Alcohol is Not the Only Cause of a DUI Accident
In 2016, drunk drivers took the lives of 10,497 people in DUI accidents. Traffic-related fatalities attributed to alcohol-impaired accidents totaled 28 percent of all traffic fatalities that year. Approximately every 50 minutes, someone died in a DUI accident in the United States during 2016. However, alcohol is not the only caused of impaired-driving accidents. Drugged driving also injuries thousands of people each year.
How Prevalent is Drugged Driving?
One survey estimates that drugged driving incidents during 2016 totaled 11.8 million (drunk driving estimates were 20.7 million). The survey also revealed that men and young adults are more likely to drive after taking drugs or consuming alcohol.
Marijuana is only second to alcohol as the substance most often found in the system of an impaired driver. Studies have shown that drivers who have marijuana in their system are twice as likely as other drivers to cause a traffic fatality. However, another study conducted by the NHTSA found that there did not appear to be an increased risk of a traffic accident for drivers who are under the influence of marijuana.
However, marijuana is not the only drug that drivers use. Any illegal substances, prescription medications, and over-the-counter medications can impair driving abilities. Side effects of drugs include dizziness, drowsiness, impaired motor skills, impaired judgment, and diminished reflexes. The effects drugs have on a person can create a deadly situation when that person decides to get behind the wheel of a vehicle after taking those drugs.
You must remember that just because a certain drug does not impair one person’s ability to drive that does not mean the same drug will not impair your driving abilities. Drugs have different effects on different people. Therefore, you need to read all materials and warnings provided with the medicine and talk to your doctor before getting behind the wheel.
Who is Responsible for a Drugged Driving Accident?
When a drugged driver caused a DUI accident, that driver can be held liable for any damages caused by the crash. However, you must prove the driver did something to cause the collision. Being under the influence of a drug at the time of a crash is a criminal offense, but it may not be the reason the crash occurred. It may not happen often, but a drugged driver could be in an accident that he or she did not cause.
The law still requires that you prove negligence and fault before you can recover damages in a personal injury claim — even if the driver is guilty of drugged driving. An experienced DUI accident attorney can help by investigating the cause of the accident to determine fault. If the other driver was at fault, your attorney will gather evidence to prove your case so that you can be reimbursed for your expenses and compensated for your losses.
Call a Stockton DUI Accident Attorney for Help
The attorneys of Torem & Associates are dedicated to fighting for the rights of injury victims in Stockton and throughout Central California. Our Stockton DUI accident attorneys understand the steps needed to hold a drugged driver liable for his or her actions.
Call (888) 500-5000to schedule a free consultation with one of our DUI accident lawyers.
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