Most people understand that drunk driving can be very dangerous. Alcohol use can significantly impair a person’s ability to drive safely, and those who get behind the wheel after drinking are likely to be involved in car accidents. However, marijuana use is another increasingly common issue that affects drivers. While the state of Wisconsin has not yet legalized marijuana, this drug is legal in other nearby states, and its use is common. Because marijuana can affect a driver’s ability to control a vehicle safely, those who have been involved in an accident with a driver who may have used this drug will want to work with an attorney to determine their legal options.
Effects of Marijuana on Drivers
Marijuana use presents some unique issues that affect drivers. Unlike alcohol, which can be easily measured in a person’s system to determine their level of intoxication, tests for marijuana do not always indicate whether a driver is impaired. Traces of marijuana can remain in a person’s system for days or even weeks after using the drug. Because of these issues, standard methods of testing for marijuana intoxication have not yet been established.
The ways that marijuana can affect a driver may vary from person to person. However, “driving while high” can be dangerous for any driver. Even though some drivers claim that marijuana use improves their ability to concentrate, studies have found that these effects rarely last more than a few minutes. In the long term, those who use marijuana will often lose their ability to maintain concentration, and their attention will be more likely to wander. By being more easily distracted, a person may struggle to maintain focus on the road, and they may miss important details that could allow them to avoid a collision.
Marijuana can also have a number of effects similar to intoxication by alcohol. These include slowed reaction times that reduce a person’s ability to respond to conditions on the road and impairments to coordination that affect a person’s ability to control their vehicle. Marijuana can also cause distortions in a person’s sensory perception, impairing a person’s problem-solving ability. If marijuana is used along with alcohol, this can lead to additional impairment beyond what would be caused by either substance on its own.
Contact Our Appleton, WI Marijuana-Related Car Accident Attorneys
If you were involved in a car accident that you believe was caused by a driver who was impaired by marijuana, Herrling Clark Law Firm, Ltd. can address your needs and help you receive financial compensation. Our attorneys will act quickly to gather and preserve evidence to show that a driver was liable for the collision, including reports from police officers, recordings of calls to 911, testimony from eyewitnesses, and photos or videos of the scene of the collision. To get the legal representation you need as you pursue compensation, contact our Green Bay drugged driving accident lawyers at 920-739-7366 and arrange a free consultation.
Sources:
https://www.cdc.gov/marijuana/pdf/Marijuana-Driving-508.pdf
https://www.theguardian.com/society/2019/apr/26/driving-while-high-cannabis-study-safety
https://www.verywellmind.com/how-does-marijuana-affect-driving-63533