Eleven Fatalities Already Counted During Thanksgiving Holiday in Georgia

Atlanta Public Safety Headquarters

Atlanta, Ga. – The Thanksgiving Holiday Period is not yet over, however, 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.

According to their reports, eleven people have died since Wednesday night. Last year's total for the five-day holiday period was twelve. With the pandemic in full swing, agencies were expecting less travelers on Georgia roads. This was far from the case.

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

DUI and Accidents in Georgia

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. 

Georgia DUI Penalties are 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 and marijuana found in the car.

Moreover, car accidents can lead to additional charges being filed against a driver.  These charges can include but are not limited to:

• Following Too Closely in Georgia
• Failure to Maintain Lane in Georgia
• Serious Injury by Vehicle in Georgia, etc.

Practice Note

Call our offices now if you or a loved one has been arrested for driving under the influence. We can help you with your case now.