Defendants Face Serious Consequences for Alleged Drunk Driving in a Fatal Crash

The roads of Rockville, Maryland are as safe as possible because police officers make every effort to curb drunk driving. This is a very serious crime that affects thousands of people each year in the state and across the country. If you are a defendant who faces serious consequences for alleged drunk driving in a fatal crash, you need to speak with an experienced criminal defense attorney immediately. Today, we will explore the consequences of a fatal crash that involved alleged drunk driving, so you know how your life will be affected.

Mandatory Penalties

If you are ever involved in an accident in Maryland that causes a fatality, and you were found to be under the influence, there are mandatory penalties in place by the state that you will face. The minimum mandatory penalty is that you will have your driver’s license suspended for at least six months. This penalty is for drivers who have a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) ranging from .08 to .14.

If your BAC is .15 or higher, your driver’s license will be suspended for at least one year. If you are a repeat offender and you are involved in a fatal crash while under the influence, your driver’s license will be taken away from you for the rest of your life.

DUI and Homicide

If you are charged with driving under the influence related to a fatal accident, you could face vehicular homicide charges. A charge of this magnitude can lead to a prison sentence of up to five years and a fine of up to $5,000. If the charge is vehicular manslaughter, you could face a prison sentence of up to 10 years and a fine of up to $5,000. The threshold for vehicular manslaughter is looked at as gross negligence, while there needs to be impairment present for homicide by motor vehicle. Gross negligence could include any of the following causes of a fatal accident:

• Running a stop sign or a red light
• Going the wrong way
• Reckless disregard for the safety of others
• Fleeing police
• Drag racing
• Speeding egregiously
• Driving without headlights on
• Taking certain prescription medications and then driving
• Striking a bicyclist or pedestrian in a bike lane or a crosswalk

Impacts on Your Personal and Work Life

Facing a drunken driving charge in a fatal accident can have many impacts on your personal and work life. The impacts on your personal life include the following:

• Issues with family and friends
• Embarrassment
• Trouble getting to and from doctor appointments, the store, or around town
• The need to obtain a different form of identification
• Automotive insurance rates will increase
• Suspension of your driver’s license
• Difficulty acquiring scholarships for college
• Friendships could end

The impacts on your professional life include the following:

• A felony DUI, which is what you will face in a fatal crash, will appear on a background check
• Employers that require a clean driving record will not hire you
• Jobs that require the use of a company vehicle or to drive throughout the day will be difficult to secure
• Revocation of your driver’s license, forcing you to take public transit to and from work

Trouble Getting Back Behind the Wheel

One of the biggest consequences you will face if involved in a fatal accident while under the influence is trouble getting back behind the wheel. Depending on your BAC level, you might wind up losing your driver’s license for the rest of your life. This means that you will need to rely on friends and family members constantly to run errands, go to the doctor’s office, or get around town. If you don’t have someone available to you, you will need to utilize public transportation since you are no longer allowed to drive.

Call an Experienced Attorney Today

If you are facing a DUI charge with a fatality, your freedom is at stake. You should protect your rights as soon as possible by contacting an experienced attorney. Call the office of Jonathan Fellner in Rockville, Maryland today at ((301) 602-0835 to schedule a consultation with a member of our legal team. We will fight to protect your freedom and help investigate the charges levied against you.