The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has found that most truck accidents are due to driver negligence and that a significant number of truck accidents occur in Houston because of drunk driving. Because accidents involving tractor-trailers, trucks, 18-wheelers, and other commercial vehicles can cause catastrophic injury or even death, there is no excuse for commercial drivers who operate trucks while they are intoxicated.
Drivers of semis, trucks, and other commercial vehicles are required to have a valid Commercial Driver’s License (CDL). This type of license is not like the typical license one may receive to operate a passenger vehicle. The CDL requires a higher level of skill in the ability to maneuver a relatively large vehicle. CDL holders can also have stricter safety standards and regulations set by the FMCSA.
CDL holders are subject to federal regulations governing alcohol and substance abuse. No CDL holder is permitted to operate a commercial vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration of .04 percent or greater, which is just half the legal limit for regular drivers. If a CDL holder who is also an employee of a company is involved an accident, federal regulations may require the employee undergo testing to determine whether or not she was drunk at the time of the crash. In addition, truck drivers must undergo random drug and alcohol testing by their employers and can have their licenses suspended if they test positive.
Types of Injuries
Unfortunately, all the safety standards for drunk truck driving do not always deter people from getting behind the wheel after they have been drinking. Truck accidents can cause several types of injury; some of the most common injuries sustained by victims include:
- Whiplash
- Spinal or neck injury
- Broken back
- Broken legs
- Broken jaw or teeth
- Death
Drunk drivers of large commercial vehicles such as 18-wheelers and tractor-trailers have the potential of causing serious damage to others. Being involved in an auto accident with a semi, tractor-trailer, or other large commercial vehicle can be a very traumatic experience. The culpable acts of a CDL holder who operates a truck while under the influence of alcohol must not be overlooked. Such reckless conduct should be brought to justice for the harms caused to others as a result of drunk driving.
Contact an Experienced Houston Truck Accident Lawyer
If you or your loved one have been injured in an auto accident with a semi or other large commercial truck, it is critical you seek an attorney with a proven track record and experience in litigating truck accidents lawsuits. Truck accident claims can involve many different state and federal laws that may not be known by a general personal injury attorney.
An experienced truck accident lawyer will be able to properly negotiate a settlement with an insurance company and will have a solid understanding of whether a case should be litigated in a court of law. Many times, an insurance company will offer a settlement that is substantially lower than what the injured party deserves, so qualified representation is important. Contact Houston truck accident lawyer Stewart J. Guss online or by phone at 800-898-4877 today to discuss your potential claim.
