Every year, hundreds of people are killed by drug-impaired drivers across the state of California. In 2023, at least 40 car accidents involved drug-impaired drivers in San Diego. These collisions resulted in 62 injuries and 3 fatalities.

Unfortunately, almost all of these accidents, injuries, and deaths can be avoided. If you’ve been the victim of an accident with a drugged driver in San Diego, or if you’ve lost a family member in a fatal crash, call Singleton Schreiber. You deserve justice, and our San Diego car accident lawyers are here to help you get it.

We’re local lawyers backed by national resources. As fearless advocates for our clients, we’ve obtained well over $2.5 billion in financial awards.

Discover the difference our personal injury law firm can have on your life after a crash with a drugged driver by calling our San Diego law office today. Your first consultation is free.

Accidents With Drug-Impaired Drivers in San Diego

Why is Driving Under the Influence of Drugs Dangerous?

Whether they’re illegal or prescribed by a doctor, drugs can affect how our bodies work. Many times, the changes we experience can interfere with our ability to drive safely.

Drugs Can Impair Cognitive Function

Certain drugs - including marijuana, opioids, fentanyl, and heroin - can affect a person’s ability to think clearly and make decisions. Drivers under the influence of these drugs may be more likely to run red lights, miss their turns and overcompensate by cutting across lanes of traffic, speed, or forget to check their blind spots before changing lanes or turning.

Driver Can Suffer From Slowed Reaction Times

Drivers have to be able to make split-second decisions. If there’s a sudden change in traffic, a driver has to determine if they need to change lanes, swerve, or hit the brakes. Drug-impaired drivers might suffer from reduced reaction times, causing them to hesitate before executing a critical maneuver.

Drugs Can Make Drivers Drowsy

Many drugs, including alcohol, are depressants. Depressants slow our systems down and, in large doses, can cause us to become drowsy or fall asleep. Drowsy or fatigued drivers are more likely to make costly mistakes at the wheel.

Drugged Drivers Are More Likely to Be Distracted

A driver who is under the influence of a controlled substance is more likely to be distracted by a text, a phone call, or a passenger than a sober driver. Instead, the drugged driver forgets their responsibilities at the wheel momentarily and shifts their focus to the distraction.

What Do I Have to Prove to Recover Compensation After a Drugged Driving Accident in San Diego?

Drivers who are under the influence of drugs can be held legally responsible if they cause a car accident in San Diego. Liability isn’t just limited to drivers who’ve taken illegal substances. A driver can also be liable for a crash if prescription medications have interfered with their ability to drive safely.

After an accident with a drug-impaired motorist in San Diego, you’ll have the burden of proving negligence.

Specifically, you must establish the following elements by a preponderance of the evidence:

The defendant owed you a duty of care (e.g., to obey local traffic laws and drive safely)
The defendant breached this duty of care because they operated a vehicle under the influence of a drug that impaired their senses
The defendant’s drug impairment was the direct and proximate cause of your car accident, and
You’ve suffered damages.

Essentially, you must prove that the accident would have likely been avoided if the other driver hadn’t been impaired by drugs.

When you choose Singleton Schreiber, you’ll be able to trust our award-winning San Diego injury attorneys to help you build a successful legal claim. We’ll start with a thorough investigation into your crash, gather key pieces of evidence - including blood, breath, and urine test results, and consult experts in forensics and accident reconstruction. Our thorough approach will allow us to back your claim with the facts, evidence, and testimony needed to force the results you deserve.

Drugged Drivers Can Cause Catastrophic Injuries in San Diego

Drivers who are under the influence of illicit or prescription drugs are more likely to lose control of their vehicles, use excessive or unsafe speed, engage in aggressive maneuvers, and get into violent traffic accidents. Unfortunately, pedestrians, bicyclists, and occupants of other cars can get seriously injured as a result.

At Singleton Schreiber, we’re here to hold the drugged driver accountable for all of your injuries, including:

Spinal cord injuries
Broken bones
Chest injuries
Brain injuries
Burn injuries
Amputation injuries
Bruising and contusions
Soft tissue injuries
Nerve damage
Crush injuries
Eye injuries
Back injuries
Whiplash injuries
Wrongful death of someone you love

Always report an accident with a drugged driver to the San Diego Police Department right away. You’ll want to make sure that there’s a formal report and investigation into your wreck. Then, get to the closest emergency room for immediate medical attention. Even low-impact collisions involving drugged drivers can cause serious injuries. Prompt medical interventions can limit the chances of complications and ensure that you receive the appropriate treatment.

Singleton Schreiber Can Help You Seek Maximum Compensation After an Accident With a Drugged Driver in San Diego, CA

As the victim of a drugged driving accident in San Diego, you’ll have the opportunity to file a legal claim to recover compensation for:

Medical bills
Lost wages
Disability
Reduced earning capacity
Property damage
Nursing care
Rehabilitation
Funeral expenses
Loss of consortium
Pain and suffering
Emotional distress
PTSD
Inconvenience
Disfigurement
Chronic physical pain

However, you won’t have an unlimited amount of time to assert your rights. California requires victims of drugged and drunk driving accidents to file their claims within two years. Missing the filing deadline can’t be an option. Once the statute of limitations expires, so does the ability to seek compensation from a drug-impaired driver.

Protect your rights and make the most of your personal injury claim by trusting Singleton Schreiber. Our San Diego car accident attorneys have been fighting for crash victims and families for decades. As award-winning litigators, we’ve helped clients win billions of dollars from insurance companies, employers, and other powerful adversaries.

Now, we’re prepared to be your most fearless advocates, too. Call our law office in San Diego, CA, to set a time for a free consultation today.