Maryland Trucking Accident Lawyer Blog
As if large trucks are not dangerous enough, when an intoxicated driver gets behind the wheel of a semi-truck, tractor-trailer, or other large truck, the risk factors skyrocket. It is for this reason that the Maryland legislature has determined that those who hold Commercial Drivers Licenses (CDLs) are to be held to a different standard when it comes to drunk driving.
In Maryland, non-CDL holders are considered “drunk” under the law when they have a blood-alcohol content of .08 or greater. However, due to the risks involved with driving a large truck while intoxicated, a CDL holder’s blood-alcohol content cannot legally exceed .04. Depending on the driver, a person’s blood-alcohol content may reach .04 after just one drink.
The .04 limit applies to all commercial drivers, not just truck drivers. For example, taxi cab drivers and school bus drivers are also subject to that limit. Importantly, the prohibition on intoxicated driving is not limited to alcohol. Commercial drivers are also prohibited from operating a vehicle with any trace of an illegal drug in their system. Similarly, liability may even arise if the driver is taking prescription medication, if it can be shown that they were impaired by the medication.
Cement Truck Driver May Have Been Intoxicated at Time of Serious Accident
Earlier this week in Mesa, Arizona, three people were injured in a three-vehicle accident that was caused when a cement truck rear-ended another vehicle and pushed it into oncoming traffic. According to one local news source, the cement truck was approaching an intersection when it entered the turning lane. As it entered the turning lane, it veered into the back of another car and pushed that car into oncoming traffic. The two other drivers involved in the accident, both women in their 50s, had to be transported to the hospital with life-threatening injuries.
After police had a chance to talk to the driver of the cement truck, they noticed that he was exhibiting signs of intoxication and asked that he submit to a blood-alcohol test. The man did consent to the test, and police and prosecutors are awaiting the results of the test to determine if he will be charged with the various DUI-related charges that can arise after someone causes an accident while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
Have You Been Involved in a Maryland Truck Accident?
If you or a loved one has recently been involved in a Maryland truck accident, you may be entitled to monetary compensation. Whether the truck driver was intoxicated at the time of the accident or not, you may still be eligible for compensation based on the driver’s negligence. To learn more about Maryland truck accidents, and to speak with a dedicated personal injury attorney, call one of the dedicated attorneys at the law firm of Lebowitz & Mzhen Personal Injury Lawyers. The skilled advocates at Lebowitz & Mzhen have decades of experience recovering damages on behalf of Marylanders injured in trucking accidents. Call 410-654-3600 today to set up a free consultation.
More Blog Posts:
NHTSA Seeks Additional Safety Feature in Hopes of Reducing Fatal Under-Ride Accidents, Maryland Trucking Accident Lawyer Blog, published December 17, 2015.
Dump Trucks: Some of the Most Dangerous Vehicles on the Road, Maryland Trucking Accident Lawyer Blog, published December 10, 2015.