Dangers of Drugged Driving
Marijuana usage is becoming more socially acceptable, not just in Florida but across the United States. And as it does, laws that once prohibited possession or personal use of marijuana are being relaxed – or repealed altogether. While this is good news for those who require marijuana for the treatment of certain ailments – or for those who simply enjoy using marijuana for personal reasons where it has been made legal – this does not lessen the dangers of consuming marijuana and then getting behind the wheel of a vehicle.
Dangers of Driving While “High”
According to a 2014 New York Times article, driving while under the influence of marijuana does impair a driver’s ability to drive safely and may result in a twofold increase in a driver’s risk of being involved in an accident as compared to a driver who has no marijuana in his or her system. While this means that driving while high is generally safer than driving while under the influence of alcohol (statistically speaking), having marijuana in one’s system is still more dangerous than driving sober.
No Excuse for Legal or Prescribed Medications
A driver who is under the influence of marijuana – or any legal, illegal, or prescription drug for that matter – and who causes an injury crash or a fatal crash can be held civilly responsible for the injuries and losses he or she causes others to experience. This is true even if the drug that caused the at-fault driver’s impairment was “legal” to possess or consume or if the drug was prescribed to the driver.
“Connecting the Dots” Following a Car Crash
It can be difficult to determine if drugs like marijuana or prescription medications played a role in your car collision, however. Facts and evidence that may suggest this is the case include:
- Odor of marijuana coming from the at-fault driver immediately after the crash;
- Pill bottles or marijuana located in the at-fault driver’s car;
- Odd behavior from the at-fault driver, such as lethargy, cloudy thinking, delayed responses to questions or stimuli, or other similar symptoms;
- Failure to successfully complete field sobriety tests administered by a law enforcement officer at the scene of the crash;
- The results of blood tests conducted by law enforcement or medical staff.
Obtaining and preserving this important evidence to help show liability and fault is not always easy, however. An experienced and knowledgeable attorney should be able to act quickly to preserve this evidence so it can be utilized to help you obtain compensation for your injuries and losses.
Contact a Clearwater Car Crash Attorney Today for Help
If you or a loved one has been injured in a car crash and you believe the at-fault driver may have been under the influence of marijuana or other drugs, you must take swift action to give yourself or your loved one the greatest chance of recovering compensation. Contact the experienced Florida car wreck recovery team at Roman & Roman P.A. right away at 877-767-1032. Our firm will take aggressive and decisive action to protect your legal rights and help you obtain the monetary compensation you need to address your losses and begin rebuilding your life.
Resource:
nytimes.com/2014/02/18/health/driving-under-the-influence-of-marijuana.html