Truck Driver Drug and Alcohol Use in Fort Worth, TX
Were you or a loved one injured in a truck accident in Fort Worth, TX? Truck driver drug and alcohol use in Fort Worth is a serious problem. An experienced truck accident lawyer at Stephens Law Personal Injury | Wrongful Death | Truck Accidents can help you fight to recover fair compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and more.
Our lawyers have over 25 years of experience fighting for injured clients in Fort Worth. We’ve recovered over $100 million on behalf of accident victims, and we’re ready to fight for you.
If you were hurt in a trucking accident involving drugs or alcohol, call our law offices in Fort Worth, Texas at (817) 420-7000 or contact us to schedule a free consultation today.
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How Stephens Law Personal Injury | Wrongful Death | Truck Accidents Can Help With an Accident Claim Involving Truck Driver Drug and Alcohol Use in Fort Worth
Truck drivers who test positive for drugs or are arrested for driving under the influence (DUI) lose their commercial driver’s license in the United States. In fact, federal regulations require their employer to prevent them from operating a large commercial motor vehicle.
Still, trucking accidents involving drug and alcohol use remain common. The occupants of smaller passenger vehicles tend to suffer the most in these accidents.
Unfortunately, proving liability isn’t always easy. The insurance companies will start investigating immediately after the accident. They might try to hide evidence or blame you for contributing to the accident. Our Fort Worth truck accident attorneys at Stephens Law Personal Injury | Wrongful Death | Truck Accidents can help you fight to limit the effectiveness of these and other tactics.
Hiring us means you’ll have a lawyer to:
- Launch an immediate investigation into the crash
- Identify all responsible parties
- Gather the evidence to prove your personal injury case
- Hire experts and specialists when needed
- Handle all negotiations to maximize your settlement or verdict after the truck wreck
Our Fort Worth personal injury lawyers have been recognized by Super Lawyers and the Best Lawyers in America. We’ve also earned a perfect-10 Avvo rating for exceptional legal representation. To learn more about how we can help in your case, call for a free initial consultation today.
How Common Are Accidents Involving Truck Driver Drug and Alcohol Use in Fort Worth?
Unfortunately, drug and alcohol use is prevalent in the trucking industry.
One scientific study examined truck drivers who were fatally injured in truck crashes. Around 67% of those drivers had at least one drug in their system at the time of the crash. Approximately 33% had detectable blood concentrations of psychoactive drugs or alcohol.
Overview of Truck Driver Drug and Alcohol Use in Fort Worth
Truck drivers are often expected to work 70 hours over an eight-day period. They spend upwards of 300 days per year alone on the roads. Despite Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) hours-of-service rules, truck drivers are often fatigued and depressed. It’s no surprise that many resort to drug and alcohol use.
Why Do Commercial Truck Drivers Use Drugs and Alcohol on the Roads?
Some of the most common reasons for truck driver drug and alcohol use include:
- Long hours on the road and difficulty staying awake
- Few hours of sleep
- Violation of FMCSA hours-of-service rules
- Stress
- The availability of drugs and alcohol at truck stops
Many truck drivers use amphetamines and other drugs simply to stay awake for long hours behind the wheel. Department of Transportation regulations require trucking companies to conduct random drug testing to detect drug and alcohol use. Still, drug and alcohol use often goes undetected.
We’ll Fight to Recover Fair Compensation for All of Your Truck Accident Injuries
Trucks are large and heavy. In 2019, 5,005 semi-trucks and tractor-trailers were involved in fatal motor vehicle accidents. Another 119,000 large trucks were involved in accidents that caused reportable injuries.
At Stephens Law Personal Injury | Wrongful Death | Truck Accidents, our Fort Worth truck accident attorneys will fight to recover fair compensation for all of your injuries, including:
- Broken bones
- Nerve damage
- Whiplash injuries
- Soft tissue damage
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Head and neck injuries
- Concussions
- Crushing injuries
- Back injuries
- Organ damage
- Burns
- Amputation injuries
- Paralysis
- Catastrophic injuries
We can also help you fight to recover compensation for wrongful death if you lost a loved one in a fatal truck accident involving substance abuse.
How Do I Establish Liability if I Was Injured Due to a Truck Driver’s Drug or Alcohol Use?
It was the truck driver’s decision to use drugs or alcohol and get behind the wheel. Still, the truck driver’s employer may be the party who is ultimately responsible for paying your damages.
Employers can be held liable for the negligent acts of employees who are acting in the course of employment. This legal theory is called “vicarious liability.”
Our lawyers will conduct a full investigation to determine who is responsible for your damages.
It’s possible that your accident occurred because the trucking company:
- Failed to properly screen qualified truck drivers
- Failed to conduct random drug testing
- Used a drug and alcohol testing method that was ineffective
- Failed to enforce FMCSA hours-of-service rules
- Failed to ensure that the driver had a valid commercial driver’s license (CDL)
- Failed to implement pre-employment DOT drug testing programs
Trucking companies often pressure drivers to meet unreasonable deadlines and cut corners to make deliveries. Our lawyers will work to prove that the trucking company’s actions contributed to your injuries.
Our team will interview witnesses, review accident reports and drug test results, and consult experts and specialists who can testify on your behalf. Call our law firm in Fort Worth for a free case review today to learn more about how we’ll work to establish liability in your case.
Contact Our Truck Accident Law Firm in Fort Worth For a Free Consultation
Our truck accident attorneys know that truck driver drug and alcohol use in Fort Worth is a serious issue. Call Stephens Law Personal Injury | Wrongful Death | Truck Accidents to schedule a free consultation and learn more about how we’ll fight to recover the maximum compensation you deserve.
Stephens Law Truck Accidents
1300 S University Dr # 300
Fort Worth, TX 76107
(817) 420-7000