DUI Involving an Accident in Arizona
Arizona is known for having particularly strict laws against driving under the influence (DUI). If a drunk or drugged driver causes a car accident, the penalties can significantly impact the individual’s life, freedom and future. If you or a loved one has been involved in a DUI accident, contact our skilled DUI lawyer in Scottsdale to help you fight against any related DUI criminal charges.
Can I Be Charged With DUI After an Accident in Arizona?
Yes, you can be charged with a DUI after a motor vehicle accident takes place in Arizona if you have an illegal blood alcohol content (BAC) level or otherwise show signs of impairment. Even if you are not at fault for the collision, if the responding police officer suspects you of intoxication, he or she can place you under arrest on suspicion of driving under the influence.
Criminal charges related to these cases can include:
- DUI/DWI with accident
- Aggravated DUI
- Extreme or super extreme DUI
- Reckless endangerment
- Aggravated assault
- Vehicular manslaughter
- Negligent homicide
- Second-degree murder
Even if you are injured and taken to a hospital directly after the car accident, you could be arrested afterward. If you are suspected of DUI, law enforcement may order blood tests for alcohol and drugs while you are in the hospital. They may then file DUI charges days or even weeks later, as the evidence is processed.
What Are the Penalties for a DUI Accident in Arizona?
Being accused of causing a car accident while under the influence of alcohol or drugs is a serious matter in Arizona. The state penalizes these crimes harshly to discourage drivers from this dangerous practice.
The penalties you could face upon being convicted in relation to a DUI accident will depend on the types of charges entered against you. Common consequences include:
- Fines and surcharges
- A jail or prison sentence
- Mandatory probation
- Driver’s license suspension or revocation
- Required ignition interlock device
- Drug or alcohol counseling
- Long-term consequences, such as a permanent criminal record
Even if no one was injured in the automobile accident, you could be charged with endangerment alongside a DUI after a car accident. Penalties will vary based on the severity of the automobile accident and the level of damage caused.
Defenses to DUI Accident Charges in Arizona
It is imperative to contact a Scottsdale DUI accident defense attorney during your criminal case in Arizona. A strong legal defense can be effective at minimizing the penalties you face and the effects a criminal charge will have on the rest of your life.
Our experienced DUI charge lawyer in Scottsdale can craft a defense strategy such as:
- Not in actual physical control of a motor vehicle
- Lack of evidence of intoxication
- Breathalyzer test malfunctions or misreads
- Inaccurate field sobriety test results
- Unlawful traffic stop or arrest
- Civil rights violations or police misconduct
- You did not cause the car accident
- Prescription medication defense
Our Scottsdale DUI charge lawyer at Corso Law Group will help you achieve the best case results possible using a custom-tailored defense. While you focus on your life and future, your lawyer can handle meetings with the prosecution, requests for dismissal, court hearings, plea bargain negotiations and a criminal trial, if applicable. Hiring the right attorney can give you peace of mind during a trying time.
