Substance abuse is one of the leading factors in accidents and personal injuries not only in the United States but around the world. The National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) held a 2019 survey and recorded that 19.5 million Americans, aged 12 or older battled with drug addiction or substance abuse. 74% of American adults who suffered from substance abuse disorder dealt specifically with alcohol addiction. Similarly, 38% of people in the United States handled illicit drug substance abuse.
This is an issue that affects every aspect of the abuser’s life, whether it be in their personal or professional environment. It limits the person’s ability to be present and focused on their jobs, careers, and family duties. Substance abuse creates a daily dependency on the drug, hindering the individual’s ability to be in touch with reality. It also creates traumatic events, leaving behind victims along the way. Someone who gets behind the wheel, or shows up to work not sober can destroy people’s lives in the blink of an eye.
If you have ever been the victim of negligence due to substance abuse, we are here to inform you that you deserve to be compensated for your injuries. Stay tuned for an informational account on the different sets of possible accidents, and why you need to be legally represented when faced with a substance abuse personal injury.
Injuries from Accidents
Impairment from alcohol or other drug substances dramatically increases the chances of all road traffic-related incidents. In the United States, about 40% of all youth traffic-related deaths are tied to alcohol consumption. These are unfortunate events that leave broken families due to poor decision making. Inebriation at the wheel causes the driver to lose reaction time and reflexes. Those who accompany the driver within the vehicle, however, possess a higher death rate on average. This means that the driver is more likely to survive from the accident, while pedestrians and other passengers will likely suffer a tragic death. Keep in mind that people who drive under whichever influence will suffer from the following impairment on:
- Motor Skills
- Perception
- Coordination
- Memory
- Concentration
Injury in the workplace due to substance abuse is recognized as a fundamental problem not only in the United States but worldwide as well. The World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Labor Office (ILO) have recorded that 75% of illicit drug users are employed individuals, meaning that within almost every workplace there is one employee with a substance abuse problem. Employees who arrive impaired to work become a full hazard to the rest of their fellow employees or customers. The probability of a personal injury in the workplace increases by more than 60%. Workplace accidents thus become a severe public health issue that can take the lives of innocent people, while also decreasing revenue and productivity. In the United States for that matter, $100 billion is annually spent due to work-related injuries or illnesses.
Injuries in the home due to substance abuse tragically occur regularly within families and can be reflected as either domestic abuse or in property damage. Family members who suffer from alcohol or any other drug consumption abuse may inflict emotional and physical torment on their loved ones. The lack of conscience and perception of reality causes individuals to become violent and abusive towards their spouses, husbands, or children. Personal injuries may also arise from negligence towards private property. Risks of fires, flooding, and other damages can dramatically increase, as those who are under the influence lose sight of the consequences to their poor decision making. In even worse cases, people who manufacture their own drugs, like methamphetamine or marijuana, can put a whole neighborhood at risk.
Legal Representation
The mentioned situations above can leave you traumatized and without any possible answers. We know how painful it is to be the victim of a personal injury due to negligence via substance abuse. However, you do not have to be alone throughout your legal process and recovery time. You need professional expertise that will protect your rights, and grant you the compensation you clearly deserve.
If you have been the victim of a car accident due to the other driver’s negligence and drug abuse, you will immediately need to hire a personal injury attorney so that he or she may help you with filing your claim or lawsuit. One of the reasons you need an attorney is because Florida is a “no-fault state,” and thus a Personal Injury Insurance claim (PIP) will be opened to treat your injuries. Following that, you will need to get in contact with the other driver’s insurance since they were at fault. Now, this is where it becomes tricky, as even if it is proved that the driver was under the influence, insurance companies may try to undermine your claim. They’ll try to divide the blame into all sorts of outrageous excuses. To avoid this, it’s better than a trained legal expert does the talking for you.
When your damages are far more serious than a simple broken tv or scratched bumper due to another’s negligence, it is crucial to have legal representation. By serious injuries, we’re discussing the death of a loved one, physical abuse, or a lifelong disability caused by a substance abuser. These are processes that entail different kinds of reparations and protocols. Personal injury attorneys will build a case around gathering the evidence linked to the damage, alongside the future consequences that you or any other loved ones will suffer because of that negligence.
Once that is proven, the attorney will opt to file a “civil lawsuit” to claim rightful compensation since the substance abuser was arrested for their offense against you. Other benefits of legal advice include:
- Expert negotiation.
- Connections to proper medical attention.
- Help you make calculated decisions.
- Quicker compensation.
- Grant you peace of mind.
Now that you are more aware of the complexities of dealing with the consequences of an injury due to substance abuse, we trust that you may feel more comfortable in moving forward. The most important takeaway from this article is that you cannot be alone when dealing with the aftermath of any injury related to substance abuse. However, we are pleased to inform you that there is a competent, professional, and efficient law firm ready to resolve your specific circumstance. The offices of Scott J. Senft, located in Dania Beach and Boca Raton are ready to take care of you. The more you wait, the more difficult it will be for you to receive the compensation you deserve. Call us now!
