Ambulance Struck by Vehicle in Atlanta

Fulton County Justice Center Tower

Atlanta, Ga. - Officers reported a collision involving a vehicle and an ambulance at an intersection off of Lavista Road.

Officers thankfully reported no major injuries. The collision resulted in the ambulance being pushed over onto its side. No other details have been reported, however, as an Atlanta DUI Lawyer, I will focus on the connection between accidents and charges of DUI in Atlanta.

DUI and Accidents

If a driver is involved in a car accident, the accident itself can be used to support a DUI charge by showing that the driver was less safe to drive depending on the circumstances of the accident. A car accident may also frustrate a favorable negotiation with the prosecution. 

Penalties likely to be more severe when a car accident is involved even when no person or property was injured or damaged. Also the accident itself can be used as an indication of less safe driving, which is an element of the DUI offense itself.

If an officer sees a driver in distress, the officer has legal cause to approach the vehicle and investigate and offer assistance.  The officer's primary duty is to aid all distressed drivers.  However while aiding those drivers, the officer can also investigate the cause of the accident and a possible DUI offense.  Also, the officer can charge the driver with anything he sees in plain view, such as drugs or weapons in the vehicle.

Practice Note

Call our offices now if you have been cited in an accident in Atlanta.