There is a complex relationship between prescription drugs, driving, and traumatic brain injuries. Accidents are a leading cause of Florida injuries. Motor accidents may result in traumatic brain injury. It has been reported that the majority of the people who were taken to trauma centers post-accident were using prescription drugs.
You cannot drive safely while using certain prescription drugs. There may be two common situations that combine traumatic brain injury, prescription drugs, and driving. You may encounter a situation where someone gets a traumatic brain injury after an accident due to another person driving under influence of prescription drugs. The other situation may involve a person suffering from traumatic brain injury using prescription drugs and driving thus putting the lives of others at risk.
Around 1.3 million people die yearly due to motor accidents. It’s possible that you or your loved ones experienced a tragic accident either caused by another driver using prescription drugs, or you caused an accident due to prescription drugs for traumatic brain injury. In such a case, immediately consult with an experienced attorney to know your legal rights.
Impact of Prescription Drugs on Car Accidents & Florida Injuries:
Car accidents can lead to devastating Florida injuries. A wide range of substances is present in the body of a driver using prescription drugs. It is essential to understand that the consumption of alcohol with prescription drugs further amplifies the physical symptoms. Warnings are attached with the medicines regarding the consumption of alcohol. Merely drinking a glass of wine with the prescribed medicine can lead to a huge disaster if you are behind the wheels.
Drugs that are commonly found in impaired drivers include:
- Opioids: Contains pain relaxants such as oxycodone, hydrocodone, and others.
- Benzodiazepines: Contains sleeping pills such as Lunesta, Sonata, and Ambien.
- ADHD Psychotropic: Contains stimulants such as Adderall, Ritalin, and Strattera.
- Marijuana: It is sometimes complex to determine whether it has been utilized medically or for recreational purposes. In Florida, medical marijuana is legal but the consumption causes impaired driving.
- Antidepressants: It includes medicines such as amoxapine and doxepin.
Drug Driving in Florida:
Usually, people are aware that driving under influence of alcohol and drugs holds a criminal offense in Florida. Criminal and civil cases can be applied for DUI. You will have to face similar consequences for driving under the influence of prescription drugs. According to the law of Florida, a guilty person for DUI is subject to punishment including jail and fines. Any substance that causes a condition of intoxication or any substance that impacts the visual, auditory or mental process of a person is prohibited.
If you are taking a drug that is legally prescribed to you for your medical condition and you drive your vehicle, the act of driving your vehicle is illegal. The drugs tend to impair your normal functioning and you may experience loss of control over the vehicle, loss of sense of distance from the other vehicle, and risky driving maneuvers. If an impaired person is responsible for the accident, they will be held liable to compensate for the damages to others.
Traumatic Brain Injury & Driving:
People who suffered from traumatic brain anxiously wait to regain their ability to drive a vehicle. However, doctors don’t have any standard towards the appropriate time to hit the road again. The decision depends upon each person’s condition. Making the right decision becomes difficult in this situation. Essentially the decision should be based on complete cognitive, physical, and emotional recovery, as these three factors impact driving directly.
It has been identified by CDC that a person who suffered from traumatic brain injury is 50 times more at risk of having seizures. This means the drivers who recovered from traumatic brain injury are already a high risk for people around them even without the impact of prescribed drugs.
If the doctor allows the patient to drive too early or doesn’t completely inform the patient regarding the impact of prescription drugs on driving, then the doctor can also be held liable for the damages. Impaired driving due to prescription drugs and traumatic brain injury is equally dangerous as driving under influence of alcohol and illegal drugs. If you have sustained the injury, you should wait for complete recovery until you drive.
Get in Touch for Legal Consultation:
When the impact of prescription drugs, underlying medical conditions, and driving combines, it requires a specialized personal injury attorney to protect your rights. Our team has years of experience in car accident cases, traumatic brain injury cases, and medical cases.
To obtain the best legal advice, consult our personal injury attorney. We aim to strengthen your claim while you focus on your recovery from Florida injuries. We ensure that you receive the compensation you need for your damages.
