According to recent research from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration there has been an increase in overall traffic fatalities but there has also been an upswing in the number of drivers who have tested positive for prescription medications and illegal drugs. These details are released as a result of data that was shared in USA Today as well as interviews with leaders across the field. Drugged driving can lead to major injuries or even fatalities.

As the laws and rules evolve with regard to usage of marijuana, this raises some major legal concerns about being under the influence while behind the wheel. Someone whose judgment or faculties have been impaired by marijuana may not be able to operate vehicle safely and may therefore put others at risk in an accident.

Although there is a movement to legalize marijuana across the country, many experts acknowledge that the information about the effect of marijuana on drivers is still relatively not well understood. There were 31,166 fatal crashes in the United States in 2015, 21% of which involved at least one driver who had tested positive for drugs after the incident. This number is a jump from the 12% data from 2005.

That rate has risen over 14 of the last 15 years and has numerous questions raised for those individuals who survive a personal injury accident. If you have recently been injured severely in an accident, you have the right to consult with a knowledgeable California personal injury lawyer.