Accidents with Drug-Impaired Drivers in Sacramento

Driving under the influence of drugs of any kind - illicit, legally grown and/or obtained marijuana, or prescription medications - is illegal in the state of California for a reason. Drivers who are drug-impaired suffer from reduced reaction times, have limited visibility, and are more likely than sober drivers to make critical mistakes at the wheel. Unfortunately, accidents with drug-impaired drivers in Sacramento are a very real problem.

According to the California Office of Traffic Safety, 751 people were killed in drug-impaired car accidents in 2021. 52.9 percent of the drivers killed in these car accidents across the state tested positive for drugs - including legally obtained prescription medications and controlled substances like cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamine.

This marked a nearly 11 percent increase in drug-impaired fatalities from 2018, when 42 percent of drivers killed in California car accidents were under the influence.

If you’ve been injured or suffered the wrongful death of a family member because of an accident with a drug-impaired driver in Sacramento, California, it’s important to know that you have rights. The driver who chose to get behind the wheel while under the influence of drugs or alcohol can be held legally and financially accountable for the harm they’ve caused - including your medical bills, loss of income, damage to your physical property, and much harder-to-value pain and suffering.

The experienced Sacramento car accident lawyers at Singleton Schreiber can help you fight for the maximum financial recovery. Call our Sacramento law office to speak with our award-winning California trial attorneys to discuss your drug-impaired car accident case today. There’s no charge for an initial case evaluation.

Can Someone Be Liable For Causing a Car Accident After Taking Prescription Medications?

Yes. Drugs don’t have to be illegal to impair a person’s ability to drive safely.

Many prescription medications or over-the-counter drugs - including anti-seizure medications, muscle relaxants, antidepressants, cold and cough medications, opioids, and diet pills - can have serious side effects that make driving a dangerous endeavor, including:

• Drowsiness
• Dizziness
• Uncoordinated movement
• Nausea
• Concentration issues
• Blurred vision

Some medications have short-lived effects, while others can remain in a person’s system and alter their natural state for up to 24 hours.

Regardless of whether there’s a warning on the box about operating heavy machinery or driving a car after taking a prescription medication, a person needs to exercise judgment about their ability to drive safely. If a person is experiencing any side effects that might make it dangerous for them to get behind the wheel, they can be considered negligent and, in turn, liable, if they cause a car accident.

What Evidence Can Help Me Win a Lawsuit Against a Drug-Impaired Driver?

Drugged driving is an act of negligence. When a drugged driver causes a rollover, rear-ends the vehicle in front of them, or T-Bones another vehicle at an intersection, they can be liable for resulting damages.

When you file a car accident lawsuit against a drug-impaired driver, you’ll carry the burden of proof. You’ll need to establish, by a preponderance of the evidence, that the driver:

• Owed you a duty of care
• Breached this duty of care because they were impaired by drugs
• Caused an accident in which you were injured or experienced the wrongful death of a close family member

Your allegations must be more likely true than not. So, you’ll need compelling evidence to back your claims.

Helpful evidence can include:

• Dashcam footage, red light camera footage, or other video evidence of the accident
• Eyewitness testimony
• Details from the accident reports
• Citations issued at the scene, including those for DUID
• Results of field sobriety tests, including breath tests, blood tests, urine tests, and/or hair tests
• Expert testimony

Don’t stress about how to get the evidence you need or how to win your car accident case against a drugged driver in Sacramento. Call Singleton Schreiber, and trust our California car accident attorneys to be the advocates you need in this difficult time. We’ve helped injury victims win billions, and now we’re ready to fight to get the best results for you, too.

How Can a Car Accident Attorney in Sacramento Help Me After a Crash Involving a Drug-Impaired Driver?

When a driver is impaired by drugs, the consequences of the accidents they can cause in Sacramento can be catastrophic. It’s common for victims to sustain serious brain injuries, trauma to their spinal cords, suffer amputated limbs, experience severe burns, or sustain excruciatingly painful fractures. When you’ve suffered injuries of these natures, it’s imperative that you’re compensated for the high costs and suffering that follow.

However, car accident cases - particularly those involving drivers who’ve broken the law - can be challenging. You’ll face resistance from the drugged driver’s defense attorney and their insurance company. If the driver faces criminal DUI charges, their criminal case can complicate your civil claim for damages. Fortunately, you do not have to launch and navigate a car accident lawsuit on your own.

Hiring an experienced Sacramento personal injury lawyer gives you the ability to focus on your recovery and sets the stage for the victory you deserve. When you’re represented by the experienced California trial attorneys at Singleton Schreiber, you make it clear that you won’t be walking away from the negotiating table until you’ve been compensated in full.

Choosing Singleton Schreiber means working with top-rated litigators recognized for excellence by The Recorder, Sacramento Magazine, and The National Trial Lawyers. We’re local lawyers with national resources at our disposal, and an unrivaled passion for helping everyday people fight for justice after life-changing accidents.

We’ll go above and beyond to help you recover compensation from a drug-impaired driver in Sacramento by:

• Coordinating and overseeing a thorough independent investigation into your car accident
• Gathering critical pieces of evidence to establish liability and demonstrate your losses
• Assess your damages and determine the value of your car accident claim
• Bring in medical professionals, accident reconstructionist specialists, forensic toxicologists, field sobriety experts, and other experts to collaborate with our legal team
• Navigate any hurdles that might arise due to pending criminal DUID charges against the defendant
• Force the defense to make things right by extending a top-dollar settlement offer or take their chances going up against our respected California litigators at trial before a Sacramento County jury

You’ll only have a limited time to sue a drug-impaired driver for the costs of your medical care, disability, rehabilitation, emotional distress, and other crash-related damages. Under California law, a two-year statute of limitations typically applies in cases like these. So, it’s critical that you take prompt action to protect your rights.

Don’t hesitate to contact our law office in Sacramento to speak with our team about your drug-impaired car accident case today. Members of our team are always available to help you arrange a time for a free consultation.