New Braunfels Truck Driver DWI Accident Attorney

Truck Driver Drunk Driving and Drug Use Accidents in Comal, Hays, and Guadalupe Counties

Anyone who drinks to excess or uses drugs and then gets behind the wheel of a vehicle jeopardizes not only their own safety but that of everyone else on the roads. It is even more dangerous when a big-rig operator drives their vehicle under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

A semitruck with its trailer can weigh up to 80,000 pounds (40 tons), and Texas truck accidents are far more likely than other types of accidents to result in devastating injuries or death to those involved. In the large majority of Comal County's truck wrecks, it is those in the nontruck vehicle that are seriously injured or killed. At The Bettersworth Law Firm, we fight for the rights of truck accident victims, ensuring that an intoxicated truck driver will be held responsible for causing them harm.

High Volume of Big Rigs on Comal County Roadways

A large portion of the traffic traveling on Interstate 10 and Interstate 35 each day are semitrucks. If the drivers of these trucks choose to drive after using alcohol or drugs, all of the New Braunfels commuters and residents who use these highways are put at risk.

When drug or alcohol use by a truck driver causes an accident, that driver is legally responsible for any resulting injuries or deaths. These truck wreck victims should call a top Comal County big-rig accident lawyer at The Bettersworth Law Firm for advice as soon as possible.

DWI Charges for Commercial Drivers in Texas

In Texas, a driver can be charged with Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) if they have a blood alcohol content (BAC) of greater than .08. However, if an 18-wheeler is operated by someone who has been drinking any amount of alcohol, this could impair their ability to drive their truck safely. When truck drivers drink and drive, it increases the chances that they will be involved in a DWI truck crash with devastating results. Because of these risks, truck drivers have a lower BAC limit when driving commercial vehicles, and they may be charged with DWI if their BAC is at least .04.

Can Criminal Evidence Collected by Police Be Used in a Civil Lawsuit?

Drunk and drugged driving is a crime. Therefore, when police come to investigate the crash, they will likely subject the truck driver to breath, blood, or urine tests if they suspect alcohol or drug impairment. Evidence of impaired driving will typically result in criminal charges and a conviction.

As a victim of the crash, you have the right to pursue a separate civil lawsuit against the impaired truck driver and their employer. In preparation for that civil suit, your attorney can subpoena those test results to be used in your case.

Are Truck Drivers More Likely to Be Impaired by Drugs or Alcohol?

It is hard to find reliable statistics on drunk vs. drugged driving among truck drivers. Anecdotally, however, it is widely known that many truckers rely on stimulants to keep themselves awake for extended periods of time. These could include legal stimulants like caffeine and nicotine, but also illegal drugs like speed, meth, and cocaine.

Obviously, any driver is dangerous while they are high on an illegal drug, but they are likely also dangerous after the high has worn off as well. In sufficient quantities, the street drugs mentioned above can keep someone awake for days, but the effects will eventually wear off. When they do, the driver is going to be incredibly fatigued and in no condition to be behind the wheel.

Contact Our New Braunfels, TX DWI Truck Wreck Lawyer

While some Texas truck accidents may truly be accidents, truck wrecks involving drug and alcohol use usually could have been prevented. If a truck driver chose to drive drunk and caused an accident that injured or killed someone, they need to be held liable for their actions. If you have been involved in a DWI truck accident, contact a New Braunfels truck wreck lawyer today at 830-606-0404. The Bettersworth Law Firm offers free, no-obligation consultations.