Large commercial trucks can be intimidating on District of Columbia roadways, and being mindful of them is essential because serious injury and death are common in truck accidents.
Moreover, some of the truck drivers who have caused accidents were intoxicated at the time. If that happens, that is when a DC truck driver intoxication accident lawyer, who is well-versed in this area of law, can help. Contact an experienced accident attorney who can work diligently to hold the responsible parties accountable.
The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) stated that in 2015, fatal truck accidents across the United States numbered 4,067, and an estimated 116,000 people were injured. Many injuries sustained in these types of wrecks are serious and critical.
Of all recorded crashes, large trucks accounted for 21.1 percent of them, more than any other vehicle type, according to the NHTSA.
NHTSA reported that one percent of truckers in 2015 were intoxicated at or above DC’s .08 BAL level. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration conducts random alcohol and drug testing of drivers. It also reported that one percent of the drivers were randomly selected and tested. Also, .08 percent of truck drivers had driving while intoxicated convictions, compared to 3.6 percent of automobile drivers.
Personal injury cases hinge on negligence, legally defined as failing to act in a manner that a reasonable person would use toward another person or another’s property.
DC has adopted the strictest version of negligence doctrines, pure contributory negligence. Under this doctrine, if a person has any fault in causing an accident, they are barred from suing for damages even if the prospective defendant had a much greater fault.
Lawmakers reasoned that people who themselves are at fault are not entitled to benefit from it. A DC truck driver intoxication accident lawyer can explain, in detail, the District’s applicable law and the strict legal process.
All laws have elements that must be proven to win a case. Negligence has these:
Big truck accidents can be devastating to person and pocketbook. These are commonly claimed damages:
A DC truck driver intoxication accident lawyer can assess the circumstances of the wreck and let an individual know if they have a case that will result in them recovering damages.
A highly experienced DC truck driver intoxication accident lawyer has worked with trucking companies and knows how to obtain documentary and testimonial evidence to prove negligence. The attorney also has negotiated settlements with trucking company insurance carriers to achieve the amount of damages sought.
