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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$855,000 Dog Bite Injury
$855,000 for a dog bite on a minor child of 10 years old.
Dog Bite Injury -
$2,500,000 Brain Injury
Jane Doe v. Health Care Center (Superior Court – confidentiality settlement) Patient suffered from horrific headaches, nausea, vomiting, blurred and double vision–was told she had the flu. Over several weeks no imaging studies were ordered of the patient’s brain to rule out an intracranial bleed or subarachnoid hemorrhage.
Brain Injury -
$235,000 Motor Vehicle Accident
A client who had pre-existing anxiety was in two car crashes in 2015 and 2018 and suffered a concussion and spinal injuries in the first with increase in his PTSD and anxiety. He was improving and then was in a second MVA and suffered an aggravation and worsening of the PTSD and anxiety from the first MVA and has not returned to baseline. We were successful in recovering $235,000 for him from both drivers’ insurance and his own underinsured motorist insurance.
Car Accident -
$2,362,000 Medical Malpractice
Jane Doe v. Hospital and Dr. Radiologist (confidentiality) A doctor and hospital agreed to pay $1,900,000 and a health insurer agreed to waive recovery of subrogation reimbursement of $462,000 as a result of a radiologist’s failure to correctly read a MRI which, if correctly read in accordance with the standard of care, would have shown a posterior communicating aneurysm and which was treatable.
Medical Malpractice -
$250,000 Motor Vehicle Accident
Our client was involved in a rear-end collision on the I-5 near Federal Way, caused by a car who careened into their vehicle at 60 miles per hour. As a result, our client suffered various injuries and medical conditions, ranging from concussion to a significant injury to their left arm, necessitating surgical treatment. The client’s medical bills tallied to more than $86,000.00. Sentry Claims settled the case for $250,000 during mediation.
Car Accident -
$50,000 Motor Vehicle Accident
Plaintiff was riding a motorcycle when the Defendant pulled out in front of him. Plaintiff was thrown from his motorcycle. Plaintiff sustained fractured carpal bones, torn acetabular labrum and bone contusion, pain in the pelvic region and thigh, pain in the forearm and low back pain.
Car Accident -
$225,000 Age Discrimination
Age Discrimination and Wrongful Termination: 62 Year old woman employed by insurance company for over 25 years years is replaced by younger and less skilled worker because of her age and her inability to be treated equally as younger workers. Our client claimed she was constructively discharged and was forced to quit. Settlement short of trial was for $225,000.
Employment Law -
$200,000 Motor Vehicle Accident
A third-party insurance company tendered its $100,000 policy limits and our client’s insurer tendered its $100,000 underinsured motorist (UIM) limits after a rear-end accident resulted in whiplash, acute pain to the right knee and lower back, muscle spasm of the back, closed compression fractures, and osteoarthritis of the right hip and knee.
Car Accident -
$175,000 Employment Law
Jane Doe v. a Pay Day Loan Company: Snohomish County Superior Court. 40 year old woman who had worked for the company for 5 years had experienced harassment from many levels within the company. After she complained, she was told to take a vacation, her email was cut off, and she was told not to call anyone in this company. Once one of the highest-ranking women in the company, Plaintiff considered this retaliation and a constructive discharge.
Employment Law
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.