What You Could Suffer and What You Could Recover After a Crash With a Drunk Trucker
Drunk driving is defined differently for commercial drivers than for other drivers in the state of Texas. While a typical driver is considered to be driving while intoxicated (DWI) with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.08% or more, a commercial trucker is considered to be drunk with a BAC of 0.04% or more.
According to recent statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) there were more intoxicated truckers who caused fatal accidents in 2015 than there were in 2006. In 2015, Texas also had more alcohol-related fatalities on the roads than any other state in the nation. For these reasons, it is important that every driver be aware of the risks associated with drunk truckers and that every driver know what to do after a serious drunk driving crash.
Why Drunk Truckers Are So Dangerous
The size and weight of a truck can make a truck accident more dangerous than a typical car crash. Drivers, passengers, motorcyclists, pedestrians, and bicyclists who are involved in crashes with drunk truckers may suffer serious injuries, including but not limited to:
- Traumatic brain injuries.
- Spinal cord injuries.
- Broken bones.
- Internal injuries.
- Eye injuries.
- Burns.
- Amputations.
Fatalities are also a risk of crashes with drunk truckers.
Protect Your Fair Recovery If a Drunk Trucker Hurts You
If you have been injured or your loved one has been killed by a drunk trucker, then it is important to know what kinds of damages you may recover in a personal injury or wrongful death claim. Your attorney will investigate the cause of the crash and advocate for your full and fair recovery of your past, current, and future:
- Medical expenses.
- Lost income.
- Out-of-pocket costs (including funeral costs in a wrongful death case).
- Pain and suffering.
Even if the trucker was drunk and clearly responsible for the accident, you should expect that the trucker and trucking company will work hard to minimize your fair recovery. Don’t let this happen to you. Instead, contact an experienced lawyer today to talk about you rights and your potential recovery.