As people across Tennessee and the nation watched the story unfold of champion golfer, Tiger Woods, being arrested near his home for a DUI, a spotlight was shined on a problem that is currently plaguing our roads and highways. As the Palm Beach Post reports, more crashes that result in the death of the driver now involve drugs, both prescription and illegal, than involved alcohol. In 2015 the number of drivers who died with drugs in their system is 43 percent, and alcohol is 37 percent. In 2005, the amount of drivers who died with drugs in their system was only 27 percent.

As The Atlantic explains, a recent study found the 20 percent of drivers had used a prescription drug in the past 48 hours. The most commonly used were antidepressants, sedatives and painkillers. Illegal drug use is also up among drivers on nights and weekends. In 2007 only 12.4 percent of drivers were found to be driving with illegal drugs in their systems, but by 2013 that number was up to 15.1 percent. Marijuana use is the most common, in 2007 8.6 percent of drivers tested positive for THC and in 2013 that number had jumped 48 percent, all the way up to 12.6 percent of night-time and weekend drivers testing positive.

With prescription drug use up amongst Americans, it is important to realize that having a prescription from a doctor does not mean a drug is safe to use while driving. Although alcohol has measurable limits within the law for when it is acceptable to drive, neither prescription drugs nor illegal drugs have limits in most states. This makes it difficult for law enforcement, who are increasingly pulling over motorists who do not realize or do not care that they should not be driving while taking a certain drug.

While Tennessee has not joined the ranks of the states that have legalized the recreational use of marijuana, that does not mean that plenty of Tennessee residents may not be headed to those states as part of their summer vacations. At the same time, it is a reality that illegal use of marijuana may well happen in Tennessee and that illegal use may include people driving after consuming the drug. In either of these situations, innocent people may be at risk of being involved in an accident caused by a drugged driver.

An agency that performs insurance research, the Highway Loss Data Institute, conducted a study taking a look at accident insurance claims in multiple states, including three states where pot had been legalized for at least part of the time during the study. What the institute found in its analysis that Washington, Oregon and Colorado all saw jumps by more than two-and-a-half percent in the number of insurance claims filed for motor vehicle accidents after marijuana was legalized versus before.

The study included some time before pot was legalized as well as some time after. It also compared data from those three states to data from states where marijuana was not legally able to be used recreationally.

When on the road this summer, Tennessee residents who are involved in accidents and believe another driver may have been under the influence of a substance may want to reach out to an attorney to learn how to get help in this situation.

Source: NBC29.com, “Insurance study ties legal pot to boost in car crash claims,” Solomon Banda, June 21, 2017

When you think about car accidents, you may feel the only dangers you should worry about are drunk, distracted and aggressive drivers. But did you know you could be a danger to yourself and other motorists if you are feeling fatigued behind the wheel? According to CBSNews.com, “sleepy motorists are just as dangerous as intoxicated/drunk drivers.” Drowsy driving is a very common occurrence that increases the number of driving errors motorists make and motor vehicle wrecks on the roads. 

It is important for you to know what signs to watch for so you can protect yourself and everyone else. 

Signs you are too drowsy to drive safely 

If you find yourself yawning or blinking excessively, you should get off the roads. Some medications have side effects that cause drowsiness. Observe your body’s response to any medications you are on. If you feel tired or fatigued, you should wait until you feel more alert and awake before you get behind the wheel. Other signs that indicate that you are not rested well enough to drive include drifting in your lane, driving past your exit or destination and trouble remembering where you are going. 

Make sure you get enough sleep at night before you head out for the day. If you are a shift worker, you should try to incorporate a few naps into your schedule in addition to your regular rest time. If you find yourself losing focus or becoming sleepy while operating your vehicle, you should pull over to somewhere safe so you can close your eyes for a few moments to take a nap. If a roadside nap is not possible, have another licensed motorist take over your driving duties so you can rest while traveling. It is important for you to realize that rolling your window down and listening to loud music are not effective ways to keep you awake when you are too drowsy to drive. With a little preparation and more rest, you can avoid falling asleep behind the wheel.

Many car accidents in Knoxville occur due to driver error. Although many of the vehicles that are on the roads are equipped with safety features and technology to make them safer to operate, car crashes are still a leading cause of death for all age groups. According to a study posted on CBSNews.com, “driver mistakes contributed to approximately 75 percent of car accidents that occurred over a three-year period.” 

Here is a brief overview on some common driving mistakes that cause car crashes. 

Some motorists, such as teens and seniors are more prone to making critical mistakes while operating their vehicles than others. Young adult drivers do not have much driving experience to rely on. Although they have completed driver’s training, it takes years for them to develop the skills and knowledge they need to handle different road situations and hazards. Seniors may not be fully aware of their surroundings so they can operate their vehicles safely. 

Many driving errors occur out of habit and ignorance, states Goliath.com. Common mistakes drivers make that often result in property damage, injuries and death include: 

•        Riding the brakes
•        Not using turn signals
•        Improper use of vehicle lights
•        Not paying attention to traffic signs 

There are other factors that contribute to people making mistakes while driving, such as alcohol, distractions, recklessness and fatigue. Motorists should take measures to ensure they are ready to drive their vehicles safely. Preparing themselves and their cars before each trip, avoiding distractions and substances that lead to impairment and using defensive driving behaviors can reduce the likelihood of them crashing into others.

Car accidents are extremely common in Knoxville. If you ever find yourself in one, you may be wondering how to prove that your injuries are the result of the crash. Even if you initially feel fine after your ordeal, there is a chance that all of the adrenaline pumping through your blood and your emotions may be masking any injuries you may have. There is also the possibility that you have delayed injuries that may show up several hours or days after your accident. According to Ktar.com, many people do not realize the extent of their car accident injuries because of distractions, emotional disorientation and mental trauma. 

Here are some steps you can take to prove your injuries are car accident-related. 

Do not make statements about your health 

Avoid telling anyone at the scene of the accident that you feel fine and that you are relatively unharmed. You should also avoid running, lifting and doing other actions that could indicate that you are not injured. Those statements and actions can be used to discredit your claim. You could have injuries that you are not aware of yet.

Seek out medical treatment 

No matter how minor or serious your car accident is, it is important for you to seek out medical treatment right away, even if you feel fine. You should get checked for signs of obvious, hidden and delayed injuries. You should inform the medical staff about any symptoms you feel so that all information regarding your health and injuries are documented. You may need to undergo diagnostic testing and take x-rays so that the extent of your injuries, such as broken bones, concussions, and damaged muscles are discovered. 

There are other factors that can affect what you need to do to prove your injuries came from a car accident. If you plan to file a lawsuit against the other driver, you have the burden of proof. Depending on the extent of your wounds and circumstances surrounding your ordeal, you may benefit from seeking out legal counsel.