Colorado car accident attorneys note studies showing that driving under the influence of drugs (DUI) and associated deaths are increasing in Colorado and across the United States. Broad data suggests that drugged driving is becoming more common and taking a growing toll on roadway safety, car accident lawyers note.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident, contact Attorney Group for Colorado to learn more about your options in a free, confidential, no-obligation consultation. If you wish to pursue a claim, we can connect you with an affiliated car accident lawyer.
Report: Marijuana is the #1 Cause of DUI in Colorado
According to The Washington Post, research shows that the number of drivers in fatal Colorado accidents who test positive for marijuana has increased four percent since the state legalized the drug for recreational purposes. Nationally, the number of fatally injured drivers who test positive for drugs jumped over 50 percent from 2005 to 2013. A Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) report indicates that in 2013, nearly 40 percent of people who died in car accidents had drugs in their systems.
Though this national data reflects accidents that involve other substances, including prescription drugs, the findings have troubling implications for Coloradans because most incidences of drugged driving involve marijuana. The GHSA states that, based on reported use, detection during roadside surveys and presence in fatal accidents, marijuana is the most common drug that drivers take. Furthermore, according to GHSA surveys conducted in Colorado and Washington, many people think marijuana doesn’t impair their driving ability. Some people even believe they show improved driving performance after using the substance, the website reported.
Injured Drivers or Passengers May Be Entitled to Compensation
Drivers or passengers who are injured in car accidents may be entitled to compensation for damages resulting from their injuries, including:
- Medical expenses
- Loss of income or ability to work
- Pain, suffering, and mental anguish resulting from an injury
If a driver or passenger is killed in a car accident, his or her family members may be able to pursue compensation for the wrongful death of their loved one. Wrongful death damages can include:
- Mental anguish, and pain and suffering from the loss of a loved one
- Loss of relationship or financial support of a loved one
- Funeral expenses
- Conscious pain and suffering or a loved one prior to death
People who have been injured in a car accident are advised to seek a qualified car accident attorney to help them protect their legal rights.
Contact Us For More Information
If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident, contact Attorney Group for Colorado for more information. You can fill out the form on this page, call us at the number listed at the top of the page, or email us at info@attorneygroup.com.
When you contact us, an attorney will follow up with you to speak with you about your case or answer questions that you might have. There is no cost or obligation to speak with us, and any information you provide will be kept confidential.
Please note that the law limits the time you have to pursue a claim for an injury. If you think you have a case, you should not delay taking action.
See our Frequently Asked Questions page for more information, and contact Attorney Group for Colorado today.
