Truck Accidents Involving DUI and Drug Charges in New Jersey
Truck Accident Lawyers Dedicated to Obtaining Justice for Victims of DUI and Drug-Related Truck Accidents in NJ
Every driver on the New Jersey roadways understands the dangers that are created when a driver gets behind the wheel while intoxicated by drugs or alcohol. The penalties for driving under the influence (DUI) of drugs or alcohol in New Jersey are severe for a reason—drugs and alcohol impair a driver’s judgment and put the lives of everyone else on the roadways at risk. The dangers of drug or alcohol-impaired driving are magnified exponentially when a truck driver gets behind the wheel of a massive 18-wheeler, semi-truck or tractor-trailer after consuming drugs or alcohol.
DUI and drug-related truck accidents are unacceptably common in our state and, of course, are entirely preventable. While we all know that a truck driver arrested on DUI charges will face severe penalties in the criminal justice system, if you sustain injuries in a DUI or drug-related truck accident, you have the right to recover financial compensation via a civil lawsuit for damages.
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Our experienced truck accident lawyers have recovered over $400 million for our clients in New Jersey, and are proud to provide superior legal representation to the victims of truck accidents, especially in cases where the truck accident was caused by a truck driver who was impaired by drugs or alcohol. We provide all potential clients with a free initial consultation, so contact us today if you have sustained injuries in a truck accident that you believe was caused by the driver’s drug or alcohol use.
Forms of Liability in DUI and Drug-Related Truck Accidents Under New Jersey Law
While it is illegal to drive in New Jersey with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of more than 0.08 percent, truck drivers are required to satisfy certain special licensing requirements, so much obtain a commercial driver’s license (CDL) to operate such a large and dangerous vehicle. A commercial truck driver breaks the law when his or her BAC is only 0.04 percent.
When a drunk or drugged truck driver causes an accident and injuries, that driver will be held individually responsible for the DUI/DWI charges in the same manner as any other driver on the roadways. However, the driver and the trucking company that employed the driver can both often be held financially responsible for injuries that you sustained in a DUI or drug-related truck accident. For example, the trucking company may be held liable if:
- It failed to investigate the driver’s safety record and driving history prior to hiring the truck driver,
- It failed to implement proper training procedures,
- It failed to take steps designed to ensure that truck drivers adhere to legally mandated requirements with respect to driving time and breaks.
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This type of liability is premised on the legal theory that certain employers have a responsibility to implement policies and procedures designed to protect public safety. Unfortunately, trucking companies often take the opposite approach and push their truck drivers to meet unreasonable deadlines that often motivate truck drivers to use drugs while behind the wheel or operate the truck when they are impaired.
Lombardi & Lombardi Fight to Win Maximum Compensation for Victims of DUI/DWI Truck Accidents in NJ
You should not have to suffer the financial consequences of a commercial truck driver’s unacceptable decision to get behind the wheel of a massive truck while impaired by drugs or alcohol. At Lombardi & Lombardi, P.A., our knowledgeable team of truck accident lawyers will fight to recover the maximum amount of compensation possible in your case, including compensation for:
- Current and future medical bills
- Lost wages, salary and employment benefits
- Loss of earning capacity for the future
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- And more
Injuries caused by truck accidents can be devastating regardless of how the accident was caused. When the accident was DUI or drug-related, that devastation is increased all the more by the knowledge that the accident could have been prevented entirely had the driver behaved safely. Our lawyers are passionate about making sure these drivers and the companies that employ them are punished to the fullest extent of the law, including from a financial standpoint.
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Contact the NJ DUI and Drug-Related Truck Accident Lawyers at Lombardi & Lombardi, P.A. to Schedule a Free Initial Consultation
If you sustained injuries in an accident caused by a truck driver who was impaired by drugs or alcohol, you deserve financial compensation for those injuries. Call our dedicated DUI/DWI truck accident lawyers at Lombardi & Lombardi, P.A. today so that we can begin our fight for justice in your case 732-906-1500. You can also fill out this online form and we will respond promptly.
Frequently Asked Questions About DUI and Drug-Related Truck Accidents in New Jersey
Yes. The simple fact that the truck driver had a prescription for the drug that caused the accident is not sufficient to allow the responsible parties to escape liability. Regulations for commercial truck drivers apply equally in the case of prescription drugs and even over-the-counter drugs that can cause impairment. In fact, regulations imposed by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration prohibit commercial truck drivers from consuming any type of drug that might impair the senses within the four-hour window of time before operating the vehicle.
Unfortunately, the driver’s DWI/DUI is not always sufficient to establish liability. Our lawyers will work to obtain all the evidence necessary to establish the cause of your truck accident—which, in many cases, is the fact that the driver’s impairment caused that driver to drive negligently, thus causing the accident. The DWI/DUI charge can be used as evidence of the driver’s negligence but is not always sufficient to establish your right to compensation. Further, a lawyer can prove instrumental in obtaining the maximum amount of compensation available in your case to make sure you are fully compensated for your injuries.
