The perils associated with drinking and driving have been known for decades. Accidents due to the diminished cognitive abilities of an impaired driver, their delayed reaction times, or loss of balance and blurred vision have been well documented. However, the problem does not seem to be going away, and the number of accidents related to driving while under the influence has not decreased. Sadly, when the accident involves a truck, the losses and injuries tend to be even more catastrophic. If you or a loved one have sustained injuries in an accident with a truck driver who was under the influence, please reach out to the experienced truck accident attorneys from the law office of Ogg, Murphy & Perkosky in Pittsburgh. You have legal rights, and we will fight on your behalf.
What You Should Do After Being Injured in An Accident with An Intoxicated Truck Driver
There are several crucial steps that you should take immediately after the accident. Keep them in mind:
Stay Safe
Right after the collision, you may feel disoriented and unsure of what to do. The first step is to check yourself for injuries. If they are extensive, it is much more important to get yourself to an emergency room right away than worrying about the damage to your car. If your injuries allow it, get yourself and your passengers to a safe location by the side of the road. You don’t want to be hit again by another driver.
Call 911
By calling 911, you can inform the operator about the accident and request the police and EMTs to come to the scene. At this time, if you suspect that the truck operator is under the influence of alcohol or drugs, let the operator know. Police will arrive at the scene and, after analyzing the situation, will issue a report. Request a copy to give to your attorney.
Refrain From Making Any Comments
Remember that it is very easy to incriminate yourself and that words have a way of getting twisted or misinterpreted. Keep your opinions to yourself or share them with your accident attorney. The police have the expertise to arrive at their own conclusions. Never apologize since this may be interpreted as an admission of guilt by the insurance company. Keep your answers to the police short and courteous.
Seek Medical Attention
If your injuries are severe, you will be taken to the emergency room. Otherwise, take the time to get a complete medical checkup as soon as possible after the accident. You not only need to establish documentation about your injuries, but you may also have internal lesions or bleeding that are not immediately obvious and may require treatment. Prioritizing your health should be your number one concern after being in an accident.
Contact Your Insurance Company
After every accident, it is important to let your insurance company know what happened. They will probably ask you for a copy of the police report and will want to hear your story. However, do not negotiate with them without talking to your attorney. They may pressure you into accepting a lowball offer that will be insufficient to cover your medical expenses and other damages. Let your attorney take over the negotiations on your behalf.
How Your Pittsburgh Truck Accident Attorney Can Help
Truck accidents involving alcohol, drugs, or a combination of both, can leave you with disabling injuries and steep financial losses. Your truck accident attorney from the law firm of Ogg, Murphy & Perkosky in Pittsburgh will help you by:
- Conducting a thorough investigation into the accident and what contributed to it.
- Gathering all evidence and the necessary documentation to establish fault.
- Negotiating with insurance companies on your behalf.
- Building a strong case for your defense and managing it so that you can concentrate on recovering your health.
- Exploring all options available for holding the truck driver and their trucking company accountable for the injuries you have sustained.
What DUI or DWI regulations affect truck drivers?
Any driver with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.08 percent or above, is over the legal limit. However, when it comes to truck drivers, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration establishes a cutoff of 0.04 percent blood alcohol content. This means that truck drivers face much harsher limits when charged with a DUI or DWI.
Also, the US Department of Transportation regulates alcohol and drug testing for drivers with a commercial license. These drivers must submit to a test before their employment, after an accident, at random intervals, when they return to work if they have been absent for a while, or whenever their employer has reason to suspect either drug or alcohol abuse.
If a truck driver drinks during their time off and receives a traffic violation, they must immediately report these charges to their employer, regardless of the type of vehicle involved.
Proving That Drunk Driving Caused the Accident
The truck accident attorneys at the law firm of Ogg, Murphy & Perkosky in Pittsburgh will pursue maximum compensation for your truck accident claim. To do so, they will analyze the police report, your medical records, videos of the scene, eyewitness statements, the driver’s employment records, and more.
Schedule an initial consultation and no-obligation case evaluation today. There is no time to waste when it comes to filing a personal injury claim.
Ogg, Murphy & Perkosky, P.C’s main office is located at 245 Fort Pitt Blvd, Pittsburgh, PA 15222, only about 8 minutes from Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, just over a mile away from The Andy Warhol Museum, and about 2 minutes away from the Point State Park. Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium is only 12 minutes away. Gary Ogg, Mike Murphy, John Perkosky, David Houk, and Ben Gobel, the principal attorneys at Ogg, Murphy & Perkosky, P.C, are your trusted source for addressing personal injury, medical malpractice, and workers’ compensation cases. With a proven history of expertise and success, Ogg, Murphy & Perkosky ensures your legal representation instills confidence in every aspect of your case. Call our Pittsburgh law firm today at (412) 471-8500 with further questions.