Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol can cause serious car accidents and damage to both parties involved.  Commercial drivers can cause catastrophic damages in car crashes due to the enormous size of the truck, therefore impaired semi-truck drivers are extremely dangerous on the road.  According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMSCA), drivers are not allowed to use schedule 1 drugs or drink alcohol when operating a semi-truck. In this blog post, we will guide you through the process of dealing with a truck accident with an impaired driver. 

Get Medical Attention

If possible, move your car to the side of the road, away from high-traffic areas.  Call 911 immediately if you, or anyone in your car is injured.  If you notice that the impaired driver seemed hurt, call emergency services for that individual as well.  Once all parties have been evaluated by paramedics, we recommend that you exchange insurance information and take photos of both vehicles involved in the collision.

Indicators of an Impaired Driver

According to the truck accident lawyers at the Fine Law Firm, commercial truck drivers are not allowed to operate the vehicle or remain on duty if their blood alcohol concentration is 0.4% or higher.  In other words, truck drivers are required to remain sober throughout the entirety of their shift.  If they decide to have an alcoholic beverage during their breaks, they must wait at least four hours before operating the vehicle again, regardless of their BAC.   However, some individuals make the dangerous choice to drive under the influence.  The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) described the anticipated effects of impaired driving based on the blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of the individual.  

If the truck driver has 2 drinks (.02% BAC), they could have

  • Difficulty following moving targets such as other cars on the road
  • Difficulty multitasking 

If the truck driver has 3 drinks (.05% BAC), they could experience:

  • Decreased coordination
  • Significant decreased ability to follow moving targets like cars on the road
  • Trouble with steering the truck
  • Decreased reaction time response 

If the truck driver has 4 drinks (.08% BAC), they could could have:

  • Loss of concentration
  • Memory loss
  • Loss control of vehicle’s speed
  • Significant decreased reaction time response
  • Blurred vision

If the truck driver has 5 drinks (.10% BAC), they could experience:

  • Significant decreased ability to stay in their lane or brake when needed

If the truck driver has 7 drinks (.15% BAC), they could experience:

  • Extreme impairment in motor skills
  • Can completely lose control of the vehicle

Benefits of Seeking Legal Aid After a Truck Accident

If you are a victim of a truck accident, you may feel hopelessness and overwhelmed.  Contacting an attorney can help you navigate your specific situation.  They can guide you through the insurance claims process and negotiate compensation on your behalf with the truck driver’s company.