How Dangerous are Drugged Drivers?
How dangerous is a drugged driver? Are the rates of drugged driving increasing across the United States? Legalization and decriminalization of medical and recreational cannabis is happening in many states. Coupled with a high prevalence of prescription opioids, this is driving an increase in the number of drugged driving incidents. When an individual is injured or killed by a drugged driver, auto accident attorneys in Kansas can pursue compensation for their injuries or wrongful death.
Report from Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA)
In May, the GHSA released a report which detailed the growing problem of drugged driving in the United States. The report showed that marijuana was present in the systems of 38% of fatally injured drivers who tested drug positive. 16% tested positive for opioids, and 4% were positive for both marijuana and opioids. Of all drug and alcohol related fatalities, 51% of those who died tested positive for two or more substances.
By comparison, 38% of fatally injured drivers tested positive for the presence of alcohol alone. The GHSA also notes that the rates may be much higher than the data shows. This is because only 54% of fatally injured motorists are tested for the presence of drugs. Reasons for not testing include lack of training and lack of financial resources to perform testing. When a driver is tested, auto accident attorneys can present this evidence at trial.
The Problem with Prescriptions
Driving under the influence of prescription medications is a prescription for death. Consumption of Oxycodone, Hydrocodone, Vicodin, Morphine, and other opioids affects a motorist's perceptions. They also slow a driver's reaction time. Nationwide, the number of opioid prescriptions is declining from a peak of approximately 277 million in 2012, to 239 million in 2016. In 2015, approximately 92 million adults received a prescription for opioids. This represents 38% of adults in the United States.
Data gathered by the GHSA, CDC, and NHTSA shows that a significant number of these individuals are driving while under the influence of their prescription medication. The GHSA estimates that the presence of opioid medication increases the risk of an accident by up to 100%.
Brad Pistotnik Law is a Wichita attorney who specializes in auto accident cases. Along with associated accident attorneys, lawyers, and abogados, they represent clients in Kansas, Oklahoma, Nebraska, Texas, Florida, Missouri, and Illinois. Whether the automobile accident occurred in Wichita, Liberal, Garden City, Derby, Winfield, Arkansas City, El Dorado, Tonkawa, Helena, Cherokee, Alva, Waynoka, Mooreland, Woodward, Fort Supply, Coldwater, Pratt, Stafford, Greensburg, Bucklin, Newton, Sublette, Lakin, Meade, Plains, Liberal, Tyrone, Texhoma, Boise City, Campo, Springfield, Pritchette, Kenton, Coolidge, Syracuse, Central City, Genoa, Albion, St. Paul, Hastings, Sutton, Aurora, Crete, Lawrence, Omaha, Savannah, Atchison, Holton, Hiawatha, Rock Port, Peru, Auburn, Marshall, Arrow Rock, Fayette, California, Eldon, Warsaw, Clinton, Rich Hill, Warrensburg, Whiteman AFB, Wheatland, Camdenton, Osage Beach, Muskogee, Okmulgee, Checotah, Eufaula, McAlester, Atoka, Ada, Seminole, Cushing, Davis or elsewhere in these states, our auto accident attorneys can help you pursue the compensation you need to recover from your car accident.
We are Brad Pistotnik Law. ® We are Abogado El Toro. ® Hire the real Brad. ® Call in the Bull. ® We are the Bull Attorneys! ™ Call us at 1-800-241-BRAD or call us on our local line at 316-684-4400. Our firm gives free legal consultations on weekends. We give emergency legal consultations on weekends, holidays and at night time. You can call Brad Pistotnik on his cell at 316-706-5020. You can call Tony Atterbury on his cell at 316-617-9237. You can call from Western Kansas at 620-THE-BULL. Our main office location is at 10111 E. 21st St. N., Suite 204, Wichita Kansas 67206. Our Garden City office is at 3102 E. Kansas Avenue, Suite 100, Garden City, Kansas 67846. We always give free consultations and we answer the phone 24/7 and on weekends and holidays for free legal consultation.
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