Drunk and Drugged Truck Drivers Put Us All at Risk

Drunk and Drugged Truck Drivers Put Us All at Risk

Everyone with a driver’s license should be fully aware of the extreme dangers of drunk or drugged driving. This is particularly true for commercial drivers, who have to go through extra training and are held to a higher standard for impaired driving because of the risks of their giant vehicles. Commercial drivers have a legal limit of 0.04 percent blood-alcohol content (BAC), compared to the legal limit of 0.08 percent for other drivers. In addition, these drivers must undergo random drug and alcohol tests by their employers as required by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). These higher standards and heightened requirements exist because of the catastrophic damage and injuries that an impaired truck driver could cause in the event of a crash.

Holding Impaired Truck Drivers Accountable

If a truck driver is arrested for drunk or drugged driving following an accident, any criminal conviction that follows can help prove liability in a personal injury claim filed by an injured victim. However, truck drivers may not be the only ones liable for a crash in this situation. In some situations, trucking companies can also be held liable for the impaired driving crashes caused by their employees. This is especially true if the company did any of the following:

• Hired truck drivers with a history of impaired driving
• Failed to conduct the required drug and alcohol testing
• Failed to discipline drivers who failed drug or alcohol tests

It is important to identify all possible liable parties after a truck accident, as additional recovery may be available under the insurance policy of the trucking company. Our truck accident attorneys can identify any and all liability for your crash.

Discuss Your Injuries with a Chicago Truck Accident Lawyer Today

At the Chicago law firm of Abels & Annes, we know there is no excuse for drunk or drugged driving, and we seek to hold impaired truck drivers and their employers fully responsible for any injuries and losses you suffered. If you or a loved one sustained serious injuries, please call our office for a free consultation with our truck accident attorneys today.