- Representing Victims of Negligent Truck Drivers
- Dangers of Intoxicated Truckers
- Testing Laws in the Trucking Industry
- Holding Negligent Drivers and Companies Liable for Your Injuries
- Discuss Your Case in a Free Consultation
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Representing Victims of Negligent Truck Drivers
Operating a vehicle as large as a semi-truck requires skill, experience, and focus. Truck drivers should always be aware of their surroundings and mindful of their capabilities. When a trucker uses drugs or alcohol before hitting the road, he risks causing a catastrophic truck accident. Despite strict laws against drug use in the trucking industry, drugged truck drivers are still out there causing collisions.
At Aghabegian Law Group, P.C. we have more than 40 years of combined experience and have recovered more than $300+ million in compensation for clients throughout Los Angeles County. If you were injured by a drugged truck driver, we can fight to get you proper compensation for your injuries. To discuss your case in a free consultation, call us at (818) 350-HURT (350-4878).
Dangers of Intoxicated Truckers
Drugged driving is just as prevalent as drunk driving in the trucking industry. Despite Hours of Service Regulations, drivers still work long hours and some abuse stimulants to keep awake. While street drugs are a major issue, over-the-counter and prescription drugs are also prevalent. Truckers can legally purchase medication that allows them to stay awake longer, with the goal of avoiding fatigued driving, but erratic and reckless maneuvers due to this drug use can lead to catastrophic truck accidents.
More than 6% of truck drivers involved in fatal crashes tested positive for at least one drug in a recent year, according to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). Unfortunately, almost 50% of truck drivers were not tested after collisions, suggesting that drug use may be more common than the industry is aware of. If a trucker is intoxicated, she risks losing control of the vehicle and causing a:
- Cargo spill
- Jackknife accident
- Rollover
- Tanker truck crash
- Underride accident or sideswipe
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Testing Laws in the Trucking Industry
The trucking industry is well aware of the dangers of intoxicated truck drivers, which is why employers are required to regularly and randomly test their drivers for drugs and alcohol. These can include urine, blood, and hair tests to determine whether a driver has a substance abuse issue. If a driver tests positive for drug use while on the job, then he should not be allowed behind the wheel. Truck drivers who fail drug tests or who are charged with DUIs after a truck accident can lose their commercial driving license.
According to the FMCSA regulations, random testing is the best way to prevent drugged driving and save lives. By identifying drivers who have substance abuse issues, employers can facilitate treatment and prevent future collisions. Unfortunately, a trucker can pass all random tests and still end up abusing drugs down the line, causing a tragic accident. When these events occur, victims should speak to an attorney as soon as possible to discuss their options in a personal injury claim.
Holding Negligent Drivers and Companies Liable for Your Injuries
There is no excuse for abusing drugs while driving a vehicle as powerful as a big rig. Truck drivers need to be focused and fully aware when operating their vehicles. Whether a crash was caused by street drugs or over-the-counter medication, they should be held accountable to the victims.
If you were injured by an intoxicated truck driver, you may be able to recover compensation in a personal injury claim. Driving while intoxicated is an act of negligence that can make a truck driver liable for a collision. A police report may show that the trucker tested positive at the scene, but an investigation by a skilled lawyer may also reveal that the trucker drove erratically or otherwise violated the law before the crash.
Your claim may also include the trucking company that employed the trucker. Trucking companies are required to test all employees and discipline them when they violate FMCSA regulations. However, due to a widespread trucker shortage in the U.S., these companies are in desperate need of drivers. They may overlook a positive test result or fail to test all of their drivers to keep up profits. If a trucking company was aware that their driver had an issue with drugs and kept him employed, you should also hold the company accountable in your claim.
Discuss Your Case in a Free Consultation
The law is clear: no one should ever operate a vehicle while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Despite lessening restrictions on certain drugs like marijuana, it is still illegal to imbibe and drive. If a drugged truck driver crashed into you, then he should be held accountable in court. However, to get your medical bills and lost wages covered after a collision, you need to work with a skilled Glendale car accident attorney who will advocate for full compensation for your injuries.
You may hope that the trucking insurance company will provide proper compensation, but this is rarely the case. Insurance companies are only interested in keeping their profit margins high, which means they will undersell accident victims during the claims process. But our team at Aghabegian Law Group, P.C. is well-versed in dealing with dismissive insurance companies. We can investigate your accident, prove that the truck driver was intoxicated, and advocate for full compensation on your behalf. To discuss your case in a free consultation, call us at (818) 350-HURT (350-4878).
Truck Accident
- Truck Accident
- Cargo Spill Accidents
- Drugged Truck Driver Accident
- Drunk Truck Driver Accidents
- Fatigued Truck Driver Accidents
- Garbage Truck Accidents
- Jackknife Accidents
- Overloaded Truck Accidents
- Rollover Truck Accidents
- Runaway Trailer Accidents
- Tanker Truck Accidents
- Truck Equipment Failures and Defects
- Underride Accidents
No Upfront Fees
Contact us today for a free consultation. We offer our services on a contingency fee basis-if we don’t recover compensation for you, you don’t pay. Call (818) 350-HURT (350-4878) to learn more.