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The Number of Car Accidents is Growing in States That Have Legalized Marijuana

States across the country have legalized marijuana for medical and / or recreational use. This leaves many in the personal injury field to wonder: Does the increase in marijuana use have a negative effect on the safety of drivers and pedestrians who may be sharing the road with people who are under the influence of this true.

A new study shows that legalization may have resulted in an increase in car accidents. Keep reading to find out what else the study said. If you have been in an accident that involved someone who was under the influence of drugs or alcohol, contact Law Offices of Fernando D. Vargas at 909-982-0707 for a free legal consultation.

The study was completed by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety

The study was released in October 2018 and showed that there has been a 6% increase in the number of vehicle accidents in Colorado, Oregon, and Washington – all of which have legalized the recreational use of marijuana. It is illegal in all 50 states to drive under the influence of marijuana.

The impact of driving while under the influence of marijuana

When a person drives while high on marijuana, they are likely to not react as quickly as they otherwise would. When a person is behind the wheel and is not reacting quickly, the chance of an accident can increase.

The study also found that drivers under the influence of marijuana were more likely to wave in their lane than drivers who were not, and that drivers under the influence had lower cognitive ability. This means that they had an impaired ability to make decisions.

What to do if you are in an accident

If you are in a car accident and someone is injured you should call for emergency medical care. If the police determine that another driver was under the influence of marijuana, get a copy of the report that states that. If you are safe at the scene of the accident, take photos and videos of your vehicle, other involved vehicles, and the area itself.

Most people know to exchange contact information with the other parties involved in the accident, but make sure that you are getting contact information from everyone who saw what happened. This includes passersby who stuck around afterwards and passengers in the other vehicles.

Call a personal injury attorney for help

You should always call a personal injury attorney after being injured in a car accident. At Law Offices of Fernando D. Vargas we offer free legal consultations and there is no risk involved in calling us. The consultation is entirely confidential and we will give you our honest legal opinion about your best options. Call us today at 909-982-0707 to get started.