Driving while under the influence of drugs is a serious problem on roads across the country. Drug-impaired driving is dangerous and illegal. It puts the driver, passengers, and everyone else sharing the road at risk of injury and death.
Many people know that drunk driving is very dangerous. But they may not realize that drugged driving is just as bad. Drugs, even prescription and over-the-counter medicines, can impair driving skills like alcohol can.
If you or a loved one has suffered an injury in an accident caused by a driver under the influence of drugs, contact an experienced car accident lawyer right away to discuss your legal options. An attorney can fight to recover fair compensation for your medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, and more.
What is Drug Impaired Driving?
Drug-impaired driving is operating a vehicle while under the influence of legal or illegal drugs. Many substances can impair one’s ability to drive safely, including:
- Marijuana
- Opioids like heroin and prescription painkillers
- Stimulants like cocaine and methamphetamine
- Depressants like barbiturates and benzodiazepines
- Inhalants
- Over-the-counter cold and allergy medicines
- Prescription drugs like antidepressants and sleep aids
These substances can cause effects that make it unsafe to drive, such as:
- Slowed reaction time
- Decreased coordination
- Dizziness
- Drowsiness
- Impaired judgment
- Increased aggressive behaviors
- Altered perception
Driving under the influence of any drug that impairs your ability to safely operate a vehicle is illegal in all 50 states. This includes prescription drugs and over-the-counter medicines.
How Many People Drive Drugged?
Drug-impaired driving is a common problem in the U.S. Despite the known risks, far too many people get behind the wheel after using substances that impair their ability to drive safely. This puts everyone on the road in danger.
The legalization of marijuana for medical and recreational use in many states has led to increased concerns about drugged driving in recent years. While most people understand the dangers of driving under the influence, some wrongly believe that marijuana doesn’t significantly impair driving ability.
In reality, marijuana can slow reaction times, decrease coordination, and impair judgment – all skills that are critical for safe driving. Combining marijuana with alcohol or other drugs heightens impairment and crash risk even more.
Many people also underestimate the risks of driving after using prescription drugs. Just because a doctor prescribes a drug doesn’t mean it’s safe to take and drive. Medications like painkillers, anti-anxiety drugs, and sleep aids can cause significant impairment behind the wheel.
Public education campaigns are still needed to spread awareness about the prevalence and dangers of drugged driving. No one should get behind the wheel after using any substance that can affect their ability to drive safely. The risks are far too great.
Accidents Caused by Impaired Drivers
Driving under the influence of drugs significantly increases the likelihood of being involved in a crash. Research shows that different substances affect crash risk in different ways:
- Marijuana: Marijuana use can increase a driver’s odds of being involved in an accident compared to sober drivers. The more THC (the psychoactive compound in marijuana) in a driver’s system, the higher their crash risk. Marijuana can slow reaction times, impair judgment of time and distance, and decrease coordination.
- Opioids: Driving after taking opioids, whether prescription painkillers or illegal drugs like heroin, is extremely dangerous. These drugs cause effects like drowsiness and dizziness that substantially increase crash risk.
- Cocaine and methamphetamine: Stimulant drugs like cocaine and meth are linked to speeding, aggressive driving, and other very risky behaviors behind the wheel. Cocaine can lead to overconfidence in one’s driving abilities, poor decision-making, and loss of control.
- Multiple drugs: Using a combination of drugs, like marijuana and alcohol together, multiplies impairment and makes a crash much more likely. Even small amounts of alcohol mixed with any impairing drug are an extremely dangerous cocktail when driving.
The impact of drug-impaired driving crashes can be devastating. These accidents often result in serious, life-changing injuries or wrongful deaths. Impaired drivers should be held fully accountable for the harm they cause. Anyone who has suffered an injury by a drugged driver should speak to a car accident attorney about pursuing legal action right away.
What To Do If You’re Hit By an Impaired Driver
If you suffered an injury in an accident caused by a driver under the influence of drugs or alcohol, the steps you take in the aftermath can have a big impact on your health and financial future. Here’s what to do to protect yourself and your rights:
Seek Medical Care After a Crash
After being involved in an accident caused by a drug-impaired driver, your top priority should be your health and well-being. Even if you don’t think you were seriously hurt, it’s wise to get a full medical evaluation as soon as possible following the crash.
Some injuries, like whiplash, concussions, and internal bleeding, may not have obvious symptoms right away. But left untreated, they can worsen over time and lead to long-term complications. Only a trained physician can properly diagnose crash-related injuries and recommend the appropriate treatment.
When you see a doctor after an accident, mention any and all symptoms you’re experiencing, no matter how minor they may seem. Follow your doctor’s treatment plan to the letter – attend all follow-up appointments, take medications as prescribed, and complete any recommended therapy sessions.
Keep detailed records of all your medical care related to the crash. Save copies of doctor’s notes, test results, prescriptions, bills, and insurance statements. These documents will be important evidence in your legal case against the impaired driver.
If you wait too long to get medical care after a crash, the at-fault driver’s insurance company may try to argue that your injuries aren’t that serious or were caused by something else. The longer you delay treatment, the harder it will be to prove the connection between the crash and your condition. That’s why it’s so important to see a doctor immediately and document your injuries.
