Drunk Truck Driving

Truck Accident Lawyers – Commercial Operators Under the Influence of Drugs and/or Alcohol

In 1991, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) passed the Omnibus Transportation Employee Testing Act, which requires employers to regularly test drivers for drugs and alcohol. Since that time, the FMCSA has found that approximately 1% of drivers randomly tested failed because of drugs and/or alcohol use.
While many commercial operators are professional drivers who take safety seriously, it has also been found that while approximately 1% of truck drivers fail a random test at the workplace, a far higher percentage of drugs and/or alcohol were found in commercial truck drivers who were involved in a fatal or serious collision on the roadway.
According to The National Safety Council, in 2021, large trucks were involved in 5,700 fatal crashes, killing 5,788 people. This is a 47% increase in fatalities over the preceding 10 years. In 2021, the statistics show that large trucks were also involved in 117,300 crashes injuring 155,000 people. Of this number, 71% of the injuries predictably involved occupants of the “other vehicle.” So, while we applaud the FMCSA and employers who implement random drug testing procedures, those who continue to operate commercial vehicles while on amphetamines, other drugs, or while under the influence of alcohol, remains shockingly high.
Commercial truck drivers under the influence of drugs or alcohol often drift from one lane to the other, exhibit poor reflexes, exhibit risky behavior, operate “over hours”, and in extreme cases, suffer hallucinations. At the Vogel Law Firm, our experience has confirmed the studies showing a high likelihood that a semi driver under the influence of drugs or alcohol will often be involved in a catastrophic crash.

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If you have been injured or have had a family member killed in a collision with a semi or commercial vehicle operated by a driver under the influence of drugs or alcohol, our Personal Injury Attorneys are here to help you every step of your case. Get started with our firm today. Call our office at 701-237-6983 or contact us online to schedule a consultation.