Buffalo DWI Accident Lawyer
About 32 people die in drunk driving accidents every day in the United States, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. That’s one person every 45 minutes. In 2020, 38,824 people were killed in motor vehicle accidents. Of that number, 11,654 people lost their lives in alcohol-impaired-related car accidents.
Have you gotten into a car accident while driving drunk? Don’t wait. Call now.
Consequences of driving under the influence
Drunk driving comes with steep penalties and fines. If you’re a first-time offender for driving while alcohol impaired, it can cost up to $10,000. If you get into an accident while over the .08 blood alcohol limit, you could face more charges that carry serious penalties upon conviction. For example, if another person suffers a personal injury (even a passenger in your own vehicle), you could be charged with Vehicular Assault — a Felony Crime. Aggravating factors such as high blood alcohol content or prior DWI convictions could result in a First-Degree Vehicular Assault charge, a Class D Felony.
Prosecutors do not play games in such cases. Without strong and effective legal representation, you could face very serious consequences, including the real possibility of jail time.
The consequences of a DUI are serious, especially if it resulted in any injuries or a death. Charges can range from misdemeanors to felony offenses, and penalties for impaired driving can include driver’s license revocation, fines, and jail time. An experienced DUI accident attorney can help you through this process and find the best possible outcome for your case.
Blood alcohol driving (BAC) limit
Driving while drinking is a dangerous combination. Alcohol has negative effects on the central nervous system and can impair thinking and muscle coordination. About 30 percent of all car accident fatalities in the United States involve drunk drivers (with BACs of .08 g/dL or higher), according to NHTSA.
It’s illegal to drive in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico with a BAC of .08. However, even smaller amounts of alcohol can impair a driver’s ability to drive safely. NHTSA research found that there were 2,041 people killed in drunk driving accidents in 2020 when the driver had a BAC of .01 to .07 g/dL.
Some states require drunk driving offenders to put in ignition interlock devices, which consists of a breath test that connects to the ignition of a vehicle. In this case, the vehicle won’t start unless the driver blows under a certain BAC limit.
Trust our years of experience with DWI cases
Buffalo DWI lawyer Norman Mattar has been defending people accused of DWI for more than 25 years. Aggressive and determined, Mr. Mattar works tenaciously to protect the rights and preserve the freedom of people accused of Felony DWI, Vehicular Assault and other serious crimes. Norman Mattar will fight for your rights and freedom every step of the way.
A comprehensive DWI defense effort
In defending you, Norman Mattar will thoroughly review the factual and legal issues in your case. In addition to considering the most common DWI defenses (such as inadmissible breath or blood tests), Mr. Mattar will carefully examine the nature of the charge against you. For a person to be charged with Vehicular Assault in New York, the accident victim must have suffered a “serious physical injury.” Prosecutors in New York often overcharge Vehicular Assault cases, and it may be possible to get the charge reduced if the nature of the injuries does not correspond with the definition of the crime.