The drivers of trucks and other large commercial vehicles have an absolute duty to protect others while on the road. For the most part, this involves obeying the rules of the road and taking proper precautions while behind the wheel.
One of the largest breaches of this duty involves drunk driving. Consuming even a small amount of alcohol severely limits a person’s ability to control a vehicle. In addition, state law forbids consuming alcohol to the extent that it impairs a person’s ability to drive. Truckers who commit this crime are almost certainly liable for the losses of all people whom they injure in a crash. A skilled commercial vehicle collision attorney could help you to seek out fair compensation after drunk driving truck accident in Tacoma.
Driving a Truck While Drunk Violates the State’s Criminal Code
The Revised Code of Washington § 46.61.502 prohibits all people from driving a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol. This includes having a sufficient blood/alcohol content where a person is presumed to be intoxicated as well as situations where the simple ingestion of alcohol impairs a person’s ability to drive. While drunk driving is a serious matter for every motorist, commercial drivers who face these accusations may endure increased penalties.
Criminal courts handle the outcome of DWI and DUI arrests. However, the result of a criminal trial can also have a major impact on a civil demand for compensation. If a criminal court convicts a truck driver of DWI or that driver admits fault in court, a civil court will presume that the defendant was intoxicated at the time of the collision. This means that a person seeking compensation will not need to prove that a trucker was to blame for the crash and can instead focus on proving the extent of their losses. A lawyer in Tacoma could help to explain how a criminal case alleging trucker DUI could help to prove a civil claim for compensation following an accident.
For a free legal consultation with a Personal Injury Lawyer
Compensation Seen in Drunk Driving Trucking Claims
Proving that a trucker’s intoxication was the cause of a collision is a vital part of any demand for compensation. However, it is just as important to be able to show how the crash in question has impacted one’s life. For instance, insurance providers and trucking companies will only pay for the injuries and losses that a victim is able to prove. A drunk driving truck wreck attorney in Tacoma could take the lead with this process.
A civil claim following a DWI truck crash will usually revolve around seeking compensation for losses like emergency care, ambulance rides, surgeries, hospitalizations, and rehabilitation sessions.
However, a truck collision involving a drunk trucker can impact a plaintiff’s life in many other ways. For instance, a claimant might miss time at work while making a recovery or experience injuries that leave them permanently disabled. Here, an individual can demand payments for lost earnings.
Finally, the victim of a drunk driving truck wreck could also seek compensation for reduced quality of life, physical pain, emotional suffering, or lost time with loved ones. A compassionate Tacoma lawyer could help people measure exactly how a drunk driving truck accident in has impacted their lives and seek out fair payments.
Tacoma Drunk Driving Truck AccidentLawyer Near Me 206-558-5555
Contact an Attorney Today to Learn more about Drunk Driving Truck Accidents in Tacoma
Drunk driving is one of the most dangerous things that a person can do. The impact of this choice is magnified when an individual is behind the wheel of a large truck. If they drink and drive, they are liable for any damage that they cause to others.
If you need help seeking compensation after a drunk driving truck accident in Tacoma, do not hesitate to reach out to our experienced legal team. A dedicated attorney could help you prove negligence, establish the extent of your losses, and file your claim on time. Call today to get started.
We Are committed to winning and winning big for our clients