Driving while impaired is dangerous and irresponsible, whether it’s because of alcohol, illegal drugs, phones or even prescription medication. While many people acknowledge the danger of driving while distracted or under the influence of alcohol, it is common to overlook the severity of the problem of drugged driving. Whether it’s an illegal street drug or a medication prescribed by a doctor, anything that affects a driver’s reaction and cognition has the potential to cause an accident.
Like those who drive under the influence of alcohol, drugged drivers may be less likely to see hazards and react in enough time to avoid a collision. Unlike alcohol, there isn’t a readily available and fast way to test for drugs in a driver’s system at the scene of an accident. If you are the victim of an accident and you believe drugs could be to blame, you may want to seek and understand the legal options available to you.
How drugs affect a driver
Drugs can impact a driver in various ways. Every drug is different, and individuals will react to these effects differently. People often underestimate the potential impact of a drug when prescribed by their doctor. In some cases, drugs may not have any serious effects unless consumed with alcohol. Individuals who take certain types of medications are responsible for knowing how they could affect driving. Some ways in which drugs can affect a driver include:
- Slowed reaction time
- Blurred vision
- Dizziness or drowsiness
- Impaired judgment
- Decreased coordination
- Impaired judgment of time
Any drug has the potential to cause dangerous side effects for a driver. This is a widespread issue, as statistics suggest that millions of people drive while under the influence of drugs each year. Marijuana is commonly associated with drugged driving accidents, as are prescription medications and different types of opioids.
Complex injury claims
Drugged driving accident cases can be complex because it’s not simple to prove how much of a substance a driver had in his or her system before a crash. This is why it is crucial to work with an injury attorney with experience in complex injury claims.
Victims of drugged driving have the right to seek fair compensation for their pain and suffering. An assessment of your case can help you understand the legal options available to you, which may include a claim through Florida’s civil justice system.
