Driving under the influence of drugs ranks among one of the leading causes of motor vehicle accidents. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), approximately 56 percent of drivers involved in crashes leading to serious injuries or fatalities tested positive for at least one drug. These accidents can leave victims financially strapped, emotionally drained, and physically broken.
If you have been injured in an accident with an intoxicated driver, you may be entitled to compensation for the injuries and losses you suffered because of the accident. Turn to a drugged driving accident attorney from Ryan Bisher Ryan and Simons for help pursuing your claim.
For over 30 years, our firm has advocated for accident victims’ rights, fighting to hold those responsible accountable. We pride ourselves on dedicated service. All three of our partners have spent their entire legal careers with our firm, with each of our attorneys focusing on one area of the law. That’s how we provide our clients with in-depth experience and knowledge.
If you were harmed by a drugged driver, don’t wait to start pursuing a legal case that can get you the compensation and justice you deserve. Reach out to us for a free initial consultation to discuss your legal options with a knowledgeable and dedicated car accident lawyer from our firm.
What Is Drugged Driving?
Drugged driving involves operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of a narcotic or impaired by a drug’s side effects. Driving while on drugs can affect a driver’s ability to safely operate their vehicle by impairing coordination, reaction time, judgment, and perception. Because of this, driving under the influence of drugs dramatically increased the risk of causing a catastrophic accident on the road.
Drunk Driving vs. High Driving: Is There a Difference?
Many drivers may not appreciate the debilitating effects of being high on marijuana or cannabis products. Marijuana can have the same impact on driving ability as alcohol, including lowering reaction times, altering visual perception, and impairing judgment.
But drunk driving and high driving do have some key differences. Medical research has established a rough correlation between alcohol intoxication and impaired driving ability. This is why many states have set a blood alcohol calculator (BAC) of 0.08 percent as the legal limit for DUI. Drivers who have a BAC at or above the legal limit are presumed to be impaired to the point of not being able to drive a vehicle safely.
However, research has not yet determined a reliable way to correlate marijuana intoxication with impaired driving. THC, the primary psychoactive compound in marijuana, may be detectable in a person’s system for weeks after marijuana use. This is long after a person has stopped feeling the side effects of the drug, making it difficult to use this to evaluate impaired driving.
Another major difference between drunk driving and high driving involves the driver’s own perception of their intoxication. Drivers under the influence of alcohol tend to underestimate their level of intoxication and impairment, leading to more motorists choosing to drive drunk. However, the effects of marijuana can cause users to overestimate their level of impairment. This can cause motorists to refrain from driving long after using marijuana or drive far more cautiously after using marijuana.
Which Drugs Can Affect a Person’s Driving Ability?
Commonly used drugs that can affect a driver’s ability to operate their vehicle include safely include the following:
- Marijuana
- Cocaine
- Methamphetamines
- Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD)
- Heroin and other opioid drugs
- MDMA/Ecstasy
- PCP
- Ketamine
Taking two or more drugs or taking drugs in combination with alcohol can drastically increase the effects that impair driving ability.
Even legal prescription drugs can affect a person’s driving ability. Many prescription medications come with warnings that patients should not operate heavy machinery while taking the medication. Some of the same effects that make using heavy machinery dangerous while on certain drugs can also impact a person’s ability to safely operate a motor vehicle, which can be considered “heavy machinery.”
What to Do After an Accident with a Drugged Driver
If you have been injured in a motor vehicle accident with another driver that you suspect is under the influence of drugs, you should take the following steps to protect yourself and your rights:
- Contact law enforcement — You should not try to interact with a driver you suspect is high on drugs. Instead, let the police evaluate the driver and take appropriate action. When you call the police or 911, you should also let them know if you or anyone else involved in the accident needs medical assistance.
- Try to move your vehicles out of the traffic path — Exit your vehicle to reduce the risk of a secondary collision, and then move cars out of traffic if it’s safe. Activate your hazards, and turn off your engine.
- Document the accident scene — Try to take photos of vehicle damage, skid marks on the road, road lines, traffic signals, visual obstructions, and weather and lighting conditions. If you notice narcotics or drug paraphernalia in the other driver’s vehicle, you can also try to photograph those.
- Gather information — You need to collect important contact information from the other driver and any eyewitnesses. But you should wait until the police are there to do this. The police can help you get the drugged driver’s contact and insurance information or note the information on the police accident report. You should also note other important details, including the make, model, VIN, and registration number of the other driver’s vehicle.
- Seek medical treatment as soon as possible — If the paramedics are not called to the accident scene or you refuse medical attention, you should still follow up with a doctor after the crash to get examined for any injuries you may have suffered.
Talk to Our Drugged Driving Injury Lawyers in Oklahoma City Today
If you have been injured in a car accident with a driver under the influence of drugs, let our Oklahoma City drugged driving injury attorneys pursue justice for you. We have recovered millions of dollars for our clients and always put them and their goals first.
Contact Ryan Bisher Ryan and Simons today for a free, no-obligation case review to discover how our firm can help you obtain financial recovery for your injuries and losses.
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