No one wants to get a DUI, but it can be difficult to understand the severity without any experience. The more you know about the potential consequences of driving under the influence, the better prepared you will be to avoid the situation altogether. Here are a few of the consequences you may face and some solutions to help you avoid driving while intoxicated. In the MomentThe primary issues you will face will occur while you’re driving the car and immediately afterward. When you’re driving under the influence, your decision-making isn’t at its best and your ability to drive safely is significantly reduced. This can put your life in danger and will also put the lives of everyone else on the road at risk. Ideally you would avoid driving intoxicated altogether so you can stay safe and help to protect others on the road. Getting in an accident while under the influence of drugs or alcohol can also cause damage to your car, which can be expensive to repair. Legal IssuesEven if you aren’t in an accident on the road, you can face major legal consequences for drinking and driving. Getting pulled over while intoxicated can result in serious legal trouble that will affect your ability to continue driving and even your criminal record. A DUI conviction carries stiff penalties that could alter the course of your life drastically. It’s much easier to simply avoid a DUI conviction in the first place by making sure that you never drink and drive. SolutionsChoosing to never drink and drive is essential to avoiding a DUI and the consequences that may come with it. This doesn’t mean that you can never drink, just that you need to drink responsibly. You can start by making sure that you always have a designated driver if you drink when you’re out, you can also call for a taxi or a rideshare. If you know you will be drinking when you’re out it’s a good idea to make prior arrangements to help you get home, so you don’t get into a situation where you feel you need to drink and drive. It’s always a good idea to try to prepare for the future, especially when it comes to drinking responsibly. Make plans for yourself so you can avoid difficult situations and never have to deal with the consequences of drinking and driving. That way you will stay safe and keep others safe on the road. Read this next: How to Know if You Have a Problem With Alcohol After you’ve been in a car accident, there are several steps you need to follow. As you work through these steps, you will need to negotiate with a lot of people. These negotiations may not always go your way, so it’s important to know what snags you may hit and how to work around them. The Other Party is UncooperativeYour troubles may begin immediately following the accident. Sometimes the other party is simply unwilling to cooperate. They may refuse to talk to you or negotiate with you. Perhaps they aren’t even willing to discuss insurance. If the other party is not cooperating, you need to take action to protect yourself. The first thing you should do is protect the evidence of the accident. Try to preserve the scene as much as possible. For example, try not to move the cars unless absolutely necessary. Take pictures and talk with any witnesses. Evidence will help you make an insurance claim. You should also call the police. They can file an official report that will discuss fault and you can use this report when you make your insurance claim. The Insurance Company Refuses to PayWorking with insurance companies can also be tricky. This is especially true if you are trying to receive payment from the insurance company of the other driver when they are at fault. Insurance companies will take their time working through a case and they may even refuse payment. An attorney can help you win a settlement from insurance companies that refuse to pay. When you bring in an attorney, this shows the insurance company that you mean business and they are more likely to comply. Additionally, attorneys are well-versed in the tactics insurance companies use and they can help you get the compensation you deserve. Both Parties Can’t Agree on a SettlementAfter an accident, both parties will typically discuss how they will handle the situation moving forward. Typically, this includes agreeing to file an insurance claim. However, there are cases where both parties do not agree to this. For example, the at-fault party may push to leave insurance out of it and instead settle with a cash payment. The other party may prefer to have insurance cover the cost of repairs and injuries. Just remember, that you have the right to file a claim if you wish and you should do your best to get the other party’s insurance information. Accidents can be stressful even after they’ve happened. Dealing with the repercussions through negotiations can take quite some time, especially if problems arise. Make sure you understand common problems so you know how to work through them. Read this next: 3 Tips for Handling the Aftermath of a Car Accident |
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