Ohio OVI & Personal Injury Attorney

First, remain silent beyond providing your identification. Do not answer questions about where you've been or what you've consumed. Second, request an attorney immediately—police must stop questioning once you invoke this right. Third, document everything you remember about the stop, tests, and arrest. Fourth, contact an OVI attorney within 24-48 hours—you have only 30 days to request an ALS hearing to save your license. Finally, do not plead guilty at your first court appearance without speaking to a lawyer.

Legal fees vary based on case complexity, prior offenses, and whether the case proceeds to trial. First-time OVI defense typically ranges from $2,500-$5,000, while complex cases or trials may cost $5,000-$10,000+. However, consider the total cost of conviction: fines ($375-$10,000), increased insurance premiums ($3,000+/year for 3-5 years), license reinstatement fees ($475), potential job loss, and permanent criminal record. I offer flexible payment plans and accept credit cards because quality defense is an investment in your future.

Reduction to "physical control" or reckless operation is possible but depends on several factors: (1) Strength of evidence—were field sobriety tests properly administered? Was the breathalyzer calibrated? (2) Your prior record—first-time offenders have better chances. (3) Prosecutor and court—some jurisdictions are more amenable to reductions than others. (4) Aggravating factors—high BAC (.17+), accidents, or injuries make reductions harder. As an OVI specialist, I analyze every case for constitutional violations, procedural errors, and evidentiary weaknesses that create leverage for negotiation.

Ohio imposes an Administrative License Suspension (ALS) immediately upon arrest if you: (1) tested over .08 BAC (.02 for under 21), or (2) refused testing. First-time ALS is 90 days (test over limit) or 1 year (refusal). However, you can challenge this by requesting a hearing within 30 days. If you win the ALS hearing, you keep driving privileges while the case proceeds. Even if suspended, you may qualify for limited driving privileges for work, school, or medical needs after a "hard suspension" period (15 days if tested, 30 days if refused).

Ohio's statute of limitations for most personal injury claims is 2 years from the date of injury. For wrongful death claims, it's 2 years from the date of death. For medical malpractice, it's 1 year from discovery (max 4 years). Exceptions exist for minors (tolls until age 18) and cases involving fraud or concealment. However, do not wait—evidence disappears, surveillance footage is deleted, and witnesses become unavailable. Contact an attorney immediately after seeking medical treatment.

Ohio law uses OVI (Operating a Vehicle under the Influence) as the official term, replacing older terminology. OVI covers both alcohol and drugs. "DUI" (Driving Under the Influence) and "DWI" (Driving While Intoxicated) are colloquial terms still used by the public but not in Ohio statutes. "Physical Control" is a related, lesser offense for being in control of a vehicle while impaired without actually driving. "OMVI" (Operating a Motor Vehicle Impaired) was the previous statutory term. When searching for legal help, use "OVI attorney" for the most relevant results in Ohio.