Lakewood Truck Driver Intoxication Accident Lawyer
When you get behind the wheel of the car, you are required to operate your vehicle in a manner that is safe for everyone on the road. Just as the law expects you to behave in this manner, you should expect that other drivers will do the same. Unfortunately, even truck drivers can fall into the temptation of not following the law by texting while driving and driving while impaired by drugs or alcohol. Accidents involving such negligent truck drivers could result in serious, and sometimes fatal injury.
If you have suffered an injury due to a truck driver who was driving under the influence, get in touch with an experienced attorney today. A Lakewood truck driver intoxication accident lawyer could sit with you to review the details of your accident and help you obtain the compensation you deserve.
How Prevalent are Truck Accidents Caused by Intoxicated Drivers?
Due to pressures placed on truck drivers to make their deliveries, many truck drivers will utilize amphetamines to stay awake for longer periods of time. The result is that their reaction time is slowed and they are more likely to get into accidents.
Additionally, truck drivers are a subset of the larger population. The larger population includes many people who have drug and alcohol substance abuse problems. The smaller subset of truck drivers from the larger population would also contain a number of individuals who had drug abuse, alcohol abuse and substance abuse problems.
Given this information, it is safe to assume that there are substantial numbers of truck drivers on the roadways who are intoxicated. The problem with that is that collisions involving trucks and tractor trailers are much more likely to cause serious injury, permanent injury, and death.
Are Truck Drivers Held to a Higher Standard than Regular Drivers?
Truck drivers are and should be held to a much higher standard than drivers without commercial licenses. The truck driver’s level of intoxication is lower for truck drivers. Every state in the US has a blood alcohol limit of 0.08% for regular motorists, but for truck drivers with a CDL, the limit is 0.04%. This means that even a single beer can trigger an extensive legal charge and have a major influence over the trucker’s ability to continue as a commercial driver.
Even if a commercial driver gets convicted in his own private vehicle, the future of his commercial license may be in jeopardy. It is not merely the truck driver’s record as a truck driver that needs to be considered, it is the truck driver’s record as a private driver.
How Does a DUI as a Truck Driver Impact their Standard Driver’s License?
Their own private driver’s license can be threatened, as well as their CDL. If a commercial truck driver is convicted of a drunk driving offense even while driving their own personal car, the consequences can be severe and long-lasting. Not only will they have to deal with the same criminal procedures as any motorist, but their career, their income, and livelihood could be in jeopardy.
If a truck driver is convicted of a DUI or DWI in their private vehicle, they are required to notify their employer immediately. If their arrest results in a conviction, the employer cannot use them as a truck driver while the license is suspended. For many truck drivers, a drunk driving conviction is followed by unemployment as a truck driver.
Get in Touch Today to Learn More
Being involved in an accident with an intoxicated driver could be a frightening experience considering the fact that the at-fault driver is not in full-control of their motions. However, when a truck driver is the driver under the influence, the consequences could be devastating.
Suffering damages as a result of the careless actions of an inebriated truck driver should be met with immediate legal action. Get in touch with a Lakewood truck driver intoxication accident lawyer for legal professional relief.
