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Drug Alcohol

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Truck Accidents Due to Drug and Alcohol Use

Police Stopping a Car

If a truck driver uses drugs and alcohol, they’re putting other travelers’ lives in danger. Truck driver alcohol and drug abuse is a serious problem for Arizona travelers. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, 3% of truck drivers involved in fatal accidents had alcohol in their system.  Another 2% of drivers had blood alcohol concentrations of 0.08 percent or higher.

Semi-truck driving can be difficult, and these complex machines can weigh over 80,000 pounds. Alcohol can negatively influence driving ability, and that’s why it’s imperative for truck drivers to be drug and alcohol-free. If you’ve been involved in a truck accident due to drug and alcohol use, you could be entitled to personal injury damages. 

Arizona ​​DUI Limits and Regulations

DUI is an abbreviation for Driving Under the Influence. Since it is illegal for motorists to be under the influence of alcohol or narcotics, truck drivers with a high blood-alcohol level can be charged with a DUI.

According to Arizona law, if a truck driver has a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 or higher, it’s illegal to operate a commercial vehicle. If a driver has a BAC of 0.15 or higher, it is classified as an extreme case of DUI. The higher a driver’s BAC, the higher the chances of them being in a truck DUI accident.

Drug & Alcohol Violations for Truck Drivers

The FMCSA understands the dangers of drinking and driving; that’s why truck drivers can be disqualified for drug and alcohol-related offenses. The first conviction of truck driving DUI is up to a year’s suspension. A DUI conviction can warrant a three years suspension when drivers transport hazardous materials.

Truck drivers can have their license suspended for life if they commit a felony while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Licensed commercial truck drivers have to undergo pre-employment drug and alcohol screening and post-accident screening as well. 

Arizona Truck Driving Law

Arizona commercial vehicle laws are in place because tractor-trailer accidents can have devastating effects. So what are the laws concerning DWI and AZ truck drivers? AZ laws prohibit a blood alcohol content (BAC) greater than 0.04 for truck drivers. 

There’s also a prohibition on consuming alcohol four hours before driving. If you’re involved in a truck driving accident because of truck driver drug or alcohol use, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries. Consult with an experienced AZ personal injury attorney to protect your rights. 

Drunk Driving Truck Accident Liability

When a truck driving accident occurs, it’s important to call 911 for the police and emergency medical care. Afterward, calling a personal injury lawyer at an Arizona law firm can be beneficial. 

The truck accident lawyers at Wattel & York can help you gather the following vital evidence to support your truck accident claim:

  • The police accident report
  • Truck accident crash photos and videos
  • Medical records 
  • Eyewitness statements about the truck driver’s actions
  • Trucking company employment records
  • CCTV video surveillance from nearby businesses that may have captured the accident
  • Black box data from the truck

Drunk Driving Truck Accident Damages

Drunk driving truck accident victims are entitled to benefits according to Arizona law. If you were injured in an accident involving a drunk truck driver, a commercial vehicle accident attorney might be able to recover damages for:

  • Costs to repair or replace your vehicle
  • Diminished quality of life
  • Disfigurement, scarring, or permanent disability
  • Lost wages from time you missed from work
  • Pain and suffering
  • Payment for medical bills and future medical expenses
  • Reduced earning capacity in serious accident cases

Drunk truck driver accident victims could also be awarded punitive damages. Punitive damages could equate to several times the compensatory damages. Skillful truck accident lawyers can help you secure economic, non-economic, and punitive damages today. Sit down with an adept AZ truck accident lawyer at Wattel & York to learn more. 

Arizona Truck DUI Lawsuits

If you’re interested in recovering financial compensation, your legal team will need to prove negligence to recover your losses. The damages you recover will depend on the severity of your accident. However, if you’re able to prove the truck driver was intoxicated, it could improve the viability of your claim. 

Truck accident lawsuits can be complex due to the nature of commercial vehicles, their size, and the laws involved. Although a DUI accident claim may appear simple, there may be factors that complicate your claim. That is why retaining a lawyer with experience in commercial vehicle litigation can improve your chances of receiving a satisfactory outcome. 

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“Amazing people, they had my claim for about a week before they were able to get my truck totaled out. Otherwise I would have been stuck with a truck that had heavy front end damage if they hadn’t stepped in to help me. I tried to deal with my insurance company myself for over a month and that got me nowhere, all I got was a massive headache and a messed up truck. They are very professional and act quickly on your claim. I highly recommend them to anyone who is looking for help.”

