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DUI must-know facts for Rhode Island drivers

It is pretty much common knowledge that it is illegal in any state to operate a vehicle while over the legal limit of alcohol. Most states have set that legal limit at .08 BAC (Blood Alcohol Content). There are other areas of DUI in Rhode Island that every driver should know.

When drivers are pulled over for suspicion of driving under the influence, they are usually asked to submit to a breathalyzer test. Every driver has the right to refuse, but there is some information everyone should know before exercising this option.

Rhode Island has an implied consent law that states that all Rhode Island residents are expected to comply with any DUI tests administered by a police officer. A failure to comply with these tests can lead to harsher sentences with a DUI conviction.

It is important to consider this because Rhode Island has a ‘look back’ period of five years. That means the court can look back for as many as five years and consider your DUI conviction when resolving another case involving you. Although it is your right to refuse a breathalyzer test that refusal could come back to haunt you for years to come.

There is also a new law coming into effect in 2015 that every Rhode Island driver should know. Interlock devices will be used in the vehicles of repeat offenders as well as drivers who showed a BAC of 0.15 or over at the time of their arrest.

Interlock devices require drivers to pass a breathalyzer test before the car will start. The price for those devices is required to be paid by the offender. The lowest cost of a standard interlock device is a leasing option that starts around $65.00 per month. State law prohibits drivers from owning these devices and mandate that they must be leased.

DUIs can be very expensive, but if you know what mistakes to avoid, you could save yourself a lot of money in fines when all is said and done. However, just because you are arrested for DUI does not mean you are guilty right away.

A DUI attorney at Calvino Law Associates can help you put together the best possible defense for your DUI charge. We can also advise you on the best ways to reduce any penalties, fines and jail time. For an experienced DUI attorney in Providence or North Kingston, visit our downtown office or call today and speak directly to one of our lawyers.

Important things to know about personal injury lawsuits

Personal injury lawsuits are filed after all kinds of injury-related incidents such as auto accidents, dog bites, medical malpractice and many more. Once you are injured, you enter a whole new world, and there are some important facts you should know when filing a personal injury lawsuit.

Most insurance carriers are looking to negotiate a deal without having to go to court. While they may talk a big game, their goal is to cut you a check without having to appear before a judge.

Mediation and arbitration are two stops on the negotiation process that may keep your case from going to court. This is an alternative to having to argue your case in a courtroom. Mediators and arbitrators aim to settle these matters, although it is extremely helpful to have your own Providence personal injury lawyer by your side.

Remember that those offering you a settlement work for the insurance carrier and not you. Their mission is to offer you as small of a settlement as possible. Your lawyer is the one working to get you a larger payout.

Several factors weigh in on how much of a settlement you will ultimately receive. There is a need to compensate for medical bills, physical therapy, pain and suffering, lost wages and financial hardship. There are also ongoing factors to consider such as a reduction in earning potential as a result of the injury, as well as permanent physical impairment.

Once a settlement is reached, there comes the reality of having to pay taxes. When a settlement covers physical injuries, it is not viewed as taxable income. However, any punitive damages received are taxable. That also holds true for any compensation you received as a result of pain and suffering.

Collecting your compensation is much easier when dealing with an insurance company. When a settlement is reached, insurance companies will just write you a check, and you can be on your way. But when it comes to dealing with an individual defendant, there is no guarantee of an immediate payday.

If the defendant does not have many assets, you may not see much in the way of compensation. Winning a judgment is one battle, but getting your compensation from an individual defendant is another battle altogether.

If you have recently suffered a personal injury in North Kingston or Providence, an attorney at Calvino Law Associates can see you through your case. One of our lawyers will be there to provide you with all the information you need to know from start to finish. Contact us today for a free consultation.