What should you do if you are stopped for suspicion of DWI?
What should you do if you are stopped for suspicion of DWI?
Have you been stopped for DWI? A DWI is a serious charge that can have a huge impact on your life. If you’re ever stopped on suspicion of DWI, it’s important to know how to handle it. Learn more from DUI Attorney Albuquerque Bowles Law Firm.
What to Do When Stopped for Suspicion of DWI
When a police officer stops you under the suspicion that you’ve been driving while intoxicated (DWI), what you do during the stop could affect whether you find yourself in need of a criminal defense attorney in Albuquerque. This is what you should do to give yourself the best chance of avoiding any legal troubles.
Keep Your Answers Concise
One of the reasons that an officer questions you is to evaluate your condition. They’ll look for indicators of intoxication, such as slurring your words. These indicators can give them the probable cause they need to check your blood alcohol content (BAC).
It’s best to use short, to-the-point answers. Limit the interaction between you and the officer while remaining polite and cooperative. Keep in mind that it is within your rights to decline to answer any questions you are asked.
Don’t Mention Any Drinking
This may seem like a no-brainer, but many an auto accident lawyer in Albuquerque has seen a client who admitted to having “a couple of drinks” to a police officer. Even if you just had a single drink, don’t say that. You won’t get any points for being honest. The officer can just use that as part of their probable cause for testing your BAC.
Decline Field Sobriety Tests
Here’s something many people don’t realize and the police would rather you didn’t know: Field sobriety tests are completely voluntary, and you should never take them. If an officer asks you to take one, they already suspect you drove drunk and are just looking to build more evidence for their case.
Get Legal Help if You’re Arrested – DUI Attorney Albuquerque
When you’re arrested for DWI, it’s important to get in touch with a skilled lawyer. This is true even if you’re later released, as the police may have done something illegal or improper. If they treated you poorly physically, a personal injury attorney in Albuquerque could help. If a nurse took your blood against your will to get your BAC, you could talk to a medical malpractice attorney in New Mexico about any possible legal recourse you may have.
If your BAC was over the legal limit, then you may need a DUI Attorney Albuquerque to defend you. Moreover, if you were charged with a DWI and involved in an accident, you may need the help of a personal injury or a wrongful death attorney in Albuquerque.
A DWI stop can be nerve-wracking, but with a little knowledge, you may be less likely to get arrested.
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Top Reasons To Consult With An Auto Accident Lawyer
Reasons to Hire an Auto Accident Lawyer
If you’re involved in an auto accident, it can be difficult to recover and heal from the damage. Although you may already suffer from injuries or emotional trauma, the accident can get even worse by becoming a legal matter if you can’t resolve the situation with insurance companies. If you’re in a car accident, there are a few reasons to consult an auto accident lawyer.
Injury or Death
If you suffer from an injury or have a loved one who is killed in an accident, it’s necessary to seek compensation from the responsible party. Hire a personal injury attorney in Albuquerque or a wrongful death attorney in Albuquerque to represent you to cover the losses and pay for medical expenses, lost wages, and car repairs. In some cases, you can benefit from a medical malpractice attorney in New Mexico if you received a lack of care while being treated for your injuries.
Be Informed of Your Rights
It can be challenging to know your rights if you’ve suffered an injury in a collision but don’t have legal experience. An auto accident lawyer in Albuquerque can answer your questions and help make it easier to understand how much compensation you deserve.
You’ll feel more prepared and confident in court with the help of a legal representative who’ll ensure that you have a better chance of receiving compensation. In DUI cases, you can benefit from hiring a criminal defense attorney in Albuquerque who works hard to seek justice.
Handle the Paperwork
There is a significant amount of paperwork involved when you take legal action against another driver. An auto accident lawyer in Albuquerque will be able to explain legal terms and handle the legwork involved in the case. With a skilled attorney on your side, you can avoid filing mistakes and be sure that you fully understand any documents you sign.
Protect Yourself
You may be accused of being at fault in an auto accident. This can put you at risk of having to spend time in jail time or pay substantial fines. Hiring an attorney will give you a strong defense team led by professionals who can analyze the details and help ensure that you’re defended in court. If you admit fault, a professional attorney will also work hard to lessen the ramifications of your conviction.
Whenever you’re involved in an auto accident, your next step should be to call an attorney for representation.
Contact Bowles Law Firm today for your free case evaluation.
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How To File An Auto Accident Report
What Should You Do After An Auto Accident?
As a driver, you must never leave the scene of an accident. It is fundamental to provide the needed help immediately following an accident, morally and legally. In New Mexico, it is a criminal offense to leave the scene of an accident causing
injuries. After stopping your vehicle, take a moment to evaluate the situation, be conscious of the traffic situation, and any other potential dangers and most of all do not panic.
Filing Auto Accident Reports
Contact law enforcement as quickly as possible in the event of an injury, death, or property damage caused in an auto accident. An officer will usually prepare a written accident report within five days of the accident. But if injured and unable to either contact the police, or file the accident report, any passenger or persons with you that is able to notify the authorities should do so. In some cases, if you are not the owner of the vehicle you were driving, the owner may complete the report.
If involved in an auto accident in New Mexico, you are required to provide definite information to other people involved. That means, motorists, passengers or pedestrians involved in the accident must share same information with you. Also, it is important to ask for the details of those who witnessed the accident so that the details of what happened are determined early on, before witnesses forget. The information needed to be exchange in the aftermath of an accident includes:
- Name, address and contact information.
- Driver license number.
- License plate number and vehicle information.
- Auto insurance details.
Additional Information
It is also important to take photographs at the scene of the accident. For an accident with an unoccupied vehicle what should you do? You are required to attach a note to the damaged car. The note should state your name and address, as well as the owner’s name and address of the vehicle you are driving. Describe clearly what happened, and attach the note to the vehicle in a fixed, easy-to-see location.
It is not obligatory to report any accidents to the New Mexico Motor Vehicles Division. However, automobile insurance contracts require the insured to report any accident within a time frame after the accident. Failure to do so, may give the insurer a reason to attempt to deny coverage for the accident.
Law enforcement aiding in the events of a
n accident have the right to ask for proof of insurance. If you are without liability insurance during an accident, you are likely to face suspension of your vehicle registration, and a citation and possible fine.
Auto Accident Lawyer In New Mexico & Texas
In cases where you are injured in an auto accident, it is important to first get fully medically evaluated and receive full medical treatment. Oftentimes injuries are noticeable right away but sometimes it takes time to learn that your body has been injured in some way. Head injuries are especially problematic and may require ongoing neurological testing and observation.
If you are injured as a result of the fault of another party, you may want to speak to a personal injury attorney. You should keep copies of any medical expenses sustained as a result of an accident and your auto accident lawyer can assist you in gathering all of the needed medical information to make a claim.
Contact Bowles Law Firm for your free case evaluation.
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