Wisconsin Drugged Driving Accident Attorney
With the legalization of marijuana in Colorado and Washington State for recreational use, and medical marijuana allowed in a number of other states, drugged driving has become an increasingly prevalent issue on America’s roadways. Marijuana is not legal in Wisconsin for medical or recreational use, but people continue to purchase and use it as well as various other controlled substances: heroin, ecstasy, cocaine, meth, etc. There were nearly 16,000 arrests for marijuana possession in Wisconsin in 2010 alone.
Driving “under the influence” of a drug, whether a prescription drug, illegal narcotic or even over-the-counter medicine, is illegal under Wisconsin law. A driver may face criminal charges for operating a motor vehicle while his or her abilities are impaired by any controlled substance. It is illegal because of the serious danger it poses to everyone on the road. Like drunk driving, drugged driving increases the chances of an accident that could cause injury or death.
At Cannon & Dunphy S.C., we are proud to provide experienced and high-quality representation to individuals across the Milwaukee area and surrounding neighborhoods, including through our team of Brookfield personal injury lawyers.
Why Choose Cannon & Dunphy S.C.?
At Cannon & Dunphy S.C. we are committed to representing clients who have been injured by drugged drivers. If you were involved in a car accident and believe that the other driver was under the influence of a drug at the time of the collision, call our offices.
If the other driver caused your accident, you may have valid grounds to pursue compensation from him or her for your medical care, lost earnings, damage to your vehicle and possibly much more. A Milwaukee car accident attorney at our firm can review the circumstances surrounding your accident to determine whether you have a case and how best to proceed.
What to Do After an Accident Caused by a Drugged Driver
Being involved in an accident with a drugged driver can leave you feeling overwhelmed, but
your actions following the crash directly affect your ability to recover compensation. If you have
been injured by someone driving under the influence of drugs in Wisconsin, taking swift steps
will protect both your health and legal rights.
Here is what you should do after a drugged driving accident in Wisconsin:
- Call 911 immediately to report the accident and request medical assistance.
- Note any signs of impairment you observe in the other driver and report them to the
responding law enforcement officers. - Seek medical treatment as soon as possible, even for seemingly minor injuries, and
follow up with your doctor. - Document the scene by taking photos of vehicle damage, road conditions, and any
visible injuries, if you can. - Collect contact information from the other driver and any witnesses. Keep your interactions brief.
- Request a copy of the police report in the days following the accident. This document could contain information about the driver’s impairment.
- Contact a Wisconsin drugged driving accident attorney before speaking with the other driver or their insurance provider.
Why is Driving Under the Influence So Dangerous?
Drugs like marijuana, methamphetamines, prescription medication and even some over-the-counter medicines can impact a driver’s ability to safely operate a motor vehicle. They may cause delays in reaction time and may impair judgment, motor skills and vision. Some drugs can cause severe drowsiness or even hallucinations. Imagine trying to drive while almost falling asleep at the wheel or seeing things that are not there. It’s a scary and dangerous thought.
When drugged drivers take to the road, they place themselves and anyone in the area at risk. They are more likely to cause accidents by veering out of their lanes, driving too slowly, speeding, running red lights or committing other traffic violations. They are also more likely to crash because they may be unable to respond to hazards, like objects in the road, or may be late in reacting to changes in traffic. The possible scenarios that could lead to a collision are numerous.
Proving Liability in Drugged Driving Cases
In Wisconsin, any person who causes a car accident is financially responsible for the damages that the victims suffered. This means that you can file an insurance claim or lawsuit against the at-fault driver and recover a settlement to help pay for expenses like medical care or lost income. However, establishing liability in drugged driving cases often requires stringent evidence.
Wisconsin law prohibits driving under the influence of any substance that renders a person incapable of safely operating a vehicle. This includes restricted substances like marijuana, cocaine, or heroin, as well as prescription medications and over-the-counter drugs that affect alertness and concentration. If you can prove that the driver was under the influence of these drugs at the time of the collision, you can establish their liability.
Multiple types of evidence can support your drugged driving claim. Police reports noting erratic driving behavior or field sobriety test results may provide official documentation of impairment. Blood tests or urine samples collected after the crash may reveal the presence of drugs in the driver’s system.
Other drivers, passengers, or bystanders might have observed the at-fault driver swerving, speeding, or showing visible signs of impairment such as slurred speech, poor coordination, or unusual behavior. Your lawyer from Cannon & Dunphy S.C. will collect and analyze every piece of evidence to establish fault and your right to a fair settlement.
Compensation Available for Drugged Driving Victims
Drugged driving accidents often result in lasting physical, emotional, and financial consequences that deserve proper recognition in your settlement or verdict. You may be entitled to several forms of compensation for your claim, including:
- Current and future medical expenses
- Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
- Vehicle repair or replacement costs
- Physical pain and suffering
- Emotional distress and mental anguish
- Rehabilitation and therapy expenses
- Home modifications for accessibility
- Loss of enjoyment of life
Determining the full value of your claim requires careful analysis of both current and future damages. Cannon & Dunphy S.C. will collaborate with medical and economic specialists to accurately project your long-term needs. We will also review medical records, employment history, and other documents to properly value all of your losses. This thorough approach prevents you from accepting settlements that fail to address the true cost of your injuries.
Injured by a drugged driver? Call a Wisconsin Drugged Driving Accident Lawyer.
If you were involved in an accident with a drugged driver, you will need to prove that the driver caused the accident in order to recover compensation. This is where a drugged driving accident attorney in Wisconsin can offer a considerable amount of help. We have the resources to investigate auto accidents so we can determine cause and fault. Our team can then build a case against the driver or other at-fault party to help our client recover maximum compensation.
Your future may seem uncertain in the aftermath of a serious auto accident. Rather than succumb to financial difficulties and emotional trauma, take a proactive approach with a Wisconsin auto accident lawyer to protect your interests. Our firm is committed to getting drugged drivers off our roads, and we accomplish this by holding them accountable for their conduct, increasing awareness of driving under the influence of drugs and helping victims seek justice.
Contact Cannon & Dunphy S.C. today.