Truck Driver Drug and Alcohol Use in Fort Worth, TX
Truck accidents can result in serious losses for all involved parties. A truck’s size and the force it exerts can lead to catastrophic injuries, and that’s even more likely if the trucker was intoxicated when the collision occurred. In a recent year, 810 deaths happened in Texas because of large truck accidents, making it the state with the most fatalities in these types of collisions.
If you have been in a crash involving an intoxicated truck driver, call us at (817) 503-9200. The team of Fort Worth truck accident lawyers at Parker Law Firm Injury Lawyers can assist you in filing a claim for compensation. Contact us to learn more about truck driver drug and alcohol use in Fort Worth, TX, and what parties you may be able to hold liable in a collision.
How Parker Law Firm Injury Lawyers Can Help After a Truck Accident in Fort Worth, TX
The aftermath of a truck accident can be overwhelming. You could be left with injuries that require extensive medical care, meaning you won’t be able to live your life normally. You might have to miss work. And of course, you’ll have to deal with all of the medical expenses.
If the accident occurred because of another party’s negligence, you can file a claim. At Parker Law Firm Injury Lawyers, our team of Texas truck accident attorneys can guide you through the process of holding the other party liable. Our team has 37 years of combined experience and has recovered over $75 million for our clients.
We provide services that include:
- Assessment during a free consultation
- Investigation of the truck accident
- Collection of evidence, including witness statements
- Communication and negotiation with insurance companies
- Representation in court, if necessary
Our firm takes on a limited number of cases at a time to ensure that we offer the individualized attention each of our clients deserves. Backed by decades of experience helping people throughout the state, we can provide trusted representation. Contact our Fort Worth personal injury lawyers to schedule a free consultation.
The Dangers of Intoxicated Driving
Intoxicated driving is dangerous for anyone operating a motor vehicle, but it can be even more consequential for those operating commercial trucks. In a recent year, light truck drivers and large truck drivers made up 20% and 3% of the alcohol-impaired drivers in fatal crashes. Driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol impacts reaction times, slowing them enough that it can be impossible to react appropriately to a hazard.
The truck driver can take much longer to process situations and can also struggle with concentration issues. For this reason, distracted driving is more likely to occur if the trucker is intoxicated.
Intoxicated drivers will have poor judgment, making them more likely to engage in risky behaviors like speeding. That increases the likelihood of accidents and can mean severe injuries, including traumatic brain injuries, because of the force that a speeding truck can exert on passenger vehicles.
Truck Drivers and Intoxication: Establishing Liability
If you have suffered injuries in a truck accident that involved an intoxicated trucker, you may be able to file a claim for compensation. To do so, you need to establish who the liable parties are. In cases involving intoxication, the driver is the liable party, but can you also hold the trucking company responsible?
The answer will depend on a few factors, including whether the trucker was an independent contractor or an employee. The trucking company will have less liability if the driver wasn’t an employee, though they might still be held responsible if they didn’t vet the person before giving them the job.
If the driver was an employee and the accident occurred while they were performing their duties, the company can be held liable via the doctrine of vicarious liability. With a lawyer assisting you, it’s possible to also look into whether the company conducted proper background checks to ensure suitability for the job. This is important if the trucker had previous intoxication issues.
If you’re pursuing a claim against the driver and the company, it’s essential to hire experienced representation because the company will put up a fight. It will have a team of attorneys ready to argue on its behalf. Even if you’re only pursuing a claim against the trucker, you should never tackle these claims on your own. You could end up with a lower settlement than you deserve.
Contact Our Fort Worth, TX, Truck Accident Lawyers for a Free Consultation
Being in a Texas truck accident can be devastating. If you have suffered losses because of an intoxicated driver, one of the main things to remember is that you may be entitled to compensation to cover medical expenses, lost wages, and other losses.
Under Texas law, personal injury claims must typically be filed within two years from the date of the accident. At Parker Law Firm Injury Lawyers, our team of Fort Worth truck accident lawyers can help you fight for the financial assistance you need. Contact our team to schedule a free consultation.
