Most people have no idea that you can be charged with a DUI, driving under the influence, but you might get a DWI, driving while intoxicated or impaired, instead. The former could also mean the person was behind the wheel after using drugs. However, whoever is charged with either will need DUI lawyers to help them escape trouble.

You should never drive under any influence because it can cause accidents and casualties. You can also get into serious trouble, even if you haven’t done anything significant. Therefore, understanding specific traffic laws is key before entering the driver’s seat after a party. Can a minor drive a drunk person home? Typically, no, because designated drivers should be over 21. However, it’s better than having an impaired person behind the wheel.

Can you drive buzzed? It’s not recommended. You could still be charged. Can you still drive after a DUI? That will depend on the conditions of your charge. Some people get restricted from driving, while others don’t suffer many consequences. However, it’s best to be responsible and not take your car out after drinking because a drunk motorcycle accident is one of the worst things anyone can experience. Let’s find out all the differences between DUI and DWI.

A DUI stands for Driving Under the Influence while a DWI stands for Driving While Intoxicated. They both can mean the same thing or mean two completely different things, depending on the state you live in or the offense is in. Either way, if you have an accident claim because of the other driver getting a DUI or a DWI, you might want to know what the difference between the two are. Also, if an accident claim was filed against you, you will definitely want to know the difference between the two in case you were charged with one or the other. Here is the difference between a DUI and a DWI.

State Definitions Are Different

The definitions of the terms DUI and DWI are different with each state. For example, depending on the state you got the offense in, they both mean you are too impaired to drive a vehicle. Some states call drunk driving a DUI and others call it a DWI. Although different states use each term their own way, some states sometimes use both terms and this is where it can get harder to understand the difference between the two. Many times, one is referred to as being impaired by alcohol while the other term means being impaired by drugs or an unknown substance. Also, some states refer to a DWI as driving while impaired with a blood alcohol count or BAC over the legal limit when the other states may refer to a DUI as driving under the influence of either drugs or alcohol.

When a state uses both terms, a DWI means driving while impaired from drugs, alcohol, or some other unknown substance and a DUI means driving under the influence of alcohol. Either way, it is best to find which term is used in your state when you need to know the difference.

It is always best to do the research you need when filing an accident claim if someone who was driving under the influence or driving while impaired hit you. You will need to consult with an auto accident attorney to find out what they can do for you.

Other Terms For Driving While Impaired Or Driving Under The Influence

Driving while distracted can be used under the same pretense as a DUI or a DWI and if someone was driving while distracted, you will need to consult a distracted driving accident lawyer. Having a special lawyer for this will help you win your accident claim. There is also OUI and OWIs that are only used in three different states including Main, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island. However, if you get in trouble with an OUI or an OWI, you don’t even have to be driving the vehicle and it doesn’t have to even be running for you to get a ticket for one of these. As long as you are in the car and impaired by drugs or alcohol, you will be in deep trouble.

If you get hit by someone who was distracted while driving, meaning, they were on the phone talking or texting while driving, you definitely will need to consult a special distracted driving accident attorney to help you.

Fact is, there are three million people injured every year on US roads and mainly they are due to people who are drunk driving or driving while impaired. Not only this, but there are more than six million car accidents every year in the US.