How Many People Die in Drug-Related Car Accidents?

We know that it is incredibly dangerous and precarious to drive if you are intoxicated on anything, drugs or alcohol. When you are inebriated, it is much more difficult to operate an automobile safely and as a result, driving while intoxicated puts not only yourself and your passengers at risk of harm but also others near you such as other drivers or pedestrians. Despite this, every year millions of people in the United States decide to get behind the wheel and drive while intoxicated. Thousands of lives are lost because of this reckless behavior.

There is clear data on the perils that exist regarding drunk driving. Recently, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicated that 11,654 people died in drunk driving accidents in the U.S. 30% of all deadly car accidents that took place in the country were a result of alcohol-impaired driving.

Having too much to drink and then driving is a serious concern and problem in the U.S. So is driving while on drugs and this includes legal drugs and those that are illicit. Anything that hampers a driver’s ability to focus on the act of driving safely increases the risk that an accident will happen and severe injuries and deaths can result. A driver who is under the influence of alcohol or drugs who causes a car accident in Pennsylvania can face a great deal of legal consequences both criminally and civilly.

The Pennsylvania car accident attorneys at Edelstein Martin & Nelson, LLP know how devastating any car accident can be. When an accident happens as a result of an intoxicated driver, this is particularly frustrating because of the blatant disregard for the well-being and safety of others. Obtaining full compensation and holding irresponsible individuals accountable is critical in such a situation, and an attorney at Edelstein Martin & Nelson, LLP can help car accident victims do just that. 

Drugged Driving in the U.S.

While there is a lot of data available concerning drunk driving, there is much less regarding the prevalence of driving while intoxicated on drugs. Even though the data is limited on drugged driving in the U.S. the CDC reports that there are studies that have reviewed accidents where drivers had alcohol in their system and also drugs. One study specifically assessed 4,243 drivers who sustained severe injuries across seven trauma centers and found that as high as 54% of them tested positive for alcohol, drugs, or both. Marijuana was found most often followed by opioids, then stimulants and sedatives.

Speak with an Attorney at Edelstein Martin & Nelson, LLP

Driving with drugs in one’s system is very dangerous just as driving with alcohol is. Although the data related to drugged driving is not as prevalent as alcohol, drugged driving happens, and when it does it puts the public at great risk of harm. 

After a car accident, you are welcome to call Edelstein Martin & Nelson, LLP at (215) 731-9900 and schedule a free consultation to have your case reviewed by an experienced attorney.