Vera Bolton

Impaired Drivers and Commercial Vehicle Accidents

It is common sense that impaired drivers can easily cause accidents. However, what happens if commercial vehicle accidents are caused by a driver that has been under the influence? How can you prove that the person was drinking or using drugs prior to getting behind the wheel? Here we will go over things that you may wish to think about if you have been in commercial vehicle accidents.

First off, we all know that it is illegal to drink and drive. And with so many drugs being illegal to use, it is common knowledge that you can not get behind the wheel when they are in your system. It is bad enough when a person is driving a small car or truck, but imagine the damage that can occur when the impaired driver gets behind the wheel of a big rig!

Lucky for you, if you have ever been involved in commercial vehicle accidents, the federal government has laws that can protect you. Drug and alcohol testing is required when an employee is first hired.

If there has been an accident, the law states that if there is bodily damage, a fatality, or the truck needs to be towed away, a drug test will occur.

If a company suspects their employee has been using drugs, they can have the employee tested at any time. They do not need to have the consent of the employee, nor do they need to give them heads up about the testing.

What about drivers who have tested positive in the past for alcohol or drug testing? A negative test will be needed in order for the driver to get behind the wheel of a big rig.

If you have been in a commercial vehicle accident, you will want to be on the lookout for elements that may have caused the accident. Was the driver switching lanes in an unsafe matter? Were they speeding up and then braking quickly? Did the truck swerve several times?

In the event of an accident, the driver of the truck will be taken to the hospital. They may have blood tests done to confirm if they are under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

If you have any eyewitnesses, you will want to get their contact information as well as a statement about the accident.

If you have been involved in commercial vehicle accidents, you probably realize how important it is to hire a skilled lawyer to fight for you. You will have enough to worry about that you should not have to go at it alone. Commercial vehicle accidents lawyers will be able to assist you in getting the compensation that you may need to get your life put back together.