Montclair Drunk Truck Driver Accident Lawyer

Montclair Drunk Truck Driver Accident Attorney

Consuming alcohol may adversely affect a person’s judgment, coordination, reaction time, and ability to drive a commercial truck. If an impaired truck driver crashes into another vehicle, both the driver’s behavior and their employer’s actions may be relevant to a civil claim. A Montclair drunk truck driver accident lawyer can help investigate evidence of impairment, identify responsible parties, and calculate what damages were caused by the collision.

Drunk Truck Driver Accident

Contact Hobbs Law Group 24/7 to schedule a free case review with a Drunk Truck Driver Accident lawyer. You will not pay us anything unless you win.

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How Hobbs Law Group Helps With Serious Accident Claims

At Hobbs Law Group, we help injured people hold careless and reckless parties accountable for their actions. When we represent clients in serious injury claims, our investigative team works to uncover how the crash happened. We pursue all responsible parties through settlement negotiations or by taking them to court. We offer free consultations and only charge legal fees if we take your case and obtain a recovery on your behalf.

Alcohol Limits for Commercial Drivers

Operating a commercial motor vehicle while impaired by alcohol is prohibited by state and federal law. Federal limits are generally lower for commercial drivers than for regular motorists. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, truck drivers and commercial driver’s license (CDL) holders have a blood alcohol content (BAC) limit of 0.04%.

Federal regulations state that drivers cannot use alcohol within four hours of going on duty or before operating a commercial vehicle.

Drunk Truck Driving Collisions in Montclair

Montclair is located along I-10 at the San Bernardino/Los Angeles County border. The Interstate connects Los Angeles with cities in the Inland Empire, and large trucks frequently travel this corridor. Central Avenue merges with I-10 and runs past Montclair Place. Holt Boulevard and Monte Vista Avenue are other main streets that pass through Montclair.

Driving a large commercial vehicle while impaired by alcohol can be extremely dangerous for everyone on the road. Large trucks take longer to stop and cause more significant damage in a crash. A drunk truck driver may cause a collision by failing to signal, making unsafe lane changes, rear-ending another vehicle, failing to stop, or losing control of the truck.

Records submitted by California Highway Patrol to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration identify 94 truck-at-fault fatal or injury wrecks involving drugs or alcohol in 2022. Of those incidents, 68 resulted in injuries, and 26 were fatal. The 94 total crashes are a rise from the 58 similar incidents that occurred in 2018.

Damages After an Alcohol-Related Truck Accident

A drunk truck driver accident claim may pursue damages for losses resulting from the crash. Recoverable damages, depending on the circumstances and extent of the injuries, might include:

• Medical bills
• Rehab
• Lost wages
• Physical pain and emotional trauma
• Property damage
• Reduced earning capacity

California Civil Code § 3294 also allows punitive damages if the behavior involves oppression, fraud, or malice. Punitive damages differ from compensatory damages because they are not tied to reimbursement for financial losses. Instead, they are available to punish and deter wrongful conduct that meets the legal standard. The availability of punitive damages depends on the evidence and facts of the specific case.

Criminal DUI Cases and Civil Injury Claims

While a DUI charge is a criminal matter, a personal injury claim is civil. DUI cases are brought by prosecutors on behalf of the state. When someone else is injured in the crash, that person has the right to file a civil claim to seek damages.

However, the resolution of a criminal case does not necessarily resolve every issue in the civil claim. Evidence from the DUI case may still be used to establish negligence and other factors related to the cause of the accident. For Montclair civil cases, the local courthouse is the Civil Division of the Rancho Cucamonga District, 8303 Haven Avenue, Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91730.

Hire a Drunk Truck Driver Accident Lawyer

When you hire a drunk truck driver accident lawyer in Montclair, they can investigate any evidence of impairment and assess whether other parties may bear some responsibility for the collision. Evidence can be reviewed, and information about the driver’s relationship with the motor carrier can be investigated.

In addition, a Montclair truck driver accident attorney can compare the evidence against commercial driving standards, quantify documented losses, correspond with insurers on the victim’s behalf, and seek information from defendants by way of formal discovery after filing a claim. Representation by legal counsel can help identify both why the crash occurred and what damages it caused.

FAQs About Montclair, CA Drunk Truck Driver Accident Laws

Will I Still Be Able to File a Claim if the Truck Driver Refused a Breath or Blood Test in Montclair?

Yes, you can still file a claim if the truck driver refused a breath or blood test in Montclair. While chemical test refusal does carry penalties for drivers, it does not automatically bar an injured victim from filing a civil claim. Impairment can potentially be proven through additional officer observations, witness testimony, driving conduct, video evidence, post-crash statements, and more. Depending on the situation and use of the evidence, refusal may also become a factor in a case.

Can a Bar Be Liable for Serving Alcohol to a Truck Driver in California?

Generally speaking, California shields those who provide alcohol from liability for injuries or damages later caused by the recipient. The theory is that drinking the alcohol, rather than being furnished it, is typically the legal cause of injuries sustained. Of course, there are exceptions to this rule, including the serving of alcohol to certain obviously intoxicated minors.

What if the Truck Driver Was Taking Prescription Medication?

Taking medication that impairs the driver’s ability to safely operate his truck can become an issue in a collision. Federal regulations forbid commercial truck operators from driving when they’ve taken certain drugs, whether illicit or prescription medications that don’t meet strict guidelines. Investigators consider toxicology reports and other evidence to see if drugs were a factor.

Does a Truck Driver’s Prior DUI History Affect an Accident Claim in Montclair?

The existence of a prior DUI does not necessarily mean that the driver was liable for a later crash. However, in specific instances, that driver’s past behavior can indeed become significant, particularly when evaluating how a trucking firm handled the hiring, oversight, or continued employment of its drivers. Discovery of or access to prior DUI information varies depending on the issues at hand in the accident claim.

Contact Hobbs Law Group For Help

If you were in an accident with an intoxicated truck driver, Hobbs Law Group can help you seek compensation. Contact us today for a free consultation.