An impaired driver behind the wheel of a commercial truck is a serious danger for everyone on the road, not just the driver. Federal regulations hold commercial drivers to a stricter standard than other motorists. Instead of a BAC level of .08%, truck drivers can be charged with and convicted of a DUI if their BAC is at .04% or higher. This is because the consequences of impaired operation of an 80,000-pound vehicle are so severe.
A trucking accident attorney in St. Louis will pursue financial compensation on your behalf.
Call our firm at (314) 300-6260 today or contact us online.
What to Do on the Road
If you observe a truck being driven in a way that suggests impairment, you should do what you can to protect yourself and report the incident when you’re able to. If you suspect a truck driver is impaired:
- Keep a safe distance. Stay well behind the truck and out of its blind spots, giving yourself room to react if the driver swerves or brakes unpredictably.
- Do not try to pass closely or confront the driver. Attempting to signal, block, or engage an impaired driver puts you at risk and may provoke unpredictable behavior.
- Move away from the truck when it is safe to do so. Slow down, change lanes, or take an exit to put distance between your vehicle and the truck.
- Avoid driving beside the truck for an extended period. An impaired driver may drift into an adjacent lane without warning, and the space next to a tractor-trailer is the most dangerous place to be.
- If there is an immediate danger, call 911 or local law enforcement. A suspected impaired commercial driver is an emergency, and officers can intercept the truck before a crash occurs.
Information to Provide When Reporting
When you call police, the dispatcher will ask for details that help officers locate and identify the truck. Useful information includes:
- Your location and the truck’s direction of travel, including the highway or road name and the nearest exit, mile marker, or cross street
- The trucking company name, if visible on the cab or trailer
- The tractor or trailer number, often displayed on the side or rear of the vehicle
- The license plate number
- A description of the truck, such as its color, type, and any distinctive markings or cargo
- The specific driving behavior you observed, such as weaving, crossing lane lines, erratic braking, or inconsistent speed
- The approximate time you observed the behavior
Provide only the details you can safely observe. Do not speed up, follow the truck, or maneuver around it to read a plate or company name.
Can a DUI Charge Help a Truck Accident Claim?
If you were involved in an accident with a commercial truck and believe the driver was impaired, it’s possible that this could help your civil claim if you decide to file one. Breath or blood test results, field sobriety observations, and the arresting officer’s report can all help establish that the driver was impaired at the time of the crash.
An injured person must still prove the elements of the civil claim, including that the impairment caused the collision and the resulting damages, but evidence of intoxication can be powerful proof of unsafe conduct and may also support a claim for punitive damages.
How Can a Missouri Truck Accident Lawyer Help?
Cases involving suspected impaired truck drivers require fast action because critical evidence can be lost, overwritten, or destroyed in the days after a crash. A Missouri truck accident lawyer can preserve alcohol and drug testing records, obtain police reports and video, and request trucking company records, including hours-of-service logs and dispatch communications.
An attorney can also investigate the driver’s history and qualifications, determine whether the company ignored prior safety concerns, identify all liable parties and available insurance coverage, and pursue full compensation through settlement or litigation. If you or a loved one was injured in a crash involving an impaired truck driver, our team is here to help.
Reach out online or call (314) 300-6260 to schedule your free case evaluation.