Miami Truck Accident DUI Lawyer
Drunk driving is dangerous under any circumstances. It is especially inexcusable when the drunk driver operates a commercial semi-truck. Commercial drivers are routinely entrusted to operate semi-trucks that can weigh upwards of 80,000 pounds. In the hands of a drunk driver, such a vehicle is a deadly weapon.
The Miami truck accident DUI lawyers at Pike & Lustig, LLP, represent victims who have been injured through the reckless and criminal actions of drunk tractor-trailer operators. We seek compensation for the victims and their families, not just from the drunk driver, but also the companies that knowingly employed such individuals without taking necessary steps to protect the public. While the criminal justice system can punish DUI, it is often left to the civil justice system to assist the victims of these accidents as they work to rebuild their lives.
The Impact of Drug and Alcohol Use on a Florida Truck Accident Lawsuit
In any personal injury case arising from a commercial truck accident, Florida law requires the plaintiffs–the victims seeking compensation–to prove that one or more defendants were negligent. Negligence can be something as simple as a minor traffic infraction like speeding or turning without properly signaling. It can also include more serious, criminal infractions like driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
One thing to note about commercial truck drivers is that Florida law subjects them to much stricter DUI standards than regular passenger vehicle drivers. For normal drivers, a blood-alcohol concentration of 0.08 percent or higher is considered legally intoxicated. For commercial truck operators, however, the BAC limit is just 0.04 percent, which for most people is the equivalent of consuming a single drink.
Additionally, due to the risk posed by truck drivers consuming any amount of alcohol or drugs while on duty, federal and state regulators also require trucking companies to perform pre-employment, post-accident, and periodic random drug and alcohol testing of their drivers. Employers must also perform such tests anytime they have a “reasonable suspicion” of drug or alcohol use by a driver.
Yet despite these regulations, we continue to see DUI truck accidents frequently in and around Miami. Obviously, if a truck driver is caught red-handed driving under the influence, that is often more than enough to prove negligence in a personal injury case. But a DUI can also impact a truck accident victim’s case in other ways. For example, the trucking company may be liable for negligence in their hiring and alcohol or drug testing practices. A Florida jury can also award punitive damages if an accident is caused by a drunk driver, something that is not an option in most other personal injury cases.
Contact Our Miami Truck Accident DUI Lawyers Today
If a drunk truck driver has injured or killed you or a member of your family, Florida law allows you to seek both economic and non-economic damages as compensation for your losses. The Miami truck accident DUI lawyers at Pike & Lustig, LLP, can review your case and advise you on how best to proceed. Contact us today at (561) 291-8298 to schedule a consultation.
