SmokedNeptune Posted March 9, 2017 Share Posted March 9, 2017 My doctor started me on abilfy day before yesterday. Yesterday I was having trouble with driving, being confused ect. I had some close calls but I was fine. Today though I got hit. I thought was confused about where I was how fast other cars were going. I know the meds are to blame. Does anybody know how to go about making a case for myself that it isn't my fault? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crtclms Posted March 9, 2017 Share Posted March 9, 2017 First of all, I don't think it is going to help you for insurance purposes. I could be wrong, things may have changed. But to the insurers, you were intoxicated, involuntary or no. Maybe the ADA changed that. That's how it was when I practiced law, but it was a long time ago. Secondly, if it becomes a a criminal case, there is a defense called "involuntary intoxication. The problem is that you already knew from the day before that you were having problems driving. It wasn't unexpected in your case, you had already had a bad experience driving. I don't know if it would be considered involuntary at that point. When you feel lucky to avoid an accident, you shouldn't be driving. When you're very confused, you shouldn't be driving. When you start a new med, you shouldn't drive until you see how it affects you. Which is a huge pain in the ass. But now that you know what can happen if you drive, you need to find different ways of getting around until your med settles down. Buses, trains, cabs, friends, just don't sit behind the wheel. It shouldn't be for long. Good luck with the abilify, a lot of people here really like it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
notloki Posted March 9, 2017 Share Posted March 9, 2017 Abilify comes with specific warnings about driving and Abilify. From PI: Quote What should I avoid while taking ABILIFY? Do not drive, operate heavy machinery, or do other dangerous activities until you know how ABILIFY affects you. ABILIFY may make you drowsy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
melissaw72 Posted March 9, 2017 Share Posted March 9, 2017 I don't have advice, but I wanted to say that I'm sorry you got into an accident ... I hope you weren't hurt. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SmokedNeptune Posted March 9, 2017 Author Share Posted March 9, 2017 3 hours ago, melissaw72 said: I don't have advice, but I wanted to say that I'm sorry you got into an accident ... I hope you weren't hurt. Thanks. Minor injuries like seatbelt burn and neck pain nothing too serious. The other lady was fine as well we both walked away from the scene but both cars are likely totalled. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
melissaw72 Posted March 9, 2017 Share Posted March 9, 2017 4 hours ago, SmokedNeptune said: Thanks. Minor injuries like seatbelt burn and neck pain nothing too serious. The other lady was fine as well we both walked away from the scene but both cars are likely totalled. I'm glad you are ok Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lone Sheep Posted March 9, 2017 Share Posted March 9, 2017 If you haven't told anyone already that you had meds in your system at the time of the accident, continue to keep absolutely quiet about it. Being found at fault or even being issued a citation of some kind could be the least of your worries if it comes out that you were driving under the influence of a substance with a specific written warning. You can absolutely get a DUI for that. If you have disclosed that information to anyone involved -- the other driver, the police, an insurance adjuster -- or if the police have given any indication they may contact you again (I'm assuming you already spoke to them at the scene) I would contact an attorney ASAP, even if it's just for advice. I don't mean to scare you, but it's best to be prepared. You have a mental illness and just totaled your car, which means life is more than hard enough already. You don't need a DUI to garnish that shit sandwich. That being said, crtclms is absolutely right: you've got to take those med warnings seriously. The inconvenience of not having your wheels for a little while as you assess and adjust to the effects on you is negligible compared to the potential consequences of driving while impaired. I hope things turn out ok, and this ends up as just a tough lesson and moderate setback for you. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jordansonfleek Posted March 10, 2017 Share Posted March 10, 2017 I know this isn't what you want to hear, and I'm not trying to be a dick but to be honest, it sounds like you were at fault. You felt impaired because of the meds and then knowingly got behind the wheel the next Day. And put your and others lives at risk.. you were confused and impaired. No one got seriously hurt, and I'm assuming you weren't charged with a DWAI so that's good!!!! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SmokedNeptune Posted March 10, 2017 Author Share Posted March 10, 2017 4 hours ago, Lone Sheep said: If you haven't told anyone already that you had meds in your system at the time of the accident, continue to keep absolutely quiet about it. Being found at fault or even being issued a citation of some kind could be the least of your worries if it comes out that you were driving under the influence of a substance with a specific written warning. You can absolutely get a DUI for that. If you have disclosed that information to anyone involved -- the other driver, the police, an insurance adjuster -- or if the police have given any indication they may contact you again (I'm assuming you already spoke to them at the scene) I would contact an attorney ASAP, even if it's just for advice. I don't mean to scare you, but it's best to be prepared. You have a mental illness and just totaled your car, which means life is more than hard enough already. You don't need a DUI to garnish that shit sandwich. Definitely didn't say anything about the meds to anyone and I don't believe anyone thought of me as impaired. To be honest I didn't feel impaired. The previous day after driving for a minute I had that oh shit moment of I don't feel like I can drive. But I didn't feel that at any point so maybe I'm just pointing fingers at the meds. I was lost coming from a different direction than normal in an area with very confusing streets. If I'd been slurring or slumped over drooling at the scene it'd be a different story. I was just wondering to begin with if anyone had any experience with that type of thing and apparently I'm the first here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jordansonfleek Posted March 10, 2017 Share Posted March 10, 2017 Ahhhh I get it, when I'm lost or coming from an area I don't know I get very confused too!! That could have been it for sure Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lone Sheep Posted March 10, 2017 Share Posted March 10, 2017 14 hours ago, SmokedNeptune said: To be honest I didn't feel impaired. The previous day after driving for a minute I had that oh shit moment of I don't feel like I can drive. But I didn't feel that at any point so maybe I'm just pointing fingers at the meds. I was lost coming from a different direction than normal in an area with very confusing streets. If I'd been slurring or slumped over drooling at the scene it'd be a different story. I was just wondering to begin with if anyone had any experience with that type of thing and apparently I'm the first here. To clarify, my post is based on the experience of people I've met who were involved in car accidents where prescription drugs were a factor. You may not have felt impaired, but a person's judgment of themselves is not the legal standard for impairment. When it comes to prescription drugs, the legal standard is more along the lines of "Did the driver have a drug in their system while driving that can cause impairment?" If the answer is yes, prosecution becomes possible. That's why I think a defense of your actions based on having taken Abilify that day would not only fail, but could very well be disastrously counterproductive. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SmokedNeptune Posted March 11, 2017 Author Share Posted March 11, 2017 (edited) I took 2.5 miligrams about 18 hours before the accident not really right before. It might now have even been in my system. Edited March 11, 2017 by SmokedNeptune Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
notloki Posted March 11, 2017 Share Posted March 11, 2017 17 minutes ago, SmokedNeptune said: I took 2.5 miligrams about 18 hours before the accident not really right before. It might now have even been in my system. Hardly. Abilify has a long half life, 90 hours and the active metabolite is longer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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