Rhode Island Accident Lawyer Blog
Most everyone has seen the mug shot of Tiger Woods after his recent arrest for DUI in Jupiter, Florida. Upon hearing of his arrest for driving under the influence, or DUI, many automatically assumed he was under the influence of alcohol and driving drunk. After all, it was reported his speech was slurred, he failed basic roadside sobriety tests, and he was falling asleep at the wheel. All classic signs of alcohol impaired driving, and all too recognizable by the auto accident lawyers at Tapalian Law, as signs of a dangerous and impaired driver. While a crime often used to charge drunk drivers, DUI, or driving while impaired (DWI) includes not just driving under the influence of alcohol, but can also be impairment from other drugs, both recreational and prescription drugs, or a combination of any of these substances. The impairment by the substance, or combination of substances, brings the driver to a level rendering them incapable of operating a motor vehicle safely. In the case of Tiger Woods, it appears he was not using alcohol, but was influenced by several medications, reportedly including Vicodin (an opioid pain reliever), Torix (an anti-inflammatory), and another sleeping medication. Due to a recent back surgery Woods had undergone, these types of medications would not be uncommon after a major surgery.
DUI Involving Prescription Drugs a Growing Problem in America
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the number of drivers involved in fatal auto crashes testing positive for drugs has doubled in the past 10 years. Illicit drugs are included in these figures but the lesser known drugs involved in these crashes are prescription medications, over the counter drugs, and supplements. Often times accidental overdoses occur as many patients do not comprehend the impact that mixing prescription drugs with other drugs, even as seemingly simple as allergy medication, or alcohol, can have on them. In fact, it is reported that nearly half of men and two-thirds of woman over the age of 65, are taking five or more medications at once. Sometimes a patient may forget that they took a medication already, and take it again, resulting in an overdose with impairing effects. It’s not always possible to predict the outcome that a combination of drugs, both prescription and non-prescription, will have on a person. The situation is even more difficult to predict when a patient is taking multiple drugs, prescribed by multiple doctors.
mes Belanger of Pawtucket, is believed to have been speeding prior to losing control of his vehicle. The car crashed into a utility pole killing two of the young woman instantly, the third later died at Rhode Island Hospital. The driver and another front-seat passenger incurred minor injuries. At this time, it is unknown if the victim’s families have hired a lawyer to file a 
ted to texting while driving prior to the crash. In addition to texting while driving, other risky, or negligent, driving behaviors are talking on a cell phone, eating, drinking, putting on makeup, turning to chat with passengers, fiddling with the radio- anything that takes a driver’s full attention away from the road. A scary finding? We, at Tapalian Law, say yes. Unfortunately, we have seen the repercussions of the types of car accidents that can be caused by a negligent driver and the impact a serious car accident can have on the victim. Results of a car accident caused by risky, or negligent, driving practices can be deadly, or cause catastrophic injuries with life-long results.
19 year old Matthew O’Gara was struck in a hit and run by a truck with an attached plow while walking down the street with a friend. The truck driver fled the scene. Fortunately police were able to use surveillance cameras from a local business to track down the driver and 34 year old William Fallon of Coventry has been arrested in the hit and run. Fallon faces charges of driving to endanger with death resulting and failing in his duty to stop in an accident resulting in death.
