It is always dangerous when any person gets behind the wheel while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. However, when an intoxicated person gets behind the wheel of a commercial truck that weighs up to 80,000 pounds, the risks become even greater. There is no excuse for truck drivers who operate their vehicles while impaired. Our Fort Lauderdale DUI truck accident lawyer is committed to helping accident victims who have been hurt by such reckless actions and will hold the appropriate party liable for paying damages.
Why Hire an Experienced Attorney in a DUI Truck Accident Claim
Truck drivers owe every person on the road with them a duty of care, and any amount of alcohol or drug use can make that difficult. If you believe the truck driver who caused your accident was intoxicated, or you know that they failed a DUI test, it becomes critical that you arm yourself with a skilled and experienced lawyer who will fight for you. There are several reasons why a Fort Lauderdale DUI truck accident lawyer is a critical investment.
- Trucking companies have experienced insurance adjusters working against you. They will take every step they can to limit your recovery of damages. In a case like this, you do not want them to make any claims against you or try to trick you into settling for too little. With so much on the line, including reputational harm, you can expect companies to be aggressive.
- Experience matters. Our attorneys at Rosen Injury Law, P.A. have taken on big trucking companies before. We know the strategies they use, we understand the law, and we have extensive experience fighting for victims.
- Your case may go to trial. Commercial truck accidents involving DUI are often complex and may end up going to a lawsuit instead of a fair settlement. With our experienced trial attorneys, you can feel good that your rights will be protected.
Reaching out to our attorneys is risk-free. We do not charge for a consultation, and if we take your case and you do not recover damages, you do not pay us anything for our services. It is the best way for us to protect your rights throughout this process.
Our Fort Lauderdale DUI Truck Accident Lawyer Know About the Legal Limit for Truckers
Most people know that the legal limit for blood alcohol content (BAC) for drivers of passenger vehicles is 0.08 percent. However, because intoxicated truckers pose such a great danger to anyone they share the roads with, the law requires that they have a much lower BAC level.
Under the regulations set out by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), truck drivers must never operate a vehicle with a BAC level that is over 0.04 percent. Not only will trucks be arrested and charged with a DUI if they operate a truck with a BAC level higher than this, but you can also use an elevated BAC to prove your accident claim.
Our Fort Lauderdale DUI Truck Accident Lawyer Understand Drug Use Among Truckers
To many, it is inconceivable that a truck driver would operate a vehicle while under the influence of either legal or illegal drugs. Unfortunately, it is a very common occurrence. Truck drivers, just like others, sometimes suffer from substance abuse problems. Additionally, some truckers think certain types of drugs will help them stay awake behind the wheel, which will help them to stay on the road longer and meet their tight deadlines. Of course, this is not true and will only increase the risk of the trucker being involved in a crash. Some of the most commonly used drugs by truckers include:
- Cocaine
- Methamphetamines
- Prescription medications
- Marijuana
Regardless of the type of drug a truck driver uses, any time a truck driver uses a drug while behind the wheel, it is extremely dangerous behavior. Speak to a Fort Lauderdale injury lawyer for more information.
Our Fort Lauderdale DUI Truck Accident Lawyer Will Hold Trucking Companies Liable
It is easy to assume that when a truck driver uses drugs, the trucker is the one to be held liable. While this is possible, you may also be able to hold the trucking company liable as well. The FMCSA requires trucking companies to conduct random drug and alcohol tests among their drivers at certain times. If the trucking company failed to administer those tests, hired a driver with a known history of DUIs, or failed to report a driver for failing a test, it can also be held liable.
You may be owed compensation for:
- Medical bills and related expenses going forward
- Loss of wages and benefits from being unable to work
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional trauma and anguish
- Loss of quality of life
- Disability
Who Is Responsible for Your Injury and Losses?
In a truck accident involving an intoxicated driver, there are often far more parties responsible than just the driver. Our lawyers will fight to prove that when it applies. For example, the trucking company may also be responsible if they knew the driver had a history of driving while intoxicated.
We also look at other factors that contributed to the accident, such as the truck’s condition and any errors made by the cargo company. While DUI may be the biggest factor here, addressing all of those who failed to keep you safe is a viable way to build a strong case.
