Every 52 minutes, someone dies from a drunk-driving collision. That’s why the law takes driving under the influence so seriously.
Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs impairs a person’s ability to drive safely. Thus, accidents are more likely to happen, and innocent people are more likely to encounter injuries or death.
The police will catch you and charge you with a DUI if you drive under the influence. Of course, a DUI has consequences, but have you ever wondered about the true cost of a DUI?
If so, read this guide as we explain the actual cost of getting a DUI.
Jail Time
The first expense you can expect is your bail cost. But, you shouldn’t consider the bail money only. You might also want to consider the time you’ll lose when stuck behind bars.
Getting caught driving under the influence always leads to a trip to jail. You might spend one night there or many, depending on your record and the nature of the DUI.
Fines
Next, you’ll have to pay DUI fines. The court will assess these fines, and the amounts vary. You might want to check out these DUI laws to learn more about the fines you must pay after a DUI.
Unfortunately, DUI fines aren’t cheap. They can cost hundreds or thousands of dollars, depending on the case.
Lawyer Fees
One of the costliest parts of a DUI is attorney fees. An attorney charges fees to represent you. While you can avoid paying for legal help by representing yourself, you’ll likely have a better outcome by hiring a lawyer.
You can discuss the rates when hiring one to learn more about the amount you must pay.
Reputation
You might not consider the effects of a DUI on your reputation, but you should. A good reputation takes years to build, yet one event can destroy it.
Your DUI will follow you. It might appear in the local newspaper and on social media sites. Your employer might find out, and your friends and family.
Required Courses
Additionally, the court might impose some requirements on you for alcohol or drug classes. You must sign up for these and complete them by the court’s deadline and pay the required fees for each one.
Insurance
Failing to follow traffic laws results in tickets and driving violations, including DUIs. Anytime you get a ticket or a major driving offense, it can increase auto insurance rates.
In fact, it’s not uncommon for people to need SR-22 insurance after a DUI. SR-22 costs more than regular auto insurance, yet you can’t go without it if the court imposes this restriction.
Know the Total Cost of a DUI
You can find out the true cost of a DUI by adding up these expenses. While it’s hard to know exactly how much it might cost, you can guarantee that it will be a lot.
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