Candy J.

2/9/2020

“I was in an accident and decided to call Wattel and York. After months of going to a Chiropractor, I finally felt better. When it came time for settlement, the insurance company was making an offer I wanted to accept, Mr. Wattel advised against it and felt the insurance company was shortchanging me. He recommended I file a lawsuit and that will get them to cave. Well, Dave filed suit, and sure enough, the insurance company increased their offer by $4,000! I am very satisfied with how my case was handled.”

Nardeasha S.

20/20/2020

“Wattel & York were flat out outstanding with my personal injury case. They made the process painless and kept in constant communication throughout the entire time. Any questions I might’ve had were promptly answered and detail oriented. They gave me crucial advice that I would’ve otherwise not been aware of. I couldn’t have asked for more from them. Put your trust in these guys, you won’t be disappointed. Thanks Wattel & York.”

Mattew P.

13/9/2020

“Thank you so much for all your hard work on our behalf! Thinking I could handle it on my own, I was originally reluctant to take my accident claim to an attorney. But I am SO glad I called you instead. Your people were always helpful, pleasant and responsive at every step along the way. You represented us with honesty and integrity and made a traumatic experience as painless as it could be. And best of all, you helped us get a settlement that was fair and far more than I could ever have negotiated on my own! I highly recommend Wattel &York to anyone who has suffered a personal injury.”

Cathy M.

“I was the passenger in a vehicle that was 'T- Boned' at an intersection in 2014. The issues of responsibility and recovery became a difficult and convoluted confusion. I really needed help. This Team at Wattel and York walked me patiently and encouragingly through difficult months, sorting through issues and finally arriving at a satisfactory conclusion. I especially want to name two great and encouraging "warriors" of Wattel and York who directed me along the way..Brian Torba and Melissa Patterson..to them and the whole team I say "Thank You" with heart felt gratitude. Sincerely, God Bless You.”

Robert G.

“Honesty. Integrity. Transparency. Partnership. Wattel & York brought all of these qualities and more to my accident case. I'd love to thank all of the team members who helped me with the process: David Guzman, who conducted the initial interview in my home, Aly Shomar-Esparza, who seamlessly guided me through paperwork and filings, Debbie Harrach, who conducted final review, paperwork revisions and scheduling, and Thomas Grisoni, who counseled me before and attended my deposition. I never felt alone during the arduous process and always knew there was a professional team looking out for my best interest. I highly recommend Wattel & York if you are unfortunately involved in an accident that was not your fault.”

Russ W.

“I was a passenger in a car that got t-boned a few years ago and got a huge gash. I didn't know a lot about lawyers, so I basically just picked one on the flip of a coin. I called Wattel and York and they explained everything, I went into the office and filled out paperwork. Got treatment on my gash over the time I worked with them, glad I did as it opened back up a couple times and bled. They did really good, got me the maximum amount of money, and made sure I was well taken care of. I was updated from time to time so that was good. The only thing I might change is I never got to thank or talk to my lawyer. I think it was because I was already used to dealing with the lady at their Glendale office so they just kept her as my point of contact. So it's okay, I'll thank them with a good review. The last thing I could say about them is months after I thought my case was over they called me and said they had another check for me for a few hundred dollars. Apparently, they negotiated with the hospital I went to after the accident. It was a nice surprise and shows they really had my interests in mind.”

Trent B.

“Wattel & York has been great for me in the past few years. I was involved in a really bad accident while I was on Active Duty in Yuma, Arizona and they have been patient with me every step of the way through a very long process. I would recommend them to anyone thank you for all your help.”

Levy G.

“Appreciate David taking the time to speak with me. He was most kind. From the front line with the receptionist, to him, the firm was a class act all the way around.”

Claire B.

“Dave Wattel represented me and my son on a Personal Injury case from a motor vehicle accident back in 2009. Jake P. handled my deposition and Dave did the Quarterbacking. The insurance company hired NFL referee Ed Hochuli's firm to try and deny our claim. But Wattel & York made it look as easy as Tom Brady on the football field. The result was more than acceptable and my son and I were compensated for our injuries and rehabilitation. Dave Wattel cares about his clients. If I ever find myself in a situation like this again, Wattel & York will be on speed dial!!”

Vince C.

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