• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Call For A Free Consultation651-686-8800
  • Firm Overview
    • Articles
    • Settlements & Verdicts
    • Video Center
  • Attorneys
    • Jeffrey S. Sheridan
    • DeAnne L. Dulas
    • Andrew T. Hunstad
    • Randall A. Kins
  • Practice Areas
    • Criminal Defense
    • Aggressive DWI Defense
    • Aviation Lawyers
    • Family Law
    • Estate Planning & Litigation
    • LGBT Rights and Family Issues
    • Business Law And Litigation
      • Real Estate Law
      • Small Business Law
    • Federal Workers’ Compensation
    • Other Areas Of Law
  • Blog
  • Contact

Study: A DWI Lawyer Could Save You Enough To Cover The Legal Fee

October 19, 2017 by Sheridan & Dulas, P.A.

If you’ve been charged with DWI, you’re probably scared, frustrated and stressed out. When your emotions are high, it’s hard to know what steps to take. You may hear that your charge is a misdemeanor and wonder if you should just plead guilty and get it over with. Is hiring a lawyer really going to help — or will you just end up with a costly legal bill?

The people at QuoteWizard, an online insurance comparison website, decided to perform a cost-benefit analysis with the tools at their disposal. They compared insurance rate data, looked into DWI conviction statistics and talked to DWI defense lawyers.

Their analysis yielded a clear result: On average, people who hire private defense lawyers in DWI cases typically save over $4,000 in insurance alone. They’re also three times more likely to have their charge reduced. Overall, the average financial benefit of hiring a DWI attorney is enough to pay for the attorney’s fee.

Part of the reason is that the legal consequences of a DWI conviction are extremely damaging. Even an uncomplicated, first-offense DWI conviction can mean jail time, costly fines and court costs, loss of your driver’s license, an expensive ignition interlock device (at your expense), whiskey plates, professional sanctions, a criminal record, and more.

It can also triple your insurance rates. QuoteWizard found that, after a DWI, people end up paying over $4,000 in auto insurance increases over five years, on average, if they had a clean driving record before.

It’s a pretty simple formula:

  • A DWI costs an average of $830 in insurance increases per year.
  • The average insurance cost of a DWI on your record is over $486 higher per year than the cost of a reckless or negligent driving charge.
  • People who hire a private DWI attorney are three times more likely to have their DWI charges reduced.

It’s equally important not to make cost the main factor when you choose your DWI attorney. QuoteWizard was comparing people who hired private DWI attorneys and those who went without an attorney or who were represented by a public defender. While no attorney can guarantee results, it’s fair to say that experience and dedication make a difference.

The real consequences of a DWI conviction are far more serious than many people realize. It creates ripple effects throughout your life that can be stunning. Don’t pick a lawyer based on them being inexpensive — getting an experienced, dedicated attorney may very well pay for itself.

Categories: Drunk Driving Charges Tags: Drunk Driving Charges, ignition interlock, insurance rates, penalties

Primary Sidebar

Practice Areas

  • Criminal Defense
  • Aggressive DWI Defense
  • Family Law
  • Estate Planning & Litigation
  • LGBT Rights and Family Issues
  • Aviation Law
  • Federal Workers’ Compensation
  • Business Law And Litigation
    • Small Business Law
    • Real Estate Law
  • Other Areas Of Law

Contact the Firm

    Footer

    Schedule a Consultation

    Sheridan & Dulas, P.A. logo Sheridan & Dulas, P.A.

    1380 Corporate Center Curve #320
    Eagan, MN 55121

    Tel: 651-686-8800
    Driving Directions

    Hours

    Mon-Fri: 8:30 am – 5:00 pm

    Schedule a Consultation

    Practice Areas

    • Criminal Defense
    • Aggressive DWI Defense
    • Family Law
    • Estate Planning & Litigation
    • LGBT Rights and Family Issues
    • Aviation Law
    • Federal Workers’ Compensation
    • Business Law And Litigation
      • Small Business Law
      • Real Estate Law
    • Other Areas Of Law
    The information contained in this website is provided for informational purposes only, and should not be construed as legal advice on any matter. The transmission and receipt of information contained on this website, in whole or in part, or communication with the Sheridan & Dulas, P.A. via the Internet or e-mail through this website does not constitute or create a lawyer-client relationship between this firm and any recipient. You should not send any confidential information in response to this webpage. Such responses will not create a lawyer-client relationship, and whatever you disclose will not be privileged or confidential unless this firm has agreed to act as your legal counsel and you have executed a written engagement agreement with Sheridan & Dulas, P.A.. | Copyright © 2021 | All rights reserved | Disclaimer | Privacy Policy | Sitemap