β±οΈ DUI Crash BAC Test Timing in Florida Can Make or Break Your Case
If you were recently involved in a crash and then arrested for DUI, you may think your blood alcohol content (BAC) result seals your fate.
But when it comes to DUI crash BAC test timing in Florida, when the test is taken matters just as much as what it shows.
In many DUI crash cases, the BAC test is delayed due to medical treatment, trauma, or on-scene investigation. And that delay can completely change your test results β making them less reliable and more open to challenge.
At Michael White, P.A., we defend DUI after crash Florida cases throughout Fort Lauderdale, Broward County, and South Florida by attacking the timing and reliability of BAC tests.
π§ Why Timing Matters in DUI Crash Cases
In any DUI after crash Florida case, your BAC isnβt static. It changes over time based on:
When you last drank
Whether you had food in your stomach
How quickly your body absorbs and eliminates alcohol
In crash situations:
Police often delay testing while handling the scene
You may be transported to a hospital for treatment
Your body may still be absorbing alcohol at the time of testing
Medical interventions (like IV fluids) may affect your result
β‘οΈ This blood alcohol test delay is one of the biggest factors we use to challenge DUI crash charges in court.
βοΈ Retrograde Extrapolation in DUI Crash Cases
Prosecutors may use a method called retrograde extrapolation to estimate your BAC at the time of the crash, based on your BAC test taken later.
But retrograde extrapolation DUI Florida cases are built on shaky assumptions:
That your BAC was declining at the time of the test
That your absorption phase was complete
That your drinking timeline is fully known and reliable
That no medical condition or trauma affected your metabolism
β Our expert witnesses regularly challenge retrograde extrapolation in Broward County DUI lawyer cases, especially when testing occurs more than 30 minutes after the crash.
π©Έ Medical Factors That Can Skew BAC Results
Hospital care after a crash may involve IV fluids, sedation, or medications β all of which can skew BAC readings.
Other common problems include:
Blood drawn too late
Hospital staff using non-evidentiary methods
Missing or broken chain of custody
π‘ We use these inconsistencies to question whether your BAC test really reflects your condition while driving.
π‘οΈ How We Defend DUI Crash BAC Test Timing Cases in Florida
As your Broward County DUI lawyer, we dig into every detail of the timeline β from the moment of the crash to the moment your blood or breath was tested.
We:
Analyze police and EMS reports
Cross-examine officers and medical staff
Bring in toxicologists to challenge BAC calculations
File motions to suppress unreliable test results
Show the court how the dui crash bac test timing in Florida can lead to unfair prosecutions
π Arrested for DUI After a Crash? Timing Is Your Best Defense.
If your BAC test was delayed due to a crash, youβre not out of options.
The science is on your side β and we know how to use it.
π Call Michael White, P.A. today for a free consultation. We defend DUI crash cases in Fort Lauderdale, Broward County, and South Florida.
πβοΈ Frequently Asked Questions
β Can trauma affect BAC test results?
Yes. Shock, injury, and IV fluids can all alter BAC readings β making them unreliable as evidence.
β What is retrograde extrapolation?
It’s a method used to estimate your BAC at the time of driving based on a delayed test — but it’s based on assumptions that don’t always apply.
β How long after a crash can they test my BAC?
In some cases, testing is delayed 30–90 minutes or more. That delay creates major issues for accuracy and legal admissibility.
β Is hospital blood testing the same as a legal DUI blood draw?
No. Hospital blood tests are done for medical purposes and often lack proper chain of custody or FDLE-compliant procedures.
β Can I fight a DUI charge based on a delayed test?
Absolutely. Delayed BAC tests can be challenged through expert testimony and motions to suppress based on unreliable or mishandled evidence.
π©Έ In DUI crash cases, timing is everything.
Let Michael White, P.A. build a defense that challenges the science β and protects your future.