What Does Impaired Driving Mean?
If you’ve been involved in an accident where a driver was impaired, it’s essential to know the facts. Being well-informed and following the guidance of a personal injury lawyer can help you get the compensation you deserve.
Impaired driving is defined as the operation of a vehicle while affected by an outside influence that weakens a person’s ability to drive safely. Impaired driving can include several factors:
- Alcohol use
- Illegal drugs like marijuana in some states
- Legal drugs, such as prescription medication
- Sleepiness
Drunk Driving In Missouri
When people think of impaired driving, most think of driving while drunk. Missouri has historically been one of the worst states regarding fatalities caused by drunk driving. In 2019, 235 people died in accidents involving alcohol, making up 26.7% of all fatal accidents.
When you’re involved in an accident with a drunk driver, you’re entitled to compensation. You can get compensation, most likely from an insurance claim, for your personal injuries. You can also pursue a personal injury lawsuit to seek further damages. If you’ve been injured by a drunk driver, you may be able to seek punitive damages against that individual based on their conduct.
We’ll walk you through your options and help you decide the best route for you.
Driving Under The Influence Of Narcotics And Prescription Medication
In Missouri, a driver can be charged with a DWI if they are impaired by prescription or over-the-counter medication. If it’s decided that the driver was impaired, they can be liable for any injury or damage caused.
There are a variety of common prescription drugs that can impair a driver, including:
- Antidepressants
- Decongestants
- Antihistamines
- Anti-anxiety medication
- Narcotics
- Sleeping pills
The symptoms that these drugs cause can include:
- Dizziness
- Drowsiness
- Nausea
- Blurred vision
- Impaired cognitive function
- Slow reaction times
Those injured because of an impaired driver are often owed compensation. However, prescription medication cases can be complicated because they are difficult to prove. An experienced personal injury lawyer can help investigate the accident and explore all of your options.
Driving And Marijuana In Missouri
Missouri has some of the toughest marijuana laws in the nation. However, in 2018, voters approved a constitutional amendment legalizing medical marijuana.
While the policy has been changing, driving while under the influence of marijuana is still illegal and can result in serious legal consequences. Even if someone has a prescription for medical marijuana, this does not excuse driving while high.
If you were injured in a car accident resulting from a driver under the influence of marijuana, you have a case for a personal injury lawsuit.
Learn More About Impaired Driving
Want more information on drunk and impaired driving laws and how to seek compensation for your injury? Check out our personal injury blog for more great content about impaired driving injuries and more.
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If you’ve been injured in an accident caused by an impaired driver, we can help explore your options for legal action. During your free consultation, we will discuss our plan to help you get the compensation you deserve.
Schedule your free consultation with Tolbert Beadle today.
