Halfway Through Thanksgiving Holiday Period and Georgia Road Reports Look Fatal

Capitol Building

Atlanta, Ga. – The Georgia Department of Public Safety has already issued a report regarding the traffic incidents encountered by Georgia State Patrol Troopers as well as Metro Atlanta Police Officers – the Thanksgiving Holiday Period isn't even over yet.

Eleven people have died since Wednesday night – these numbers were reported Friday morning. 2019's total for the five-day holiday period was twelve. Officers and Troopers alike were hoping that the roads would see less travelers this year. However, there were just as many if not more people traveling by road.

As an Atlanta DUI Lawyer, I will outline the connections between accidents and DUI in Atlanta in today's post.

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

As I stated above, there are many accident-related charges and many times, accidents lead to DUI investigations and subsequent DUI arrests. If you have been arrested for driving under the influence, please call our offices now. We can help you today.