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) 657-5255 if you need help after a driver in Kirkland hit you while high. We offer initial consultations to get you 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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$825,000 Construction Accident
A sheet metal and HVAC worker with the help of a spinal cord injury attorney, Rob Kornfeld, settled a construction fall injury when he was thrown from a forklift used as a man-lift in a warehouse operation provided by another. This resulted in spinal fractures of the low back, and spinal cord injury noted by hyper-reflexia on clinical exam.
Brain Injury -
$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 -
$25,000 Motor Vehicle Accident
The defendant driver failed to stop at stop sign and collided with Plaintiff’s car. Plaintiff’s car was totaled. She sustained neck, back and bilateral shoulder injuries.
Car Accident -
$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 -
$300,000 Brain Injury
An ex Army veteran recovered $300,000 after suffering a mild traumatic brain injury in a car accident. There was no objective signs of injury but neuropsychological testing was abnormal.
Brain Injury -
$26,500 Motor Vehicle Accident
Plaintiff sustained neck and back injuries as well as headaches.
Car Accident -
$2,500,000 Medical Malpractice
Jane and John Doe v. Hospital XYZ (King County, Washington): A 53-year-old father underwent surgery to repair an abdominal aortic aneurysm. During his first night, the patient was not assessed or monitored for over five hours. As a result, he developed a mucus plug, could not breathe, and suffered respiratory arrest and heart failure. The patient was revived but suffered catastrophic brain damage. He now requires care 24-7 from his wife.
Medical Malpractice -
$300,000 Motor Vehicle Accident
Witter v. Fireman’s Fund: Mr. Witter suffered from a fractured wrist and faced multiple wrist surgeries in the future caused from progressive post-traumatic arthritis.
Car Accident -
$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
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.
