While drunk driving is a major problem in the United States, drugged driving is becoming a problem as well. Being high on any drug can affect a driver's ability to operate a motor vehicle safely, can affect reaction time, can affect depth perception, and can affect a driver's ability to remain in their own lane. However, if you are involved in an accident with a drugged driver, it can be difficult to have this factored into your car accident case.
Drugged Driving Is Difficult to Prove
While you are able to easily detect when an individual has a certain amount of alcohol in their system, it can be difficult to determine how much of a substance a drugged driver has consumed. Another complication is that drugged drivers will often be consuming various substances and the mixing of these substances will play a role in the driver not being able to safely operate the vehicle.
Because it is more difficult to prove that the other driver was drugged, your car accident attorney will likely need to use other methods to determine if a motorist is under the influence of drugs at the time of the accident. Fortunately, an expert witness can help with this task.
How an Expert Witness Can Help
An expert witness who works for the law firm of your car accident attorney can examine the scene of the accident to look for evidence that the other driver was under the influence of drugs. For example, how far the debris is tossed after the accident can be used to determine whether or not the driver hit the brakes.
An expert who is knowledgeable about the effects that various drugs can have on an individual's ability to drive can use this to build a compelling argument that the other driver was under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
Get the Police Involved
After your car accident, you will always want to contact the police promptly. By doing so, the police might be able to determine that the driver was under the influence of drugs even without a drug test. Police officers are trained to look for signs of drugged driving.
Some states criminalize drugged driving and other states don't. Your auto accident attorney can use the fact that the driver was charged with a drugged driving offense as a way to put pressure on their insurance provider to give you the largest settlement possible.
If you were in a wreck with a drugged driver, contact a local car accident attorney to learn what to do next.
