Marijuana is not legal for recreational use in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Despite this, there might be many people on the road who choose to use marijuana and get behind the wheel anyway, with tragic consequences. According to the Centers for Disease Control, marijuana use and driving has increased. The Centers for Disease Control reports that 12 million people admitted to driving after using marijuana in 2018 alone. Unlike drunk driving, where there are blood and breath tests available to determine whether a person might have been intoxicated when driving, there is no blood or breath test available to determine whether a person might have been under the influence of marijuana while driving. While there is a blood test that can detect marijuana in a person’s system, marijuana can be detected days and even as long as a month after use. Despite this, after a car accident, police still have a range of tools to determine if a person might have been driving while under the influence. For example, officers can look to see if there is marijuana in a person’s car or check the car for the presence of marijuana-related paraphernalia. Officers can look to see if a person’s eyes are red, and ask that the driver submit to roadside sobriety tests to see if the driver exhibits the signs of marijuana use. If there is sufficient evidence, the person might face charges of driving while under the influence. However, not all drivers might be charged, even if there might be some evidence present of marijuana use. Because police can perform a thorough investigation, it is always important to call the police after any accident, even if you think the accident might be minor.

If you suspect that the other driver in your car crash might have been using marijuana and this contributed to your crash, or if the other driver in your accident was charged with driving while under the influence, you might have the right to seek damages for your losses, medical bills, pain and suffering, rehabilitation injuries, and other losses. The Law Offices of Martin T. Montilino is a car accident law firm in Minneapolis, Minnesota that may be able to help you today. Our attorney can investigate your case, identify responsible parties, and may be able to fight to help you get the best possible recovery under the law.

Marijuana Impairment and its Effects

What are the effects of marijuana impairment on the mind and body? While there isn’t a great deal of research on how marijuana might contribute to car accidents (largely because researchers would be relying on drivers’ self-reports), there is research on the effects that marijuana has on the mind and body, and these effects can seriously impact a person’s ability to drive safely. How can marijuana use impact safe driving? Here are some ways:

• Distorted Sense of Time. Marijuana can distort your sense of time. Sense of timing is important when making turns, when gauging your speed, and when making snap decisions about whether to stop or go.
• Impaired Motor Skills. Driving requires good motor skills. Marijuana can impair your motor skills, which can put you at a greater risk of a car accident.
• Impaired Judgement. Marijuana can impair your judgement. Good judgement is also important when driving. Furthermore, marijuana use can impair your judgement so that you might make the choice to drive after using, even though you might know it is not safe.
• Memory Issues. Marijuana can impair your memory and affect your formation of new memories. This can also impact driving.

These are just some of the ways that marijuana use can impact the mind and the body. If you or someone you love was hurt in a car accident involving an impaired driver, you and your family might have the right to make a claim against the negligent driver or his or her insurers. The compassionate and caring car accident attorneys at the Law Office of Martin T. Montilino in Minneapolis, Minnesota are here for you and may be able to help.

Seek Justice for Your Car Accident in Minneapolis, Minnesota

When drivers make the deadly choice to smoke or use marijuana and drive, they can endanger other people on the road. This can lead to car accidents. If another person’s choices led to your injuries or left someone you love injured, you may have the right to pursue a personal injury claim. However, you may only have a limited amount of time in which to do so. The car accident lawyers at the Law Office of Martin T. Montilino are here for injured drivers and passengers in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Have questions about your rights? Contact our firm today or connect with USAttorneys.com to get matched with a lawyer at our firm as soon as possible.