Fatal Impact of Truckers Driving Under the Influence in South Dakota

Imagine taking a peaceful drive through the open roads of South Dakota, when suddenly an 18-wheeler swerves towards your car, running you off the road, or worse, flipping over and landing on top of your motor vehicle. Unfortunately, this terrifying scenario occurs all too often in South Dakota, and it is sometimes the result of a truck driver operating the truck while under the influence of alcohol or other drugs.

Approximately 8% of all motor vehicle accidents in South Dakota are fatal crashes involving trucks, and approximately 1% of all fatal truck accidents in the United States are attributed to truckers driving under the influence. An accident with an 80,000 pound truck can cause serious personal injuries and, in many cases, even death.

For a driver operating a car or other motor vehicle that is not a commercial truck, the legal limit for blood alcohol content (BAC) is .08; however, the legal BAC limit for a truck driver is .04. As truck drivers are operating large vehicles for long periods of time, this is to avoid motor vehicle collisions and for the safety of everyone the road.

While all truck drivers with a CDL license are required to undergo drug testing, studies have shown a link between alcohol and drug use and truck accidents. Of the interstate truck drivers tested, approximately 30% were driving under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol including:

15% tested positive for marijuana
12% tested positive for non-prescription stimulants
2% tested positive for cocaine
Less than 1% tested positive for alcohol

The drugs listed above, including alcohol, increase the risk of truck crashes and have a negative effect on a driver's ability to operate a big rig by altering perception and decreasing:

Concentration
Attention
Coordination
Judgment
Reaction time

While trucking companies are responsible for their drivers, trucking companies cannot continuously monitor the drivers when they are making runs throughout South Dakota. However, a motor vehicle crash with a truck driver who is driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol may result in civil and criminal charges against both the truck driver and the trucking company.

The physical, emotional and financial impact of being involved in a motor vehicle accident with an 18-wheeler is distressing and overwhelming. Contact an experienced South Dakota personal injury attorney at Zimmer, Duncan & Cole toll free at (888) 733-2992; we will start working on your case immediately. If you have been in a motor vehicle accident with a truck driver order a free copy of the book 7 Deadly Sins That Can Wreck Your Injury Claim for information on how to protect yourself. You may also complete the contact form on this page and an experienced South Dakota personal injury lawyer will contact you and provide you with a free consultation.

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