Driving While Stoned Doubles Car Crash Risk
Driving within three hours after smoking or ingesting marijuana nearly
doubles a driver's risk of a vehicle accident as reported in a new
Canadian study. The risk is very high for fatal crashes that can result in
wrongful death
insurance claims or lawsuits whether they involve
auto accidents,
truck accidents, or
motorcycle accidents. This risk is only slightly less than that of drivers who drive drunk.
Mark Asbridge, an associate professor of community health at Dalhousle
University in Halifax, concluded that alcohol increases the risk of a
crash at a higher level than pot. However marijuana makes it more difficult
for drivers to judge distance and these drivers very often tailgate and
swerve from lane to lane which ultimately reduces their reaction time
and leads to these vehicle crashes. The researchers found that those driving
under the influence of pot were actually almost twice as likely to have
an auto accident then those drivers not impaired. Since pot dispensaries
are open in the Palm Desert and Palm Springs area selling to those persons
with prescriptions we probably have more impaired drivers on the Coachella
Valley roads. Driving while acutely impaired is a criminal offense in
all 50 states. The marijuana impaired driver with or without a prescription
for the pot who causes a car crash may be arrested and later sued for
any personal injury caused by the accident. That insurance claim will
definitely raise the insurance rate of the negligent impaired driver.
Contact the Palm Desert and
Palm Springs personal injury lawyer
at this firm for any auto accident insurance claim questions you may have.
We are here to help.
Posted By
Barry Regar APLC
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