Can you guess the top cause of motor vehicle crashes, injuries, and fatalities in Nevada? If you guessed impaired driving you are correct. In an effort to eliminate these preventable crashes, every December is National Impaired Driving Prevention Month. Below we will discuss impaired driving and tips to prevent impaired driving.
Impaired drivers are dangerous drivers. If an impaired driver injures you in a car accident, contact an experienced personal injury lawyer. A personal injury lawyer will help to protect your rights and ensure you receive maximum compensation.
As a Las Vegas accident victim, you don’t want to fight alone against insurance companies. They do not have your best interests in mind. Anthem Injury Lawyers has a dedicated team of lawyers and staff ready to help you with your personal injury case. Insurance companies and other parties are not interested in helping you receive what you should as a victim in a Las Vegas accident. Your Las Vegas accident lawyer should have a proven track record of winning cases like yours for significant compensation. Our lawyers offer you 25 years of experience winning top compensation for Las Vegas accident victims.
Time is of the essence when pursuing compensation in accident cases. Don’t delay—have our Las Vegas accident lawyers review your case. Sometimes people avoid contacting an accident lawyer because they worry about cost. You don’t have to worry about affordability. Our attorneys don’t get paid unless they win your case. Contact Anthem Injury Lawyers at (702) 745-8167 to make an appointment for a free consultation.
What Is Impaired Driving?
When you hear the term “impaired driving” what comes to mind? Impaired driving can mean many things. A driver can be impaired by alcohol, prohibited substances, and even medication.
Nevada Revised Statute (NRS) 484C.105 defines “under the influence” as:
- Impaired to a degree that renders a person incapable of safely driving or exercising actual physical control of a vehicle.
Alcohol
In Nevada, it is unlawful to drive with a concentration of alcohol of .08 or more in your blood or breath. The limit is .04 in commercial driving.
Did you know that drivers under 21 years of age are held to an even stricter standard? NRS 483.462 makes it illegal for drivers under 21 years of age to drive in Nevada with a BAC of .02 or higher.
How Does Alcohol Impact Safe Driving?
Alcohol and driving do not mix. Alcohol reduces the important skills you need to drive safely including the following:
- Judgment
- Vision
- Color distinction
- Reaction time
If you are involved in an accident with an alcohol impaired driver, contact the police and get medical help immediately. It is important that the police know that you suspect that the other driver was impaired.
Once you’ve received medical care, contact Anthem Injury Lawyers. Our Las Vegas car accident lawyers offer you years of experience winning cases against impaired drivers. Contact us today at (702) 857-6000 to make an appointment for a free consultation.
Prohibited Substances
Alcohol is not the only substance that can impair your ability to drive safely. In Nevada, it is unlawful to drive under the influence of prohibited substances. Per Nevada law, prohibited substances include the following:
- Amphetamine
- Cocaine
- Cocaine metabolite
- Heroin
- Heroin metabolite
- Lysergic acid diethylamide
- Methamphetamine
- Phencyclidine
- Marijuana
- Marijuana metabolite
How Do Prohibited Substances Impact Safe Driving?
Prohibited substances affect everyone differently. However, they all impact your ability to safely operate a vehicle. Below are some of the ways that prohibited substances can impact your ability to safely operate a vehicle:
- Slower reaction time
- Impaired judgment of distance
- Decreased coordination
- Impaired lane tracking
- Slower decision-making ability
- Impaired cognitive function
- Difficulty problem solving
- Impaired motor skills
- An increase in the negative impact of alcohol or other substances
If an impaired driver injures you, it is important to work with an experienced Las Vegas lawyer. Anthem Injury Lawyers have experienced car accident lawyers who are ready to help you. Contact us today at (702) 857-6000 to make an appointment for a free consultation.
Medication
Did you know that medication can impair your driving abilities? If you are taking medication, it is your responsibility to understand how the medication may impact your driving abilities. If you are unsure, you should consult with your doctor.
According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the following medicines may make it dangerous to operate a motor vehicle:
- Opioid pain relievers
- Prescription drugs for anxiety (for example, benzodiazepines)
- Anti-seizure drugs (antiepileptic drugs)
- Antipsychotic drugs
- Some antidepressants
- Products containing codeine
- Some cold remedies and allergy products, such as antihistamines (both prescription and OTC)
- Sleeping pills
- Muscle relaxants
- Medicines that treat or control symptoms of diarrhea
- Medicines that treat or prevent symptoms of motion sickness
- Diet pills, “stay awake” drugs, and other medications with stimulants (e.g., caffeine, ephedrine, pseudoephedrine)
If you are the victim of an impaired driver, contact an experienced Las Vegas lawyer. Anthem Injury Lawyers have experienced impaired driving accident lawyers who are ready to help you. Contact us today at (702) 857-6000 to make an appointment for a free consultation.
For a free legal consultation, call (702) 857-6000
Prevent Impaired Driving
Impaired driving is preventable. You can take the following steps to prevent impaired driving:
- Talk about impaired driving. Discuss the risks of impaired driving with friends and family before you attend an event.
- Plan ahead. Figure out how you will get home before attending a party with drugs and/or alcohol.
- Stay sober. You do not have to drink or use drugs if you attend an event. You can always choose to stay sober.
- Give yourself options. You have many options if you are impaired. You can call a taxi, a ride-hailing service, or a sober friend. You can also choose to stay where you are if it is a safe location.
- Appoint a designated driver. The designated driver should be committed to being sober for the whole night.
- Look out for other drivers. If you think another driver is impaired, call the police.
EXPERIENCED LAS VEGAS PERSONAL INJURY LAWYERS
We hope the above discussion helps you understand the dangers of impaired driving. If an impaired driver injures you in a Las Vegas area accident, you should speak with an experienced personal injury lawyer. Some people wonder why they need a personal injury lawyer to help them. A personal injury lawyer will work aggressively to protect your rights and help you receive maximum compensation for your injuries.
Award-winning law firm Anthem Injury Lawyers is a team of experienced and dedicated personal injury lawyers. We are based in Henderson, Nevada, and serve clients throughout the Las Vegas area. When we say we offer personal injury law experience, we mean over 25 years of experience. This is the combination of knowledge and expertise you need to win significant compensation as a victim in a Las Vegas area accident. Our decades of experience, our expertise, plus our deep familiarity with all aspects of Nevada law, give you a powerful advantage. You will need that advantage to fight against those who may keep you from receiving what you deserve as a Las Vegas accident victim.
Your choice of an accident lawyer is one of the most consequential decisions you will ever make. It’s important to select a Las Vegas attorney that can put you in the best position to win your case. That’s why you need to speak with Anthem Injury Lawyers. Get the best accident attorneys in Las Vegas fighting for you. Our experts offer you the best opportunity to win top compensation. Contact Anthem Injury Lawyers today at (702) 745-8167 to make an appointment for a free consultation.
Call or text (702) 857-6000 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
