Opioid Car Accidents The dangers of Drugs while driving
Opioid use is a big problem in the United States. American doctors tend to prescribe opioid medications more than anywhere else in the world. This led to a widespread misuse, abuse and addiction of opioids. But what happens when opioids abusers and addicts get behind the wheel? Especially with the recent epidemic, an increasing number of deaths and injuries are caused by opioid car accidents. The Governors Highway Safety Association found that almost 50% of severely injured drivers tested positive for opiods. Jurupa Valley Car Accident Lawyer for personal injuries.
An overview of Opioids and their misuse
Opioids are drugs that can be prescribed or purchased over the counter. Opioids also include illegal drugs such as heroin. Pain relievers are also a type of opioids such as oxycodone and morphine. Opioids’ users often face side effects. These include drowsiness, mental fog, nausea and slow breathing.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 130 people die everyday as a result of opioid overdose. And 11.4 million others misuse perspective opioids. In 2017, The US Department of Health and Human Services declared a state of public emergency due to an opioid epidemic.
Understand how likely Opioid Car Accidents occur
The statistics of opioid abusers is mind blowing. Imagine the dangers of having 11.4 opioid abusers driving around us on the road. Research found that 10% of road deaths are a result of opioid use car accidents. The danger of being on opioid medication and driving is similar to that when you drink and drive. In fact, consuming opioid then driving means the driver has an equivalent of 0.05 percent blood alcohol content (BAC). This BAC level impairs the driver’s judgement therefore increasing his/her chances of opioid use car accidents.
Opioids affect the brain in different ways. Some drugs increase your lane weaving, decrease your reaction time and alter your attention. Because these medications cause drowsiness and impaired thinking and hence judgement, they double your risk of opioid car accidents.
What to do after opioid use car accident
The first thing you should do is call 911. Second, you should collect as much information as you need. That is the other driver’s information, insurance, license plate, etc. You should also take pictures of the scene. Following that, you should seek medical attention to determine any potential injuries sustained. Finally, you should call an experienced jurupa valley auto accident attorney who can walk you through your legal rights. Alexander Napolin has represented many auto accidents, simple and complex. Call Napolin Accident Injury Lawyer today for a free consultation.
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