Driving Under the Influence of Prescription Drugs: What You Should Know

Driving under the influence of prescription drugs can have serious legal consequences beyond criminal charges. Victims injured by an impaired driver in a car accident may pursue civil lawsuits to recover compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and property damage. These cases hold drivers accountable for negligence, even if the impairment was caused by legally prescribed medication. Understanding your rights and the legal process is essential to protect yourself and seek full restitution.

D.C. Law Prohibits Driving Under the Influence of Both Drugs and Alcohol

The law in D.C. that prohibits impaired driving is not just limited to alcohol. The statute is written in very broad terms to state that you can be convicted of DUI if you are under the influence of alcohol or a drug. Of importance here is that a drug is not necessarily just an illegal narcotic. A driver can be convicted of DUI when they are under the influence of prescription drugs. It is up to the driver to know when they may be impaired and not get behind the wheel during that time.

Prescription drugs that could result in impairment include:

• Opioid Painkillers
• Benzodiazepines
• Muscle Relaxants
• Sleep Aids / Sedatives
• Antihistamines
• Antidepressants

Common Causes of Prescription Drug DUIs

There are numerous ways that prescription drugs could lead to circumstances in which you could be charged with DUI. In some cases, the warning label for the drug may explicitly state that you are not to operate a vehicle within a certain amount of time after taking it. In other cases, you could end up facing criminal charges when you have taken too much of the medication or have misused it.

You do not have to have wrongfully used the prescription medication to be charged with DUI. Simply being impaired may be enough to face criminal charges.

Penalties for Prescription Drug DUI in D.C.

Since the law applies co-extensively to both alcohol and drugs, it follows that a driver would face the same penalties when charged with driving under the influence of prescription drugs. For a first offense, the motorist could be incarcerated for up to 180 days and fined up to $1,000. They would also lose their driving privileges for nine months. The penalties would escalate if the driver had been convicted of a second or subsequent offense within a certain amount of time.

Personal Injury Lawsuits for DUI Accidents Caused by Prescription Drugs

If you have been injured in an accident where the driver was impaired by prescription drugs, you can file a civil lawsuit against them to seek compensation. It does not matter whether they have been charged with a crime or if they have any defenses that they may use in their criminal case. If you can prove that the driver was negligent in the circumstances leading up to your car accident, they would be legally obligated to pay you full financial compensation for your injuries.

Further, it is immaterial whether the driver is actually convicted of the crime of DUI. A civil case uses a different standard of proof, and an acquittal does not necessarily mean that they are not liable to you for damages. Further, you do not need to prove actual impairment to receive compensation for your car accident injuries.

Contact a Washington, D.C. Car Accident Lawyer at the Law Offices of Duane O. King if You Are Seeking Compensation for Your Car Crash Injuries

If you have been injured in any type of motor vehicle crash, a Washington, D.C. car accident lawyer at the Law Offices of Duane O. King can be the best friend you have. We can work for you to be fully compensated for your injuries. For a free consultation, fill out our online contact form or call us today at 202-331-1963. With office locations in Washington, D.C., National Harbor, Maryland, and Falls Church, Virginia, we proudly serve clients in the surrounding areas.