It might have happened to anyone. You are leaving a packed parking lot after dinner and hitting another car’s bumper. After having some alcohol at dinner, the driver of the other car called the police and charged you for driving while intoxicated. You enjoyed a little drink during dinner, and now the other car’s owner called the cops and was accused of DUI.
These situations are not uncommon and may give rise to severe accusations of criminal misconduct. Therefore, contacting a Texas City criminal defense attorney is best before such a case gets too severe.
Steps to take if you are charged with DUI after damaging a parked vehicle?
This type of case generally unfolds like the following:
-
The accident
The scenario is as stated above, or it might involve damage that goes beyond a slight dent. Most importantly, no people or passengers were inside the other car. Regardless of the incident, someone called the cops, and they arrived.
-
The police arrive
To gather proof for accusations of drunk driving, the police can conduct a field sobriety test. They could continue with an arrest if they are successful.
-
Criminal charges
The details will vary here. Depending on what is the case, there are several options. If this is your first offense and the proof shows you were slightly over the legal limit, you can face jail time and a one-year license suspension.
-
Build a defense
A comprehensive defense plan involves more than simply reacting to the criminal allegations, irrespective of whether your case is similar to the abovementioned examples. Examining every possible viewpoint is essential. This may involve examining the legality of the traffic stop, the techniques used by the police to gather their evidence, and the correctness of the charges. An attorney with expertise in cases similar to this one will better protect your rights and seek possibilities to reduce or drop the charges.
Can the other car owner be at fault for the accident?
You will probably be held financially liable for the property damage resulting from the accident with the parked car. If the other car was parked in a wrongful manner, you can tell the court that the car’s owner was also responsible for the crash. This way, it can reduce liability based on the state’s comparative or contributory negligence laws.
Hire a lawyer
Parking-related accidents can result in many outcomes; consulting a lawyer immediately is usually necessary. However, there may be a lot of financial risk for you no matter whether side of the situation you are in (you hit a parked car or the one whose parked vehicle was struck), mainly if there is significant vehicle damage and no insurance coverage.
