FloridaMan crouching in distress after a car crash, showing signs of trauma effect of DUI blood alcohol Florida

πŸ“’ How Trauma Can Affect Blood Alcohol Levels After a DUI

πŸš‘ 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, we’ll break down how trauma affects alcohol absorption, what β€œretrograde extrapolation” really means, and how we can use medical evidence to fight DUI charges after an accident

🩸 How the Body Processes Alcohol — Under Normal Conditions

Under ordinary circumstances:

  • Alcohol is absorbed through the stomach and small intestine πŸ§ƒ

  • It enters the bloodstream and is carried to the brain and liver 🧠

  • The liver processes alcohol at a fairly predictable rate 🍷

This predictable absorption curve is the foundation for DUI blood and breath testing. But trauma can throw that entire curve off.

⚠️ 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 ⏳

  • 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 πŸ“ˆ

  • Stress hormones (cortisol/adrenaline) may alter how your body processes alcohol 🧬

  • IV fluids given at the hospital can dilute or confuse blood test readings πŸ’‰

βœ… 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.

 

πŸ“‰ 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.

βœ… 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.

πŸ›‘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 πŸš‘

  • Subpoena the test results and blood draw documentation 🧾

  • Consult toxicology or pharmacology experts to evaluate your body’s alcohol curve πŸ§‘β€βš•οΈ

  • File motions to suppress or exclude unreliable test results πŸ“‚

πŸ“In 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.

πŸ“ž 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., I’ll fight to uncover the medical and scientific issues that prosecutors often overlook β€” and build a defense that challenges unreliable evidence head-on.

πŸ‘‰ Call today for a free consultation if you’ve been charged with DUI in Fort Lauderdale after a crash or traumatic incident.

πŸ™‹‍♂️ Frequently Asked Questions About Trauma and DUI BAC Testing

❓ 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.

❓ 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 don’t hold up after trauma.

❓ 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.

❓ 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.

❓ 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.

🧠 Don’t let flawed science dictate your future.

If you’ve been charged with DUI after an accident, call Michael White, P.A. today. We’ll challenge the results and fight for the best possible outcome.