π Accidents, Adrenaline, and Alcohol Readings: What You Should Know
If you were arrested for DUI after a crash, there’s a critical factor that could change everything: trauma can affect DUI blood alcohol levels in Florida.
In high-stress, high-impact situations, your body may not absorb or metabolize alcohol the way it normally would. That means the results of a breath or blood test may not reflect your true BAC at the time you were driving.
As a Fort Lauderdale DUI defense lawyer, I know how to challenge the science behind alcohol readings when trauma or injury plays a role. In this post, weβll break down how trauma affects alcohol absorption, what βretrograde extrapolationβ really means, and how we can use medical evidence to fight DUI charges after an accident
π©Έ How the Body Processes Alcohol — Under Normal Conditions
Under ordinary circumstances:
Alcohol is absorbed through the stomach and small intestine π§
It enters the bloodstream and is carried to the brain and liver π§
The liver processes alcohol at a fairly predictable rate π·
This predictable absorption curve is the foundation for DUI blood and breath testing. But trauma can throw that entire curve off.
β οΈ How Trauma Disrupts Alcohol Absorption and BAC Testing
If you were injured or in shock during or after a crash, your BAC reading may be scientifically unreliable for several reasons:
Slowed gastric emptying: The body delays digestion during trauma, which can postpone alcohol absorption β³
Delayed peak BAC: Alcohol may still be absorbing when your test is taken β meaning the number is higher than it was when you were driving π
Stress hormones (cortisol/adrenaline) may alter how your body processes alcohol π§¬
IV fluids given at the hospital can dilute or confuse blood test readings π
β These factors can give your defense attorney powerful grounds to argue that your BAC result doesn’t reflect your level of impairment at the time of the accident.
Research shows that trauma can significantly alter how the body absorbs and metabolizes alcohol — even in clinical settings. One NIH-backed study found notable differences in BAC outcomes when trauma patients were tested under stress.
π Retrograde Extrapolation: Why It's Not Always Reliable
Prosecutors often try to calculate your BAC backward in time β a process called retrograde extrapolation β to estimate what your BAC was while driving.
But this method relies on assumptions about:
When you last drank
How much you drank
When your body began absorbing the alcohol
Whether your body was in a normal metabolic state
If you were injured or in shock, those assumptions fall apart.
β An experienced DUI attorney can challenge the use of retrograde extrapolation in cases involving trauma, arguing that the math simply doesn’t hold up under scrutiny.
π‘οΈ Building a Defense Based on Trauma and Medical Evidence
If trauma may have impacted your BAC reading, your defense team can:
Request and review hospital records and EMS reports π
Subpoena the test results and blood draw documentation π§Ύ
Consult toxicology or pharmacology experts to evaluate your bodyβs alcohol curve π§ββοΈ
File motions to suppress or exclude unreliable test results π
πIn many cases, this can result in a reduction of charges, a weaker prosecution case, or even a dismissal if the blood or breath evidence is thrown out.
π Charged with DUI After an Accident? Don’t Assume the Test Is Accurate.
If you were injured or shaken up during a DUI investigation, you need an attorney who understands how trauma impacts toxicology.
At Michael White, P.A., Iβll fight to uncover the medical and scientific issues that prosecutors often overlook β and build a defense that challenges unreliable evidence head-on.
π Call today for a free consultation if you’ve been charged with DUI in Fort Lauderdale after a crash or traumatic incident.
πβοΈ Frequently Asked Questions About Trauma and DUI BAC Testing
β Can trauma affect how my body absorbs alcohol?
Yes. Trauma and shock can delay alcohol absorption, meaning your BAC may not peak until after your test is taken.
β What is retrograde extrapolation in DUI cases?
It’s a method used by prosecutors to estimate your BAC at the time of driving by working backward from your test — but it relies on normal absorption assumptions that donβt hold up after trauma.
β Can IV fluids affect my DUI blood test results?
Yes. Medical treatment like IV fluids can dilute your blood sample or interfere with test accuracy.
β Can I fight a DUI charge if I was in an accident?
Often yes — a pharmacologist or toxicologist can testify about alcohol absorption issues and undermine the State’s interpretation of your test results.
β Do I need an expert witness to challenge DUI blood test science?
Often yes — a pharmacologist or toxicologist can testify about alcohol absorption issues and undermine the State’s interpretation of your test results.
π§ Don’t let flawed science dictate your future.
If you’ve been charged with DUI after an accident, call Michael White, P.A. today. Weβll challenge the results and fight for the best possible outcome.