The opioid crisis and increased legalization of marijuana have led to increased concern over drugged driving in New Jersey and throughout the U.S. That’s why the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is trying to combat the issue. As part of its effort, the agency is hosting a summit that starts on March 15.
The goal is to bring together law enforcement professionals, policy experts and elected officials at the state and federal level. While together, these and other parties will work to create standards relating to collecting data and determining if a driver is impaired by drugs. The summit will also attempt to assess the overall risk of drugged driving and how laws can be enforced.
Those who operate a motor vehicle while impaired may be at a higher risk of causing an accident. A motor vehicle accident may result in one or more people experiencing significant injuries. Car accident victims may be able to take legal action against the person who caused the crash. It is possible to obtain compensation for medical bills or recoup wages or future earnings lost because of injuries suffered in an accident.
In some cases, more than one party will be liable for damages. For instance, if a driver was operating an employer’s vehicle at the time of a crash, the employer could also be held liable. If poor road or vehicle design played a role in an accident, a government agency or car manufacturer might be defendants in a personal injury case. Attorneys can use physical evidence, police reports and witness statements to show that negligence played a role in an accident.
