The Governors’ Highway Safety Association has released a report that highlights the growing dangers of drugged driving. The legalization of marijuana for recreational and medical use in addition to the increase in the number of prescriptions written for painkillers may be contributing to the increase in the number of accidents attributed to drugged driving. Twenty-three (23) states of legalized the use of medical marijuana and four (4) states of legalized the use of recreational marijuana.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a drugged driving accident, contact our office immediately. Under Pennsylvania’s drugged driving laws, you may be entitled to receive compensation for your damages, including but not limited to:

• Past and future medical expenses
• Past and future lost wages
• Loss of earning capacity
• Property Damage
• Funeral, burial, and/or cremation expenses in the event of a death
• Travel expenses, personal care expenses, and other out-of-pocket expenses related to the injury
• Compensation for physical pain and emotional suffering
• Compensation for the loss of enjoyment of life

Our personal injury attorneys represent clients in Erie, Edinboro, Warren, Meadville, Bradford, and all of Northwestern Pennsylvania. We will work diligently to hold the other driver at fault for his or her drugged driving. Contact our office now to schedule a free case evaluation.

Drugged Driving is as Prevalent as Drunk Driving

The most recent data tracking vehicle fatalities shows that the number of drivers testing positive for drugs is almost the same as those testing positive for alcohol. Approximately twenty-two percent of drivers test positive for drugs according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). During 2013, about sixty percent of drivers involved in fatal accidents were tested for drug use. Of those tested, thirty percent tested positive for a drug on the Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) list, almost thirty-five percent of drivers tested positive for marijuana, and almost ten percent of drivers tested positive for amphetamine.

Out of thirty-one states, only seventeen states include drugged driving information in their driver education courses and only twelve states reported having employers that provide training and/or programs to prevent drugged driving.

States are encouraged to take action to reduce the number of drugged driving incidents. Some of the ways states can reduce drugged driving include:

• Enacting new laws and penalties for drugged driving convictions;
• Require drug tests for all drivers in fatal accidents;
• Educate the public on the dangers of drugged driving;
• Provide additional training for law enforcement; and,
• Track data within the state to determine if efforts are working and determine how efforts can be improved to decrease drugged driving.

In addition to actions that states can take to reduce the number of drugged driving accidents, a federal education campaign has been recommended by the Government Accountability Office. The report also calls for federal data collection guidelines, standardized roadside testing, continued research of drugged driving, and additional resources for law enforcement agencies and the judiciary.

Pennsylvania Injury Attorney For Those Injured By A Drugged Driver

The Travis Law Firm offers a free consultation for individuals and families who have been injured due to the negligence, recklessness, or carelessness of another person. Contact our office today to speak with an experienced personal injury attorney to discuss how we can help you maximize the compensation you are entitled to receive under Pennsylvania personal injury laws.