In Michigan, the rules for truck drivers and alcohol are strict. Commercial drivers operating vehicles like semi-trucks, buses, or large delivery vans face a lower Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) limit. Federal law, which applies in Michigan, makes it illegal for a commercial truck driver to operate their vehicle with a BAC of 0.04% or higher. This is half the 0.08% limit for drivers of regular passenger cars.
If you or a family member suffered serious injuries – such as broken bones, spinal cord damage, or a traumatic brain injury – in a Michigan truck accident caused by an impaired truck driver, you have the right to seek compensation. This can cover your medical treatment costs, lost income from being unable to work, physical pain, and emotional suffering.
Should a Department of Transportation (DOT) mandated drug and alcohol test reveal the truck driver’s BAC was .04% or above at the time of the crash, the trucking company (the driver’s employer) can also be held responsible for your injuries.
Our Michigan truck accident lawyers, experienced in personal injury claims involving impaired commercial drivers, will investigate your case. We work to secure the full compensation you are entitled to if you were hit by a truck driver under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Holding Negligent Trucking Companies Accountable for DUI Accidents
Trucking companies have a responsibility to prevent their drivers from operating massive vehicles while impaired. They cannot ignore signs of alcohol abuse or drug use among their semi-truck drivers or other commercial operators. If a trucking company allows a driver with a known drinking problem to get behind the wheel of an 18-wheeler, they are endangering everyone on Michigan roads.
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What is “Negligent Hiring” or “Negligent Retention” of a Truck Driver?
Your Michigan truck accident lawyer will investigate if the trucking company itself was negligent. This can happen in a few ways:
- Negligent Hiring: If the trucking company hired a driver with a history of DUI convictions, multiple traffic violations, or a known substance abuse problem without proper screening.
- Negligent Retention: This occurs if a trucking company keeps a driver employed even after learning they are no longer fit to drive a commercial truck safely. Reasons a driver might become unqualified include:
- A pattern of preventable accidents or near-misses.
- Developing an on-the-job alcohol or drug problem.
- Failing random drug or alcohol tests.
- Developing medical conditions that impair their ability to drive a large truck safely.
The immense size and weight of tractor-trailers and other heavy commercial trucks mean that crashes often result in catastrophic injuries or fatalities. If our truck accident lawyers find evidence that the truck driver was intoxicated (e.g., failed a breathalyzer or blood test), we can also explore if the trucking company failed to properly supervise the driver or enforce safety policies. A history of DUIs could point directly to negligent hiring or retention, significantly strengthening your injury claim.
Don’t Face the Trucking Company’s Legal Team Alone After a DUI Crash
Truck accidents involving alcohol impairment are complex. Trucking companies and their insurance providers have experienced lawyers whose job is to minimize payouts. Our Michigan truck accident law firm has the resources and a proven history of successfully litigating against large trucking corporations and their insurers. We know how to counter their tactics.
Michigan Truck Accident Lawyers for Victims of Impaired Drivers
If you or a loved one sustained severe injuries in a collision with a large commercial truck (like a semi or big rig) in Michigan, and you suspect the truck driver was drunk or impaired by drugs, contact our Michigan truck accident lawyers for a free case review. If we determine you have a valid claim, our team will act quickly to:
- Preserve crucial evidence from the accident scene (e.g., driver logs, truck maintenance records, police reports, toxicology reports).
- Identify all responsible parties (the driver and potentially the trucking company).
- Calculate the full extent of your damages (current and future medical bills, lost earning capacity, pain, suffering, etc.).
If a drunk or drugged truck driver injured you in Michigan, contact Joseph Dedvukaj today. With 30 years of experience, our truck accident attorneys aggressively pursue negligence claims for victims. We work on a contingency fee basis.
This means you pay no upfront costs, and our law firm only gets paid if we win compensation for you. We cover all case expenses.
Call 248-352-2110, toll-free at 1-866-447-3563, or complete our Contact Form to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with a Michigan truck accident lawyer specializing in DUI-related crashes. We offer a no-win, no-fee promise.