Now that cannabis has been recreationally available in Colorado for over a decade, there is plenty of data on marijuana related car accidents and the increased risk of crashes associated with marijuana use. According to a study from Frontiers in Psychiatry, people who drive while using marijuana are nearly two times more likely to be involved in a car accident than a sober driver.
The study gathered data from hundreds of other studies on marijuana related car accidents to determine if smoking cannabis elevated accident risk. Through this analysis, researchers concluded that those who use marijuana shortly before driving have a heightened risk of causing fatal and non-fatal accidents.
In addition to drawing a clear relationship between marijuana use and a higher susceptibility to accidents, the study revealed two important pieces of information. First, it was not possible to fully isolate the impact of being intoxicated. Some drivers who used cannabis while driving showed a greater likelihood for vehicle collisions even while driving sober. This could mean that other factors, such as a history of risky behavior, are at play for those who get into crashes while under the influence. Second, in all studies that tested for it, marijuana use did correlate with reduced reaction time and coordination—both of which are important factors for avoiding accidents. This may indicate that an intoxicated driver may not necessarily cause a crash but would struggle to avoid getting into one.
Critics note that studies on marijuana related car accidents were often unable to draw decisive conclusions between marijuana use and accident rates. Even the CDC has acknowledged that more research is needed to make a definitive claim about marijuana’s impact on driving ability.
Despite these criticisms, Colorado and several other states have used this evidence to create driving while ability impaired (DWAI) laws that carry similar penalties to a DUI charge. Any driver caught driving while intoxicated can face severe penalties, including fines, license suspension, and even jail time.
In addition to legal consequences, anyone who gets in a crash while under the influence of cannabis has a greater likelihood of being held liable for any damages or injuries. This means that anyone injured by an intoxicated driver may have an increased chance of receiving compensation for their injuries.
How does cannabis use impact the outcome of car accident injury cases?
When someone involved in a car accident is under the influence of cannabis (also known as marijuana), it can have a huge impact on the outcome of a car accident injury case. Typically, these impacts work against the person who was driving while using marijuana.
In the state of Colorado, driving while under the influence of cannabis is treated almost identically to driving under the influence of alcohol. Anyone found driving while high can be arrested on a driving while ability impaired (DWAI) charge, which is similar to a DUI charge. Additionally, if someone is involved in a crash while impaired by marijuana, they are more likely to be found at fault for the collision.
The strong stance that Colorado takes against impaired driving works in favor of people who are injured by intoxicated drivers. If you are injured in an accident where the other person was high on cannabis, there’s a good chance they’ll be held liable. However, complications may arise if the sober party was clearly at fault.
As an example, if a sober person ran a red light and collided with an intoxicated driver who was otherwise obeying the rules of the road, the sober person may be held liable for the injuries and damages caused by the collision. The intoxicated driver, however, could still face significant consequences, such as driving while ability impaired (DWAI) charges.
Ultimately, because cannabis use has been shown to worsen people’s driving abilities, anyone found driving under the influence risks being held liable for a crash.
When someone involved in a car accident is under the influence of cannabis (also known as marijuana), it can have a huge impact on the outcome of a car accident injury case. Typically, these impacts work against the person who was driving while using marijuana.
In the state of Colorado, driving while under the influence of cannabis is treated almost identically to driving under the influence of alcohol. Anyone found driving while high can be arrested on a driving while ability impaired (DWAI) charge, which is similar to a DUI charge. Additionally, if someone is involved in a crash while impaired by marijuana, they are more likely to be found at fault for the collision.
The strong stance that Colorado takes against impaired driving works in favor of people who are injured by intoxicated drivers. If you are injured in an accident where the other person was high on cannabis, there’s a good chance they’ll be held liable. However, complications may arise if the sober party was clearly at fault.
As an example, if a sober person ran a red light and collided with an intoxicated driver who was otherwise obeying the rules of the road, the sober person may be held liable for the injuries and damages caused by the collision. The intoxicated driver, however, could still face significant consequences, such as driving while ability impaired (DWAI) charges.
Ultimately, because cannabis use has been shown to worsen people’s driving abilities, anyone found driving under the influence risks being held liable for a crash.
Expert Auto Accident Attorneys in Denver, CO
While there are still studies being done, there is already clear evidence that driving while intoxicated has negative effects on reaction time and coordination. Even if that’s the only conclusive finding, it’s evident that driving while using cannabis is unsafe.
If you were seriously injured in a marijuana related car accident, McDivitt Law Firm can help you gain compensation. Our auto accident attorneys in Denver, CO have helped thousands of people in the Denver area get compensation for their injuries and will do the same for you.
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