If traveling alongside a commercial truck on Pennsylvania’s roadways makes you uneasy, your concerns may be justifiable.
When cars and trucks get into crashes, the people in the cars often suffer the most severe consequences. Semi-trucks pose a significant threat to all motorists, even under the best possible conditions.
Unfortunately, many truck drivers are also taking risks while on the job that can endanger everyone they encounter.
Consulting a commercial truck accident attorney is vital to understanding your rights and navigating potential legal challenges.
For example, a fully loaded semi-truck can weigh up to 80,000 pounds. This makes it much harder to stop fast than a passenger car. In an emergency, this can cause serious accidents.
Additionally, large blind spots around these trucks make it hard for drivers to see smaller vehicles. This increases the chance of collisions.
Some of those risks, according to the American Addiction Centers, include abusing drugs or alcohol. This can happen before driving or while sitting at a truck’s controls.
Unfortunately, truckers abuse substances far more frequently than you might think.
According to a Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration study, about 3% of commercial truck drivers used drugs or alcohol. They reported use while driving in the past month. That equals thousands of drivers on the road. These drivers may endanger themselves and others.
Just how frequently are professional truck drivers turning to drugs and alcohol while at work? The numbers may shock you, as they indicate a serious issue within the industry that requires urgent attention.
According to study results from 2000 to 2013, substance abuse among truckers is very common in the industry.
As many as 91% of semi-truck drivers in the studies said they abused alcohol while driving. This makes alcohol the most commonly abused substance in the industry.
This striking statistic suggests many truckers may use alcohol to handle job stress. Their work is often long and demanding.
Additionally, the pressure to meet deadlines can lead some drivers to make dangerous choices, such as drinking while on the road.
In many cases, these drivers may not even realize the extent of their abuse or the risks they are taking.
Alcohol was not, however, the only substance used by truckers while at work.
About 82.5% of truckers in those 36 studies said they abused amphetamines at work. They did this to stay alert longer, finish jobs faster, or cope with demanding schedules.
This raises serious safety concerns, because using stimulants can increase risk-taking and harm judgment.
More than 8% of surveyed truck drivers said they used cocaine at work at some point. This can affect judgment and cause risky driving.
The mix of fatigue, pressure to perform, and substance abuse can cause serious road accidents. It puts everyone at risk.
If you are in an accident with a truck, a commercial truck accident attorney can help you handle your case.
Consulting a Commercial Truck Accident Attorney for Your Case
This article about the prevalence of substance abuse in the trucking industry is informational in nature and does not constitute legal advice.
If you or a loved one have been involved in a commercial truck accident and suspect that the truck driver may have been under the influence of drugs or alcohol, it is essential to speak with a qualified commercial truck accident attorney.
Legal representation can help protect your rights. It can also help you get fair compensation. This includes any injuries or damages caused by a reckless truck driver.
Reach out by phone or complete a contact form to arrange a free consultation with Douglas, Joseph & Olson Attorneys At Law with our experienced commercial truck accident lawyers.
