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Drugged Truck Drivers

Despite being in control of large and dangerous commercial trucks, many truck drivers engage in the same reckless behaviors as standard motor vehicle drivers. This includes driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol. If you were involved in a truck accident in Dallas that you believe is related to a drug-impaired truck driver, contact The Law Firm of Aaron A. Herbert, P.C. for a free legal consultation. We are passionate about bringing reckless and irresponsible truck drivers to justice.

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Texas’ DUI/DWI Laws for Truck Drivers

It is against both state and federal law for a commercial motor vehicle driver to operate a vehicle while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. This includes prescription medications, if they pose a risk of driver impairment. While the legal blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit for noncommercial drivers is 0.08 percent, the limit for commercial drivers according to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is 0.04 percent. In Texas, if a driver operating on a commercial driver’s license is found to have a BAC at or above 0.04 percent, it is a class B misdemeanor. This can come with penalties such as a fine of up to $2,000 and/or 180 days in jail (maximum). If an intoxicated truck driver causes an accident, the driver or the trucking company can be held financially responsible, or liable, for the crash.

Most Common Drugs Used by Truck Drivers

Truck drivers have strenuous jobs. Some truckers may turn to drugs or alcohol to cope with job stressors, such as using chemical stimulants to stay awake on long drives. It is against the law for a truck driver to imbibe in any substance that could impair his or her senses, however. Some of the most common drugs found in truck driver toxicology screenings after motor vehicle accidents are:
  • Marijuana
  • Cocaine
  • Methamphetamine
  • Amphetamine
  • Oxymorphone
  • MDMA
  • Morphine
  • PCP
A truck driver may use drugs to relax, cope with loneliness, stay awake or as part of a larger drug dependency problem. Some truck drivers are guilty of DUI even without taking illegal drugs. They may not realize that their prescription medications are also dangerous intoxicants. Drugs that are commonly prescribed for cold and flu, for example, often cause drowsiness. It is a commercial motor vehicle driver’s responsibility to avoid any substance that could interfere with his or her ability to safely and properly control the truck.

What to Do After a Truck Accident if You Suspect Driver Intoxication

If you get into a truck accident where you suspect that the truck driver was driving under the influence of a drug, call the police immediately. The police can conduct drug and alcohol screening tests right away to document that driver’s toxicology on the record. The trucking company that the driver works for is also legally required to test the truck driver for drugs, even after a minor accident. To pursue financial compensation for your truck accident, contact an attorney in Dallas as soon as possible for assistance collecting evidence. An attorney can obtain copies of drug and alcohol tests, police reports, the truck driver’s medical records, the driver’s employment and accident history, eyewitness statements, the driver’s criminal record, and other types of evidence that could help you prove that a drugged truck driver caused your crash.

Contact Our Truck Accident Lawyers in Dallas Today

Assistance from a personal injury lawyer could help you and your family recover the financial compensation that you deserve after a truck accident. For more information about the legal process after a drunk or drugged driver accident, contact The Law Firm of Aaron A. Herbert, P.C. We offer free consultations, where we will listen to your story and let you know if you have a case. We will guide your family through each step of the legal process. Call (214) 609-1140 or contact us online today for assistance.