Menu
F
r
e
e

C
o
n
s
u
l
t
a
t
i
o
n

Weed Legalization 2018 in California Has Increased Car Accidents

On behalf of The Law Offices of Howard Kornberg Posted in Car Accident

Now that recreational marijuana is legal in California, the state is seeing a noticeable increase in car accidents.

When Californians voted to legalize recreational weed in 2016, only a handful of them actually weighed the pros and cons of making marijuana available for sale to millions of Los Angeles residents.

One of the major cons of legalizing pot in any state is a sharp increase in marijuana-impaired drivers on the streets.

Weed sales are set to be booming in California since selling recreational marijuana became legal on January 1, 2018. The state has already become the largest weed market in the nation.

While not all cities of California have given green light on cannabis legalization, the impact of the new law has already been felt across the U.S., particularly by those who were unfortunate to become victims of car accidents involving weed-impaired motorists.

Weed legalization in California causes more car accidents

Thousands of Californians rushed to pot shops in the early hours of Monday, Jan. 1, to get their hands on the long-awaited, now-legal recreational marijuana across the state.

Many chose to celebrate the milestone achievement by smoking marijuana and getting under the wheel of their vehicles while stoned that day.

As the number of weed- and drug-impaired motorists in California are rising every year, the California Highway Patrol warned local residents earlier this week that weed legalization is expected to put even more marijuana-impaired drivers on the streets of Los Angeles, Riverside, and other cities.

Despite the continued legislative push to legalize marijuana in all states across the nation – with 29 U.S. states and the District of Columbia already on board – health experts warn of the increased risk of weed-impaired motorists causing car accidents.

How does marijuana affect driving?

Studies have shown the effect weed has on motorists. And turns out, smoking marijuana puts drivers at a greater risk of causing a car accident, as weed decreases focus and slows down reaction time.

These two conditions are directly linked to traffic collisions, our Los Angeles car accident attorneys at Law Offices of Howard Kornberg warn.

In fact, smoking marijuana affects driving almost the same way consuming alcohol does. Slow reaction time can result in fatal car crashes on the streets of Los Angeles.

That means by legalizing weed in 2018, residents of Los Angeles and other cities across California who voted in favor of marijuana legalization made the streets of California even more dangerous to car drivers, bicyclists, motorcyclists, and pedestrians.

Our best car accident attorneys in Los Angeles explain that marijuana-impaired motorists are more likely to fail to react properly and in a timely manner to certain traffic maneuvers, not to mention that pot smokers have trouble focusing on the road when driving.

Meaning: weed-impaired drivers will more likely not notice a pedestrian in the crosswalk, and brake too late after a car driving in front stops abruptly.

What if you get into a car accident involving a weed-impaired driver?

Given that marijuana has become legally available for sale in California just a few days ago, litigating car accidents involving weed-impaired motorists may be difficult if you’re not legally represented by an experienced attorney.

Laws regulating the use of cannabis are changing constantly – with California lawmakers considering putting a THC limit on pot-smoking drivers – which is why it’s highly recommended to consult a car accident attorney to spell out all legal options available in your particular case.

Here at the Law Offices of Howard Kornberg, our skilled car accident lawyers will launch a thorough investigation into your car accident claim to determine the liability and full value of damages.

Call our Los Angeles offices at 310-997-0904 or complete this contact form to get a free initial consultation.

Arrow Prev Prev Next Arrow Next
T

Tristan Crown

Rating Star
Howard Kornberg has been helping injured victims for over 35 years in
Read more
Posted On Google
J

John Dittrich

Rating Star
Howard's Law Office is undoubtedly the go-to place in Los Angeles for
Read more
Posted On Google
R

Robben Sprague

Rating Star
Howard Kornberg and his team were utterly amazing from start to finish
Read more
Posted On Google
M

Max Schafer

Rating Star
Excellent experience! Howard and his team are smart, competent, honest
Read more
Posted On Google
f

flerida hernandez

Rating Star
The Law Offices of Howard Kornberg were highly recommend by someone I
Read more
Posted On Google
T

Terri Barlow

Rating Star
Despite having to to deal with multiple family members and the death o
Read more
Posted On Google
M

Marina Salazar

Rating Star
What a great!! experience I had with the Law Offices of Howard Kornber
Read more
Posted On Google
P

Pamela LLJUBO

Rating Star
Working with Howard Kornberg and his associates is like having an exte
Read more
Posted On Google
E

E.J. Fortenberry

Rating Star
Mr Kornberg represented me very well in my case resulting in an outsta
Read more
Posted On Google
A

Anna Stovitz

Rating Star
Howard Kornberg did an impeccable job in representing me in my trial.
Read more
Posted On Google
A

Aviv Brawer-Cohen

Rating Star
Mr Kornberg and his staff are truly outstanding. Their diligent and ho
Read more
Posted On Google
A

Alex Saavedra

Rating Star
The people that work here are honest and straight up, Ana and Robert w
Read more
Posted On Google
T

Tristan Crown

Rating Star
Howard Kornberg has been helping injured victims for over 35 years in
Read more
Posted On Google
J

Josie Cruz

Rating Star
I took my "car accident" case to Mr. Kornberg for review. I had been t
Read more
Posted On Google
J

Jack Stovitz

Rating Star
Howard is an amazing lawyer who gets the job done. He's a great guy, h
Read more
Posted On Google
M

Melissa Schoenfeld

Rating Star
My experience with this office and Mr. Kornberg was everything I could
Read more
Posted On Google
H

HugznKisses De La Torre

Rating Star
Howard is a great person to work with and his integrity is unquestione
Read more
Posted On Google
M

Max Lasser

Rating Star
Howard is a phenomenal, exemplary, kind lawyer who will fight for you
Read more
Posted On Google
C

Charlie Shanes

Rating Star
I needed a good personal injury lawyer, I was injured in a car acciden
Read more
Posted On Google
R

Robert Leovy

Rating Star
Does great work and will go out of his way to ensure you get what you
Read more
Posted On Google
j

john nguyen

Rating Star
Friendly people, very professional, very detail oriented, and he will
Read more
Posted On Google
R

R D

Rating Star
HCK and staff are amazing!!
Read more
Posted On Google
C

Connie Kay

Rating Star
Positive: Responsiveness
Read more
Posted On Google
A

Alfonso Gonzalex

Rating Star
Positive: Professionalism, Quality, Responsiveness
Read more
Posted On Google
Arrow Next
Arrow Prev