If you were injured in a truck accident caused by an impaired driver in Atlanta, Georgia, you may have the right to pursue significant compensation. These crashes often result in devastating injuries, and evidence that the truck driver was impaired may play an important role in establishing liability.
Rafi Law Firm has more than 50 years of combined experience fighting for accident victims in complex personal injury cases. Our Atlanta truck accident attorneys have already recovered more than $200 million for our clients and are confident we can help you win your claim as well. Contact us today at (404) 800-9933 to schedule your free consultation.
How Rafi Law Firm Can Help After a Drug or Alcohol-Related Truck Crash in Atlanta, GA
Truck accidents in Atlanta, GA, may involve multiple liable parties and insurance policies, making it difficult to recover full compensation without experienced legal help. At Rafi Law Firm, our Atlanta personal injury attorneys know how to investigate these complex claims and build strong cases from the start.
When you hire our team, we can:
- Investigate the crash and secure critical evidence early
- Obtain the truck driver’s drug and alcohol testing records
- Review the trucking company’s hiring and compliance files
- Identify all of the potentially liable parties
- Work with accident reconstruction specialists
- Handle all of the communications with the insurance companies
- Take your case to trial if that is what it takes
Contact us today to schedule a free consultation with an Atlanta truck accident lawyer. We’ll be able to answer all of your questions during your free consultation.
Federal Regulations That Prohibit Truck Driver Drug and Alcohol Use
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration enforces strict drug and alcohol rules for commercial drivers who are subject to federal testing requirements. These rules are outlined in 49 CFR Part 382. Federal regulations prohibit commercial drivers from performing safety-sensitive functions with an alcohol concentration of 0.04% or higher.
Truck drivers are also subject to a five-panel drug test that screens for marijuana, cocaine, amphetamines, opioids, and PCP. These substances are prohibited regardless of whether they are legal in a particular state. Marijuana is the most common substance detected in positive tests, accounting for the majority of the violations reported to the FMCSA Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse to date.
When Is Drug and Alcohol Testing Required for Truckers in Atlanta?
Federal law requires trucking companies to test their drivers at several different points.
The main categories of required testing include:
- Pre-employment testing before a driver is allowed to operate a commercial vehicle
- Post-accident testing after certain qualifying crashes, with federal rules setting specific time limits for alcohol and drug testing
- Random testing throughout the year at the minimum rates established by federal regulations
- Reasonable suspicion testing when a trained supervisor observes signs of impairment
- Return-to-duty testing after a prior violation, along with follow-up testing over a set period of time
If a trucking company fails to follow these requirements, it is not just the driver who may be held responsible. A trucking company’s failure to comply with applicable testing requirements may also be important evidence in an investigation into whether the company contributed to the crash. Our truck accident attorneys know how to investigate these failures and use them to strengthen your case.
What Damages Can I Recover in an Atlanta Truck Accident Claim?
Victims of drug or alcohol-related truck accidents in Atlanta can pursue both economic and non-economic damages.
Economic damages may include:
- Current and future medical bills
- Lost wages
- Diminished earning capacity
- Property damage to your vehicle
- Out-of-pocket expenses tied to the accident
Non-economic damages may include:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Trauma and mental anguish
- Loss of enjoyment of life
Punitive damages may also be available in some cases involving particularly serious misconduct. These damages are intended to punish and deter wrongful conduct rather than compensate a victim for a specific loss.
What Is Georgia’s Statute of Limitations for Truck Accident Claims?
Georgia’s statute of limitations gives you two years from the date of your accident to file a personal injury lawsuit in most cases. If you do not file within that window, you could lose your right to pursue compensation altogether.
However, since truck accident cases involving impaired drivers require extensive investigation and evidence preservation, it is important to get a lawyer on your side as soon as possible. Contact our legal team today so that we can make sure you take proper legal action before the deadline passes.
Schedule a Free Consultation With an Atlanta Truck Accident Lawyer
Truck driver drug and alcohol use puts everyone on the road at risk. If you or a loved one were injured in one of these crashes in Atlanta, GA, Rafi Law Firm is ready to fight for the maximum compensation you need and deserve. Contact our award-winning Atlanta truck accident attorneys today for a free, no-obligation case review.
