Alcohol and motor vehicles never mix. Whenever someone gets behind the wheel of a car while drunk, they put everyone else on the road in danger. People who drive trucks while intoxicated pose even more of a danger. Because commercial trucks are so much larger and heavier than passenger cars, they can cause immense destruction and damage.
If you believe the driver of the truck that struck you or your family member was intoxicated, you might have grounds to file a civil claim for financial compensation. Working with a dedicated attorney who has experience helping survivors of drunk driving truck accidents in Katy could give you peace of mind you have a strong voice advocating on your behalf.
How Alcohol and Other Drugs Lead to Truck Crashes
Being under the influence of alcohol slows down a truck driver’s reaction time, impairs their vision, and affects their ability to make sound judgments. Drunk truck drivers are severely limited in their mental and physical capacity to avoid collisions and are also at risk of losing control of their vehicles.
In addition to using alcohol behind the wheel, some truckers also use other drugs that can impair their ability to operate their truck safely. Some truckers use marijuana to relax their nerves, while others use cocaine or other illegal drugs to fight the fatigue and boredom of long hours on the road. Even the use of certain over-the-counter medications can affect a trucker’s driving ability. A seasoned Katy attorney could investigate a truck crash to determine whether the truck driver was under the influence of alcohol or another type of impairing substance.
Truck Driver Requirements Regarding Alcohol Use
Drivers of any type of vehicle have a legal duty to avoid being drunk behind the wheel. According to Texas state law, drivers of passenger vehicles can face DUI charges if they have a blood alcohol level of 0.08% or higher. However, because truck drivers operate commercial vehicles for long hours, they are held to stricter standards. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), which regulates the safety of commercial vehicles, commercial truckers can face DUI charges if their blood alcohol content level is greater than 0.04%. This means that the standard for commercial vehicle drivers is half the standard for most other drivers. In addition to facing criminal charges, commercial truck drivers convicted of DUI also face the loss of their commercial driver’s license.
If a passenger or driver of a car that is hit by a truck suspects the trucker was drunk driving, they should meet with a diligent accident attorney in Katy. Our legal team could help prove that the trucker was drunk and should be responsible for providing injured individuals with compensation. In addition to interviewing eyewitnesses to see what they observed, our lawyers could follow the correct procedural protocols to obtain a copy of the driver’s blood alcohol test from the hospital or police.
Call a Katy Attorney After a Drunk Driving Trucking Wreck
Drunk driving truck accidents in Katy can permanently change your life, but a trusted law firm could help you fight back. You might be able to pursue compensation from the drunk trucker and their employer. The FMCSA requires trucking companies to perform mandatory alcohol and blood testing before they hire new drivers or if there is reasonable suspicion that the driver was drunk. If the trucking company fails to perform these mandatory tests, it could be liable for any injuries resulting from the crash that happened due to the trucker’s intoxication.
Call an experienced legal team who could help you build a strong claim for fair compensation.