Louisville Truck Driver Drug and Alcohol Use
Were you injured in a truck accident involving a driver who was using drugs or alcohol in Louisville, KY? Driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol is dangerous and illegal, and truck drivers have a lower legal limit because of the dangers of drunk driving in a commercial truck. These accidents are entirely preventable.
At HJV Car Accident Personal Injury Lawyers, our attorneys have over 90 years of combined experience. We have recovered hundreds of millions of dollars in settlements and jury verdicts for our clients, including record-setting verdicts.Â
Call us to schedule a free consultation at (502) 540-5700 with our Louisville truck accident lawyers. Don’t let truck driver drug and alcohol use ruin your life. Fight back with the help of our dedicated accident attorneys.
How HJV Car Accident Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help You With a Truck Accident Case in Kentucky
Kentuckians trust our law firm to help them seek the compensation they deserve after an accident in Louisville, Kentucky. However, it can be daunting to go up against a trucking company and its insurance provider. The companies have seemingly endless resources to fight your claim.Â
You need an experienced truck accident lawyer to fight for your rights. When you hire our award-winning Louisville personal injury attorneys, you can trust we will:
- Investigate the cause of the truck accident to determine the responsible parties
- Build a strong claim with evidence from the investigation and expert witnesses
- Assess how much your claim is worth by analyzing your damages
- Defend you against allegations of contributory fault
- Aggressively negotiate a settlement that compensates you for your damages
- Take your case to trial if settlement is not possible
National and local organizations have given our attorneys top ratings. We been recognized by Super Lawyers, the National Board of Trial Advocacy, and other reputable legal organizations.
Contact HJV Car Accident Personal Injury Lawyers to schedule your free case evaluation.
The Trucking Industry’s Strict Rules for Drug and Alcohol Use
A commercial truck can be an 80,000-pound weapon when a truck driver gets behind the wheel under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Because of the potential for death and catastrophic injuries, truck drivers have a lower BAC than other drivers. The FMCSA has strict rules about driving after consuming alcohol or drugs.
Regulations from the Department of Transportation and the FMCSA aim to reduce truck accidents caused by truck driver drug and alcohol use. Examples of regulations related to drug and alcohol use by truck drivers include:
- Requirements for pre-employment drug and alcohol screening
- Testing for drugs and alcohol if there is a reasonable belief a truck driver is using alcohol or drugs
- Mandatory random drug and alcohol tests for truck drivers
- Alcohol and drug tests if a driver is involved in a traffic accident involving injury, death, or property damage
- Follow-up drug and alcohol testing
- Return-to-duty testing if a truck driver was removed from service for using drugs or alcohol
The strict regulations for truck driver drug and alcohol use do not stop all violations. The Drug & Alcohol Clearing House reports thousands of drug and alcohol violations by truck drivers each year.
Who Can I Sue for a Louisville Truck Accident Caused by a Truck Driver Using Drugs or Alcohol?
A truck driver who causes an accident because they are drunk or using drugs can be charged with a crime. They can also be held liable for civil damages sustained by accident victims. However, the truck driver may not be the only liable party.
A trucking company could be liable for damages caused by their truck driver. Vicarious liability holds employers liable for the damages caused by an employee’s negligence.
Our legal team will thoroughly investigate the accident and analyze the evidence. We will identify each party who could be liable for your damages and pursue all claims to maximize the amount you recover for your injury claim.
What Damages Are Available for Intoxicated Truck Driver Accidents in Louisville, KY?
If you were injured in a truck accident caused by a truck driver’s drug and alcohol use, you can recover economic and non-economic damages. Examples of the damages for a truck accident case include:
- Medical treatment
- Mental anguish and emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life and quality of life
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of income, including lost wages, earning capacity, and benefits
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Rehabilitative therapy and treatment
- Impairments and disabilities
- The cost of personal and nursing care
- Out-of-pocket expenses
The insurance company may offer a low settlement to entice you to sign a settlement agreement. Accepting a settlement offer without legal advice is not in your best interest. Your claim could be worth much more than the insurance company offers.
Schedule a Free Consultation With Our Louisville Truck Accident Lawyers
Truck accidents are complicated personal injury cases. We use our vast resources and considerable experience to pursue these on behalf of our clients. Call HJV Car Accident Personal Injury Lawyers to schedule a free review with a Louisville truck accident lawyer.