{"id":13476,"date":"2019-02-15T16:14:37","date_gmt":"2019-02-15T16:14:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/webdemo.icu\/site\/andywins\/?p=13476"},"modified":"2019-02-15T16:14:37","modified_gmt":"2019-02-15T16:14:37","slug":"did-a-drunk-or-drugged-driver-cause-your-crash-heres-what-you-need-to-know","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/webdemo.icu\/site\/andywins\/blog\/did-a-drunk-or-drugged-driver-cause-your-crash-heres-what-you-need-to-know\/","title":{"rendered":"Did a Drunk or Drugged Driver Cause Your Crash? Here\u2019s What You Need to Know"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

If you see someone veering all over the road, you likely assume they\u2019re drunk, but there\u2019s a good chance the driver\u2019s impairment is at least partially due to drug use. As drug and alcohol use grows, our roads are becoming more dangerous.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this article, Andy Citrin explains the drugged driving problem, and what you should do after a car accident<\/a> with an impaired driver.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Drugged Drivers Cause More Than 43% of Fatal Crashes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Like the rest of the country, Alabama is in the middle of a drug epidemic. According to the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA), 43.6% of the drivers who underwent drug testing after a fatal crash had positive results. More than 50% of them tested positive for two or more drugs, and 40.7% were also drunk. Marijuana and opioids were the most commonly identified drugs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

RELATED ARTICLE: <\/strong>Mobile Drunk Driving Statistics<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Similarly, in the most recent National Roadside Survey, performed in 2013 and 2014, roughly 22% of all drivers tested positive for either drugs or alcohol on weekend nights \u2014 8.3% of the drivers tested positive for alcohol and 15.2% had used illegal drugs. Unlike the GHSA data, which only reviewed fatal crash reports, this survey involved randomly stopping drivers at 300 different locations across the United States.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Alabama Drunk and Drugged Drivers Face Both Civil and Criminal Penalties<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Under Alabama law, it is illegal to operate a vehicle with a 0.08% blood-alcohol concentration (BAC) or higher. Commercial drivers must be under a 0.04% BAC, and the legal limit for people under the age of 21 is 0.02%. However, the state does not have a \u201czero tolerance\u201d law against drugged driving. Instead, the state bans driving when your use of drugs or alcohol makes it unsafe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

RELATED ARTICLE: <\/strong>Truck DUI and DWI Accidents<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When someone is arrested for drunk or drugged driving, they typically face criminal charges. If convicted, the driver may face jail time, mandatory substance abuse treatment, loss of their driver\u2019s license, and other penalties. While these criminal cases are an important part of holding the at-fault driver accountable, they don\u2019t compensate the victims for their injuries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To get compensation for your medical bills, lost income, and other damages resulting from an intoxicated driver, you\u2019ll need to file a civil lawsuit. The prosecutor cannot file this claim for you, which means you\u2019ll need to consult with a personal injury attorney instead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Demand Justice After a Drunk or Drugged Driving Accident<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

When you suspect a driver is drunk or on drugs, make sure you report your concerns to law enforcement officials immediately. If there are other witnesses that saw the drivers\u2019 behavior, you should get their contact information as well. These early steps can help you document the driver\u2019s impairment and may serve as valuable evidence in your personal injury claim.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

RELATED ARTICLE: <\/strong>Tips to Avoid Drunk Driving Accidents<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Unfortunately, it\u2019s not always easy to prove that a negligent motorist was driving under the influence. While Alabama sets strict BAC levels that help us identify when a driver is drunk, there isn\u2019t a similar standard for drug use. The problem is the human body processes drugs like heroin, oxycodone, and marijuana differently. And when you add alcohol to the mix, it can accentuate the level of intoxication.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In a drugged driving case<\/a>, you can\u2019t just rely on a blood test or toxicology report. Instead, you\u2019ll need to do a careful investigation that uncovers why the driver couldn\u2019t safely operate their vehicle. Depending on the circumstances surrounding your claim, your lawyer may use:<\/p>\n\n\n\n