Accidents involving larger commercial trucks often result in significant injuries and major property damage. In the event a truck accident is caused by an impaired commercial truck driver, there are various steps that you need to take to help ensure that you recover the evidence needed to prove liability. You deserve compensation after these incidents. Here, we want to discuss impaired truck driver accident claims.
Legal Limit for Commercial Truck Drivers in California
Every driver knows that they are not supposed to operate a vehicle while impaired by alcohol or drugs. Drunk driving laws apply not only to those in traditional passenger vehicles, but also to those operating larger commercial trucks. In fact, even though the legal blood alcohol content level is .08% for most drivers, this is cut in half for commercial truck drivers. The legal blood alcohol content level for commercial truck drivers in California is .04%.
However, a commercial truck driver can receive a DUI no matter what their level of impairment, even if their blood alcohol level is below the legal limit. Additionally, truck drivers impaired by substances other than alcohol pose just as much of a risk on the roadway. This includes those impaired by illegal narcotics, prescription medications, as well as over-the-counter medications.
What You Can do After a Crash
If you or somebody you love has been injured or sustained property damage in a truck accident and you think that the truck driver was impaired, there are various steps that you need to take. First, it may not be the best idea to approach the commercial truck driver and accuse them or ask them about being impaired. You need to call the police and let them come to the scene to conduct a complete investigation. You can be sure that part of these investigations involves examining the mental status of the truck driver. If the police suspect the driver is impaired, they will conduct a field sobriety test and administer a breathalyzer test, either at the roadside or back at the station.
During this process, it is crucial that you document everything. This includes using a cell phone to take photographs or videos of the entire incident. You need to note down that you think the truck driver was impaired, and you need to make sure the police officer knows your suspicions.
It is crucial to seek medical treatment after any truck accident occurs. Even if you do not feel much pain right away, you need to let a doctor conduct a complete investigation. You will have to report the incident to your insurance carrier very soon after the crash occurs, but you do not have to go into much detail when you make your initial report. Just let your insurance carrier know that the incident occurred, the name of the truck driver and trucking company involved, and that you are seeking medical treatment for your injuries.
One of your first phone calls should be to a skilled truck accident lawyer in San Bernardino. An attorney should be the one to handle every aspect of these claims, particularly as they will involve some sort of criminal investigation into the impairment of the driver. Here attorney will gather all of the evidence needed to prove liability so you can recover the compensation you need.
