Some car accidents are relatively minor, while others are more severe. There are many contributing factors that can affect the severity of such a wreck. Speed, type of impact and any attempt to avoid the accident can all play a part. However, many of these mitigating factors are diminished when a motorist is intoxicated. This holds true for those who drive everyday cars and trucks, but it is especially worrisome when it comes to semi-trucks.
The sheer size of a big rig can pose a significant danger when the vehicle is not driven safely. But, when a trucker is intoxicated behind the wheel, the driver’s reaction time will be decreased, meaning that an impact may occur at a higher rate of speed and the vehicle itself may make unexpected movements, giving other motorists little, if any, time to react.
This is why the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has attempted to curb drunk trucking. Under their regulations, a trucker is disallowed from operating a vehicle with a blood-alcohol content of 0.04 percent or higher. This is half the legal limit for other drivers. Additionally, regulations state that truckers are disallowed from driving their trucks within four hours of consuming alcohol. These safety measures may help diminish the number of drunk truckers on Illinois roadways, but, unfortunately, it will not bring drunk trucking to a stop.
So, when Illinois residents are injured in a truck accident, they must find a way to move on with life. This can be difficult when physical pain and suffering takes its toll, and medical expenses and lost wages can leave the victim with financial uncertainty. In an attempt to recoup these losses and hold a trucker accountable for negligence, these individuals may be able to file a personal injury claim.
Source: FindLaw, “Commercial DUI Regulations,” accessed on Feb. 13, 2016
