Reducing drunk driving has been a public health and law enforcement priority for decades. The act of operating a vehicle while intoxicated is incredibly dangerous and can put the driver and others around them at risk. This is especially true in situations involving truckers. Drunk driving truck accidents in Mankato can cause severe injuries and death.

If you have been injured in a truck crash or your loved one was killed in a truck crash, you deserve rightful compensation for your losses. Do not hesitate to speak with a compassionate tractor-trailer collision attorney today.

Impaired Driving Rules for Commercial License Holders

Minnesota sets the legal blood alcohol concentration (BAC) at 0.08 for most drivers, but the law holds commercial driver’s license (CDL) holders to a higher standard. According to federal and Minnesota law, truckers can be prosecuted for driving while intoxicated if their BAC exceeds 0.04.

A trucker convicted of impaired driving can lose their CDL for a year. Two lifetime convictions can lead to permanent revocation of a CDL and permanent job termination.

Multiple parties may be held responsible if a trucker causes a wreck while driving under the influence. These could include the truck driver, employer, vehicle owner, and other motorists.

A Mankato lawyer who handles drunk driving truck crash cases can review the evidence and bring a claim against all parties who might have contributed to the collision.

Identifying Responsible Parties in Impaired Trucker Crashes

A trucker who chooses to drink alcohol or use drugs and then drive is responsible for their actions and the consequences. If the trucker is an employee, the company that hired them to drive can also be at fault for any harm caused by their actions.

Minnesota Statutes 340A.801, the state’s dram shop law, states that if a drunk driver causes harm, the injured party or their family can hold a bar, restaurant, or other licensed establishment responsible for allowing a visibly intoxicated person to buy or consume alcohol.

A Mankato attorney must prove the trucker was visibly intoxicated when they bought or consumed the alcohol and that the trucker’s drunkenness was the direct cause of the accident that caused the claimant’s injuries.

Obtaining Fair Compensation in Drunk Truck Driver Claims

Truck crashes are extremely dangerous for the occupants of smaller vehicles. They may suffer severe, permanent injuries that lead to lifetime disability. The parties responsible for the accident must compensate an injured person for their losses.

Compensatory damages are the verifiable losses the claimant experienced due to the crash. These include the following:

  • Medical expenses
  • Rehabilitation expenses
  • Lost wages
  • Reduced future earning potential

An injured person is also entitled to compensation for their diminished quality of life after the crash. They could claim damages for pain, mental anguish, disfigurement, and the other subjective impacts of the accident.

A Mankato truck collision lawyer can review the evidence of a drunk driving case and help you calculate a fair damage award.

Seek Compensation for a Drunk Driving Truck Accident With a Mankato Attorney

Driving a truck while intoxicated is an irresponsible act. Drunk driving truck accidents in Mankato should never happen. If a crash involving an impaired trucker causes injuries, you can seek compensation for your losses.

Our dedicated legal team consists of lawyers from Southern Minnesota who provide the exceptional services you would expect in a Twin Cities firm.  Prompt action after a collision can strengthen your case, so reach out today for a free meeting with our personal injury attorneys.