The Foundation for Advancing Alcohol Responsibility reports disturbing statistics. In 2014, 1,446 people died as a result of mixing drinking and driving. Approximately 70 percent of the impaired drivers demonstrated blood-alcohol concentrations of 0.15 or higher. Each were also repeat offenders. In 2014, 70,842 Texas drivers were arrested for operating a motor vehicle while under the influence. Of these, 434 were below age 18. For those who are victims of road accidents, may it be DUI or perhaps other causes, it’s advisable to seek the services of professional drunk driving attorneys or car accident attorneys who are fully capable in handling the legal side of the situation. A professional auto accident attorney understands how the law applies to your case, as well as how the statute of limitations can affect legal proceedings. Most importantly, a car accident attorney can help you get the justice and compensation you deserve from the injuries you’ve sustained.

Teen DUI Problem

In 2015, more than 7 percent of high school students across the country admitted to driving after drinking. In Fort Worth, nearly 10 percent of high school students admitted to drinking and driving. More than 26 percent claimed that they were passengers in a vehicle in which the driver previously consumed alcohol. In Houston, teens who admitted to driving while under the influence was 7 percent. More than 28 percent of students rode with drivers who had been drinking. If you got involved in an unfortunate accident which was caused by another driver’s negligence or he’s probably DUI, contacting a drunk driving accident lawyer or a car accident attorney you can rely on would be ideal so you can have the compensation that you deserve.

While these statistics may worry parents, teens seem less affected. Many believe that they live under an umbrella of invincibility. Combine this opinion with the fact that teen drivers are less experienced and may have been drinking, and the danger level increases dramatically. The number of licensed drivers under the age of 21 account for a mere 10 percent of the licensed drivers in Texas. However, drivers below the age of 21 account for 14 percent of the DUI motor vehicle collision fatalities. For this reason as Canyon State Law notes, the standards remain higher and the penalties harsher for younger drivers who drink and drive.

Texas Standards

With the exception of private parties, catered affairs or under the consent and supervision of a parent or guardian, the legal drinking age in the state is 21. Nevertheless, Texas has a zero-tolerance policy regarding underage drinking and driving. In Texas, if a driver has a blood-alcohol content of over 0.0 percent, they are likely to be cited for operating a motor vehicle while under the influence.

DUI Penalties

Only drivers below the age of 21 are charged with driving under the influence or DUI. The act is considered a Class C offense punishable with a monetary fine for a first offense of up to $2,000. The driver’s license might also be suspended for up to 90 days. The court may additionally order a jail sentence ranging from three to 180 days. A second offense results in a monetary fine of up to $4,000, up to one year in jail and a license suspension of up to one year.

Additional Penalties

If law enforcement officers find an open alcohol container in a vehicle, the driver stands to receive a fine of up to $500. Operating a motor vehicle after drinking and having a minor 15 years of age or younger as a passenger results in child endangerment charges. Penalties for this action include a fine of up to $10,000, loss of driving privileges for up to 180 days and the possibility of spending up to two years in jail. And if you are the one that’s been hit by a drunk driver, then you might want to hire a washington dc personal injury attorney for legal help.

Other Charges

Along with being charged for driving under the influence, drivers under 21 may receive the following charges:

• Distributing to minors
• Being a minor in possession
• Soliciting alcohol
• Possession of a fake I.D. if the document was used to procure alcohol
• Moving and/or vehicle maintenance violations depending on what the officer witnessed

When defending yourself, it’s likely you want detailed knowledge about the judges, prosecutors and other key members attending the trial. A las vegas dui attorney will be familiar with the people present which is bound to come in handy. However, you may want to consider to have a cloned driver’s license id that looks similar to an original one, the best ohio fake id maker can help you have it.

Vehicle Insurance Consequences

Some vehicle insurance providers opt to terminate the policy following a las vegas dui first offense. Others may refuse to renew the policy. If able to get insurance, drivers under the age of 21 are typically deemed a high risk, which comes with exorbitant premiums that extend for three to five years. Following a license suspension, the driver must also provide the Department of Motor Vehicles with a SR-22 certificate from an insurance company before the license can be reinstated. You should also consider hiring a car accident lawyer in manhattan to be ready just in case your kid gets into an accident.

Young drivers may additionally be responsible for the fees required by an injury attorney as a result of an alcohol-related collision along with court costs. The documented Texas drunk driving rates, the financial costs and the possible penalties involved with underage drinkers should serve as a warning to young drivers.