The number of Atlanta accidents caused by prescription drugs is increasing. These accidents are caused by people who drive while taking a prescription drug that impairs driving ability. While many people believe that it is okay to drive if you have obtained a drug legally, driving while impaired by any drug is illegal and is considered driving under the influence in Georgia.
One legal prescription drug that is coming under increased scrutiny is methadone. Methadone is prescribed to help those addicted to opiates to overcome their addiction. It is a narcotic and can cause drowsiness, dizziness and lethargy. It can also mute the senses. These side-effects are most common at the beginning of treatment or when a patient’s dose is increased.
The side-effects of methadone can certainly impair driving. A recent study from Norway found that men taking methadone are twice as likely to be involved in a traffic accident as the general population. However, even the researchers say the study is inconclusive. There was no screening to determine whether alcohol or other drugs were also being used.
If you have been injured by or lost a loved one to a Georgia DUI accident caused by methadone or any other prescription drug, we urge you to speak to an Atlanta DUI injury attorney. Obtaining justice for an accident caused by prescription drug use through the criminal courts can be difficult. However, the law allows Georgia DUI accident victims to seek restitution through a civil claim. To learn more, request a free copy of I Was Hit By A Drunk Driver: What Do I Do Next? or contact Shane Smith Law at (980) 246-2656.