If you have been injured in a truck driver drug and alcohol accident in Nashville, you need an experienced attorney to handle your case. Contact Labrum Law Firm Personal Injury Lawyers at (615) 685-8546. to schedule a free consultation with our Nashville truck accident lawyers.
Driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs is illegal in all states, including Tennessee. Truck drivers have a lower legal limit for impaired driving. They can be charged with drunk driving if they have a blood alcohol content (BAC) of .04% or higher. Truck drivers can also be arrested if they are impaired by drugs.
If you have been injured in a truck driver drug and alcohol accident in Nashville, you need an experienced attorney to handle your case. At Labrum Law Firm Personal Injury Lawyers, our attorneys focus 100% of our law practice on injury law.
Our attorneys have decades of combined experience representing injured victims and their families. They have a successful track record, winning millions of dollars in settlements and trial verdicts for clients.
How Labrum Law Firm Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help You with a Truck Accident Case in Tennessee
Truck accidents cause traumatic injuries and deaths in Tennessee. Most people who are injured or die in large truck crashes are occupants of other vehicles. If an impaired truck driver injured you or killed your family member, you need to take steps to protect your rights.
When you hire our top-rated lawyers to handle your Nashville truck accident claim, you can trust we will:
- Conduct a thorough investigation into the truck accident
- Hire leading expert witnesses to assist with the case, including accident reconstructionists and trucking industry experts
- Gather evidence proving your claim
- Document your damages to determine how much your case is worth
- Filing insurance claims and handling all matters with the trucking company and other parties
- Aggressively negotiate fair settlements based on your damages
- Fiercely argue your case at trial if it is in your best interest
Our attorneys have received honors and recognition for their legal services from organizations, including Expertise.com. We strive to provide exceptional legal representation to each of our clients. Our legal team is dedicated to helping injured victims receive the justice they deserve.
Call Labrum Law Firm Personal Injury Lawyers to schedule a free case evaluation with an experienced Nashville personal injury attorney.
Overview of Truck Driver Durg and Alcohol Use in Tennessee
Driving a commercial motor vehicle requires skill and training. Operating a vehicle under the influence is extremely dangerous, especially when the vehicle is an 80,000-pound semi-truck. In addition to setting a lower BAC for truck drivers, the FMCSA prohibits truck drivers from operating a commercial motor vehicle if they consume alcohol or are under the influence within four hours of going on duty.
The FMCSA and the Department of Transportation have strict regulations to reduce the risk of truck driver drug and alcohol use. Examples of regulations include:
- Pre-employment alcohol and drug screening
- Mandatory random testing for truck drivers
- Testing for drugs and alcohol if a supervisor has a reasonable belief the truck driver is using drugs or alcohol
- Mandatory post-accident testing if the driver receives a traffic citation for an accident involving death, injury, or property damage
- Follow-up testing when recommended by a substance abuse professional
- Return-to-duty testing when a truck driver was removed from service for positive drug or alcohol tests
Even with strict rules prohibiting operating trucks under the influence, truck driver drug and alcohol use continues to be a problem. The Drug & Alcohol Clearing House lists the number of reported violations of the drug and alcohol program. In 2023, there were 69,178 reported drug and alcohol violations. Violations include BACs above the legal limit, refusing to take alcohol/drug tests, actual knowledge of violations, and positive drug tests.
Who Is Responsible for Damages Caused by an Impaired Truck Driver Accident in Tennessee?
The truck driver is liable for damages if they cause a truck accident because of drug and alcohol use. Having a positive test result is not sufficient to create liability. You must prove the truck driver’s actions were a direct and proximate cause of the crash.
However, violating DUI laws could result in a negligence per se claim. This type of claim is a rebuttable presumption that the truck driver was negligent because they were breaking the law by driving while impaired.
Trucking companies may be responsible for damages if they fail to follow regulations for truck driver drug and alcohol testing. The trucking company may be liable for wrongdoing, such as negligent hiring policies. Vicarious liability can also result in responsibility for damages by holding the employer (i.e., trucking company) responsible for its employees’ negligence.
What Damages Can I Receive for a Truck Driver Drug and Alcohol Accident Claim?
Victims can seek compensation for their pain and suffering damages. These non-economic damages include emotional distress, impairments, diminished quality of life, and disfigurement.
They may also receive compensation for their economic damages. These damages include reimbursement for out-of-pocket expenses, lost wages, and medical bills. It also includes reduced earning capacity and other financial losses.
The amount you receive for a truck accident claim depends on the facts of your case. Our attorneys discuss how much your case may be worth during your free consultation.
Schedule a Free Consultation with Our Nashville Truck Accident Attorneys
Truck accident cases in Tennessee are complex personal injury claims, especially when the accident involves allegations of truck driver drug and alcohol use. Call Labrum Law Firm Personal Injury Lawyers to discuss your legal options with a Nashville truck driver drug and alcohol accident lawyer, during a complimentary consultation. We are here to help you when you need trusted legal advice and support.
