Despite decades of efforts by federal and state law enforcement authorities to discourage people from driving while impaired by alcohol or drugs, plenty of drivers still irresponsibly choose to break the law by driving drunk. Unfortunately, some of those drivers are operating massive tractor-trailers at highway speeds—a combination that can and very often does lead to catastrophic traffic collisions that cause life-threatening injuries to other people involved.
Drunk driving truck accidents in Mesa are a textbook example of the harm negligence behind the wheel can cause, and they can accordingly serve as solid grounds for civil litigation nearly every time they occur. However, if you want to maximize the compensation you receive for the harm you should never have experienced, you will need the help of an experienced truck accident attorney from Phillips Law Group, who has handled cases like this successfully in the past.
Is Drunk Driving Always Considered “Negligence?”
No matter what type of vehicle they are operating, every licensed driver in Arizona has the same basic “duty of care,” requiring them to act responsibly and lawfully behind the wheel. Anyone who violates this duty by doing something reckless, careless, or illegal can be held liable under the legal theory of “negligence” for all injuries and losses stemming from an accident they cause through their misconduct.
It is against the law for people with commercial driver’s licenses to operate commercial vehicles with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.04 percent or more, so any truck driver who drives with a BAC that high—or while meaningfully impaired by alcohol or drugs in any other way—has “breached” their duty of care. Even if they did not break any other specific traffic law, the fact that they were driving drunk would likely be enough to make them civilly liable for any truck accident in Mesa they end up involved in while they are intoxicated.
Proving a Trucker Was Driving While Impaired
Of course, believing that a truck driver involved in a traffic accident was drunk or high behind the wheel is one thing, and proving they were impaired to the satisfaction of an insurance company or civil court judge is another entirely. While civil claims are subject to a less strict standard of proof than the “beyond a reasonable doubt” standard applicable to criminal cases, proving someone liable for an injury through a “preponderance of the evidence” can still be time-consuming and labor-intensive.
On that note, various forms of evidence may be needed to establish a truck driver involved in a Mesa truck accident was impaired at the time of the wreck, including:
- Witness testimony
- Crash scene photos and videos
- Data from the onboard data recorder of the truck involved
- Surveillance/dashboard camera footage
- Receipts from bars or liquor stores
- Debris from the crash scene, such as beer cans on the floor of a truck’s cab
A seasoned truck accident lawyer can provide vital help with collecting key information and effectively using it during settlement negotiations or, if necessary, litigation in civil court.
Get Help From a Mesa Attorney With a Drunk Driving Truck Accident Lawsuit
Few things are more devastating than sustaining a serious injury in a traffic crash caused by a drunk truck driver. Fortunately, you have help available to demand fair financial recovery in the aftermath from a dedicated legal professional willing to fight tirelessly to protect your rights.
A conversation with a truck accident lawyer from Phillips Law Group can give you the support you need to obtain the restitution you deserve. Do not hesitate to reach out! Call today to learn more from one of our team members about your options following a drunk-driving truck accident in Mesa. Your initial consultation is free, and you are not obligated to work with us after this visit.
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