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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.

  • $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
  • $350,000 Premise Liability

    Jane Doe vs Grocery Store, et al: A mother was shopping with her daughter, son in law, and granddaughter. She reached down to select a spice bottle and the shelf system collapsed on her head and neck, causing neck and upper back injuries. The client suffered cervical injuries and underwent a double level cervical fusion with hardware and bone graft from her hip. The supplier, grocery store and manufacturer of the spice product each contributed to the settlement.

    Brain Injury
  • $850,000 Motor Vehicle Accident

    Spinal Cord injury to Quadriplegic Patient: A quadriplegic passenger strapped and secured in his van suffered a cervical strain-whiplash injury in a car accident.

    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
  • Confidential Settlement Sexual Harassment

    Jeffries v. State of Washington, et. al. (King Co. Superior Court): Plaintiff recovered lost compensation in addition to a raise and promotion from the state of Washington by reason of its failure to stop a coworker’s sexual harassment in the workplace.

    Employment Law
  • $6,900 Motor Vehicle Accident

    Plaintiff suffered soft tissue injuries that impacted her ability to participate in daily life activities.

    Car Accident
  • $410,000 Pedestrian Accident

    Wallace v. Sajner, et al, (Case No. : CV 98-11789- Arizona): A pedestrian hitchhiker from Phoenix, Arizona was struck by a vehicle going through an intersection as he was crossing the roadway to pick up some metal debris in the road.

    Pedestrian & Bus Accident
  • $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
  • $275,000 Motor Vehicle Accident

    Our client received a $275,000 third-party settlement after he was rear-ended and recruited our firm. The accident took a toll on our client’s spine and abdomen. He suffered a cervical strain, right trapezius strain, chest wall contusion, and abdominal wall contusion. Our client also sprained his left foot and ankle, sustained A.C. arthrosis and degenerative labral tears, and suffered mild chronic rotator cuff tendinosis.

    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
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What Makes Our Firm Unique

  • 40+ Years of
    Proven Legal Experience
    With decades of hands-on litigation and negotiation, we bring a deep understanding of how to build strong, successful cases.
  • Aggressive & Personalized
    Representation
    We tailor our legal strategies to your unique situation, relentlessly pursuing the maximum compensation you're entitled to.
  • Committed to Securing
    Justice for Each Client
    We 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 Case

    Our 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.

Lindquist & Kornfeld

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