How Can Getting a DUI Affect My Business?

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Getting charged with a DUI is never easy. Not only will you have to deal with the stigma that comes with it, this could severely affect your mobility, especially if your line of business necessitates that you be on the road a lot or demands that you have a perfectly clean slate for instance. Let’s look at how a DUI could affect your business, and what you can do about it.

Restricted Licence

In most DUI cases, you will get your licence revoked. This could affect your operations if you have to meet clients, deliver samples or merchandise or even drive to your place of business. However, several states have provisions in the law to allow drivers to drive under certain restrictions. Depending on your line of business, you may be allowed to drive your car between certain hours and for business reasons only. Most cases will also ask that you add a breathalyzer for car to your vehicle.

Court and Sentencing Obligations

Being charged for a DUI can also be an issue if you happen to get sentenced or get probation which could interfere with your business hours. While you could delegate people to manage your business in your absence, you’ll have to factor this as well as part of your expenses.

Impact on Insurance Premiums

We all know the disastrous effects a DUI can have on your finances in general. However, one area that will be directly affected will be your insurance premiums. Getting a DUI, even if it’s your first, makes you a liability, and this will be reflected on how much you’ll pay. There is also the possibility that your current insurance company will drop you. This could also munch into your overall budget.

Dealing with the Stigma

One of the issues with getting charged with a DUI is the negative impact it will have on your image. People with DUIs unfortunately have to live with the label that comes with it and all the assumptions people have about people who get them. You might have to work twice as hard to regain the trust of the people you work with and you might also lose some of your clients as a result. This is not easy, but this is a possibility that you’ll have to consider as well.

If you happen to be a big figure in your community, then there’s the possibility that the whole thing goes public, which could do some damage on a PR level. In extreme cases, you could consider calling the editor of the local journal and print an apology. Or you could make efforts to show your good intention by participating in efforts in your community to combat drunk driving, or even making a donation to an organization as a sign of faith.

Recovering from a DUI can be difficult, but is definitely possible if you’re ready to do what it takes. Knowing how to counteract these issues will allow you to slowly but surely get your operations back to normal.