When Truck Drivers Under the Influence Cause Accidents

Every day, countless trucks traverse our highways, delivering goods and keeping our economy going. However, these operations present a dangerous threat: truck drivers under the influence causing accidents. When a driver operates an 80,000-pound commercial truck while impaired, the consequences can be devastating.

The following is a look at some numbers that paint a concerning picture of how common this problem is and some of the reasons truck people drive while under the influence and cause accidents. You’ll also learn how a truck accident lawyer investigates a crash to uncover impaired driving. The right attorney can seek maximum compensation if you or someone you love suffered an injury or tragic death in this type of accident.

Schedule A Free Consultation

Risks Associated with Impaired Truck Drivers

When truck drivers operate under the influence of alcohol or drugs, they significantly heighten the risk of accidents and amplify the severity of outcomes.

Impaired driving among truck drivers significantly increases the likelihood of accidents, severe injuries, and deaths due to several factors. Here are just a few.

Impaired Cognitive Ability

Alcohol and drugs impair cognitive functions and motor skills essential for safe driving. When under the influence, truck drivers may experience reduced reaction times, impaired judgment, and diminished coordination, making them more prone to errors and unable to respond effectively to changing road conditions or hazards.

Increased Risks of Severe Injuries and Fatalities

The size and weight of commercial trucks increase the potential for devastation in accidents involving impaired drivers. Trucks are significantly larger and heavier than passenger vehicles, meaning collisions with impaired truck drivers often result in more severe outcomes due to the force of impact. The sheer mass of trucks increases the likelihood of causing extensive property damage, catastrophic injuries, and fatalities in accidents, particularly when traveling at high speeds.

Reckless Behaviors

In addition, impaired truck drivers are more likely to engage in reckless behaviors such as speeding, tailgating, and erratic lane changes, further elevating the risk of accidents. Alcohol and drugs can lower inhibitions and impair judgment, leading truck drivers to take dangerous risks on the road that increase the likelihood of collisions with other vehicles.

Losing Control

Driving a truck under the influence can lead to loss of control over their vehicles, particularly in situations requiring precise maneuvering or emergency braking. This loss of control can result in jackknifes, rollovers, or other types of accidents that pose severe risks to other road users.

Other Risks

When truck drivers are under the influence, they cause accidents that can result in extensive property damage, significant traffic congestion, and disruption to transportation networks. Moreover, the human toll of impaired driving accidents is devastating, resulting in injuries, fatalities, and lifelong consequences for victims and their families. Beyond the immediate physical and emotional harm, impaired driving accidents also impose substantial economic costs on society, including medical expenses, lost productivity, and legal fees.

The Challenges of Reducing the Risks

Detecting and addressing impaired driving among truck drivers present substantial challenges for law enforcement and regulatory authorities.

Unlike alcohol impairment, which police can detect through breathalyzer tests, identifying drug impairment requires more sophisticated testing methods and specialized training.

Another complicating factor is the fact that truck drivers often use various tactics to conceal their impairment or evade detection, making it difficult for authorities to intervene before accidents occur. These challenges underscore the need for improved testing protocols, training, and resources to effectively detect and address impaired driving within the trucking industry.

Contributing Factors to Impaired Driving Among Truck Drivers

Several factors contribute to impaired driving among truck drivers, creating a challenging environment that increases the risk of accidents.

Demanding Schedules

Long hours and demanding schedules are primary contributors to impaired driving among truck drivers. The nature of the job often requires drivers to spend extended periods behind the wheel, leading to fatigue and exhaustion. Fatigue can impair cognitive functions and diminish alertness, making drivers more susceptible to errors and increasing the likelihood of accidents.

To combat fatigue and meet demanding schedules, some truck drivers may turn to stimulants such as cocaine or prescription medications to stay awake and alert while on the road. However, reliance on stimulants can lead to dependence and heighten the risks associated with impaired driving.

Financial Pressures

Social and economic pressures within the trucking industry also significantly contribute to impaired driving among truck drivers. The industry’s competitive nature and the pressure to meet delivery deadlines can create stress and anxiety for drivers.

In addition, many truck drivers are self-employed or work as independent contractors, meaning they may face financial pressures to maximize their earnings by taking on additional loads or working longer hours. These social and economic pressures can lead to increased stress, fatigue, and mental health issues, driving some drivers to self-medicate with alcohol or drugs to cope with the demands of the job.

Accessibility

Accessibility to drugs and alcohol while on the road further compounds the risk of impaired driving among truck drivers. Truck drivers spend significant time away from home and often face limited opportunities for social interaction or leisure activities while on the road.

As a result, some drivers may turn to drugs or alcohol as a form of relaxation or escape from the stresses of their job. The prevalence of truck stops and rest areas along highways often provides easy access to alcohol and drugs, making it tempting for some drivers to indulge while away from home.

