Long Beach Drunk Trucker Accident Attorney

The Threat of Intoxicated Truckers in Long Beach

People driving while intoxicated, whether by drugs or alcohol, have become a plague on our roadways. Intoxicated drivers put everyone at risk, and often end up causing accidents. But when those drivers are behind the wheels of big rigs, they can cause massive pile-ups and widespread destruction.

If you or someone you love was injured by an intoxicated truck driver, you deserve full compensation for your trauma. Commercial trucking companies have strict rules about drug and alcohol use, as well as sizable insurance policies, but you can still expect a hard fight. That is why you should only trust your case to a Long Beach truck accident attorney who will not back down. At The Law Firm of Joseph H. Low IV, Mr. Low is a skilled trial attorney who has spent years fighting for clients in the courtroom. He can provide the strong representation you need. Call us today at (562) 901-0840 or toll-free (888) 454-5569 to discuss your case in a free consultation.

Trucking Regulations for Drugs and Alcohol

Most drivers are aware that the legal blood alcohol concentration limit for alcohol is 0.08%, but commercial drivers, such as truckers, have a legal limit of 0.04%. Even in small amounts, alcohol can heavily impact a driver’s capabilities, such as paying attention, responding to danger, and making judgment calls. With a semi-truck, having complete control of the vehicle is absolutely necessary to prevent a serious accident.

In addition to adhering to the lower BAC limit, truck drivers must also submit to regular drug and alcohol testing, as required by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). This includes initial tests when the truck driver is hired to ensure he does not have a history of drug abuse, as well as annual and random tests. Police officers also have the right to request the trucker take drug and alcohol tests after a truck crash to determine if he was intoxicated.

Street drugs and alcohol aren’t the only things that can cause an intoxicated driver to crash. Over-the-counter and prescription medication can cause drowsiness, disorientation, and slow reaction times, producing effects similar to alcohol. At the end of the day, if a truck driver caused a collision because he used prescription or over-the-counter drugs, then he can be held responsible for your injuries.

What Are the Consequences of a Drunk Driving?

Impairment is the fourth leading cause of truck accidents in the United States. This reckless behavior can result in a variety of catastrophic truck accidents, including:

• Jackknifes
• Rollovers
• Underrides
• Head-on collisions
• Cargo spills
• Sideswipes

Any of these collisions can catastrophically injure or kill a driver or pedestrian. After such a tragic event, it is important to investigate why the accident occurred and who is responsible to ensure that you can recover compensation for your injuries.

Who Is Liable for Your Trauma?

Truck drivers are responsible for operating their vehicles as safely as possible. That means avoiding alcohol and drug use, as well as carefully reviewing the impact of prescription and over-the-counter medicines with a doctor. Truck drivers are expected to adhere to the strict BAC limits for commercial drivers. If a trucker tested positive for drugs or alcohol after a collision in Long Beach, then you can hold him liable in a personal injury claim for all of the damage you have suffered.

But the driver may not be the only responsible party. Trucking companies are expected to regularly test drivers and keep logs of all results. If the trucker abused drugs or alcohol while on the job, or had a DUI on record, the company should have immediately issued disciplinary action, which almost always means firing the driver. However, the trucking industry has struggled for years to meet the high demand for drivers. To maintain their profit margins, some will take shortcuts and ignore test results to keep employment up.

Long Beach Truck Accident Lawyer Fighting for Your Right to Compensation

If an intoxicated driver caused your injuries or the death of a loved one, you deserve full compensation for your trauma. To get the money you need to heal, pay your bills, and move on after a collision, you will need to thoroughly investigate how the accident occurred. This means reviewing police reports, collecting drug and alcohol tests, tracking down footage of the accident, negotiating with the driver’s insurance company, and even taking your case to court.

This process can be difficult to go through after a traumatic truck accident, which is why you should work with to a dedicated Long Beach personal injury attorney. At The Law Firm of Joseph H. Low IV, our founding attorney has spent years fighting for accident victims across the state and recovered tens of millions of dollars for his clients. He can utilize his years of experience as a trial attorney to fight for your right to compensation after a drunk trucker crashed into you. To discuss your case in a free consultation, call us at (562) 901-0840 and toll-free (888) 454-5569.