Although other criminal offenses differentiate between illegal drugs and prescription drugs, when it comes to driving under the influence (DUI) offenses, the law treats the two similarly. A driver who sustains a DUI conviction for operating a vehicle while under the influence of a legally prescribed medication can still incur possible jail time, community service, and monetary fines. These drivers may also face civil liability for the motor vehicle accidents that they cause.
If you suffered injuries in a car accident that you believe a drugged driver caused, call the Gwinnett County car accident lawyers at Brauns Law Accident Injury Lawyers, PC for help. Our knowledgeable legal team can review what happened with you and pursue a favorable settlement in your case.
Prescription Drugs
Prescription drugs come with a myriad of physical and psychological side effects that can impair a driver’s ability to operate a motor vehicle safely. Some of these drugs relieve pain while others reduce anxiety. Moreover, prescription drugs affect different people in different ways. Some of the most common prescription drugs that contribute to car accident cases include:
- Opioids – Opioids are strong painkillers and include drugs like Demerol, OxyContin, and oxycodone. These prescription drugs can impair a driver’s reaction time, make the driver tired, alter the driver’s attention level, reduce the driver’s coordination, and affect the driver’s memory. Drivers who are under the influence of any one of these drugs while behind the wheel can cause a serious accident.
- Benzodiazepines – This drug classification includes Ativan, Xanax, and Klonopin. These drugs can also affect a driver’s coordination and reaction time and can lead to serious car accidents. This is especially true when the driver combines one of these drugs with alcohol.
What to Do at the Accident Scene
If you are in a car accident that a drunk or drugged driver caused, first call the police to the scene, assuming you are in a condition to do so. You should then report your observations of the other driver to the responding police officer. Those observations may include a staggered gait, slurred speech, and weaving in and out of traffic lanes while driving. The officer can then perform the necessary tests (including chemical tests) to determine whether a prescription drug impaired the other driver.
In addition to bringing a claim or lawsuit directly against the other driver, you may bring the vehicle owner into the case in some situations.
Call a Gwinnett County, Georgia Drugged Driving Accident Attorney about Your Case Today
Prescription drug abuse is becoming a major problem nationwide. One reason why this is such a problem is that it can lead to serious car accidents and injuries. The skilled lawyers at Brauns Law Accident Injury Lawyers, PC can help you recover the compensation you need in a drugged-driving case.
To schedule a free consultation and case evaluation with a Gwinnett County, Georgia drugged driving accident attorney, please call us at 404-418-8244, or contact us online today.
