DUI Cases with Injury in Uniontown, Pennsylvania

Driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol is a perilous decision that places you in immediate danger. Furthermore, this reckless behavior significantly endangers the lives of innocent pedestrians and other motorists sharing the road with you. In Pennsylvania, driving under the influence is treated as a severe offense with strict legal repercussions. The stakes are raised exponentially if an accident occurs resulting in physical harm to another person. In such critical situations, securing professional legal representation is not just an option; it is a necessity to navigate the complex legal landscape.

Since amendments to state legal codes were introduced, the law has become very specific regarding how charges are applied in these scenarios. The legal system bifurcates charges based on the severity of the trauma inflicted. Broadly, these are categorized into DUI offenses causing minor bodily injury and those resulting in severe or serious bodily injury. Understanding these distinctions is vital for your defense, and consulting a Uniontown criminal lawyer is the first step in protecting your rights.

Classifying the Injuries

The law distinguishes between the types of physical harm to determine the charge:

• Minor Bodily Injury: This category typically encompasses physical pain, illness, or any impairment of physical condition. It refers to visible injuries or internal complaints that do not threaten life but are a direct result of the crash.
• Severe Physical Injury: This is far more critical. It involves injuries that create a substantial risk of death, cause serious and permanent disfigurement, or result in the protracted loss or impairment of the function of any bodily member or organ.

If you are facing allegations involving physical harm, contacting an Uniontown DUI attorney is imperative. At Logue Law Group, we are prepared to advocate on your behalf. Our goal is to scrutinize the evidence to potentially reduce the severity of the charges or seek a dismissal.

Detecting the Bodily Injuries

When a collision involves a driver suspected of being impaired, the prosecution focuses heavily on gathering evidence. Their priority becomes the collection of medical records for everyone involved in the crash. These documents serve as crucial evidence to demonstrate how the impaired driving directly caused harm to others in Fayette County. In scenarios where the accused driver is also hurt, law enforcement authorities generally wait until medical clearance is granted before proceeding with an arrest and formal charging.

Once released from medical care, the driver may face stringent charges for driving under the influence involving injury. If you or a family member finds themselves in this predicament, procrastination can be detrimental. Immediate action is required. You need to secure the services of a skilled legal professional. A dedicated Uniontown DUI attorney can manage the complexities of your legal defense while you focus on your physical recovery and returning to a state of health and relaxation.

Penalties for DUI with Injury

The punishment for these offenses correlates directly with the extent of the injuries sustained by the victims. Based on the severity, the judicial system imposes penalties that reflect the gravity of the harm done:

• For offenses involving certain physical injuries, penalties may include mandatory incarceration ranging from twenty-four hours up to one full year. Additionally, fines can start at $200 and escalate up to $1,000 for crimes involving serious injury.
• A DUI resulting in severe physical injuries is often classified as a felony, carrying much harsher consequences. Conviction can lead to a minimum prison sentence of two years, potentially extending up to ten years. Financial penalties in these felony cases typically range between $1,000 and $3,000.
• In the tragic event that a victim succumbs to their injuries within a year of the accident, the charge is likely to be elevated to negligent homicide. Hire a Uniontown DUI attorney for better assistance in DUI cases.  

Contact a Uniontown criminal lawyer

It is undeniably clear that the ramifications of a DUI involving injury are profound and serious. If you are the individual facing these allegations, you could be staring down the barrel of a lengthy incarceration period and substantial financial debts. Do not face this alone. Reach out to an experienced Uniontown criminal lawyer at Logue Law Group today. Our team possesses a wealth of experience in navigating the nuances of DUI litigation. We are committed to representing you aggressively in court to help extricate you from this difficult legal situation. Call us 844.PITT.DUI today to schedule your consultation.