Arrested For DUI? Two Reasons To Choose A Multidiscipline Practice
There's no question you need to hire an attorney to defend you in court after you've been arrested for a DUI. Depending on the circumstances of your case, however, it may be a good idea to hire one from a law firm that has criminal defense and personal injury lawyers. Here are two reasons why you should consider this option:
You Will Probably Get Sued By Victims
According to the NHTSA, drunk driving accounted for 18 percent of economic losses for vehicle collisions in 2010, and the CDC states one person is fatally injured in drunk driving accidents every 53 minutes. If you drive intoxicated, there's a good chance you may end up causing an accident and causing property damage or injuring someone.
Therefore, the main reason you should go with a multidisciplinary firm is that you'll most likely be sued by anyone who suffered injuries and losses because of an accident you caused. And, even though you have auto insurance, there's no guarantee your insurer will pay the claim as many companies exclude alcohol-related accidents from coverage.
Since your attorney will already have all the facts of your case from defending you at your criminal trial, there's no need to onboard a new one for lawsuits that result from the incident, which can save time. Additionally, the criminal and personal injury attorney can help you avoid giving plaintiffs ammunition against you by preventing evidence from being admitted in criminal court and keeping you from saying incriminating things that could be used in a civil lawsuit.
You Will Simplify Your Life
Juggling two attorneys from two completely different practices can be challenging because you'll be getting twice the number of calls and correspondence. Working with only one practice can streamline quite a few processes, and may save you money at the same time. For instance, you'll only receive one bill for services, which reduces the risk you'll lose or forget to pay one. If the same attorney is handling both your criminal and personal injury case, you may not have to pay as much in administrative fees since the same staff will be making copies, calls, etc.
A multidisciplinary firm may also provide other services that could benefit you outside of the courtroom. For instance, an estate attorney at the firm could help you establish a trust to protect your assets in case you lose the personal injury case or the criminal court orders you to pay restitution.
For more information about this issue or help with litigating a case, contact a local lawyer.