Texas DUI Truck Accident Lawyer

Have You Been In a Texas Truck Accident Caused By a Drunk Driver?

Alcohol and drug usage play a role in far too many trucking accidents. Truck drivers are professionals, and they are put in charge of a large piece of machinery that is capable of catastrophic damage if not handled properly. Because of this, when a truck driver chooses to use drugs or alcohol before getting behind the wheel, and then they cause an accident which hurts you or a loved one, you should contact the truck driver DUI accident attorneys in Texas at the Merritt & Merritt Law Firm. Following are some of the more common reasons truck drivers use drugs and alcohol.

Call us today at (713) 535-7051.

Reasons Truck Drivers Use Drugs & Alcohol

There are various reasons why truck drivers use drugs and alcohol, but some of the most common reasons encountered by our truck driver DUI accident attorneys in Texas are:

Stress & Fatigue

Truck driving is a stressful career. Truckers are asked to meet deadlines when making their deliveries, and often these deadlines do not factor in unpreventable and unpredictable delays. Truckers spend long hours on the road to stay on schedule, and their drug usage is often to help them stay awake so they can drive for an extended period of time.

Loneliness

Loneliness is another reason some truck drivers turn to drugs and alcohol. Long hours spent alone on the road, away from friends and family, can take its toll. Some truck drivers use drugs and alcohol to help them deal with the effects of the loneliness brought on by their career.

Sleep

Truck drivers are allowed, by federal and state law, to have a certain amount of time off for sleep. But what if they are not able to go to sleep when they are scheduled? Knowing they will soon have to be back behind the wheel, truckers are often tempted to take drugs or drink alcohol to help them unwind and sleep.

Common Drugs Used By Truck Drivers

Truck drivers have been known to abuse a wide variety of drugs. Some drugs, however, seem to be more commonly abused.

Drugs Used for Relaxation & Sleep

Driving a truck requires spending long hours being responsible for a huge big-rig. Drivers must be constantly aware of their surroundings to ensure the safety of themselves and others. When they are finally able to slow down and rest, they are often too keyed up to do so. To help them slow down both physically and mentally, some may turn to marijuana or alcohol. Marijuana is used as a way to relax and calm down. Unfortunately, marijuana has some side effects that are not good for truck drivers. This includes:

• Difficulty with thinking and solving problems
• Memory impairment
• Slower reaction time

Alcohol usage is also a problem for some truck drivers. While consuming alcohol is legal for adults over the age of 21, it is not legal for truck drivers who are behind the wheel. As a matter of fact, truck drivers are not supposed to consume any alcohol within four hours of a shift. Also, in most circumstances, their BAC must also not be more than .04%. If it is, then they are considered to have broken the law and may be arrested for DUI.

Drugs Used to Stay Awake

While some drugs are chosen by truck drivers to help them relax and rest, others are chosen for the opposite reason: to help them stay awake and alert. Truck drivers face immense pressure to deliver their goods on-time, and their ability to meet, or exceed, their assigned delivery times usually has a direct effect on their paycheck.

Cocaine is one drug of choice to help drivers be able to drive for longer hours. Cocaine is a stimulant that truck drivers may find helps them get through long stretches of time where there is nothing else to alleviate their boredom. However, cocaine usage can also lead to negative side effects, including restlessness, erratic behavior, and an increased heart rate.

Methamphetamines are another popular choice among truck drivers that need help staying awake on the road. It is also a stimulant that speeds up the central nervous system of the body. Unfortunately, it is easily available and has numerous negative side effects, including:

• Reduction in motor speed
• Paranoia
• Rapid heart rate
• Increase in blood pressure
• Hyperthermia

With both of these drugs, there is also the chance of accidental overdose, which may cause seizures, brain damage, and even death.

Special Considerations for Trucking Accidents Caused By DUI & Drugs

Truck driving is a profession which requires its drivers to have certain credentials and receive specialized training. Because of this, truck drivers are held to a higher standard than people who do not drive large trucks for a living. There are federal standards for truckers that drive between different states, and there are Texas standards for those that drive within the bounds of our state.

Although they are part of a stressful career field, truckers should be well equipped to handle the stresses they encounter, and they should be held liable when they turn to drugs and alcohol. They are responsible for operating massive motor vehicles that have the potential to demolish other motor vehicles and their occupants, and when they don’t take that responsibility seriously, our truck driver DUI accident attorneys in Texas are here to help victims injured in trucking accidents.

Speak With Our Truck Driver DUI Accident Attorneys In Texas

Being injured in a trucking accident is never easy, but knowing that the truck driver was driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol makes it even worse. If this has happened to you, remember that this is not something you have to handle on your own. Speak with our truck driver DUI accident attorneys in Texas at the Merritt & Merritt Law Firm. We will review your case with you and help determine your best course of action. We may be reached by calling (713) 535-7051 or via our contact page.