Commercial truck drivers are held to strict safety standards because the decisions they make behind the wheel can affect everyone sharing the road. When a truck driver operates a commercial vehicle while impaired by alcohol or drugs, the consequences can be catastrophic. These truck crashes often involve fully loaded tractor-trailers capable of causing devastating injuries in a matter of seconds.
If you were injured in a collision involving a truck driver who may have been impaired, Rack Law Accident Lawyers can help you investigate what happened and determine whether violations of federal trucking regulations contributed to the crash. With more than 40 years of combined experience and $165 million for injured clients, our truck accident lawyers understand how to evaluate trucking company records, driver conduct, and other evidence that may reveal whether impairment played a role in the accident.
Evidence in these cases can disappear quickly if prompt action is not taken. Contact us at (602) 661-6300 to schedule a free consultation so we can discuss your accident and explain how we may be able to help. Our contingency fee structure means you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you.
How Can Rack Law Accident Lawyers Help After a Truck Accident Involving Drug or Alcohol Use in Phoenix, Arizona?
Investigating an impaired truck driver involves much more than reviewing the police report. Federal regulations, employer policies, driver qualification files, and post-accident testing requirements may all become important when determining whether safety rules were violated.
Our Phoenix personal injury lawyers at Rack Law Accident Lawyers help clients by:
- Obtaining trucking company safety and employment records
- Reviewing drug and alcohol testing documentation
- Examining driver qualification and training files
- Preserving electronic logging device and vehicle data
- Working with trucking safety and accident reconstruction experts
- Negotiating with insurers or preparing the case for trial when necessary
Trucking companies often begin their own investigations immediately after a serious collision. Our Phoenix truck accident attorneys work just as quickly to preserve evidence, protect our clients’ interests, and develop an independent understanding of how the crash occurred.
What Causes Truck Accidents Involving Drug or Alcohol Use?
Impairment can affect significant aspects of a driver’s ability to safely operate a commercial truck. Federal drug and alcohol testing rules require carriers to screen drivers, but violations still occur.
Common contributing factors include:
- Reduced reaction time
- Impaired judgment
- Fatigue worsened by substance use
- Difficulty maintaining lane position
- Delayed braking decisions
- Poor awareness of surrounding traffic
Commercial trucks require greater stopping distances and careful maneuvering, so even brief lapses in attention or judgment can have devastating consequences.
What Injuries Commonly Occur in Impaired Truck Driver Accidents?
Crashes involving impaired commercial truck drivers often occur at highway speeds and may involve significant force because of the size and weight of the truck.
Common injuries include:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Multiple fractures
- Internal organ injuries
- Crush injuries
- Severe neck and back trauma
Many victims face months or years of medical treatment, rehabilitation, and lifestyle adjustments. Our attorneys seek compensation that reflects not only the immediate effects of the collision but also the long-term impact the injuries may have on your life.
Who Could Be Liable for a Truck Accident Involving Drug or Alcohol Use?
Although the impaired truck driver may bear responsibility, other parties may also contribute to the circumstances that led to the collision.
Potentially liable parties include:
- Truck drivers
- Trucking companies
- Employers responsible for driver supervision
- Cargo companies in certain circumstances
- Maintenance providers, when vehicle issues contributed
- Other negligent motorists involved in the crash
A thorough investigation may reveal whether a trucking company ignored warning signs, failed to follow required testing procedures, or permitted an unsafe driver to remain on the road. Our attorneys pursue every viable source of liability to strengthen our clients’ claims.
How Long Do I Have to File a Lawsuit?
Arizona generally gives injured people two years to file a personal injury lawsuit after a truck accident. Missing the applicable deadline can affect your ability to pursue compensation through the courts.
Waiting can also make it more difficult to preserve electronic records, drug testing documentation, and other evidence that may be critical to proving the claim. Early legal representation allows our attorneys to begin protecting that evidence while it is still available.
Schedule a Free Consultation With Our Phoenix Truck Accident Attorneys
When a commercial truck driver chooses to operate a vehicle while impaired, the consequences can be life-changing for everyone involved. Determining exactly what happened often requires an investigation that reaches beyond the crash scene and into the trucking company’s hiring, supervision, and safety practices.
During your free consultation, we can answer your questions, explain your legal options, and discuss how our attorneys can help you pursue the compensation you deserve.
If you were injured, contact Rack Law Accident Lawyers today to schedule your free consultation with a Phoenix truck accident lawyer.
