Federal law imposes strict drug and alcohol testing requirements on commercial truck drivers. These rules exist because an 80,000-pound vehicle operated by an impaired driver can cause catastrophic harm.
If you were injured in a crash involving a truck driver who was impaired by drugs or alcohol, you have a right to pursue compensation for your injuries. With decades of experience holding trucking companies accountable, Zayed Law Offices Personal Injury Attorneys has recovered over $100 million for injured clients across Illinois. Reach out to our Illinois truck accident lawyers today at (312) 726-1616 for a free consultation.
How Zayed Law Offices Personal Injury Attorneys Can Help After a Truck Accident Involving Drug and Alcohol Use in Illinois
After a truck accident involving drug or alcohol use, victims often face serious injuries, complex liability issues, and aggressive insurance companies. Zayed Law Offices Personal Injury Attorneys provide experienced guidance to help you pursue the compensation you deserve.
Our Illinois truck accident attorneys understand how to investigate impaired driving cases, gather critical evidence, and hold negligent parties accountable.
We can help by:
- Investigating driver intoxication and obtaining toxicology reports
- Securing black box data, driver logs, and maintenance records
- Identifying all liable parties, including trucking companies
- Negotiating with insurers for maximum compensation
- Representing you in court if a fair settlement isn’t offered
You don’t have to navigate this alone—contact our law firm today for a free consultation with an Illinois personal injury attorney.
Common Causes of Drug and Alcohol Use Among Truck Drivers
While many truck drivers operate safely, some turn to drugs or alcohol due to the demands of the job. These substances can impair judgment, slow reaction time, and increase the risk of serious accidents.
Common contributing factors include:
- Long hours and driver fatigue
- Tight delivery deadlines and pressure from employers
- Use of stimulants to stay awake for extended periods
- Substance use to cope with stress or isolation
- Lack of proper oversight or enforcement by trucking companies
Identifying these causes can help uncover negligence and strengthen your claim. Speak with an experienced attorney to better understand your options and protect your right to compensation.
Who Can Be Held Liable for a Truck Accident Involving Drugs and Alcohol?
When a truck accident involves drugs or alcohol, liability may extend beyond the impaired driver. While the driver can be held directly responsible, trucking companies may also be liable if the driver was working at the time of the crash. Employers can face additional liability if they failed to follow required drug and alcohol testing or ignored prior violations.
Key liable parties may include:
- The truck driver for driving under the influence
- The trucking company for negligent hiring or supervision
- Employers who failed to enforce testing requirements
- Other third parties involved, depending on the case
Because trucking companies must preserve testing records, acting quickly is critical. An attorney can secure this evidence and help protect your claim. Reach out today to take the next step forward.
What Compensation May Be Available?
Victims of impaired truck driver accidents can seek two categories of damages. Economic damages cover measurable financial losses. Non-economic damages cover the personal impact of the injuries.
Examples of economic damages include:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
- Property damage
- Domestic help
- Rehabilitation
- Required home modifications
- Medical devices
You may also be eligible for non-economic damages, such as:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Mental anguish
- Living with disability
- Disfiguration
- PTSD
Illinois also allows punitive damages in cases where the defendant’s conduct was particularly reckless. A trucking company that knowingly kept an impaired driver on the road, or repeatedly violated federal testing requirements, may have to pay you punitive damages.
How Long Do You Have to File a Truck Accident Lawsuit?
Under Illinois law, personal injury claims must be filed within two years of the accident. Missing this deadline means you may have no recourse to recover damages through the courts. These statute of limitations deadlines are designed to ensure the likelihood that evidence is still available and witness memories of the accident have not faded.
Evidence in these cases, including testing records, electronic logging data, and dashcam footage, can disappear quickly. Acting promptly gives our attorneys the best opportunity to preserve everything your case needs.
Contact Our Illinois Truck Accident Lawyers for a Free Consultation
Impaired truck drivers and the companies that enable them cause some of the most serious crashes on Illinois roads. Zayed Law Offices Personal Injury Attorneys has the skill and experience to hold every responsible party accountable.
Call us today for a free consultation with an Illinois truck accident attorney. You owe no attorney fees unless we are able to secure a financial award on your behalf. This means you have nothing to lose by reaching out to us today to get started.