How a Truck Accident Attorney Can Find Proof a Truck Driver Was Driving While Impaired

If truck drivers under the influence cause accidents leading to injuries or deaths, victims and their families demand justice. One way of getting that justice is to hire an attorney to investigate and gather evidence. This evidence can prove the trucker was driving while impaired.

Truck accident lawyers employ several strategies and tactics to gather compelling evidence and build a strong case. The following is a look at just a few of them.

• Reviewing police reports: Attorneys obtain and thoroughly review police reports from the accident scene. These reports often contain valuable information, including observations of the responding officers, witness statements, and preliminary assessments of the truck driver’s condition.
• Conducting investigations: Lawyers also conduct independent investigations to gather additional evidence supporting their claim of impaired driving. This investigation may involve interviewing witnesses, collecting surveillance footage from nearby cameras, and examining the accident scene for any signs of impairment, such as empty alcohol containers or drug paraphernalia.
• Analyzing medical records: If the truck driver received medical treatment following the accident, attorneys may obtain and review their medical records for evidence of intoxication or impairment. Blood tests, urine tests, or other diagnostic tests conducted at the hospital can provide objective evidence of drug or alcohol use.
• Requesting toxicology reports: Attorneys can request toxicology reports from law enforcement agencies to determine whether the truck driver was under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of the accident. These reports analyze samples of the driver’s blood, urine, or breath to detect the presence of controlled substances or alcohol.
• Consulting expert witnesses: Skilled lawyers often turn to expert witnesses, such as forensic toxicologists or accident reconstruction specialists, to analyze the evidence and provide professional opinions regarding the truck driver’s impairment and its contribution to the accident. Expert testimony can bolster the attorney’s case and help establish liability.
• Examining employment records: Your attorney may examine the truck driver’s employment records, including personnel files and performance evaluations, to determine whether there were any prior incidents or disciplinary actions related to substance abuse or impaired driving.
• Seeking admissions or statements: There’s also a chance your lawyer will depose the truck driver and other relevant parties involved in the accident. They’ll try to get admissions or statements regarding the driver’s alcohol or drug use leading up to the collision.

Why a Truck Accident Lawyer Provides Your Best Chance of Obtaining Compensation

Hiring a lawyer provides your best chance of achieving a favorable outcome and receiving your deserved compensation. Here’s why:

Experience

The best truck accident attorneys have experience handling these challenging claims. They understand the nuances of personal injury law and know how to advocate for your rights effectively. With their knowledge of relevant statutes, case law, and legal procedures, they can build a strong case on your behalf and pursue maximum compensation for your losses.

Investigation and Evidence Gathering

As noted earlier, skilled lawyers conduct thorough investigations into the accident’s circumstances to gather compelling evidence supporting your claim. They review police reports, interview witnesses, analyze medical records, and consult with accident reconstruction experts to reconstruct the events leading up to the collision and establish liability. By meticulously documenting the evidence, lawyers strengthen your case and increase the likelihood of obtaining a favorable outcome.

Negotiation Skills

Truck accident attorneys are skilled at negotiating with insurers. They understand insurance adjusters’ tactics to deny claims or minimize payouts and can counter with persuasive arguments and evidence supporting your claim. By negotiating from a position of strength, lawyers can secure a just settlement that accurately reflects the full extent of your damages.

Litigation Representation

If negotiations don’t result in a fair settlement, an attorney will be prepared to represent you in court. Litigating a truck accident case can be complex and challenging. However, you can confidently navigate the legal process with a skilled attorney’s guidance. Your lawyer will leverage their courtroom experience and advocacy skills to pursue the money you deserve.

Please Call a Truck Accident Lawyer Immediately

Unrepresented victims of truck accidents face significant challenges in winning their cases due to several key factors.

• Complications: Truck accident cases involve complex legal and procedural complications that can be difficult for unrepresented individuals to handle effectively. These cases often require a thorough understanding of federal and state regulations governing the trucking industry and familiarity with legal principles such as negligence and liability. Someone without an attorney may struggle to gather relevant evidence, navigate the legal process, and present a compelling case in court.
• Insurance company resistance: Insurance companies representing trucking companies have vast resources and experienced legal teams dedicated to minimizing payouts and defending against claims. Unrepresented victims are at a significant disadvantage when facing off against these formidable opponents alone. Insurance adjusters may use an unrepresented victim’s lack of legal knowledge and negotiation skills to offer lowball settlements or deny valid claims.
• Lack of resources: Unrepresented victims may lack access to the necessary resources and expert witnesses needed to build a strong case. Truck accident cases often require the experience of accident reconstruction specialists, medical professionals, and other expert witnesses to provide testimony and support the victim’s claims. Without the guidance of an attorney, unrepresented victims may struggle to identify and retain qualified experts who can effectively bolster their case.

Hiring a personal injury law firm in Tulsa is essential for leveling the playing field and protecting your rights when a truck driver under the influence causes an accident that harms you or a loved one. They’ll maximize your chances of achieving the best possible result in your case.