but also everyone else that crosses their path. Accidents are a very common result of drunk driving that can end with devastating damage to vehicles, severe injuries, and even death. However, when it comes down to those accidents contributed to by alcohol, or other substances behind the wheel are law enforcement officers really taking it into account?

The Facts of The Matter

When an automobile accident takes place law enforcement officers are called to the scene, evaluate the accident, and eventually record as well as report their findings. Similar to a normal automobile accident, when a DUI accident occurs law enforcement officers do the same thing. While some aspects of the report change such as “a few beer cans present in rear of vehicle”, or “alcohol-like odor present” law enforcement officers are actually not performing a crucial step when it comes down to that of a DUI accident, which is actually evaluating the driver’s blood alcohol content (BAC). While, yes, they will cite individual as potentially being under the influence most of the time the results necessary are just not being produced.

Remember, when you are involved in an auto accident whether alcohol is believed to be a contributor make sure to call law enforcement entities to the scene in order to make sure a proper report is filed not only for legal purposes, but for your insurance as well. When you or a loved one have been involved in an auto accident contact an experienced, and dedicated auto accident attorney today.

If you suffer any of these serious injuries because of an anesthesia mistake, our experienced Mississippi anesthesia medical malpractice lawyers are committed to assisting victims of substandard medical care obtain the financial compensation to rebuild their lives.  At Barrett Law, our experienced Mississippi personal injury lawyers represent injury victims throughout Mississippi.  Our law firm has roots that reach back 75 years so contact us today for your free initial consultation at (662) 834-2376 to see how we can help.

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$11.8 Million Verdict in Drunk Driving Accident Lawsuit Reveals Valuable Lessons

The destructive impact of devastating injuries and fatalities caused by drunk drivers was again brought home by a $11.8 jury verdict against a drunk driver who rear-ended the victim.  The DUI accident related lawsuit provides a primer on the issues and impact of this type of personal injury lawsuit.  The defendant in the case was a repeat DUI offender who the jury learned was arrested again for DUI a mere week after the DUI accident involving the plaintiff.

The accident occurred when the accident victim was stopped at an intersection as the drunk driver plowed into him from behind.  Because of the circumstances of the accident, the issue of liability was not really at issue, which is often the case in accidents involving drunk drivers.  However, the defense disputed the issue of causation regarding the auto accident victim’s injuries.  The accident victim suffered reflex sympathetic dystrophy, which is a debilitating injury that causes nerves to misfire.  He suffers from sweats, extreme pain, chills and is confined to a wheelchair much of the time.  The condition is so severe that he has not been able to work or drive a car since the accident.

The case shows the challenge of serious physical conditions that do not immediately manifest symptoms until some time after a car accident.  The attorney’s for the other driver’s insurance company emphasized that there was minimal damage to the vehicles so that the serious injury suffered by the accident victim could not have been caused by the impact of the collision.  The attorney’s for the insurance company also relied on the fact the symptoms were not immediately apparent as evidence that the condition was caused by something other than the car crash.  This is why it is important to seek a medical diagnostic consultation in the wake of a car accident even if one’s symptoms seem minor.

The DUI auto accident lawsuit also provides insight into how juries feel about certain types of conduct.  The drunk driver in this case had a history of prior DUI convictions and a DUI arrest the week following the auto accident that resulted in personal injuries to the plaintiff.  The driver also fled the scene making the accident a hit and run accident.  The damages awarded were three times that requested by the attorneys for the plaintiff.

Disputes over the cause and severity of personal injuries are common in DUI related auto accident lawsuits because it is difficult to contest liability by a drunk driver particularly one that drives unsafely because the driver is impaired.  If you are involved in an auto accident caused by a drunk driver in Mississippi, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries including punitive damages.  The attorneys at our Lexington based law firm have been fighting for drunk driving victims since 1933.

If you or a close family member has been injured in a Mississippi car accident with a drunk driver, our Mississippi DUI accident attorneys may be able to help.  We provide a free case evaluation to evaluate your rights to compensation so call us to see how we can help at (662) 834-2376.

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