Getting arrested for a DWI in Kansas City can have detrimental effects on your bank account. Not only are these convictions expensive for you, but they are also expensive for the community. There are fines to pay as well as court costs, ignition interlocking devices payments, higher insurance premiums, and reinstatement of your license penalties, just to name a few. This is in addition to the personal costs you will incur from having a drunk driving offense on your record.
What Are The Accident Costs From A DWI In Kansas City?
With drunk driving claiming the lives of 224 people in the last year in Missouri alone, that is reason enough to consider your driving habits when you drink. Taking another person’s life can have a devastating effect on your life as well as the victim’s family, which you can’t put a price on.
These accidents can affect the quality of life for individuals that are injured or killed and can also impact your day-to-day living if you are imprisoned as a result of your crime. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has tried to put a value on how much accidents that result in injury or death cost society, estimating it has an impact of $201.1 billion.
What Are The Economic Costs Of A DWI In Kansas City?
While injuries and deaths are costly to all associated with drunk driving accidents, the cost to the community can be even larger. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has estimated that the economic costs of motor vehicle accident in the U.S. related to alcohol impairment were approximately $44 billion in 2010.
There are a number of costs that the community that you live in incurs as a result of your DWI in Kansas City. These costs can be staggering to the public and affect you as a taxpayer even if you have never been convicted of drunk driving.
Some of the things to consider when it comes to economic costs to your community where there is an accident as a
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result of drunk driving according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration are:
- Lost productivity
- Employment losses
- Legal costs and court expenses
- Costs of medical care
- Emergency medical services
- Administrative processing costs
- Traffic congestion
- Damage to property
Will A DWI In Kansas City Cost Me My Job?
Losing your job can also be a major cost of being arrested and convicted of a DWI in Kansas City. If you are a commercial driver, your company may terminate you for drunk driving charges. The cost to insure you for your employer becomes too significant, and it may be against their company policy to allow you to continue working. You may also pose a driving risk that they are not willing to take a chance with.
If you lose your job, you may think that you can just find another, but a drunk driving conviction can actually prevent you from getting another job now or in the future. With a DWI on your record, you may lose a valuable opportunity for a position you want because you are unable to pass a background check.
More and more employers are conducting background checks on potential job candidates, and your DWI in Kansas City will come to light, causing you some embarrassment and costing you your livelihood as a result. Worse yet, if it is if you’ve had multiple drunk driving arrests, creating a felony on your record that is permanent and will bar you from finding employment at most companies that refrain from hiring convicted felons.
Can I Get Into College With A DWI In Kansas City?
You may also have problems finding a university that will admit you with a personal record that isn’t flattering if you are looking to enroll in school. A drunk driving conviction can make it difficult to convince a college that you are a role model student that takes their studies seriously. You may have the grades, but because of your criminal record, you may not get into the college of your choice.
This can also affect your ability to get certified for some occupations or receive state licensing. Professions such as drivers, teachers, doctors, and attorneys are prevented from retaining the proper certification to practice in the field with a DWI on their record.
What Are The Personal Costs Of a Felony From A DWI In Kansas City?
If you are convicted of a felony for multiple drunk driving offenses, you need to be prepared to give up many of your personal freedoms. Not only will this cost you financially, but it will cost you the right to vote no matter how long ago your conviction was. It can also cause you to lose the right to purchase and own a firearm under the law, which can be devastating to a hunter or sportsman.
In addition, you won’t be able to travel on that dream vacation as your DWI in Kansas City will prevent you from applying for a passport. You could also lose your federal assistance if you are currently receiving any or would need to in the future. If you are not a U.S. citizen, you may face being deported back to your home country regardless if you have family here or not.
You may find it hard to find a place to live with a felony conviction as may landlords run background checks on potential renters and would deem your criminal history unfavorably. You may be unable to have your felony expunged from your record no matter how many years have passed since your conviction, making it a permanent part of your life.
If you need legal help because of a DWI arrest, contact the attorneys at Cornerstone Law Firm. We have the expertise and knowledge to help you navigate the legal process for a drunk driving offense. We can help you understand your rights and walk you through the court process. Contact us today.
