What You Should Know About Drunk Driving Accidents in Arizona

Drinking and driving is a serious issue in the United States and it should not be taken lightly. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported 28 percent of all traffic-related deaths in 2016 were from alcohol-impaired driving. Additionally, every day about 30 individuals in the United States die in drunk driving accidents. The topic of drunk driving is a very important one that we can’t ignore in the United States. 

Driving Impaired

In Arizona, and across the entire United States, the legal limit for blood alcohol content is .08 percent. If an individual is under the age of 21, they will automatically get charged with a DUI with any amount of alcohol in their system. Even though there are laws and how much a person can consume and still legally drive, technically any amount of alcohol could compromise a person’s ability to operate a car. 

Many different mechanisms attempt to determine how much an individual can safely drink and be below the legal limit. Different factors that affect this are weight, gender, food consumption, and the type of alcohol consumed. Since weight is not created equal, the muscle to fat ratio can affect how quick alcohol will metabolize. 

What Is A DUI

Anyone who is driving under the influence is liable for a DUI. The state of Arizona will not hold back in charging someone with a DUI if they are driving impaired. The first offense for a person found driving with a BAC over .08 can be jail time for 10 days and fined over $1200. The second offense for someone found driving impaired is up to 90 days in jail and $3000. The penalties will be greater for high BAC levels. Individuals who are caught driving under the influence could also face education classes, treatment plans, and community service duties.   

Typically a police officer will pull over an individual if they suspect they are driving under the influence. Some signs that lead a police officer to believe someone is driving impaired are excessive speeding, weaving between lanes dangerously, or disobeying traffic signs. The police officer will run a variety of sobriety tests to determine if an individual is driving under the influence.  

Finding An Arizona Automobile Accident Attorney

If you have been involved in a drunk driving accident, contact an automobile accident attorney immediately. These accidents can be very overwhelming. Don’t go through this stressful time by yourself, let an experienced attorney help you with all legal aspects.  The auto accident attorneys at ELG work for injured victims and want to help you determine the best legal claim to file. Our team of knowledgeable Phoenix attorneys will fight for the maximum amount of compensation. Call us today at either Phoenix or Mesa Arizona law offices at (623) 877-3600 to explore all of your options.