After a DUI charge, you may find that nothing is the same again. This not only applies to the direct repercussions of your charge, such as legal action and insurance, but also your personal relationships and work life. In this article, we share with you the ways in which your life can be affected after a DUI charge.
Car Insurance
Inevitably, your car insurance premium will go up. Even without a DUI charge in the mix, insurance premiums are priced according to your risk factor for having an accident, based on factors that include age, sex and driving history. In some cases, your insurance company may even decide to cancel your policy altogether, and finding a new insurance provider will not prove to be easy.
Legal Action
If your DUI charge involves an auto accident with one or more other parties, you will very likely be tangled up in a civil lawsuit. Depending on the circumstances of your case such as whether the other party sustained serious injuries, you can expect to be embroiled in a lawsuit that will have lasting mental and emotional repercussions.
Employment
It’s a reality that employers look at applicants’ legal records before deciding whether to hire them. Having a DUI charge on your record can harm your employment prospects and in some cases, current employers may even decide to let you go. It can also result in complications down the road when applying for a job in sectors such as civil service. In addition, if your job involves driving or if you need to drive to get to your workplace, this can hamper your ability to perform your job well.
Personal Relationships
Not only can your work life be affected after a DUI charge, so can your personal relationships. Being embroiled in a lawsuit can put a strain on romantic relationships, and your relationships with family and friends can suffer as well. All these can happen when you need emotional support the most, leaving you in a vulnerable position.
Mental Health
If you have been involved in an auto accident, the trauma can result in PTSD and other mental health disorders. Even if you were not involved in an accident, the stress of undergoing a trial and having to serve legal repercussions can take its toll on your mental health.
Attend DUI Classes from A Safe Distance
After a DUI charge, you may be required to attend DUI classes as a condition of your license being restored. At Jackson-Bibby Awareness Group, we take recovery very seriously, understanding that it does not stop just because of the ongoing pandemic. This is why we are currently conducting DUI telehealth sessions, where you are expected to attend and participate actively in individual and group counselling sessions via Zoom. However, keep in mind that telehealth sessions are conducted for a limited period only. If there is anything you are unsure of in the meantime, please feel free to take a look through our FAQs.
