Driving while under the influence of alcohol is a highly reckless and dangerous decision a driver can make. But what makes it worse is when that driver is operating a large commercial truck that, when in a crash, can cause catastrophic injuries and even death.
When you or a loved one has been severely injured in a trucking accident involving a drunk driver in Bakersfield, contact our legal team at Colvin Accident Lawyers. Injuries resulting from these collisions can be life-shattering and severe. Our dedicated tractor-trailer wreck attorneys are dedicated to helping you recover the damages you deserve.
Commercial trucking requires certifications and training, and for good reason. Large trucks are more difficult to drive even when a person has full faculties. Truckers operating under the influence of alcohol may not be able to manage the difficult or complex nature of a specialty vehicle.
An intoxicated driver could suffer from poor judgment, slow reaction times, and many other consequences such as:
Truckers are held to a higher standard than regular drivers under the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations. The regular blood alcohol concentration that constitutes legal impairment for regular drivers is 0.08%. For truck drivers, the limit is only 0.04%.
When truck drivers choose to drive drunk, not only are they putting others at risk, they are violating multiple laws and regulations. Individuals injured in a Bakersfield truck accident caused by drunk driving may have to deal with endless medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more hardships.
When someone is injured in a drunk driving truck wreck, there could be multiple parties partially liable. It is not always only the trucker at fault. The trucking company that employed the driver could share liability if it failed to train its employees adequately, conduct proper background checks, or knew about and ignored past instances of substance abuse or DUIs.
Under California’s dram shop laws, a bar or restaurant could be held accountable if it overserved alcohol to the driver, contributing to the crash. Our experienced Bakersfield team has the knowledge to check every angle of your drunk driving truck accident case, ensuring all possible parties are identified and held accountable.
As if dealing with the physical injuries of a severe collision was not enough, the financial side of it can also be a burden. Even if an injured person has health insurance, there are often out-of-pocket expenses, including the following:
Compensation in an injury case may cover economic damages like medical bills and lost wages, as well as non-economic damages such as emotional distress or loss of enjoyment of life.
When you or a loved one has suffered a serious injury because of an intoxicated trucker, you could be entitled to compensation from the liable party.
Our lawyers could help with the legal process from start to finish, explaining all options to you, conducting investigations, and fighting to hold the responsible parties accountable for the harm they caused.
Our skilled personal injury attorneys have experience handling cases involving drunk driving truck accidents in Bakersfield. Contact us at Colvin Accident Lawyers today.
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