Omaha Drunk Trucker Accident Lawyers

Holding Criminal Truck Drivers Accountable

Having a drink before you drive is never acceptable, but the consequences are far greater when a semi-truck is involved. A drunk trucker is more likely to lose control of a vehicle, causing widespread devastation in a jackknife or underride collision. Despite strict rules on drug and alcohol testing within the trucking industry, intoxicated drivers still get behind the wheel and put everyone on the road in danger.

If you or someone you love was injured by an intoxicated truck driver, do not hesitate to contact Bottlinger Law L.L.C. We have spent years standing up for accident victims throughout Omaha and understand just how destructive these crashes can be. Using our years of experience and local resources, we can investigate the driver who struck you and demand full compensation from their commercial insurance policy. To discuss your case with a compassionate Omaha truck accident attorney, call us at (402) 505-8234 and receive a free case evaluation.

Federal and State Trucking Regulations

Commercial drivers are held to a higher standard on both a federal and state level. Truckers transport tons of cargo and hazardous materials across the country. Here in Nebraska, our state has adopted almost all of the federal regulations surrounding truckers, including laws regarding alcohol use, according to Nebraska Revised Statute 75-363.

These trucking regulations are not there for appearances’ sake, but to protect our roads. Most drivers are aware that the legal limit for blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is 0.08% in adults over 21, but truck drivers must blow less than a 0.04% limit. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), even 0.02% BAC can hinder a driver’s reaction time, judgement, and ability to handle multiple tasks; by 0.05%, drivers will have difficulties steering, responding to emergencies, and being alert.

To enforce these rules, trucking companies must conduct regular and random drug and alcohol tests on their truck drivers multiple times a year. These tests must be carefully logged, and one violation is enough for a driver to lose their commercial driver’s license (CDL) and be barred from working in the industry. In addition, authorities with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), and highway patrol at weigh stations, can also request alcohol or drug tests. This is all done to prevent catastrophic collisions.

Unfortunately, drunk driving is still a serious issue among truckers. According to the FMCSA, impairment by drugs and alcohol was the fourth leading cause of fatal collisions involving truck drivers.

What an Intoxicated Truck Driver Can Do

Nearly 5,000 Americans lost their lives in truck wrecks in a recent year, and roughly 500 of those occurred in Nebraska. Truck driver negligence played a major role in many of those collisions, and it is never acceptable:

• Jackknifes, which occur when a truck’s trailer swings away from the truck at a 90-degree angle, crossing multiple lanes of traffic
• Rollovers, when the trailer tips over onto other cars
• Underride collisions, where another car is pulled underneath the truck’s trailer
• Cargo spills, which can occur in a jackknife or rollover wreck
• Tanker-truck wrecks that may involve exposure to toxic chemicals, fires, and explosions

Recovering Full Compensation for Your Injuries

If a trucker was driving while intoxicated, they are clearly negligent and will be liable if they cause a collision. As the victim of such a horrific ordeal, you may have extensive medical bills, have been forced to take time off work or even leave your job, and be in a great deal of pain. You should not have to bear the burden of any of these costs: the truck driver who injured you should be held accountable.

You may be able to recover full compensation in a personal injury claim against the negligent driver’s insurance. Truck drivers are expected to have commercial insurance policies that go above and beyond the average liability policy in Nebraska. These policies vary based on the type of cargo a trucker is transporting, but include:

• Household Goods: $300,000
• General Freight: $750,000
• Oil: $1,000,000
• Hazardous Materials: $5,000,000

Getting compensation from an insurance company after a drunk trucker crashed into you should be a simple process, but insurance companies do not see it that way. Most will devalue your claim to save money, often pressuring you to accept a low settlement offer. But our team at Bottlinger Law L.L.C. is not afraid to stand up to big insurance companies. Our lead attorney understands how these companies think and knows how to counter their dismissive tactics. If you bring your case to us, we will advocate for full compensation from the at-fault driver’s insurance.

Get a Free Case Evaluation From Bottlinger Law L.L.C.

No one should be a victim of a drunk truck driver, but when these collisions do occur, our team at Bottlinger Law L.L.C is ready to provide the strong legal representation that victims need.

If you were injured by a drunk truck driver, whether as a driver, passenger, or pedestrian, let our Omaha truck accident attorney fight to get you full compensation. We can immediately begin investigating your case, collect evidence of negligence, and negotiate with the truck driver’s insurance company. To receive a free case evaluation, call Bottlinger Law L.L.C. at (402) 505-8234.