Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol is an even greater menace when the vehicle is an 80,000-pound tractor trailer. Unfortunately, research confirms that substance abuse is not uncommon among truck drivers. If you have been injured or lost a loved one in a truck accident and you believe substance abuse may have been a factor, contact the personal injury lawyers at Bross, McAllister & Williams, LLC in Atlanta or Suwanee right away. We can thoroughly investigate your accident to determine cause and liability and fight for the compensation you and your family deserve.
Why Choose Bross, McAllister & Williams, LLC?
We are not intimidated by large corporations and will not hesitate to go to court if necessary to pursue full and fair compensation for you.
Our Georgia personal injury attorneys have been recognized by their peers for their experience and skills with the National Trial Lawyers Top 40 Under 40 award.
Our firm has a proven record of results, having successfully recovered millions of dollars in verdicts and settlements for our clients.
Data About Substance Abuse Among Truckers
In a study published by BMJ, researchers analyzed evidence from all over the world to determine how frequently psychoactive substances, such as marijuana, cocaine, amphetamines, and alcohol, are used among truck drivers. Thirty-six studies were included in the review, mainly from large countries that rely heavily on trucking, such as the U.S. Most of these studies relied on what drugs the truck driver admitted to having taken, although some involved drug testing, and two studies used both drug testing and drivers’ admissions. Overall, researchers found that the use of mind-altering substances was high among truckers and linked to poor working conditions.
Between 3% and 4%, on average tested positive for alcohol.
Nearly 20% of drivers said they had used marijuana.
3% said they had used cocaine.
What Types of Substances Do Truck Drivers Use?
As stated by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) in its Large Truck Crash Causation Study Analysis Brief, two of the top 10 factors contributing to truck accidents assigned to large trucks and their drivers are prescription drug use and over-the-counter drug use. Truckers often use prescription or non-prescription stimulants to stay awake on the road. Recent studies have shown that marijuana, cocaine, methamphetamine, and alcohol also play a role.
Why You Need a Truck Accident Attorney in Gwinnett County
Truck drivers under the influence of mind-altering substances can cause deadly collisions in which passenger vehicle occupants are most likely to suffer serious injuries or death. If you have been the victim of such an accident, it is in your best interests to get an experienced personal injury lawyer by your side. A wrongful death lawyer can also help you file a claim for the loss of a loved one due to a negligent driver. Truck accidents are complex cases, typically involving high stakes, federal and state regulations, and multiple potentially responsible parties. The trucking company and its insurers are likely to have teams of lawyers working against your claim to minimize their payout.
Get In Touch with Our Firm
At Bross, McAllister & Williams, LLC, we have focused our practice on representing injured people. We are here for you and committed to pursuing compensation to help you get back on your feet. If you or your loved one has been the victim of a truck accident and substance abuse, call us as soon as possible to speak with a Gwinnett County truck accident attorney.
