Car accidents in Sarasota can occur anywhere and at any time. No one ever assumes they will be involved in a traffic accident when they leave their house and head toward their destination.  Unfortunately, car accidents do occur at any given moment.  Sometimes crashes happen because of a mistake a driver made or because a driver was distracted; however, distracted drivers and negligent drivers aren’t the only ones that cause injuries to others on the road.

Drunk drivers and drivers who get behind the wheel of their car after smoking marijuana
can also cause a Sarasota car wreck. Sadly, these types of accidents could be preventable if the driver would have designated another driver or not driven in that condition. 

Although many people and studies can attest to the fact that driving while high on marijuana is a danger and a potential cause of an accident, many teenagers do not believe driving after smoking marijuana is a problem, according to a national study of 2,300 teenagers in 11^th and 12^th grade.

In fact, a study completed by Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) and reported in USA Today revealed that one in five teens admitted to driving a vehicle after smoking marijuana, which has increased over the recent years. Interestingly, the study revealed that teens understand the affects of alcohol on driving, which is why drinking and driving accidents involving teenagers have decreased.  However, teens do not understand how marijuana impairs driving.

What the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA) Has to Say About This

NHTSA also conducted a study regarding marijuana-impaired drivers, and found that marijuana has accounted for more non-fatal and fatal traffic accidents than other types of drugs, except for alcohol.

When drivers are high on pot, they may be affected in the following ways:

• Perceive other cars are traveling slower than they actually are
• Misjudge distance
• Misjudge how much time or space is needed to bring their car to a complete stop

The results of driving while high on marijuana can lead to a Sarasota traffic accident and injuries to innocent motorists.

How a Sarasota Car Accident Attorney Can Help You

If you have been injured in a Sarasota car accident due to a drunk, marijuana-impaired or negligent driver, you have rights to compensation. Find out what your case is worth and how to protect your rights by talking with a skilled personal injury lawyer. Please call Mallard Perez for a free consultation at (888) 409-3805 today.