- Holding Intoxicated Truck Drivers Accountable
- The Dangers of Drunk Driving
- How Often Do Truck Drivers Need to Be Tested for DUI?
- Who Can Be Held Liable for Drunk Truck Driver Accidents?
- Why You Need a Lawyer
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Holding Intoxicated Truck Drivers Accountable
Alcohol and driving should never mix, and there isn’t a driver on the road who is not aware of the dangers of drunk driving. Sadly, that has not stop many from getting behind the wheel after a few cold ones. This is especially troubling in the trucking industry, where drivers need to always be focused on the road. There is no excuse for operating a semi-truck while intoxicated.
If you were injured by a drunk truck driver, you deserve compensation for this trauma. Our team at Aghabegian Law Group, P.C., can stand up for you after a collision and the hold the person who injured you accountable. Since 1997, our attorneys have been fighting for the rights of injured people throughout Los Angeles County. Let us do the same for you. Call (818) 350-HURT (350-4878) to schedule a free consultation with a Glendale drunk trucker accident attorney.
The Dangers of Drunk Driving
When truckers drive under the influence of alcohol, their accidents are more deadly thanks to the sheer size and weight of a big rig. For this reason, the blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit for commercial truck drivers is only .04% – half the legal limit for other drivers. Despite these laws, at least 146 alcohol-impaired truck drivers in the U.S. were involved in fatal crashes in a recent year, as reported by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
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How Often Do Truck Drivers Need to Be Tested for DUI?
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) established a BAC of .04% as the legal limit. Drivers with a commercial driver’s license (CDL) who exceed that limit are subject to disqualification sanctions. Truck drivers must be tested for DUI under the following conditions:
- When a fatal truck accident occurs, federal law requires trucking companies to perform a drug and alcohol test on the driver involved within two hours of the accident.
- Drug and alcohol testing on truck drivers must also be performed when a police officer issues a citation in a truck accident involving bodily injury that requires the injured person to be taken for medical treatment, or when a truck crash disables a vehicle.
- In addition to requiring testing after an accident, FMCSA regulations require trucking companies to test their drivers for drug or alcohol use periodically.
Who Can Be Held Liable for Drunk Truck Driver Accidents?
After a crash, the California Highway Patrol or Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department will investigate the scene and interview the drivers, passengers, and witnesses. The officer may administer field sobriety or breathalyzer tests to the truck driver. A trucker found to be under the influence of alcohol will be arrested and charged with DUI. In that case, he can also be held liable for damages in a civil claim.
In some cases, the trucking company that employed the driver may also be liable for a DUI truck crash. These companies are required to screen the drivers they hire and administer random drug and alcohol tests. A trucking company that failed to conduct testing or employed a driver with a history of DUIs may be liable for injuries or fatalities sustained in an alcohol-related commercial truck accident.
Why You Need a Lawyer
Truck accidents involve federal regulations and multiple potentially liable parties. It is important to act quickly to preserve vital evidence to support your claim, including the truck’s black-box data. Trucking companies and their insurers have teams of lawyers on their payroll whose job is to fight your claim. Your best chance of recovering full and fair compensation is to have an experienced truck accident attorney handling your case.
Our Glendale truck accident lawyers at Aghabegian Law Group, P.C. have the skills, resources, and tenacity to pursue the compensation you deserve after a serious truck collision. We have a history of success, recovering more than $300+ million for our clients. Our firm operates on a contingency-fee basis, so there are no upfront costs – we get paid when we win your case. Call us at (818) 350-HURT (350-4878) to schedule a free consultation if you have been injured by a drunk truck driver.
Additional Information
- BAC Standards - FMCSA
- Drunk Driving - NHTSA
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.