Austin Drunk Driving Truck Accident Attorney
Looking for a Drunk Driving Truck Accidents Lawyer in Austin?
DWI, or driving while intoxicated, is an unnecessary and reckless behavior that usually results in tragic accidents and crashes. In a year, there are thousands of individuals who suffer from injuries or the loss of a loved one because of drunk drivers. If only drivers were to exercise responsibility and not neglect their duties, then these accidents are preventable. However, while it may be too late, a personal injury lawyer can help you in your case to have these negligent drivers rightfully penalized. Negligence is never an excuse for an injury, no matter how mild – and most especially for the loss of life.
The NHTSA or National Highway Traffic Safety Administration states that large truck drivers, who drive while intoxicated, made up only 1% of the drivers who were involved in fatal accidents in the year 2007. It may look like a small number, but considering the size of a commercial truck that these drivers operate, the inclusion of alcohol in the mix may be catastrophic and truly devastating.
A typical vehicle weighs at around 3,000 pounds. A tractor trailer, on the other hand, tips the scales at 80,000 pounds. When a drunken truck driver collides into an unknowing passenger vehicle, the sheer amount of force sustained by the vehicle is too much and usually results in severe injuries and sometimes death.
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Drunk driving truck accidents result in different kinds of injuries – it may range from broken bones, fractures, back injuries, as well as potential brain damage. If liability can be proven on the part of the truck driver, then you may claim for compensation for the damages sustained, and the expenses you had to shoulder. You may file for your hospital bills and medication. You may ask to be recompensed for the income you did not earn because of the accident. You may file for a claim if the accident led to a permanent injury which impacts your ability to work. You may file for reparation fees should you need to go to a rehabilitation facility for therapy. You have the right to claim for all the pain, trauma and suffering you are going through, as well as any damage done to your vehicle. In the unfortunate case of a wrongful death, then you can also seek for compensation on the medical and funeral expenses, as well as the financial support needed by a family who lost a loved one.
Because of the potentially devastating effects of drunk truck driving, the Texas Transportation Code sets a limit of 0.08% blood alcohol content or BAC for drivers. However, the limit is higher for commercial truck drivers – it is set at 0.04%. Thus, a commercial truck driver could drink only half the amount that a motorcycle rider could, and still be deemed legally intoxicated. Furthermore, commercial truck drivers should not be consuming alcohol for at least four hours before setting out for the road.
Both the Motor Carrier Safety Improvement Act (1999), and the Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety Act (1896), send a very strong message to all commercial truck drivers that DUI is not a tolerable action.
If one is convicted for a major offense, then the driver may lose his or her commercial truck driving license. If it is the first offense, then the driver, for a year, is disqualified from carrying a driver’s license. The penalty could extend to three years if the truck he or she was driving carried hazardous materials. If it is the second offense, then the disqualification is for a lifetime.
The McMinn Law Firm
The McMinn Law Firm is a credible and reliable group of experienced lawyers who have been handling injury cases caused by drunk drivers for years. We have the competence, experience and resources to ensure that your case is strong and aggressive enough against large trucking companies who have failed to uphold their responsibilities.
We are dedicated in fighting for your claims, and we are committed that we will do this to the best of our ability. We believe that these accidents are unforgivable because they could have been prevented. And this is why we stand firm with you when you say that you want to receive justice.
Recent Personal Injury Case Results
The McMinn Law Firm has helped injured Austinites for fifteen years, winning over 100 million dollars in settlements to date.
Uninsured Motorist Accident
$350,000
Drunk Driver Accident
$1,300,000
Truck Accident Victim
$1,200,000
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