The funds will be used to enhance road safety and prevent car accidents.
A car accident caused by a drunk driver or someone impaired by drugs can have devastating consequences. You may face catastrophic injury. You may lose a loved one. Your life may be changed forever.
It’s incredibly frustrating and tragic, as the accident would never have happened if it were not for the other driver’s reckless decision.
Unfortunately, crashes involving drivers impaired by drugs and alcohol have been on the rise in Connecticut and throughout the United States. During the pandemic, the use of drugs and alcohol increased, and some of these impaired individuals were getting behind the wheel.
Recognizing this serious and growing safety problem, Connecticut is now using a federal grant from the Governors Highway Safety Association to pay for training that will enhance the identification and treatment of drivers impaired by alcohol and drugs. According to a Connecticut Department of Transportation news release, Connecticut is only one of five states to receive the $22,000 grant.
Impaired driving car crashes in CT
Impaired driving is one of the top causes of serious car accidents. Crash victims often face significant losses, but they have the right to seek compensation for those losses, which may include:
- Medical bills: Doctor visits, surgery, physical therapy, and more.
- Lost wages: Time off from work and a reduction in earning capacity.
- Disability: Modifications to home, assistive technology, treatments, and medications.
- Pain and suffering: Nonmonetary damages related to the personal injury.
- Property damage: Compensation to restore and replace your vehicle.
The funding in Connecticut is a step toward reducing alcohol- and drug-impaired crashes. The money will pay for a “green lab.” Volunteers will receive a controlled dose of cannabis. Some participants will receive cannabis and alcohol. Law enforcement officers then will perform sobriety tests to observe the effects of the impairment. The goal is to allow the officers to better detect drivers impaired by cannabis and get them off the road before they cause a serious crash.
What to do if an impaired driver hits you
Sadly, accidents with drivers who are high, drunk, or both continue to plague Connecticut roads. Victims who are injured and families who lost loved ones may be entitled to compensation for their losses. But, frustratingly, they may face an uphill battle when dealing with the insurance companies on their own. The insurance company may offer a dollar amount that doesn’t address the full extent of the losses. They are in business to make profits and often will deny claims or make lowball settlement offers to keep money out of the pockets of accident victims.
How a car accident attorney can help
That’s why it’s smart to contact a car accident lawyer who has experience dealing with insurance adjusters and has handled cases involving impaired drivers. For a free consultation, contact the Law Offices of Mark E. Salomone and Morelli today. We will listen to you and help you decide the best course of action to protect your rights.
In addition, we work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we win your case. We fight aggressively for our clients. That means we consult with experts. We pore over accident reports. We leave no stone unturned.
There is no obligation when you contact us. Discover today how we can make a difference. Tell them you mean business!