When Impaired Driving Results in a Calgary Car Accident

When a driver makes the mistake of driving under the influence of alcohol or a drug, his or her chances of getting into a car accident are significantly higher. In 2010, over 210,000 of the 1.6 million vehicular collisions recorded throughout Canada were linked to some form of impairment. Of the estimated 2,500 fatalities resulting from an automotive collision, over 1,000 were related to DUIs.

In total, impaired driving was estimated to have cost Canadians over $20.6 billion. With this in mind, if you are ever involved in an accident in Calgary and are accused of impaired driving, the actions you take immediately following the accident are very important.

Failure to Remain at the Scene of a Calgary Auto Accident

The most critical thing to remember is that failure to stop following an accident is a criminal offence in Calgary, you are expected to exchange your name and contact information, and to offer aid to anyone involved in the crash who appears to be injured. This applies to all drivers involved in a collision with another vehicle, a pedestrian, or even cattle in the charge of another person. If you are charged with driving under the influence, failing to remain at the scene of an accident can lead to an additional charge.

Your best defence against a DUI charge, as always, is to refrain from operating any vehicle when you've had anything to drink it's safest for you physically and legally. No matter what the circumstance, if you are involved in an accident in Calgary and fear you might be suspected of impaired driving, it is still unquestionably in your best interests to remain at the scene of the accident and to cooperate with all lawful requests made by the Calgary Police. You will not help your defence by trying to evade law enforcement or any responsibility you may bear for the accident.

Calgary Police and DUI-Suspected Accidents

If there are any serious injuries or significant property damage, or if anyone involved in the accident suspects another of driving under the influence, Calgary Police should be called from the scene of the accident. If you are being charged with failing to remain at the scene of an accident and/or impaired driving (DUI), you have the right to contact a defence lawyer as soon as is practically possible after you are arrested or detained.

Calgary Police have increased their efforts to build public awareness about DUIs and incidents involving impaired driving. Attempting to leave an accident scene, whether or not you are intoxicated, is something most Calgarians know to be in violation of the law, and something they are very likely to report to the police. Help your defence by complying with the rules of the road.

Contacting a Calgary DUI Defence Lawyer

Speak with a Calgary defence lawyer as soon as possible if you or a family member has been involved in a car accident in Calgary and a DUI charge has been laid against you as a result. Call Susan Karpa today for a free consultation. She has extensive experience successfully defending clients against impaired driving charges and other criminal driving offences, and will make sure your rights are protected.