Denver Drug & Alcohol Truck Accident Lawyer

Denver Drug & Alcohol Truck Accident Attorney Serving Colorado

Driving a commercial truck can be a difficult job. Truck drivers will need to receive training and special licenses to ensure that they can operate these large, heavy vehicles safely. Errors made while driving 18-wheelers or other commercial vehicles can have deadly results, and truck accidents may result in catastrophic injuries or wrongful death. Truck drivers must remain fully alert, aware of all issues on the road or related to their vehicles that may affect them, and in control of their trucks at all times. However, there are multiple factors that may affect these drivers' ability to drive safely, including driver fatigue and other health concerns. One of the most dangerous issues that affects the safety of everyone on the road is drug and alcohol use by truck drivers.

Victims of truck accidents will want to understand all of the factors that led to a collision, including whether a truck driver was unable to drive safely due to intoxication. At The Gold Law Firm, we can investigate the causes of an accident and gather evidence to show whether a driver was under the influence of alcohol or drugs, such as toxicology reports, police reports, or witness testimonies. In some cases, we hire our own experts, such as accident reconstructionists, private investigators, and commercial truck driving experts. We will work to make sure negligent truck drivers are held responsible for injuring others through intoxicated driving, and we can also determine whether trucking companies are liable for accidents due to negligent hiring practices or failure to ensure that their employees were abiding by the law. We are prepared to fight on behalf of truck accident victims when negotiating settlements or pursuing lawsuits to make sure they will receive full and fair compensation for their injuries.

Dangers of Truck Driver Intoxication

Drunk driving is very dangerous, no matter what type of vehicle a person is operating. Alcohol intoxication affects drivers in multiple ways, including causing delayed reaction times, balance and coordination issues, vision impairment, and reduced control of different parts of the body. These issues greatly increase the chances that a driver will lose control of their vehicle and collide with others. Since the risks of injury to others are much higher when a person is operating a large truck, commercial drivers have a lower blood alcohol limit than other drivers. These drivers may be charged with driving under the influence (DUI) if they have a blood alcohol content (BAC) of .04 percent or higher.

In addition to alcohol intoxication, drug use can be a significant factor in truck accidents. Truck drivers may use multiple types of controlled substances that affect their ability to operate trucks safely. In some cases, drivers utilize stimulants such as methamphetamine or cocaine in an attempt to stay awake while driving long shifts. However, these drugs can have a variety of debilitating effects, increasing the likelihood of truck accidents. Other drugs, such as heroin, marijuana, or LSD, can also impact a person's ability to operate a semi-trailer truck safely.

Truck drivers may also experience impairment due to other substances, especially when combined with alcohol or controlled substances. Prescription drugs such as opioid painkillers may increase the chances of drowsiness or fatigue and affect a driver's bodily control. Cold or flu medications can also cause drowsiness. Even the use of substances such as caffeinated beverages that are meant to help a person maintain alertness can have negative effects on a person and limit their ability to avoid dangerous truck accidents.

Contact Our Denver Intoxicated Truck Driver Accident Attorneys

If you have been injured in a truck accident, The Gold Law Firm will help you explore every avenue for pursuing compensation. If alcohol or drugs were a factor that contributed to a collision, we will work to make sure the responsible parties, including the intoxicated truck driver and their employer, are held liable for your damages. To get skilled and experienced representation in these situations, contact us today by calling 303-694-4653 to set up your free consultation.