According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), accidents involving drunk drivers are responsible for roughly one-third of all traffic-related deaths in the United States. Every day, almost 30 people in the United States die in motor vehicle crashes that involve an alcohol-impaired driver. This amounts to one death every 51 minutes. When the accident involves a large commercial truck, the risk of fatalities is even higher.
Truck Driver DUI Liability in North Charleston
Most states, including South Carolina, have adopted the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations for commercial drivers and alcohol, which set a 0.04 percent blood-alcohol concentration limit. This is half the BAC limit for non-commercial drivers in most states. The FMCSA rules also stipulate that commercial drivers may not operate a commercial vehicle within four hours of using alcohol. Alcohol and Drug Tests for South Carolina Commercial Drivers
Alcohol and Drug Tests for South Carolina Commercial Drivers
When truck drivers make the decision to get behind the wheel when they are intoxicated, they put everyone else on the road with them at risk of serious injury. Big rigs require every ounce of the driver’s skill and attention to operate safely under normal conditions. When drivers attempt to operate them after having a few drinks, the results can be catastrophic.
Commercial drivers may be required to submit to alcohol testing randomly, after an accident, where there is reasonable suspicion, or as a condition of returning to duty following an alcohol policy violation. In addition to alcohol testing, the FMCSA regulations allow for drug testing in the following circumstances: as a condition of employment, where there is reasonable suspicion, after an accident and as a condition of returning to duty following a drug policy violation. The following drugs are often screened: marijuana, cocaine, amphetamines, opiates and phencyclidine (PCP). When pulled over on suspicion of DUI, commercial drivers also face harsher penalties for refusing to submit to a blood alcohol test. Under FMCSA rules, refusal to take a blood alcohol test is the equivalent of pleading guilty to DUI.
Call an Experienced Charleston Truck Accident Attorney
Trucking accidents caused by driving while drunk or on drugs are senseless and preventable. If you have been involved in an accident with a truck driver who has consumed alcohol, it is necessary to speak to a skilled North Charleston truck accident attorney to hold those responsible for such accidents fully accountable, so they do not continue their reckless behavior.
At the Hartman Law Firm, our team of experienced truck accident lawyers has successfully helped many truck accident victims obtain the compensation they deserve for their injuries and related losses. To make sure that you receive all of the compensation to which you are entitled, it is important to have an experienced truck accident attorney handling your case. Contact the Hartman Law Firm, L.L.C. for a free, no-obligation evaluation of your case. We can provide you with a free and confidential consultation about your case and advise you of your legal options. The Hartman Law Firm represents clients throughout Charleston and South Carolina. Call us today at 843-300-7600.