Truck Accidents from DWI

Accidents involving commercial cars account for 3 percent of all traffic accidents on the roads of America today. Commercial cars are responsible for 5,000 deaths and 130,000 injuries on the roads annually as well. One major cause of traffic incidents is driving while intoxicated and driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. These accidents occur involving any type of motor vehicle and can involve commercial cars.

Causes of these Accidents

DWI and Drug related accidents happen at the carelessness of the driver of the vehicle for getting behind the wheel when intoxicated or under the influence of alcohol products. Liability in these cases can fall on various parties including the truck driver, the trucking company, and the establishment that served the driver alcohol. The trucking company can be held liable if it knew that the driver had an alcohol problem prior to be hired or while on the job.

DWI Statistics

A staggering number of motorists, 17,000, have been killed in the past six years in alcohol or drug related accidents. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that 300,000 people are injured each year in alcohol and drug related accidents, which calculates to be one every two minutes. The NHTSA also estimates that one-third of all drivers arrested, convicted, and adjudicated for DWI are repeat offenders. The Federal Bureau of Investigation estimates that for the past 10 years an annual amount of 1.4 to 1.5 million motorists have been arrested for DWI.

Know the Law

It is against the law to drive while intoxicated; whether the driver is under the influence of drugs or alcohol. If a driver’s blood-alcohol content level is .08 or higher then he or she will be arrested for driving under the influence. All drivers, including commercial truck drivers, are subject to these laws and subsequent fines and penalties.

Injuries and Compensation

The victims of these types of accidents can suffer from comas, concussions, broken bones, fractures, lacerations, head trauma, severed limbs, emotional distress and much more. The victims of these accidents can request compensation for pain and suffering, medical bills, hospital bills, legal fees, court fees, funeral costs, burial costs, loss of wages, loss of consortium, repair costs, and punitive damages.

Legal Help

If you or a loved one has been injured in a DWI or Drug commercial truck accident, contact an attorney immediately for expert legal advice regarding your case. The attorney will be able to obtain all of the evidence needed to prove that the driver of the truck, the trucking company, and/or the establishment involved in the incident are liable for the injuries suffered.