Were you injured in a truck accident involving a commercial driver who was under the influence of drugs or alcohol in Galveston, TX? The Galveston truck accident lawyers at The Law Firm of Alton C. Todd Personal Injury Lawyers can help you pursue compensation for your injuries. Call (409) 207-9299 to schedule a free consultation.
Our team has 58 years of combined experience representing injury victims and has helped clients recover over $500 million in compensation. We’re ready to help you seek justice.
Call our law office today to schedule a free consultation and discuss your legal options.
Why Choose The Law Firm of Alton C. Todd Personal Injury Lawyers to Help Me After a Truck Accident in Galveston, TX?
Commercial truck drivers in Galveston, Texas, have a legal duty to operate their vehicles safely and avoid drug and alcohol use. When they violate this duty and cause a crash, they must face accountability. Our Galveston personal injury lawyers have the experience and resources you need to take on major trucking companies and their insurers.
Clients turn to The Law Firm of Alton C. Todd Personal Injury Lawyers because:
- Our attorneys have decades of combined experience handling serious injury claims.
- We have recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for injured clients.
- We have earned recognition from organizations including Best Lawyers, the National Trial Lawyers, and the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum.
Contact us today to schedule a free case review with a Galveston truck accident attorney.
Drug or Alcohol Impairment in Commercial Truck Driving
Federal law imposes strict blood alcohol concentration limits on commercial drivers. Under Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) rules, a commercial driver may not operate a vehicle with a BAC of 0.04% or higher.
However, impaired driving still occurs in the trucking industry. When a driver is impaired by alcohol or drugs, the risk of a serious crash can increase dramatically.
Many of these accidents cause fatal injuries, especially to occupants of smaller passenger vehicles.
Federal Drug and Alcohol Testing Requirements for Truck Drivers
To reduce the risk of impaired driving, federal law requires trucking companies to implement strict drug and alcohol testing programs. Under federal safety regulations, companies must conduct:
- Pre-employment drug testing before hiring a commercial driver
- Random drug and alcohol testing during employment
- Post-accident testing after certain types of crashes
- Reasonable suspicion testing if impairment is suspected
- Return-to-duty testing following a previous violation
Post-accident testing is mandatory when a crash involves a fatality or when a driver receives a citation for a crash that results in injury or significant property damage.
Unfortunately, not all trucking companies follow these rules. Some companies fail to conduct required drug tests or allow drivers with substance abuse issues to remain behind the wheel. Companies that do this must be held accountable for the harm their drivers cause.
Who May Be Responsible for an Impaired Truck Driving Accident?
Truck accident cases frequently involve more than one responsible party. Determining liability requires a careful review of the driver’s actions, the company’s safety policies, and the circumstances surrounding the crash.
Potentially responsible parties may include:
- The truck driver
- The trucking company
- Another negligent driver
- A manufacturer responsible for a defective truck component
- A bar or establishment that overserved alcohol in certain situations
Identifying every responsible party can help ensure that victims have access to the full compensation available under Texas law.
What Compensation Is Available After a Truck Accident in Texas?
Truck accidents often cause serious injuries that lead to significant financial losses and personal hardship. Texas law allows injured victims to seek compensation for their economic and non-economic damages for their financial and personal losses.
Depending on the circumstances, your compensation award may include:
- Medical expenses
- Rehabilitation and therapy costs
- Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress and mental anguish
- Permanent disability or disfigurement
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of consortium
In some cases involving impaired driving, punitive damages may also be available to penalize driving under the influence. An experienced truck accident attorney can help you track and calculate all the damages you’re entitled to.
Contact Our Galveston Truck Accident Lawyers Today for Legal Help
At The Law Firm of Alton C. Todd Personal Injury Lawyers, our Galveston truck accident attorneys are committed to helping injured individuals seek accountability when truck drivers drive under the influence. With decades of experience and results, we are here to help you seek justice.
Reach out to our law office today for a free consultation. Let us help you determine the best path forward.
