Commercial drivers are entrusted with vehicles capable of causing extraordinary harm. Choosing to drive a commercial truck after drinking is a serious breach of public trust. In addition, the trucking company may share responsibility for allowing an unsafe driver on the road.
Drunk driving truck accidents in Austin can involve failures in hiring, supervision, alcohol testing, or enforcement of company safety rules. In these matters, a truck accident lawyer can investigate the driver’s conduct, examine the trucking company’s safety practices, and identify every party that may share responsibility.
Texas Penal Code § 49.04 makes it illegal to operate a motor vehicle in a public place while intoxicated. A violation can provide strong evidence of fault in a personal injury claim. In these situations, even without a criminal charge or conviction for the at-fault driver, a person who suffered harm can still pursue compensation through a civil action.
After a crash with an impaired truck driver in Austin, useful evidence can include:
Since this evidence can quickly disappear, our attorneys send preservation notices, obtain available records, and work with qualified experts when accident reconstruction or toxicology analysis is needed.
Liability may extend beyond the truck driver. A trucking company can share responsibility when the driver was working within the course and scope of employment. The company may also be directly liable for unsafe hiring, ignoring warning signs, failing to conduct required testing, or pressuring drivers to violate safety rules.
Other parties may also be responsible. For example, a separate company that controlled the truck, employed the driver, or negligently entrusted the vehicle may share liability. An Austin truck wreck attorney will work to identify every party responsible for the drunk driving crash because commercial cases often involve several businesses and insurance policies.
An alcohol-related truck crash can cause serious injuries that require extensive treatment and long-term care. Common injuries include:
A personal injury claim can seek compensation for medical expenses, lost income, and physical limitations. It can also account for future treatment and other losses resulting from lasting injuries.
Seeking these damages requires attention to the applicable filing deadline. Under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code § 16.003, the deadline for filing most personal injury lawsuits is two years after the collision. If you seek legal guidance soon after a collision with a drunk truck driver, an Austin lawyer can take early steps to keep your case on track and preserve evidence.
Fleming Law Accident & Injury Attorneys has more than 30 years of experience helping injured people pursue accountability and compensation. Our team includes board-certified attorneys, and our firm has earned respected professional ratings. Your lawyer will personally guide your case, communicate with insurers, and explain each step in clear terms.
If you or a loved one was injured in a drunk driving truck accident in Austin, contact us for a free consultation. We are available 24 hours a day and will review your legal options without obligation.
(713) 221-6800 