Drugged Driving Accidents
Legal Assistance for People Seriously Injured in Washington Drugged Driving Accidents
If you or a loved one has been seriously injured or disabled in a Washington car accident and the other driver was under the influence of marijuana (pot) or drugs, either legal or illegal, you may be seeking answers to your legal questions.
Washington Drugged Driving Accident Lawyer
The national emphasis has been to stop drunk driving but drugged driving presents dangers to pedestrians, bicyclists, and other drivers on Washington roads. Prescription (legal) and illegal drugs can affect a driver's ability to drive safely. Prescription and over-the-counter medications can impair a driver's ability the same as illegal drugs do.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 3,952 of all drivers killed in car accidents in 2009 were positive for drugs. Every year, up to 1,000 injuries and deaths in Washington are caused by drug-related car accidents.
Washington state is one of the first states in the nation to legalize marijuana for "recreational use." Many pot smokers believe that driving while high does not affect them but marijuana, especially in combination with alcohol and other drugs, affects a driver and the driver can be found guilty of a DUI offense.
Washington State Drugged Driving Laws
Washington state has three laws that apply to driving while under the influence of drugs, legal or illegal:
Section 46.61.502
Section 46.61.504
Section 46.61.5249
A defendant can be convicted if the person was driving under the influence or was driving in a negligent manager or the driver exhibited the effects of having consumed a controlled substance, prescription drug, or over-the-counter medication.
When obtaining a driver's license in Washington state, drivers imply consent to be tested for drugs and the person arrested for DUI or DUID may be compelled to submit to a blood draw after an accident in which another was seriously injured. The results of this blood test may be crucial in proving negligence.
Compensation for Washington Drugged Driving Accident Victims
Whenever a person gets behind the wheel and chooses to drive while under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs, whether the drugs are legal or not, they can be held accountable by law for any accident they cause. A person who is injured can seek financial compensation for their losses.
Herbert Farber, a drugged driving attorney in Bellevue, Washington, is dedicated to helping victims in Washington who have suffered losses because of someone driving under the influence of drugs. If you or a loved one has been seriously injured by a drug-impaired driver, or you have lost a loved one in a car accident caused by a drug-impaired driver, you have a right to compensation for your losses.
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(425) 455-9087
Your Case is Important to Us - Free Consultation
Herb Farber and the attorneys in the network of The Farber Law Group provide a free case consultation to people seriously injured in Washington, Oregon, and Idaho. If your injuries are serious and you cannot come to see us, we can arrange to visit you at Harborview Medical Center, Overlake Hospital Emergency & Trauma Center, Evergreen Hospital, or one of the other trauma centers throughout the state. We have represented injured victims for more than 45 years and we believe every injured person should have access to legal advice. For your Free and Confidential consultation, contact us today at (800) 244-9087.