How to Tell if You Were Hit by a Drunk or High Driver

 Posted on April 12, 2024 in Uncategorized

The police are specially trained to spot the signs that a driver is drunk or under the influence of drugs. Drunk and drugged drivers are responsible for a disproportionate share of motor vehicle accidents in Colorado. Although many states have now legalized recreational cannabis use, our state was the first and remains a tourist destination to this day. If you are injured in a car accident caused by an intoxicated driver, being able to prove that the at-fault driver was under the influence can make recovering compensation much easier. A drunk driver can be considered automatically negligent because he was breaking the law. However, it can be challenging even for a trained police officer to determine whether someone is under the influence without using chemical tests. If you suspect that the driver who hit you was intoxicated, notify the police immediately - then call a Denver, CO car accident lawyer.

Signs of an Intoxicated Driver 

You may have noticed that another driver was driving in a dangerous manner before he hit you. If the driver was weaving in and out of his lane, signaling without turning, or failing to observe traffic signals in the moments before the accident, it could be because he was intoxicated or because he was using a cell phone.

After the accident has happened, you might notice signs of intoxication such as:

• Slurred speech - Slurring words are often a sign of alcohol intoxication. 
• Very fast or very slow speech - People using opiates or benzodiazepines may speak and move slowly, while people using cocaine or methamphetamine may speak and move quickly. 
• Inappropriate laughter - Some people who are under the influence of cannabis may laugh at inappropriate times or make light of a serious situation. 
• Attempts to flee - While someone who has just caused a car accident may flee for a variety of reasons, intoxicated drivers are notorious for leaving the scene to avoid a DUI. 
• Unsteady walk - People who are impaired enough to cause an accident often also have trouble walking without swaying or stumbling. 
• Disposing of items - If you see the person who just hit you toss an item into a nearby trashcan, off the overpass, or into the woods, it could be because he is trying to hide evidence of drug use.

Many of these signs can be ambiguous or hard to notice, especially if you are injured. You should call the police promptly - a trained officer is more likely to notice more subtle signs of intoxication than a layperson who has just been hurt in a crash.

Contact a Denver, CO Car Crash Injury Attorney

The Gold Law Firm has recovered more than $100 million in damages for its clients. Our experienced Arapahoe County, CO DUI crash lawyers will fight to get you the results you deserve. Contact us at 303-694-4653 for a complimentary consultation.