According to the Centers for Disease Control, in 2018, 12 million people admitted to driving while under the influence of marijuana. While the effects of alcohol use on driving have been studied closely, there has been less research conducted on the impact of marijuana use and driving. Part of this has to do with the fact that there are no reliable tests to determine if a person has smoked marijuana right before a car accident. However, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, marijuana is known to have an impact on motor coordination, reaction time, and judgement. THC is often found in the blood systems of those who have been involved in accidents involving injuries and death. However, THC can remain in a person’s system for days after marijuana use, so it isn’t always easy to determine if a person had been smoking right before an accident takes place. However, it is known that marijuana can have a major impact on a person’s ability to drive, and driving under the influence of any substance remains illegal. Furthermore, in states where marijuana has been legalized for recreational purposes, driving and using marijuana is illegal and can result in driving while intoxicated charges. While there isn’t a method that law enforcement can use to determine whether a person has been using marijuana while driving or before driving, law enforcement can use a range of other observations to determine if a person might be under the influence. If you or someone you love has been hurt in a car accident in Omaha, Nebraska, and marijuana is believed to be a factor, you may have the right to pursue a lawsuit against the impaired driver for your medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other losses. Rensch & Rensch Law is an accident law firm in Omaha, Nebraska that may be able to help you with your case.

Signs That the Other Driver Might Have Been Under the Influence of Marijuana

When an accident occurs, how can officers determine that the other driver was using marijuana, if there is no easy blood or breath test they can use to determine impairment? Officers often rely on other types of evidence when determining whether a person might have been impaired. Officers might look at the driver to see if he or she has red eyes, or if there is the smell of cannabis in the vehicle. Pipes or other paraphernalia found in the vehicle can also be an indicator that the person might have been smoking. The officer might also test the person for his or her reaction time. This might involve roadside sobriety tests. If the individual has poor short term memory, poor hand-eye coordination, shows difficulty concentrating, or has difficulty perceiving the passage of time, this could all be used as evidence that the person might have been under the influence.

Victims of car accidents where marijuana use is suspected may have other tools as well. For example, if the other driver was at a party where his or her marijuana consumption was documented, this could also serve as evidence. Eyewitness testimony, medical testimony from doctors, and police testimony can all work in concert to helping victims build a case. Law enforcement are looking into other ways they can create standardized tests to determine if a person was under the influence of marijuana. But until these tests are created, law enforcement must rely on observations and witness testimony to determine whether a driver was under the influence.

When pursuing compensation for personal injury after a car accident, your personal injury lawyer may investigate whether marijuana use might have been a factor in your crash. Rensch & Rensch Law is an accident law firm in Omaha, Nebraska that works with car crash victims to determine potential causes of car crashes and other accidents. Our personal injury lawyers can investigate the circumstances of your case, follow up with witnesses, and work to build the strongest possible case for you and your family. Are you entitled to seek damages for your losses? Contact Rensch & Rensch Law today for a free initial consultation.

Been in a Car Crash in Omaha, Nebraska?

Have you been in a car crash in Omaha, Nebraska? Were you or was someone you love injured in an accident where marijuana use was a suspected factor? You may have the right to seek damages for your losses. Rensch & Rensch Law are personal injury lawyers in Omaha, Nebraska who fight for the rights of the injured. We may be able to help you and your family make a personal injury claim or seek a settlement from insurers after your crash. Contact our firm today for a free initial consultation during which we can review your case and assist you with the next steps. USAttorneys.com can also match you with the lawyers at Rensch & Rensch Law today.