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The Law Offices of Bailey & Burke

A Proven Full Service Law Firm Since 1971
888-870-0925

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Truck drivers are held to high impaired driving standards

On Behalf of | Sep 22, 2016 | Truck Accidents

Commercial drivers, including truck drivers, are held to a higher standard than other drivers concerning impaired driving. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has established standards for commercial drivers related to impaired driving. Commercial accidents and truck accidents can be particularly serious and costly physically, financially and emotionally for victims, so it is important that truck drivers are not careless on the roadways.

Impaired truck drivers can threaten public safety and can also be liable when they injure victims in a truck accident. Drivers and employers that may be liable when an impaired commercial truck driver has caused an accident can include individuals or companies that lease commercial vehicles; individuals or companies that employ commercial drivers; local, state and federal governments; private motor carriers, and others.

Most states follow the FMCSA blood alcohol content limit for commercial drivers which is 0.04. The regulations include that commercial and truck drivers must wait four hours to drive after consuming alcohol. Commercial and truck drivers may also be subject to certain alcohol and drug testing. A commercial DUI can carry criminal penalties, but may have civil consequences as well. It may be used as evidence of negligence if the victim of a truck accident brings a claim for damages against the negligent drunk truck d\river, negligent truck driver’s employer or others.

Truck accidents can have catastrophic consequences for victims and their families who may be left picking up the pieces of their lives after being unexpectedly impacted by the physical, financial and emotional damages associated with a truck accident. Because of this, victims are protected through the civil legal process which allows them to bring a claim for their damages against the parties responsible for the harm they have suffered.

Source: DUI.findlaw.com, “Commercial DUI Regulations,” Accessed Sept. 19, 2016

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