If you have been involved in a car accident in which another involved party was under the influence of drugs, it can seem difficult to prove this. After all, many drugs are out of a person’s system and undetectable just hours later. This is why your case might require the help of a Drug Recognition Expert, or DRE. Read on to learn more and then contact Law Offices of Fernando D. Vargas at 909-982-0707 for a free legal consultation.
California Has More DREs Than Any State
DREs are made up of law enforcement officers who have completed specialized training to identify when a driver is impaired by drugs. This is done through a program started and run by the International Association of Chiefs of Police. The most recent statistics show that there are around 1,200 DREs in California – which is more than any other state.
There Are Two Important Roles of DREs
There are two essential roles that every DRE will play. First, they have a part in whether or not criminal charges can be brought. If an officer is arresting someone they believe is driving while drugged, then the DRE can be called to the scene to complete a twelve-step evaluation. This will include things like reading their vital signs, measuring their pupil dilations, getting drug samples, along with urine and saliva samples.
Second, DREs can be called to testify in court if the person they evaluated faces charges for drugged driving. The DRE will then work to educate the jury about the effects of the drug the defendant was found to be one. This is essentially because while the 0.08 BAC maximum for alcohol is widely understood, there is no similar test for drugs.
DREs Can Play Important Roles in Car Accident Cases Too
One of the most important elements of your car accident case will be proving who is at fault. If the other party was under the influence of drugs or alcohol, then this shows recklessness and/or negligence. Part of showing this is using an accident report as completed by the police. We can also call on a DRE for their expert testimony.
Drugged Driving Accidents Are More Common Than Many People Realize
It is harder to get statistics on drugged driving accidents because they are more complex to identify and classify compared to drunk driving. However, one DRE instructor claims that half of all DUI charges since 2012 have involved marijuana in addition to or instead of alcohol.
If you were injured due the recklessness of a person who chose to drive while under the influence of drugs or alcohol, then that person should be held accountable. You can contact Law Offices of Fernando D. Vargas at 909-982-0707 to request your free legal consultation and determine what your options are.
