Key Facts about Drugged Driving Accidents in Georgia

While many Georgia drivers are well aware of the high risk of being involved in a car crash caused by a drunk driver, drugged driving does not receive nearly the same focus by motorists. This disparity may be linked to the fact that most motorists recognize that more drivers ingest alcohol than illicit drugs. This assumption fails to recognize the widespread use of prescription drugs by drivers in the U.S. Some vehicle safety experts speculate that prescription drug use and abuse has become so prevalent that drugged driving may now be as pervasive as drunk driving. Because drugged driving is now such a serious risk for Georgia drivers, our Atlanta drugged driving accident lawyers at Montlick and Associates have provided the following key facts about this extremely risk driving hazard:

What should I do if the other driver who causes a collision seems to be impaired by some type of drug?

If the at-fault driver appears to exhibit the effects of drug impairment, you should make the law enforcement officer investigating the crash aware of your suspicions. When you inform the officer that you believe the other driver may be under the influence of an intoxicating substance, you should also inform the officer of the specific observations that form the foundation for this suspicion. It also is important to indicate what if any traffic violation or unsafe driving maneuver was executed by the other motorist that caused the crash.

Are illicit street drugs a much bigger issue than prescription medications and over-the-counter drugs in terms of causing motor vehicle collisions?

While most studies have focused on illicit drugs like heroin, cocaine, marijuana, methamphetamine, ecstasy (MDMA) and similar illegal drugs, recent studies have found that the vast number of people using prescription and over-the-counter medications that impair driving might be a much more serious problem. A study conducted in West Virginia that focused on distinguishing fatal crashes caused by prescription drugs from those caused by illegal drugs found that prescription drugs were a more common cause of fatal collisions.

Are there really that many drivers who operate motor vehicles after taking illegal narcotics or prescription drugs?

A report produced by the Office of the National Drug Control Policy found that a third of all drivers involved in fatal crashes tested positive for some form of drug that impairs driving ability. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) also analyzed Fatal Accident Reporting System (FARS) data covering 12,055 drivers involved in fatal crashes. The data revealed that 3,952 of the drivers involved in these collisions tested positive for illegal drugs, prescription medications and over-the-counter medications that included stimulants, depressants, hallucinogens, narcotics, depressants, PCP, marijuana, inhalants, hallucinogens, painkillers, sleep aids, anxiety medications and others. Further, the study found that the prevalence of drivers in fatal accidents that tested positive for drugs increased by five percent during a recent four year period.

Put Our Law Firm's Over 39 Years Experience to Work For You

If you or a family member has been injured or a loved one has died in an accident caused by a drug impaired driver, our Atlanta auto accident lawyers at Montlick and Associates have been representing injury victims for over thirty years throughout all of Georgia and the Southeast, including but not limited to all smaller cities and rural areas in the state. No matter where you are located our attorneys are just a phone call away, and we will even come to you.

Call us 24 hours a day/7 days a week for your Free Consultation at 1-800-LAW-NEED (1-800-529-6333). You can also visit us online at www.montlick.com and use our Free Case Evaluation Form or 24-hour Live Online Chat.