The use of alcohol and drugs is known to affect a driver’s ability to safely operate a motor vehicle. All states have criminalized both driving while using alcohol and other drugs, even if the driver is impaired to the slightest degree. However, with the increased use of prescription pain killers more individuals are driving while under the influence of these narcotics. The use of these narcotics while driving puts other drivers at risk as well as pedestrians and bikers.
The use of prescription painkillers significantly increases a motorist’s risk of becoming involved in a car accident. A AAA study shows that prescription drugs are the most prevalent of all drugs found in drugged drivers involved in fatal crashes (46.5%). The percentage of at-fault drivers testing positive for opioids rose from 2 to 7 percent over the last two decades. This may create a claim for wrongful death. Opioid use, even when prescribed and monitored by a medical professional, may cause drowsiness, dizziness, impaired concentration and attention, and slowed reaction times, significantly impacting a driver’s ability to safely operate a motor vehicle safely.
If you are injured and the party responsible for the injury was operating a motor vehicle while impaired to the slightest degree, this is not just a case of the driver being negligent, it may be a case where the driver was negligent per se, negligence due to a violation of rule or statute.
At Mesch Clark Rothschild, there are numerous attorneys who are experienced in handling motor vehicle accidents that involve substance use and opioid use. If you have been injured due to a motor vehicle accident and believe substance abuse was involved contact the personal injury attorneys at Mesch Clark Rothschild and one of our experienced attorneys will help you.
