Cross-border personal injury often caused by drunk driving

The Canadian Centre for Substance Use and Addiction says the primary factor in most of the serious road accidents in Canada is drug and/or alcohol impairment. However, that threat does not stop at the border, and British Columbia residents who make frequent trips for shopping, live shows or other purposes south of the border may also be exposed to the dangers posed by impaired drivers. This typically leaves them with the challenges posed by pursuing recovery of monetary damages after cross-border personal injury incidents.

Safety authorities say more than half of all the crashes on Canadian roads that involved drivers between ages 16 to 25 also involved alcohol or drug impairment. They also warn that the ability of a driver who used cannabis to control travelling speed and following distances will be impaired. Their reaction times will also be slower, and they might find it challenging to stay in their lanes.

The Traffic Injury Research Foundation also noted that anyone with a blood alcohol content of just .05 would have a diminished ability when it comes to tracking moving objects and steering a vehicle. Furthermore, alcohol can affect a driver’s alertness and the ability to respond to emergencies. Unfortunately, the impaired state of those drivers often prevents them from realizing the threat they pose to other road users.

While British Columbia drivers have to keep their eyes open for signs of impairment in other road users in Canada, they face similar risks south of the border. Dealing with the legal and insurance matters after suffering injuries while travelling in Washington State can be challenging without legal counsel. This is when the support and guidance of an experienced cross-border personal injury lawyer can be an invaluable asset.