Earlier this year, a tragic car crash in North Las Vegas took the lives of nine people. The driver, who police said caused the crash, sped through a red light at over 100 miles per hour. This month, autopsy and toxicology reports said that cocaine, PCP, and alcohol were in the driver’s system. Driving while impaired is dangerous and is often deadly. In Nevada, driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs is also illegal. Here, we will go over Nevada’s drugged driving laws as a reminder to everyone to always drive sober.
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 personal injury 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 lawyers don’t get paid unless they win your case. Contact Anthem Injury Lawyers at (702) 857-6000 to make an appointment for a free consultation.
Nevada’s Drugged Driving Laws
In Nevada, driving under the influence of a controlled substance is either:
- Driving after inhaling, ingesting, applying or otherwise using “any chemical, poison or organic solvent, or any compound or combination of any of these, to a degree which renders the person incapable of safely driving or exercising actual physical control of a vehicle.”
- Driving “with an amount of any of the following prohibited substances in his or her blood or urine that is equal to or greater than” those amounts discussed in the next section.
Prohibited Substances
Under Nevada law, it is “unlawful for any person to drive or be in actual physical control of a vehicle on a highway or on premises to which the public has access with an amount of any of the following prohibited substances in his or her blood or urine that is equal to or greater than” those amounts listed below. This means that this amount in a driver’s blood or urine makes their driving illegal, regardless of how they are operating the vehicle.
In the list below the first number represents urine nanograms per milliliter. The second number (enclosed in parentheses) represents blood nanograms per milliliter. Please note that marijuana numbers are only for blood nanograms per milliliter.
- Amphetamine 500 (100)
- Cocaine 150 (50)
- Cocaine metabolite 150 (50)
- Heroin 2,000 (50)
- Heroin metabolite:
- Morphine 2,000 (50)
- 6-monoacetyl morphine 10 (10)
- Lysergic acid diethylamide 25 (10)
- Methamphetamine 500 (100)
- Phencyclidine 25 (10)
- Marijuana (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol) (2)
- Marijuana metabolite (11-OH-tetrahydrocannabinol) (5)
If an impaired driver injures you in a car accident, you should contact a personal injury lawyer. Time is of the essence when pursuing compensation in impaired driving 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 lawyers don’t get paid unless they win your case. Contact Anthem Injury Lawyers at (702) 857-6000 to make an appointment for a free consultation.
Medication
Illegal drugs are not the only substances that can impair your ability to safely operate a motor vehicle. Prescription medication and even over-the-counter medication can impair your driving ability. If you take medication, it is your responsibility to understand how the medication may impact your driving abilities. If you are unsure, you should consult with a doctor or pharmacist before getting behind the wheel.
According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the following medications may make it dangerous to operate a motor vehicle:
- Opioid pain relievers
- Prescription drugs for anxiety
- Anti-seizure drugs
- Antipsychotic drugs
- Antidepressants
- Products containing codeine
- Cold remedies
- Allergy products
- Sleeping pills
- Muscle relaxants
- Diarrhea medicines
- Motion sickness medicines
- Stimulants (such as diet pills or “stay awake” drugs)
- Cannabidiol (CBD) products
Penalties
The penalties for driving under the influence of drugs in Nevada are similar to Nevada drunk driver penalties. The first and second offenses within seven years are misdemeanors. The third within seven years is a felony. Keep in mind that there are different penalties if death or substantial bodily harm results. Additionally, it is possible for a fatal DUI to be charged as vehicular homicide.
For a free legal consultation, call (702) 857-6000
What Can You Do After an Accident?
Unfortunately, not everyone makes safe driving decisions. Impaired drivers cause serious accidents every day. What can you do after an accident? If you are injured by a driver that you suspect is under the influence of drugs, you can do the following:
- Immediately contact the police. Inform the police that you suspect the other driver was impaired. The police may administer a portable breath test or a standardized field sobriety test. In some instances, a blood draw may be used.
- Seek medical care. If you are injured, get medical help immediately.
- If possible, gather information and document the accident. This includes insurance information as well as the names and contact information of witnesses and police officer(s). You may also take pictures or videos of the accident scene.
- Contact an experienced personal injury lawyer. Contact Anthem Injury Lawyers today at (702) 857-6000 to make an appointment for a free consultation.
EXPERIENCED LAS VEGAS PERSONAL INJURY LAWYERS
We hope the above discussion about Nevada’s drugged driving laws helps you make safe choices. If a Las Vegas driver injures you in a car 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) 857-6000 to make an appointment for a free consultation.
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