What to Do If Your Loved One Lost Their Life
Many trucking accidents, including those related to driving under the influence, lead to fatalities. There is nothing our legal team wants more than to make this right for you. That process can be complex, and it is up to our attorneys to work diligently to make sure your loved one’s voice is heard. Some of the damages owed may include losses suffered prior to death, funeral costs, and ongoing financial compensation to dependents.
In situations where you are facing the ultimate loss like this, arm yourself with a Fort Lauderdale wrongful lawyer ready to hold them accountable. Call Rosen Injury Law, P.A. to discuss your case with confidence.
Injuries Common in Fort Lauderdale DUI Truck Accidents
Injuries from a DUI truck accident can be catastrophic. When not fatal, many DUI truck accident victims suffer life-altering injuries. Some of these injuries render a victim permanently disabled and needing assistance with daily life.
Medical care, lost income, pain and suffering, and other damages for DUI truck accident injury victims and their families can be devastating. These victims need to recover every dollar they are owed.
Some injuries caused by Fort Lauderdale DUI truck accidents include:
- Spinal cord injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries and other head injuries.
- Internal bleeding and organ damage.
- Crushed and broken bones.
- Severed or severely mangled limbs requiring amputation.
- Facial injuries.
- Burns.
- Scarring and disfigurement.
- Back and neck injuries.
At Rosen Injury Law, we help ensure that all your current and future damages are considered and accurately valued so you know the true value of your case.
How Much Is My DUI Truck Accident Claim Worth?
The value of your Fort Lauderdale DUI truck accident claim depends on numerous factors, including the severity of your injuries. In a successful DUI truck accident claim, you should be able to recover economic and non-economic damages.
Economic damages include:
- Current and future medical expenses, including surgeries, rehabilitation, therapies, medications, and more.
- Current and future lost wages and income.
- Costs of modifications to your home and vehicle are necessary because of your injuries.
- Property damage.
- All other necessary expenses incurred because of your accident and injuries.
Non-economic damages include:
- Pain and suffering.
- Emotional and mental distress.
- Loss of consortium.
- Loss of enjoyment of life.
- Permanent disability.
- Scarring and disfigurement.
- Other intangible damages and losses incurred by your accident and injuries
Economic and non-economic damages are considered compensatory because they are designed to compensate an injury victim for their losses. On the other hand, punitive damages are not intended to compensate the injury victim but to punish the wrongdoer and deter similar future conduct.
Florida law only permits punitive damages to be awarded when the defendant is guilty of intentional misconduct or gross negligence. DUI accident injury cases may be appropriate for an award of punitive damages.
At Rosen Injury Law, we work hard to recover every type of damages available to our clients and to maximize their compensation.
How Long Do I Have to File a Claim After a Fort Lauderdale DUI Truck Accident?
A statute of limitations sets the deadline for filing a claim to recover compensation for your damages in a personal injury case. If you miss your deadline, you cannot recover compensation.
The filing deadline for most Florida personal injury claims is two years from the accident. However, there are rare exceptions to the two-year filing deadline, so you must quickly consult an experienced Fort Lauderdale DUI accident lawyer to know your filing deadline.
You also want to act quickly to help preserve and collect essential evidence supporting your case. Evidence has a way of disappearing – being destroyed, lost, or diminished – over time. At Rosen Injury Law, we work quickly to identify and collect that evidence before it is too late.
Why You Need the Help of a Fort Lauderdale DUI Truck Accidents Lawyer
Trucking accident claims can be complex. They often involve multiple parties, insurance companies, and defense attorneys. You need to level the playing field by hiring an experienced Fort Lauderdale DUI truck accident lawyer.
Your attorney can investigate your accident to determine all contributing causes and all potentially liable parties and hold them accountable for your damages. They can uncover and collect evidence to build your strongest case.
Your lawyer can help ensure that your damages are accurately valued and work to negotiate a fair settlement of your claim. If a fair settlement is not reached, your attorney can take your case to trial to recover the compensation you are owed.
Our DUI Truck Accident Lawyer in Fort Lauderdale will Advise You of Your Legal Options
Driving under the influence is extremely reckless behavior, and when truck drivers engage in it, our Fort Lauderdale truck accident lawyers at Rosen Injury Law, P.A. are dedicated to holding them liable for paying the damages you need. If you have been injured or you have lost someone, call us today at 954-787-1500 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation and to learn more about how we can help.