How Intoxication Impacts Truck Drivers

Semi-trucks pose a higher risk to other vehicles and drivers on the road. Their large size and the potential for their drivers to try to beat the clock to get somewhere make them inherently dangerous. When these factors combine with an intoxicated truck driver, the results are even more risky and deadly. If you or someone you love sustained injuries at the hand of an intoxicated truck driver, you need the aggressive legal representation that an experienced Round Rock truck accident lawyer can provide.

Common Behaviors of Intoxicated Truck Drivers

Truck drivers are not any more immune to the effects of drunk driving than other drivers who are under the influence of alcohol. When a truck driver consumes alcohol, the impacts include:

  • Reduced reaction times
  • Impaired judgment and decision-making abilities
  • Compromised motor control
  • Blurred or altered vision
  • Lowered inhibitions leading to risky driving behaviors

In turn, these effects can cause:

  • Increased stopping distances
  • Inability to distinguish and obey by road signage and other traffic control devices
  • Weaving, swerving and driving off the road
  • The inability to distinguish other vehicles or pedestrians
  • Speeding, dangerous passing, and other aggressive driving

All of these behaviors can lead to serious accidents, long-lasting injuries, and even death. Truck drivers don’t often stop to think about how their drinking could impact innocent lives on the road. To help ensure maximum recovery of their damages, victims and their families turn to a knowledgeable Round Rock truck accident attorney.

Spotting an Intoxicated Driver

How can you determine if a driver has been drinking? While the ultimate duty to determine if a truck driver is legally intoxicated is up to law enforcement agencies, there are signs you can look for to tell you if a driver is potentially too intoxicated to drive. These include:

  • A driver drinking at a rest stop (which warrants a call to law enforcement)
  • Trailer doors that are open or unsecured loads as intoxicated drivers are more likely to forget their basic safety training and precautions before getting back on the road.
  • A truck driver who is accelerating or decelerating, recklessly speeding or carelessly passing

Did an Intoxicated Truck Driver Cause Your Injuries? Call an Experienced Round Rock Truck Accident Lawyer Today

Driving a big rig requires experience and attention to detail. It requires someone that is committed to safety who refuses to put themselves in a position to drink and drive or in a situation that could potentially injure other people. For some truck drivers, it is too much of a responsibility and will turn into a liability.

If you sustained injuries due to the mistakes of an intoxicated truck driver, we are here to help. We firmly believe that legal services should be accessible to anyone who needs them. As a small firm, we pride ourselves on being able to focus on each individual client. Book your consultation with a Round Rock truck accident attorney at the Elissa I. Henry Law Firm, PLLC, by calling (512) 766-4529 today or completing our online contact form.