Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs creates an impairment that makes it difficult for you to make proper judgements and could delay your reactions. This is why drunk driving accidents happen so easily and why law enforcement works diligently to stop drunk driving. If you get behind the wheel after drinking too much, you may not end up with a DUI, but you could still face other charges, depending on the nature of the incident.
The Tennessee Department of Safety & Homeland Security explains that you could face multiple charges in addition to a DUI. You may also face an implied consent charge. This means that when an officer stopped you for a suspected DUI, you refused to submit to a blood alcohol test. The reason that this is a charge is that in the state when you get a driver’s license, you automatically agree to take such tests as a condition of your driving privileges.
If you cause an accident, you could face a vehicular assault or vehicular homicide charge. Assault is when you cause serious injury to another person in a drunk driving accident. Homicide is when someone dies as a result of a drunk driving accident found to be your fault.
Lastly, if an officer pulls you over for a suspected DUI and you end up charged with the crime, you could face child endangerment charges if you have a passenger who was under the age of 18. This charge may vary in severity depending on the age of the child and any injuries the child may have sustained if you had an accident.
