Kirkland Lawyer for Accident Claims Involving a “Stoned” Driver
Handling Marijuana Impairment Car Accident Cases
Lindquist & Kornfeld of Kirkland can help you with all sorts of car accident claims, including those that involve a driver who was high, “stoned,” or otherwise impaired by recreational marijuana while driving. The possession and use of recreational marijuana in minimal quantities are legal in Washington, so pursuing a claim can get tricky.
There are still legal gray areas and contests surrounding the laws regarding its use before driving and how much THC can be present in someone’s system to consider them legally impaired. We can help you carefully navigate your claim while avoiding legal pitfalls due to the state’s evolving recreational marijuana laws.
Call us at (425) 657-5255if you need help after a driver in Kirkland hit you while high. We offer initial consultations to get your started.
What is Initiative 502 in Washington?
Years ago, Washington passed Initiative 502. The measure contained many provisions about liquor and cannabis use in the state, including what should be considered enough THC detectable in someone’s bloodstream to consider them legally impaired by marijuana.
The measure set the THC limit – similar to a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) level for drunk drivers – to just five nanograms. Driving with at least five nanograms of THC in your system can warrant a DUI ticket or arrest.
Opposition to Initiative 502 has argued that five nanograms is too small of an amount. THC is known to linger in peoples’ systems for hours or days without necessarily impairing them. However, the law was passed to send a clear message: driving after using marijuana is dangerous.
Our Proven Results
Our top priority is to devise customized legal strategies that are tailored to the unique legal needs of our clients, no matter how simple or complicated their situations, might be.
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$425,000 Motor Vehicle Accident
Early v. Hess, et. al. (King Co. Superior Court): Motor vehicle crash – Plaintiff recovered compensation in a settlement for $425,000 for a knee surgery and permanent injury, along with compensation for the risk of a future knee replacement.
Car Accident -
$1,500,000 Medical Malpractice
Wa. State health care provider who over prescribed opioids. Patient suffered respiratory arrest and brain damage and incurred medical bills and wage loss.
Medical Malpractice -
Confidential Settlement Medical Malpractice
Mr. & Mrs. Jane Doe v. Drs. Doe: Mrs. Doe was hospitalized at 37 weeks pregnant. It was noted that her baby was in acute fetal distress. A decision was made by a covering OB-GYN not to deliver the full-term baby. Patient was sent home and several days later, spontaneously ruptured and delivered a still born. Suit was filed alleging that the health care providers were negligent in failing to induce labor in a full term baby which was in acute fetal distress as noted in the fetal heart monitoring strips.
Medical Malpractice -
$200,000 Race Discrimination
Fish processor recovers $200,000 for Race Discrimination aboard a fish processor because he was Hispanic.
Employment Law -
$345,000 Motor Vehicle Accident
Resolution of a car crash case pre-suit $345,000 for a client with shoulder and knee surgery.
Car Accident -
$500,000 Construction Accident
Client was injured on the job and required a knee replacement, received $500,000 in compensation.
Construction Accident -
$925,000 Medical Malpractice
Gutierrez v. Marumanji, et. al. (Lewis Co. Superior Court ): During labor and delivery of baby Armondo, the attending hospital and doctor failed to recognize that the baby was in fetal distress and deliver the baby sooner. To compound the neurological damage to the baby during the labor and delivery, the baby was severely burned when a hospital nurse improperly used a heating pad. Five years later, the child remains deeply scarred on his back.
Medical Malpractice -
$600,000 Bus Accident
John Doe v. State of Washington, (King County Superior Court): Plaintiff hit by a Department of Transportation (DOT) vehicle while standing on the sidewalk. He underwent a shoulder arthroscopy and is living with the prospect of two hip replacements, in addition to the loss of his construction career.
Pedestrian & Bus Accident -
$965,000 Construction Accident
John Doe v. ABR, (King County Superior Court SEA): Construction worker fell from roof due to the negligence of a roofing supplier in securing bundles of shingles onto the top of a roof, all of which broke loose, striking the client and catapulting him to the ground below. Mr. Doe underwent spinal fusion of L5-S1; a two level cervical fusion; and a partial meniscectomy in his knee.
Construction Accident
How Can Marijuana Impair a Driver?
Marijuana impairment can affect a driver similarly to alcohol intoxication. This is why safety groups like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIAD) are so adamant about discouraging people from using recreational marijuana before driving. Even a small amount could affect the driver’s skills and increase the likelihood of a crash.
Marijuana impairment in a driver can cause:
- Worsened motor coordination
- Poor judgment
- Difficulty understanding distances
- Increased reaction time
- Inability to focus on the road
- Exhaustion
Signs of Marijuana Impairment
After you are in a car accident that you suspect was caused by a high driver, you can look for signs of impairment.
Drivers who have recently used marijuana will usually have:
- Red, shifty, and dilated eyes
- Slowed speech with unusual delays between responses
- Difficulty standing still due to worsened muscle control
- Smell of marijuana in their car or on their person
What Makes Our Firm Unique
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40+ Years of
Proven Legal ExperienceWith decades of hands-on litigation and negotiation, we bring a deep understanding of how to build strong, successful cases. -
Aggressive & Personalized
RepresentationWe tailor our legal strategies to your unique situation, relentlessly pursuing the maximum compensation you're entitled to. -
Committed to Securing
Justice for Each ClientWe treat every case with the urgency and dedication it deserves, ensuring your voice is heard and your rights are protected. -
No Fees Unless
We Win Your CaseOur clients can focus on healing while we fight for results—because we only get paid when you do.
Get Your Case Rolling – Call Our Firm Now
There is no time to lose after you have been hit by a high driver. The sooner our Kirkland marijuana impairment accident attorneys can start your case, the sooner we can investigate the available evidence, seek more where needed, and take other steps to progress it. From start to finish, our goal will be to secure maximum compensation on your behalf.
For more information, please call (425) 657-5255 at any time.
