Driving under the influence in Texas has taken on a new meaning. When the term “DUI” was used in the past, most people assumed it meant someone was drinking alcohol and got behind the wheel. (Some people use DWI as well) Their ability to drive correctly and react to others on the road was stunted, leading to a car accident.
A DUI can mean “driving while impaired,” including illegal and legal drugs. For instance, people should not drive if they have taken specific prescription medications. And even if it’s only for an in-and-out oral surgery or a quick medical procedure, patients are mandated to allow someone else to drive them. Although the prescription is legal, it will impair a person’s cognitive and physical reaction to normal traffic behavior. Just because something is “legal” does not mean using and driving is okay. This seems like common sense to most people, but not to everyone.
And the legalization of drugs like marijuana is increasing and making things more confusing. In Canada, The Cannabis Act legalized marijuana throughout the country of in 2018. Since then, Canadians have seen an increase in DUI injury accidents related to smoking or using cannabis-related products. And that response to legalizing pot has spread across the United States as well.
The State of Legalized Drug Use Impacts DUI Injury Accidents
Several U.S. states have also voted to legalize pot and pot-related products. So far, cannabis use has been legalized to certain degrees by 37 states. This includes Colorado, Arizona, Alabama, Hawaii, Nevada and California. Since becoming legal, car crashes due to marijuana use have increased significantly. CNN reported cannabis-related car accidents that sent people to the emergency room increased by 475% between 2010 and 2021. While auto accidents from recreational drinking only increased 9.4% during the same time period. The use of marijuana appears to be more dangerous than driving drunk (https://www.cnn.com/2023/09/06/health/marijuana-traffic-accidents-wellness/).
The California Office of Traffic Safety has a website page for drug-impaired driving, including marijuana, prescription medications, and alcohol. Awareness campaigns are helpful, but it isn’t enough. Drug-related car accidents are still increasing. And now, there is a movement in California to legalize magic mushrooms!
Okay, California isn’t Texas, so what do you have to worry about? And although people are advocating for the recreational drug use of marijuana in the Lone Star State, it has not passed. The law is clear in Texas, Anyone driving around found possessing, selling, or using pot will deal with fines and possible jail time. But that’s doesn’t always stop DUI accidents in the Rio Grande Valley from happening.
Call an Attorney for any DUI Injury Accident
Significantly, we are NOT DUI attorneys. But rather, if YOU have been injured by a DUI driver, then we may be able to help. Severe injury accidents DO happen here in South Texas, and our team of injury attorneys rank among the best injury lawyers not just in Brownsville throughout the Rio Grande Valley Area.
It doesn’t matter if the person who hit your car was drunk or high on narcotics. The reason for the crash isn’t necessarily crucial to your settlement, it’s the injuries you’ve incurred. And a DUI accident isn’t any differing if the driver goes to jail. If they have insurance, they can still be compelled to pay your injury settlement.
If you or a loved one have been in a car wreck with a drunk or high driver, don’t allow any excuse to keep you from getting fair compensation for all of your injuries. A victim should not expect to pay the price for a driver under the influence of any substance, legal or non-legal.
Whether it’s a pedestrian vs. DUI driver (https://jvlawfirm.net/practice-areas/pedestrian-accidents/) or a motorcycle accident, our legal team is here to help victims and make those at fault accountable. Contact us to get the process started and support your recovery by fighting for the money you deserve.