By taking your medical needs seriously from day one, you protect both your health and your legal rights after a devastating drugged driving accident. Don’t try to tough it out and risk your physical recovery and ability to collect fair injury compensation. Put your well-being first and let your car accident lawyer handle the rest.
Don’t Speak with Insurance Companies
In the aftermath of a crash caused by a drug-impaired driver, you can expect to hear from their insurance company sooner rather than later. The at-fault driver’s insurer will likely contact you, asking for information about the accident and your injuries. They may even pressure you to give a recorded statement or accept a quick settlement offer.
As tempting as it may be to comply with their requests so you can put the whole ordeal behind you, doing so can seriously damage your legal case. Remember, insurance adjusters are not on your side. Their goal is to find ways to limit the company’s financial liability for the crash.
Anything you say to the insurance company can be used as evidence to reduce or deny your injury claim. Even an innocent statement like “I’m feeling okay” can be twisted to argue that your injuries aren’t severe. That’s why it’s best to avoid speaking with insurance representatives altogether.
Instead, politely inform any adjusters who contact you that you are represented by an attorney and cannot discuss the accident or your injuries. Direct them to talk to your lawyer instead. If the insurance company sends you paperwork to fill out or sign, do not do so without having your attorney review it first.
Your lawyer can handle all communications with the insurance company so you can focus on your physical and emotional recovery. They can protect you from saying anything that might jeopardize your case. They can also assess any settlement offers to make sure they adequately address all your damages.
Trying to deal with insurance companies on your own after a serious crash is risky. One misstatement or hasty decision can cost you dearly. Let your car accident lawyer be your advocate and deal with the insurers while you concentrate on getting better.
How a Car Accident Lawyer Can Help
Being injured in a crash with an impaired driver can turn your whole life upside-down. Suddenly, you’re facing a long road to recovery, costly medical bills, missed work and lost income, and serious pain and suffering. The at-fault driver should be held responsible for the harm they’ve caused. But getting fair compensation can be an uphill battle.
That’s where an experienced car accident attorney comes in. An attorney who has handled cases involving drugged drivers can be your most powerful ally during this difficult time. They can guide you through the legal process, stand up to the insurance companies, and fight for every dollar you deserve.
A skilled lawyer will investigate the accident to uncover evidence of the other driver’s impairment and fault. They may look at police reports, witness statements, medical records, accident reconstruction, and more to build a strong case on your behalf.
Your car accident attorney can also handle all dealings with the insurance companies. They can field adjusters’ calls, advise you on giving statements, review settlement offers, and negotiate for maximum compensation. If needed, they can even take your case to court and argue it in front of a judge and jury.
In the wake of a serious crash, you need a legal advocate who will put your interests first and work tirelessly to get you the money you need to recover and move forward. Look for a car accident lawyer with experience handling impaired driving cases, a track record of success, and a reputation for client satisfaction.
The right attorney can make all the difference in the outcome of your case. They can take the burden of the legal process off your shoulders, provide trusted guidance and support, and give you the best chance at securing full and fair compensation for all your losses. Don’t wait to get the knowledgeable representation you need during this challenging time.
Damages Available in Drugged Driving Accident Cases
If you’ve suffered an injury in an accident caused by a drug-impaired driver, you may be entitled to recover various types of damages. Damages are monetary awards intended to compensate victims for the losses they’ve suffered due to someone else’s negligence or wrongdoing. In drugged driving cases, these may include:
- Medical expenses: You can seek reimbursement for all medical bills related to the diagnosis and treatment of your crash injuries. This includes ER visits, hospital stays, surgeries, doctor’s appointments, medications, medical equipment, and more.
- Lost income: Crash injuries often force victims to miss substantial time at work. You can pursue compensation for the income, salary, benefits, and opportunities you’ve lost during your physical recovery.
- Property damage: If your vehicle or other personal property was damaged or destroyed in the drugged driving crash, you can seek money to repair or replace it.
- Pain and suffering: Not all accident injuries are physical. You can recover compensation for the physical pain, emotional distress, and mental anguish the impaired driver’s actions have caused.
An experienced car accident lawyer can assess your case and determine the full value of your impaired driving injury claim. It’s important to account for how the accident has negatively impacted your life – physically, emotionally, and financially. Even damages that are hard to quantify, like pain and suffering, should be factored in.
Remember that every case is unique, and the types and amounts of compensation available will depend on the specific facts of your situation. A knowledgeable attorney can give you a better idea of what your case may be worth and fight to maximize your financial recovery. While no amount of money can undo the trauma you’ve suffered, securing fair compensation from the impaired driver can provide critical support as you heal and move forward.
Contact an Experienced Car Accident Lawyer to Discuss Your Options
If you or someone you love has suffered an injury by a drugged driver, don’t hesitate to contact an experienced car accident lawyer to discuss your rights and options. You may be able to recover substantial compensation.
An experienced personal injury attorney can walk you through the legal process and advocate aggressively for your best interests. The sooner you get legal representation, the better.