DeKalb County Serious Injury by Vehicle Lawyer
State law in Georgia implements a number of harsh penalties for individuals who drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs. These penalties can intensify substantially when aggravating circumstances are involved. One of these aggravating circumstances is when a person drives under the influence and causes serious injury to another person. These types of crashes are grounds for an elevated charge that carries a penalty of at least one year in prison. If you have been accused of being involved in a DUI accident that caused serious injury, it is critical to speak to a DeKalb County serious injury by vehicle lawyer.
Understanding Serious Injury by Vehicle Lawyer Charges
The courts in Georgia have determined that a serious injury by vehicle is serious damage that significantly impairs the accident victim. Some examples of serious injury by vehicle include loss of vision in one eye, blurry vision, severe bruising, and broken ribs. Case law has stipulated that the physical loss or loss of function in a victim’s body part is not necessary to constitute a serious injury.
Additionally, victims can include pedestrians, other drivers, or passengers in the accused’s vehicle. When multiple people suffer a serious injury by vehicle, it can result in multiple charges. Still, individuals cannot be charged with both a DUI and a serious injury by vehicle, as this violates the double jeopardy law. Individuals can be charged with other traffic offenses that result in injury, such as failure to maintain a lane, following too closely, or recklessly speeding.
Penalties for Serious Injury by Vehicle
The penalties for people convicted of serious injury by vehicle are guilty of a felony. The offense is punishable by 1 to 15 years in prison. However, these are not the only negative consequences a person will face. Felonies are the most serious type of crime people can commit in Georgia and a conviction can make daily life very difficult. A conviction can make it difficult to obtain gainful employment, credit, and housing.
Defending Serious Injury by Vehicle Charges
As in other criminal cases, if your rights were violated at any point during the investigation or arrest process, this can serve as a defense. For example, if you were not read your Miranda rights before being questioned, nothing you said can be used against you. The charge of serious injury by vehicle, though, does have some unique defenses. If there are defenses to a DUI charge, they can also defend serious injury by vehicle charges, as well. This is because, if someone cannot be convicted of a DUI, they also cannot be convicted of serious injury by vehicle.
Our DeKalb County Serious Injury by Vehicle Lawyer Can Defend Your Case
The penalties for serious injury by vehicle are very serious. At The Spizman Firm, our experienced serious injury by vehicle lawyer in DeKalb County can defend you against them so your freedom and rights are protected. Call us today or chat with us online to schedule a consultation with our experienced attorney and to learn more about how we can help with your case.
