Posted on Monday, April 17th, 2017 at 2:19 am    

CALIFORNIA TRUCK ACCIDENTS CAUSED BY ALCOHOL OR DRUG USE

Drug and alcohol use by drivers is a serious problem in the United States. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that 10,265 people were killed during 2015 in alcohol-impaired driving accidents. California had the second highest number of alcohol-impaired fatalities (914) that year. It is estimated that drugs, legal and illegal, are involved in about 16% of traffic accidents.

Drivers who are impaired by alcohol or drugs put everyone at risk. However, truck drivers who are driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol can cause much more damage because of the extensive damage a commercial truck causes in a crash. In accidents involving large trucks, 84 percent of the fatalities are sustained by occupants of other vehicles, pedestrians, or bicyclists. Therefore, when a truck driver gets behind the wheel of a truck after drinking or taking drugs, he is taking an enormous risk with the lives of every other person on the road.

Laws Governing Impaired Driving for Truck Drivers

Federal law sets the blood alcohol limit for commercial truck drivers as .04, one-half the typical legal BAC limit in most states. Lawmakers recognize how dangerous it is to attempt to operate a commercial vehicle after consuming alcohol. In addition, there is a zero tolerance for drug use by commercial truck drivers. Even with strict laws, many truck drivers choose to ignore the risks and the potential penalties.

One study revealed that roughly 30 percent of the truck drivers surveyed admitted using amphetamines. Studies also revealed that 20 percent of truck drivers use marijuana and three percent use cocaine. Another study stated that commercial truck drivers in the United States had the highest frequency of positive alcohol tests.

Operating a commercial truck is much more complicated than driving a passenger vehicle. Truck drivers must be sober and alert at all times; anything else can be considered negligent.

Filing a Truck Accident Claim

If a drunk or drugged commercial truck driver injures you, you have the right to file a claim seeking compensation for your damages. However, you must prove that the truck driver caused the accident that resulted in your injuries. It is not sufficient to prove the driver was drunk or using drugs at the time of the crash. While that could be a factor in the case, a drunk driver or drugged driver could be a victim of a car accident.

An experienced Sacramento truck accident attorney can help gather the evidence required to prove the drunk truck driver caused the collision. An attorney can also gather the evidence needed to prove the severity of damages to maximize the amount of compensation received for your claim. Furthermore, if the employer knew or should reasonably have known the driver was using drugs or consuming alcohol when driving, the employer may be held liable. An attorney can help determine if this is the case.

Call a Sacramento Truck Accident Attorney for Help

Please don’t wait to contact an attorney if a drunk or drugged driver caused your injury. You have a limited time to file a truck accident claim under California law. Call the Tiemann Law Firm at (916) 999-9000 for a free, no-obligation legal consultation.

Client Testimonials

Hanna Padilla Testimonial
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From the very start of my case the Tiemann Law Firm was wonderful. Perter came all the way to my home to sit down and talk to me about my options. He made me and my partner feel very comfortable and promised us he would take the very best care of my case. Peter kept me informed every step of the way and was always on top of things. everything was done in a timely manor and I always felt like I was the only case he was working on because he was so fast. In the end Peter got me back way more money than I ever expected. I would recommend this law firm to everyone. I am very happy with the outcome of my case thanks to the Tiemann Law Firm! Thank you!

Star Fire Testimonial
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It is hard to put into words the care and dedication that I received from the Tiemann’s. They have been here for me every step of the way and were always available when I had questions or concerns. My husband and I will be forever grateful for everything they have done for us and our family. Thank you so much for all of the hard work and time you have put into my case, we greatly appreciate it and your friendship. We highly recommend this firm and will always be thankful for everything they have done. Thank you so much again, Kim

Maye Ly Testimonial
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I just saw my lawyer Jelena Tiemann on a t.v ad, which reminded me how much she helped when I was in a desperate situation. I just love her! That is why I feel a need to tell everyone. I had a situation that happened & didn’t know what to do, our where to go. I didn’t even know if she could help me or if any lawyer could. All I wanted was it to go away & was afraid most lawyers wanted to drag it out & possibly go to court. For one she was very professional but was very personable (maybe b.c she’s a lady). She didn’t make me feel embarrassed or self-conscious that I did something wrong or was the cause of the situation. She immediately said we should try our best before going to court. Let me handle some paperwork, if at the last we do go to court we have documents. She gave me all the details, pros and cons but reassured me she deals with these cases all the time. She came through and made it as painless as possible. I now have my life back.

Jennifer Birdseye Testimonial
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Tiemann Law Firm helped us with an injury case for my nephew. They were very knowledgeable and we are very happy with the service they provided. The entire staff is topnotch!

Elizabeth Ochoa Testimonial
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I chose Tiemann Law Firm to help me after a car accident I was involved in. Throughout the entire process, Moe made sure to keep me updated, he always responded quickly whenever  I had questions about anything. My case won thanks to this law firm and its dedication. My experience with Tiemann Law Firm was amazing! 10/10 recommended.