There are many things that can happen when a person drives while they are impaired. One of these is that they might cause an accident. Unfortunately, this can compound the legal issues that they have to deal with if they are involved in this type of situation. Drivers need to remember that if they are in an accident, they are likely going to be told that they need to take a chemical test for alcohol if they are thought to be impaired.
When you are in an accident, the criteria for reasonable suspicion that could lead to the officer trying to determine if you are intoxicated is met. The officer who works the wreck might peek into the vehicle for signs of alcohol, or they might ask if anyone has been drinking. If it is determined that you are impaired, you will likely face criminal charges for drunk driving.
It is also possible that you will have to take the chemical test if you are in an accident that led to a fatality or a serious injury. In addition to that concern, you also have to be prepared to face the civil claims that can come out of these accidents.
The civil claim is one in which the victims can seek compensation for the financial damages that they suffered in the crash. This can have a negative impact on your life because you may have to fight those claims. If the claim is successful, you must cover the financial obligation. This can be a considerable sum if the injuries were serious or there was a death.