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Little Rock Drugged Driving Accidents
Motor Vehicle Collision Lawyers Serving Little Rock and Pulaski County
Driving under the influence of drugs is just as dangerous as driving under the influence of alcohol. In fact, a national study recently showed that drugged driving was associated with more deaths than driving under the influence of alcohol. A recent study ranked Arkansas 6th in the nation for the number of drivers in fatal automobile accidents from 1995-2013 who tested positive for drugs. If you have suffered harm in an auto accident caused by someone driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, call Nahon, Saharovich & Trotz today for a free consultation. Our Little Rock drugged driving accident attorneys have more than 30 years experience representing injured car wreck victims across the South.
Drugged Driving Is Against the Law
All 50 states have laws against drugged driving, and 15 states have adopted a per se standard for drugged driving, which makes it illegal to drive with any detectable amount of an illegal drug, such as cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamines. Under Arkansas law, it is illegal “for any person who is intoxicated to operate or be in actual physical control of a motor vehicle.”
Seeking Compensation for Your Injuries Caused by a Driver on Drugs
What is considered to be intoxicated under the law? Alcohol intoxication is clearly defined under the law and can be easily measured. If a person has a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08% or more, then he or she is legally intoxicated. Compared to alcohol, it is much more difficult to measure drug impairment at the time of a traffic stop or accident. Unlike alcohol, some drugs remain in the body for several days or weeks after use so it makes it difficult for blood or urine tests to accurately determine whether someone was driving under the influence of drugs at the time of an accident.
How then can you hold a drugged driver responsible for your injuries after a crash? You will first need to prove the drugged driver’s negligence. Officers have been trained to determine drug impairment in motorists based on their eye movements and behaviors following a traffic stop or accident. If the driver was charged with driving under the influence of drugs, information from the defendant’s criminal case can prove useful in your civil case. An experienced drugged driving accident lawyer in Little Rock can monitor the criminal case on your behalf.
What if the defendant was not cited for driving under the influence? In that case, you may have to rely on the testimony of eyewitnesses or other evidence to show that the drugged driver was responsible for the accident. To prove negligence, you will generally need to show that the other driver breached a duty of care to you which caused (1) the accident and (2) you to suffer injuries and damages. Testimony or evidence of erratic driving, suspicious conduct, or an incriminating statement made by the defendant may be helpful in proving that the defendant was driving while intoxicated.
Due to certain limitations of drug tests, it is especially important for drugged driving accident victims to contact a knowledgeable Little Rock drugged driving accident lawyer who has experience in these types of cases. A lawyer can interview eyewitnesses, obtain available surveillance footage of the accident, gather evidence from the scene of the crash, review toxicology reports, and take other steps to investigate your claim and prove the defendant’s intoxication.
Obtain a Free Consultation with a Drugged Driving Accident Attorney in Little Rock
Many people believe that a DUI or DWI charge relates only to alcohol intoxication, but it can also relate to illegal narcotics, prescription drugs, or even over-the-counter medications in some instances. If you or a loved one was the victim of a drugged driving accident, call our office today to discuss your claim with an experienced attorney. Our firm has recovered more than $1.5 billion in compensation for our clients’ injuries, and we will work hard to get you compensated for your injuries and losses. Contact us toll-free at 800-529-4004 for a free consultation with a motor vehicle wreck lawyer, or complete our online form. We also represent clients throughout Arkansas, Tennessee, Mississippi, Missouri, and Kentucky.
4 Shackleford Plaza Suite 211
Little Rock, AR 72211
Phone: 501-381-3391
Fax: 501-891-5036
425 W Capitol Ave, Ste. 780
Little Rock, AR 72201
Phone: 501-435-0000
Fax: 501-406-1849