Commercial truck drivers are required to operate their vehicles in a safe manner. Drinking and driving above the legal limit is prohibited.
If you or a family member have been injured in an accident involving a DUI truck driver, you have a right to pursue compensation for the losses that you have suffered. The Milwaukee truck accident attorneys and DUI lawyers at Cannon & Dunphy S.C. have significant experience in cases involving intoxicated drivers. As trial lawyers, we are confident in taking cases to trial when necessary.
According to the most recent statistics from the Wisconsin department of motor vehicles, someone is injured or killed in an alcohol-related crash on a Wisconsin roadway every 2.9 hours. Convictions for DUI offenses occur at a rate of more than 65 per day.
Truck drivers may be under the influence of either alcohol or drugs, whether recreational or prescribed medications. While prescribed medications are legal – many affect the ability to drive safely.
Wisconsin law calls for the suspension of a commercial driving license if the driver tests over the legal limit for blood alcohol concentration (.04%). The driver will also lose their license if they refuse to submit to a blood alcohol test.
This rule applies to the driver no matter what kind of vehicle they are driving at the time of the offense. It is worth noting that the .04% figure is half the blood level concentration standard (.08%) that applies to non-commercial drivers. Penalties are even more severe if the driver was transporting hazardous material at the time of the offense. While a truck driver could face criminal charges, the issue of compensation for damages for injured victims will be addressed in civil court and is a separate legal action. Our Milwaukee DUI truck accident attorneys can help work out the specifics of your case.
It may appear clear that an intoxicated truck driver will be held accountable for the injuries or deaths in an accident. When a large insurance settlement or jury award is at stake, this fact may be contested by insurance company defense lawyers.
Even when it is proven that the driver was intoxicated, the trucking firm’s insurance company may seek any facts that could prove you were partly to blame for the accident. It is in your best interests to have an experienced Milwaukee truck accident attorney to protect your rights and interests at every step of the process.
If the driver is an independent contractor, i.e., working for hire, they will have their own insurance. If the driver works for a commercial trucking company, it will be necessary to file a claim with the trucking firm’s insurer to seek compensation. The driver personally accountable for driving while intoxicated may also be named in the lawsuit filed to seek to recover compensation.
If you’ve been involved in an accident with a commercial truck, you may have suffered serious injuries. You need the help of an experienced trial lawyer to help you pursue just compensation by negotiating a fair settlement or by seeking justice in a civil trial.
At Cannon & Dunphy S.C., we will evaluate the extent of the damages that you have suffered to determine the value of your case. Our Wisconsin personal injury lawyers aim to get the largest settlement possible for our clients, and to date, we have recovered over $1 billion in damages.
No case is too big or too small if it has merit. A no-cost consultation can help you learn more about seeking just compensation after a DUI truck driver caused you serious injuries or you lost a loved one. Call us today.
