Impaired Truck Drivers in Baltimore: What Victims Need To Know
Commercial trucks travel Baltimore’s busiest highways every day, hauling freight along I-95, I-695, and US Route 40. When the truck driver is impaired, the consequences for everyone else on the road can be catastrophic.
An 80,000-pound commercial vehicle driven by someone who is under the influence of alcohol or drugs or who is excessively fatigued is one of the most dangerous hazards on any highway. Our experienced Maryland truck accident lawyers explain the risks and your rights in holding those at fault accountable in a claim.
Impairments that Increase Baltimore Truck Accident Risks
Tanker trucks, tractor trailers, and other big rigs regularly travel roads throughout the state, and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) reports that over 2,000 truck accidents in Maryland happen each year. Driver impairment is a leading cause.
Common types of impairment that increase Baltimore truck accident risks include:
- Alcohol use, in which even small amounts can impact vision, judgment, reflexes, and reaction times.
- Illegal drug use, including marijuana and herbal stimulants used to stay awake during long hauls.
- Prescription and over-the-counter medications that cause drowsiness or other impairments.
- Drowsy driving during overnight runs through Baltimore.
Truck drivers who are impaired can cause potentially life-threatening crashes. Due to the risks, they face mandatory pre-employment, random, and post-accident drug and alcohol testing.
Your Rights When an Impaired Driver is Responsible for a Baltimore Truck Crash
Baltimore truck accident claims involving impaired drivers are among the most complex personal injury cases. Multiple parties may share liability, and it’s vital to preserve critical evidence before it disappears.
Key facts victims and their families need to know to protect their rights in an impaired driver claim include:
- Trucking companies can be liable for an impaired driver’s actions when they fail to conduct proper background checks, ignore red flags in a driver’s record, or pressure drivers to violate hours-of-service regulations.
- Post-accident drug and alcohol testing provides critical evidence in your claim.
- Electronic logging device data, which tracks a driver’s hours behind the wheel, can reveal hours-of-service violations that lead to impairment.
- Compensation available to victims and their families includes payment for all property damage, medical expenses, lost earnings, and pain and suffering.
Trucking companies deploy rapid response teams after crashes. Get our experienced legal team on your side to protect your rights.
Request a Consultation Today With Our Experienced Baltimore Truck Accident Lawyers
Impaired driving increases the risks of truck accidents in Baltimore. When these crashes leave you or a loved one with serious injuries, you have the right to hold those at fault accountable.
At Maryland Injury Lawyers, we provide experienced, local legal representation. While you focus on yourself and your recovery, our experienced Baltimore truck accident lawyers deal with trucking companies and insurers on your behalf, fighting to get you the maximum amount you need to cover your medical expenses and other costs.
It’s important to act quickly in these often complex cases. Contact our office and request a consultation today.
Sources:
ai.fmcsa.dot.gov/CrashStatistics
fmcsa.dot.gov/regulations/drug-alcohol-testing-program
fmcsa.dot.gov/hours-service/elds/electronic-logging-devices
