Impaired Truck Driver Accident Lawyers

The Federal Motor Carrier Administration reports that out of 3,341 fatal accidents involving commercial trucks, and an additional 60,000 accidents causing injuries, 45% involved truck drivers under the influence of drugs. The size of the trucks elevates the risk since they have a higher potential for causing extensive damage. Hence, drug-impaired truck drivers are a significant safety concern.

The study detailed the influence of different types of drugs in these accidents. Approximately 2% of nationwide accidents were associated with drivers intoxicated by illicit drugs. Meanwhile, over-the-counter drugs and prescription drugs were found in 17% and 26% of accidents, respectively. Both legal and illegal drugs can significantly affect a person's ability to drive. Even commonplace cold medications can induce severe drowsiness, while other drugs may impact vision, induce dizziness, nausea, among other side effects.

The Hazards of Prescription Drugs & Other Common Cold Medicines

It is crucial for truck drivers to understand the potential impact of medications on their driving skills, as these drugs come with warnings about possible side effects. Importantly, commercial drivers are legally prohibited from driving under the influence of any drugs, whether illegal or otherwise. The consequences of impaired driving can be serious, ranging from license suspension to imprisonment and substantial fines.

Despite these risks, many semi-truck drivers persist in drug use while on the road. A certain study revealed that about 30% of drivers confessed to using amphetamines, 20% admitted to marijuana use, and 3% acknowledged cocaine use. Drivers found guilty of illegal drug use while operating a commercial vehicle may face drug-related charges along with driving-related offenses and potential prison time.
 

Accidents involving semi-trucks are usually serious, often involving more than two vehicles. The injuries victims sustain in impaired driver truck accidents are frequently severe. Some are life-threatening. The following are some of the most common impaired driver truck accident injuries:

• Cuts, lacerations, burns.
• Bone fractures, ribs, arms, legs, and hips.
• Shoulder injuries.
• Spinal Cord Injuries (SCIs), paralysis.
• Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs), concussion, brain hemorrhage.
• Whiplash, chronic neck pain.
• Internal bleeding and organ damage.
• Fatalities

If you've been injured by a truck driver operating a vehicle under the influence of drugs or alcohol, you could be entitled to compensation. Drug-impaired driving is negligence, and under certain conditions, can be considered as reckless endangerment. Those drivers should be held accountable for their actions and be liable for any harm you or your loved one endured due to their misconduct.

How to Get Compensation After an Impaired Truck Driver Accident

Injured truck accident victims are typically entitled to compensation for their crash-related medical expenses, lost wages, and vehicle repairs, among other costs. The first step to recovering damages is usually to file an insurance claim. To be successful, the claim must be supported by evidence from official documents as well as the crash site. Many injured truck accident victims choose to have a trusted lawyer handle the case so they can focus on healing.

Proving negligence due to impairment can be complicated. Sometimes, toxicology reports and drug tests are available to prove impairment, but often there is not a record like this available. To build a strong case for impaired truck driver crash victims, lawyers collect mountains of evidence: medical records, crash site reports and videos, toxicology reports, drug and alcohol test results, phone records, federally regulated truck logs and data, black box recordings, wage receipts, witness statements, and expert testimony. Using this and other important information, an experienced impaired driver truck accident attorney can demonstrate what a trucker was doing before the crash.

Can I File an Impaired Driver Truck Accident Lawsuit?

Under most circumstances, injured truck accident victims have a right to sue those at fault for economic damages. It's important to note that each state has its own statutes of limitations for filing claims and lawsuits. In general, it's best to take legal action as soon as possible to ensure there is enough time to pursue all necessary legal action to get results.

Victims of impaired driver truck accidents can potentially recover a settlement of tens of thousands to millions of dollars – it all depends on the circumstances of the specific case. Accident compensation is determined by injury type, injury severity, lost wages, the long-term effects of the injury, fault, and your lawyer’s legal knowledge. An experienced impaired driver truck accident attorney can calculate a compensation package that places the highest value on a victim’s health and comfort. They build strong cases and negotiate aggressively for maximum results.

Truck accident lawyers offer free case consultations in which injured crash victims and their families can get answers to their legal questions and learn more about how to protect their right to compensation. They also typically work on contingency, which means there are no upfront costs. If you were injured or a loved one was killed in an impaired truck driver accident, contact an experienced truck accident lawyer in your area today to schedule a consultation.