Panama City Drugged Driving Car Accident Lawyers

Hundreds of thousands of drivers ply Florida’s streets and highways every day, but some should not be on the road because they are impaired by medication or other substances. Drugs can inhibit the brain’s function and ability to react in the moments before a crash, causing terrible physical injuries or even death. A 2016 study found that 44 percent of drivers in fatal car crashes tested positive for drugs.

If you or a loved one has been in an accident involving a drugged driver, you need an attorney who specializes in Florida vehicle accident law. The drugged driving accident lawyers at The Bruner Law Firm can get you the compensation you deserve for your injuries.

Our award-winning attorneys are ready to put our 25 years of experience to work for you. Call us today at (850) 769-9292 to set up a free consultation.

Why You Need A Lawyer

Accidents involving a drugged driver can be complex affairs. You will need to prove that the driver was impaired in order to establish negligence. A good accident lawyer can perform a thorough investigation of the crash, including what substances the driver may have been taking for medical or recreational purposes.

If the other driver was operating a commercial vehicle, an attorney can review employee records to determine whether that driver had a pattern of drug abuse. They can gather all this evidence, along with photos of the scene and witness testimony, to put together a solid case for your compensation.

Insurance companies do not like to jeopardize their bottom line by making payouts to compensate victims. They use every legal trick and tactic they can to avoid their responsibility. They know exactly what to get you to say to keep you from making a successful claim. Your attorney can speak to insurance company reps on your behalf and may be able to negotiate a better settlement. Having a seasoned accident attorney on your side is essential to the success of your claim.

Why Hire The Bruner Law Firm?

For over 25 years, the accident lawyers at The Bruner Law Firm have recovered millions of dollars in compensation for clients across Florida. You can take a look at a list of our successes here. We take pride in our experience representing accident victims and in our ability to provide top-notch, compassionate, and personalized legal representation to every person whose case we take on. When you hire our firm, you bring in a team of skilled advocates who will work tirelessly to ensure your right to compensation is protected.

Causes of Drugged Driving Accidents

Certain drugs impair a driver’s ability to operate a vehicle effectively and can lead the driver to make serious errors on the road or react too slowly to another vehicle’s actions, causing a devastating crash. These substances alter brain chemistry to reduce reaction time, change perception, and affect balance and coordination.

Some of the substances that can impair drivers include alcohol, prescription medication, painkillers, sleep aids, and marijuana. It’s important to remember that an accident caused by a driver using legal prescription drugs can be just as dangerous or deadly as one caused by an illegal drug user.

Alcohol, marijuana, opioids, and some prescription medications can cause extreme drowsiness, among other side effects. Warnings against operating heavy machinery, provided along with many prescriptions and over-the-counter painkillers, include driving a motor vehicle. Stimulants such as methamphetamines, cocaine, and certain prescription drugs like Adderall and Ritalin can cause a driver to become more aggressive than normal and make reckless decisions behind the wheel.

A combination of different substances, such as painkillers and alcohol or marijuana, can both reduce the effectiveness of the drugs (sometimes causing the user to take a higher dose) as well as compound their effects on a driver’s ability to react quickly and make safe decisions.

Injuries in Drugged Driving Accidents

The injuries you sustain in an accident with a drugged driver vary greatly, but are often severe. Here are some of the most common injuries we see among accident victims:

• Muscle sprains and strains
• Whiplash from sudden stops or rear impacts
• Broken and fractured bones
• Neck and spinal cord damage, possibly leading to partial or full paralysis
• Head and brain trauma from heavy impacts, which could cause permanent brain damage
• Concussion from impacts to the head
• Internal organ damage
• Facial damage from cuts or burns, sometimes with scarring
• Lacerations or deep cuts from glass or metal inside the vehicle

It is incredibly important to get immediate medical attention after an accident, even if you don’t think you’ve been injured. You may be suffering from hidden injuries like a concussion or internal wounds that won’t show symptoms until hours later. Left untreated, they could result in permanent damage. Also, without a doctor’s diagnosis, insurance companies will sometimes try to argue that the accident didn’t cause you any harm.

What Can I Be Compensated For?

Each case is unique, so the type of compensation you are eligible for will depend on the particulars of your own accident. Here are a few of the ways an accident victim may be compensated after a crash:

• Payment of medical expenses
• Prescription reimbursement
• Long-term rehabilitation and home care costs
• Replacement of wages lost due to time spent in recovery
• Physical and psychological treatment expenses
• Damages for pain and suffering
• Compensation for damaged or destroyed property
• Household income lost due to disability or death
• Help with funeral and burial expenses

Your attorney can review your own situation when you meet to determine the types of compensation that may be available in your case.

Speak With a Panama City Drugged Driving Accident Attorney Today

If you or a loved one has just been in an accident, your top priority right now is recovering from your injuries. You need a team of legal professionals who understand Florida drugged driving laws and can make sure that the negligent parties that caused your injuries are held accountable.

Being hurt by a drugged driver is a devastating and painful ordeal to go through, but you don’t have to face it alone. Contact the Panama City car accident attorneys at The Bruner Law Firm by calling (850) 769-9292 or by filling out our contact form to schedule a free consultation to discuss your case.