Maryland Trucking Accident Lawyer Blog
While there are many causes of Maryland truck accidents, most truck accidents are caused by intoxicated, distracted, or sleepy drivers. Intoxication is such a problem among truck drivers that many states have implemented stricter blood-alcohol content allowances for all commercial drivers. For example, commercial drivers are not permitted to have a blood-alcohol content of .04 or greater, while other motorists are limited at a .08 blood-alcohol content.
Alcohol intoxication is certainly responsible for a large share of the total number of truck accidents involving intoxication. However, the use of illegal drugs seems to be increasing among truck drivers over the past few years. In part, this is due to the pressures inherent in the long-haul trucking profession, which places an emphasis on getting cargo to the final destination as quickly as possible. This pressure leads some drivers to take illegal drugs in an effort to stay awake longer and travel more miles per day. Of course, illegal drugs are not without their side effects. Too often, drivers who take stimulants to stay awake find themselves drifting off as the drugs wear off.
Truck Driver Faces Felony Charges for Intoxicated Driving
Earlier this month, two people were seriously injured when the vehicle in which they were traveling was struck by a truck driver who had drifted out of his lane and into oncoming traffic. According to a local news source covering the accident, it was around 4 p.m. as the truck driver was en route to his final destination when he inexplicably crossed over the center line and into oncoming traffic.
The truck collided with an SUV carrying two people. Both passengers in the SUV were taken by helicopter to a nearby hospital, where they were admitted with serious injuries. Police conducted an on-scene investigation, noting that the truck driver was unsteady on his feet and had slurred speech. The responding officers believed the truck driver was under the influence of drugs or alcohol, and they asked him to perform field sobriety tests, which indicated he was under the influence. Later, the driver told police that he had taken several prescription medications earlier in the day. A preliminary blood test revealed that he had benzodiazepines in his system. The truck driver was arrested and charged with causing an accident while under the influence.
Have You Been Injured in a Maryland Truck Accident?
If you or a loved one has recently been injured in a Maryland truck accident, you may be entitled to monetary compensation. The attorneys at the Maryland personal injury law firm of Lebowitz & Mzhen Personal Injury Lawyers have extensive experience assisting victims of truck accidents with seeking the compensation they deserve. With offices in Owings Mills, Rockville, Baltimore, and Washington, D.C., we serve the entire Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C. area. Call 410-654-3600 to schedule a free consultation today. Calling is free, and we will not pressure you to continue forward with your case unless it is your desire to do so.
More Blog Posts:
Slowed Highway Traffic Creates Major Hazard for Sleepy or Distracted Bus Drivers, Maryland Trucking Accident Lawyer Blog, published July 12, 2017.
Liability in Truck Accidents Caused by Faulty Equipment, Maryland Trucking Accident Lawyer Blog, published June 26, 2017.