Many people assume that intoxicated driving is an issue only after a person has consumed alcohol and has gotten behind the wheel of a car. Yet, intoxicated driving crashes in the Atlanta area can also result from drugged drivers.
According to Georgia law, a person can face criminal consequences for driving under the influence “of alcohol to the extent that it is less safe for the person to drive” or under the influence of “any drug to the extent that it is less safe for the person to drive,” among other forms of intoxicated driving. To be clear, a person can be unlawfully driving under the influence whether they have consumed alcohol, illegal drugs, or even prescription or over-the-counter medications if those drugs make it less safe for them to drive.
How do these definitions of drugged driving affect personal injury lawsuits involving a drugged driver who is responsible for injuries in a crash? Proving that a motorist caused an accident while they were under the influence of alcohol or drugs can help you to show that the driver was negligent and therefore liable for your injuries. Our Atlanta car accident lawyers can provide you with more information.
Drugged Driving Accidents Are More Common Than You Might Think
Drugged driving and drugged driving crashes happen more often than you might think. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), more than 12 million adults admit to driving under the influence of illicit drugs, compared with about 20 million adults who admit to driving under the influence of alcohol. Those figures do not include adults who drive under the influence of prescription medications that can make driving less safe, such as benzodiazepines or opioids. Even some over-the-counter drugs like antihistamines can make it less safe for a person to drive.
A Citation for Drugged Driving Can Prove Negligence
If you were injured in a collision caused by a drugged driver, it can be very helpful to your case to obtain any citation the driver received for drugged driving. Indeed, if the motorist was cited for driving under the influence, you will be able to use that citation to prove the driver’s negligence and liability.
You May Have Other Ways to Prove Drugged Driving
Even if the drugged driver did not receive a citation, you may be able to prove that the motorist was under the influence of drugs in another way, such as through witness statements or accident reconstruction.
Claims Must Be Filed Within Two Years
The statute of limitations for most drugged driving injury lawsuits is two years. Accordingly, you will most likely need to file your lawsuit within two years from the date of the drugged driving accident. If you wait too long to file, your lawsuit can become time-barred under Georgia law and you could be ineligible for financial compensation.
Contact an Atlanta Car Accident Attorney Today
Whether you were injured in a motor vehicle crash caused by a drugged driver or a motorist engaged in another type of negligent behavior, one of our experienced Atlanta car accident attorneys can help you to seek financial compensation for your losses. Contact Stewart Miller Simmons Trial Attorneys online or call our firm at (404) 529-3476 to learn more about how we can assist you