While there is extensive attention focused on the impact of alcohol impaired drivers on the lives of innocent victims, the dangers posed by driving while under the influence of illegal narcotics is less common. A tragic fatal accident caused by an Oakland man serves as a sad reminder of the devastating impact on families caused by drivers impaired by methamphetamine. Court documents in the drugged driver’s criminal case include statements by police that the cause of the collision was impairment of methamphetamine.
According to media reports, the driver allegedly impaired by methamphetamine veered into oncoming traffic and collided with the other driver. The other driver was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident. This type of fatal drug related car accident is tragic because it could be avoided if those who choose to use narcotics simply abstained from driving after taking illicit drugs. This accident has devastated the family of the victim who suffered wrongful death, and the driver now faces vehicular manslaughter charges and other criminal charges.
Although this fatal accident involved illegal narcotics, the liability of a driver for causing an accident while impaired by drugs is not limited to illegal drugs. If a driver causes a car accident that results in injury or wrongful death to others, the driver may be liable for the injuries or loss of a loved one if the driver was impaired by prescription drugs, controlled substances and even over-the-counter medications. Generally, a driver who causes an accident cannot avoid liability based on the position that the drug was being taken subject to a lawful prescription. Most drugs that make drivers drowsy or that otherwise impair driving ability come with warnings not to operate heavy machinery. If a driver disregards these warning, the driver may be liable for disregarding the warnings that it was unsafe to drive while taking the medication.
Drivers that take certain over-the-counter (OTC) medication may also be liable if the medication impairs the driving ability of the driver and contributes to a collision. All drivers are expected to be familiar with the side effects of medications that they take before climbing behind the wheel. Even drivers taking OTCs must read the packaging and heed warnings about drowsiness or other adverse impacts of the medicines.
Contact Us
If your are injured in a San Francisco auto accident, our experienced San Francisco auto accident lawyers at Zimmerman Law may be able to help. If you or someone you love has been injured or a loved one has died in a San Francisco auto collision, you should contact us as soon as possible because critical deadlines apply. We invite you to contact The Law Office of Ian Zimmerman for your free initial consultation. We are open 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., speak Cantonese and Mandarin Chinese, and are available for weekend, evening, home and hospital meetings and visits. We also offer free initial consultations and work exclusively on a contingency fee basis so that you pay nothing if we don’t win your case.