Lawyers for Truck Accidents Involving Alcohol & Drug Use
You and your family should not bear the cost of a truck accident that was not your fault. The drug-impaired or alcohol-impaired truck driver who caused the accident should be held accountable for his or her actions and liable for your damages. Contact the Lansing truck accident attorneys of The Clark Law Office at 517-347-6900 to schedule a free legal consultation to discuss your right to recover compensation for your injuries.
Alcohol and Drug Use by Commercial Truck Drivers
Truck drivers must have special training and obtain a special commercial driver’s license (CDL) before they can operate a large truck. Operating an 18-wheeler or semi-truck is a serious responsibility. Driving a large truck is much different from driving a passenger vehicle. Therefore, commercial truck drivers should be held to a higher standard regarding drug and alcohol use because of the weight and size of the vehicles they drive.
By law, a truck driver cannot legally operate a commercial vehicle with a blood alcohol content of .04 or higher. This rate is half the legal limit for other drivers. Furthermore, federal law has a zero-tolerance policy for drug use. Even though truck drivers face severe penalties if they are convicted of drunk or drugged driving, many drivers choose to ignore the law and the dangers of drug-impaired and alcohol-impaired driving.
Some studies show that up to half of the truck drivers surveyed admitted to drinking while driving. Of those same drivers surveyed, up to 30 percent admitted to using amphetamines. One study showed that the United States had the highest frequencies of positive alcohol tests for truck drivers in the world. The studies also found that approximately 20 percent of truck drivers reported marijuana use and three percent reported cocaine use.
The Devastating Results of Drug-Impaired and Alcohol-Impaired Truck Accidents — Who Is Liable?
The truck driver is responsible for obeying the law and operating the truck in a safe manner to protect others using the road. A driver who chooses to operate a commercial vehicle while impaired by drugs and/or alcohol is liable for injuries sustained in an accident that is his or her fault. However, many truck drivers have minimal insurance and assets to cover damages in a truck accident claim. Therefore, it is important to seek compensation from the trucking company.
Most trucking companies are required to carry insurance policies with substantial coverage limits. It is very important to hold employers accountable for hiring truck drivers who have histories of driving while impaired by alcohol or drugs. By naming the trucking company as a defendant in a drunk driving or drugged driving truck accident, the victim may receive full compensation for his or her injuries. An experienced Michigan truck accident attorney understands how to investigate the company’s history and responsibility for the accident to prepare a strong case against the company for liability for the accident.
Call a Lansing Truck Accident Attorney for a Free Appointment
Have you been injured in a drunk driving truck accident? Has a drug-impaired truck driver caused permanent harm to you and your family? If so, you may be entitled to receive compensation for your injuries, losses, and damages. However, you must act quickly. Investigating a truck accident case is crucial to identify the responsible parties and protect vital evidence that will prove fault and result in compensation for you and your family.
The Lansing truck accident attorneys of The Clark Law Office can help you hold the parties responsible for your injuries accountable for their negligence and reckless actions. Contact our office using our online contact form or call 517-347-6900 to schedule your free consultation with our truck accident attorney. Our truck accident attorneys evaluate your case and advise you of your options for filing a claim during your free, no-obligation appointment. We have offices in Okemos and Lansing for your convenience.