Can A DUI Charge Cause A Person To File For Bankruptcy?

Getting arrested for a DUI or DWI offense charge in itself is not likely to bring about a bankruptcy situation. However it is what happens after the arrest if a driver gets convicted in court, that can certainly increase the risk of having to file for bankruptcy. This is due to the strict new DUI laws now in every state that will require a person who gets convicted or pleads guilty, to pay thousands of dollars in mandatory fines and DUI classes, as well as other consequences that will depend on the circumstances of the arrest.

The seriousness of a driving under the influence case cannot be taken lightly when it comes to the chances of a person later needing to file for bankruptcy to cover the high costs involved. The nations best DUI specialist lawyers at FightDUICharges further discuss how a driver facing a DUI charge must do all they can after an arrest to beat the charges, if they wish to avoid and get out of the high costs involved from getting convicted of the offense. With any type of drunk or drugged driving arrest situation, this expert attorney advice regarding fighting DUI and DWI charges is essential when a person’s financial status may already be leaning towards filing for bankruptcy in the near future.

How the Financial Consequences of DUI and Bankruptcy are Related

Just about everyone is fully aware of the safety risk and serious injury that could result from people who drive under the influence of alcohol, Marijuana, illegal drugs, or even some prescription medicine. However many drivers are still unaware of the fact it is very possible to lose a house and face a bankruptcy to help cover the actual cost when another person is hurt after a drug or alcohol DUI offense accident.

A drunk or drugged driving charge conviction will violate many car insurance policies if a DUI caused the accident. Therefore the auto insurance company will likely not cover the financial cost for a driver when they have driven a car while under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or another chemical substance to which they were later found guilty of the offense in criminal court.

Many accident victims of a DUI or DWI offender will later sue the driver in an effort to compensate for medical bills and related costs. In some scenarios, this monetary amount can even add up to well over $1 million in total.

To any person who gets hurt by a drunk or intoxicated driver, they could also be entitled to get paid for additional damages also known as punitive damages. Many courts have ruled that punitive damages can be granted when there is a willful misconduct or carelessness that causes destruction or injury to other people. It is important to note that the DUI offender’s insurance will typically not be on the hook to pay out the punitive damages to the victims, and it is the guilty driver who must pay any costs.

In addition to the financial consequences, even convicted first offense DUI drivers that caused extensive property damage or injuries will face further mandatory fines and serving time in jail. The driver also will have a permanent criminal record on file for life, that in most states can never get expunged in the future. A person will also have a suspended driver’s license for a period of time, and then later have to get an Ignition Interlock device mounted on any car they drive afterwards. When another individual gets hurt in an accident, most insurance policies will not pay the damages and the DUI offender could very likely end up facing a bankruptcy next to get financial help.

Do you need a better reason to never drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs and risk a DUI charge in the first place?