Jonesboro Truck Accidents Involving Alcohol and Drug Use
Mr. Trotz was recognized from 2019-2024 as a Super Lawyers Mid-South Rising Star. Mr. Trotz is also a member of the Young Lawyers Division of the Memphis Bar Association, Memphis Bar Association, Tennessee Bar Association, and the Tennessee Trial Lawyers Association where he serves on the Executive Committee. READ OUR EDITORIAL GUIDELINES
Mr. Trotz was recognized from 2019-2023 as a Super Lawyers Mid-South Rising Star. Mr. Trotz is also a member of the Young Lawyers Division of the Memphis Bar Association, Memphis Bar Association, Tennessee Bar Association, and the Tennessee Trial Lawyers Association where he serves on the Executive Committee. READ OUR EDITORIAL GUIDELINES
Driving while impaired is a deadly endeavor. Alcohol impairment alone accounts for nearly 33% of all traffic-related deaths in the United States each year. This number only increases when you factor in drug-related accidents. Alcohol and drug use have been directly linked to sleepiness, aggressive driving, vision impairment, and lowered reaction times. When impaired driving and semi-trucks are involved, the dangers of serious injuries multiply due to the commercial vehicle’s size and weight.
If you have been hurt or lost a loved one in a truck accident involving alcohol or drug use, the Jonesboro truck accident lawyers at Nahon, Saharovich & Trotz are ready to speak with you today to devise a legal strategy toward recovery. NST is composed of 30+ injury attorneys, and our firm has represented injured victims throughout the South for more than 30 years. We have recovered over $1.5 billion in compensation for our clients and their families throughout that time.
Proving Liability After a Truck Accident Involving Alcohol or Drug Use
Interstate truck drivers and their employers must adhere to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), which has many rules in place to prevent impaired driving from occurring. First, the FMCSA charges employers to conduct sufficient background checks before hiring drivers and to conduct alcohol and controlled substance abuse testing when appropriate. Training employees is also required under the rules.
Under Arkansas law, it is illegal to drive with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08% or greater. However, the FMCSA prohibits employees from driving or performing safety-sensitive functions if they have a BAC of 0.04% or greater. If a drunk or drugged truck driver causes a wreck in Jonesboro, not only will the driver be in violation of the FMCSA, but in many cases, the employer may as well. It is important to consult with a knowledgeable 18-wheeler accident attorney in the Jonesboro area who is familiar with federal trucking regulations in order to identify all potentially negligent parties in your case.
Recovering compensation after an accident with an impaired trucker may involve proving that the trucker acted in a negligent manner. Negligence is the failure to act in a reasonable manner under the circumstances. In order to establish negligence under Arkansas law, four elements must be proven:
- Duty owed by defendant to plaintiff
- Breach of duty owed to plaintiff
- Causation (actual and proximate)
- Damages
Let’s say you were involved in a head-on collision traveling down Highway 49 by the campus of Arkansas State University when a commercial truck driver was so intoxicated that he fell asleep at the wheel. Driving while intoxicated and driving while fatigued are examples of negligence under Arkansas law. In this situation, you can show that the trucker owed you a duty to drive safely, and he breached that duty when he decided to drive after drinking alcohol. You will then need to prove your injuries were caused by the collision in order to recover damages for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, emotional distress, or any other losses that you suffered.
Retain Our Experienced Trucking Accident Lawyers Today
Impaired driving is one of the deadliest actions a driver can take. After a truck accident involving alcohol or drug use, you may be left with unwanted medical bills, a damaged vehicle, and a sudden loss of income that you and your family members depend on.Â
Call our office toll-free at 800-529-4004 or complete our online form to schedule a free consultation with one of our semi-truck collision lawyers. With our experience, resources, and commitment to our clients, NST is the way to go.
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317 Southwest Drive Suite B
Jonesboro, AR 72401
Phone: 870-931-0500
Fax: 870-972-8852
