One of the most famous books, A Tale of Two Cities, starts with… These are the best of times, these are the worst of times. The worst of times often occurs during a major holiday weekend when there are more cars on the road and more people drinking and celebrating the holiday. Beware of the “A’s” (Auto, Accident, Alcohol, Arrest) they will result in the worst day of your life…if you live!
School are starting, football season and Labor Day weekend, are around the corner. That means more cars on the road AND an uptick in Alcohol Related Arrests and Auto Accidents. Chances are you, a loved one or friend, are not going to be in an accident this week. However, it takes so little to plan now, while you are not stressed, to think of who you would call if you, a family member or friend, were rear ended and injured. Unfortunately, most don’t plan to fail, they fail to plan. If an arrest or accident happens to you, it will be the worst day of your life.
We all have the phone number of a plumber, A/C company and electrician, handy in case we need one. Wouldn’t it make sense to consider now, who you would call if you needed an Accident or DUI Attorney.
If an ACCIDENT or DUI occurs, remember that SILENCE IS GOLDEN, HANDCUFFS ARE SILVER. Talking can rarely do you any good, so I advise my readers, friends and clients, “DON’T TALK TO ANYONE” when there is an accident or criminal investigation. This is especially true for not talking to the INSURANCE ADJUSTER …WITHOUT YOUR LAWYER’S PERMISSION. IT IS NOT WHAT YOU SAY, BUT WHAT THEY THOUGHT THEY HEARD YOU SAY!
Let you lawyer be a strawman…while you say you would be happy to talk, however, your lawyer has asked you not do so without his/her permission. Put the blame on “Mame”, as the song says. It’s what those charged in the January 6th riot, or any other criminal matter, are advised to do. Trump refused to answer questions and took the 5th 440+ times. However, his lawyer would argue, that it was the lawyer telling him not to talk, rather than THE DONALD refusing.
Remember to avoid the Worst Day or Year in your life, IF YOU DRANK, DROVE, HAD AN ACCIDENT, THAT (FST’S) FIELD SOBRIETY TESTS (WALK THE LINE, FINGER TO NOSE ETC) ARE OPTIONAL, AS IS THE BREATH TEST AT THE SCENE (IF YOU ARE NOT ON PROBATION). YOU SHOULD COURTEOUSLY REFUSE TESTS AT THE SCENE, PER YOUR LAWYERS INSTRUCTIONS, AND ASK FOR A BLOOD TEST.
After an Accident or DUI, take down social media. Investigators for the DA or Insurance Company, can save a lot of money on investigation, by just checking Facebook, Instagram and other sites etc. Some accident victims foolishly post that they are going skiing, playing tennis or entering a marathon etc right after an accident.
A client shouldn’t post anything about prior drinking when they were even more drunk, or any other post about their drinking or negligent driving etc. Hire a LOCAL attorney, who knows the judges and court employees ASAP. Once one has a lawyer, you can’t be contacted by an insurance or police investigator.
Whether you are found guilty, or not guilty of a DUI, or win your accident case, you will still encounter the “worst of times”. All defendants lose time and money from: arrest; court trips; bail; retaining counsel; loss of earnings, dealing with stress and how it affects the family.
