Sevierville Truck Accident Lawyers Handling Cases Involving Drunk Driving

Fighting for the rights of crash victims in Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, and Seymour

The statistics are overwhelming that driving under the influence (DUI) of drugs or alcohol leads to catastrophic or deadly injuries. While driving while intoxicated is dangerous for all drivers, it is especially hazardous for truckers. Drunk truck drivers cause serious accidents and deaths because of the sheer size and weight of the vehicles they operate. All states make it illegal to drive if a person’s blood alcohol content (BAC) is more than .08%, but commercial truck drivers can be charged with a DUI if their BAC is more than .04%.

The Sevierville truck accident attorneys at Delius & McKenzie, PLLC understand how devastating a drunk driving accident can be, especially when it involves a truck. Our lawyers have been helping the victims and families of these accidents get justice for more than 20 years. We leverage our experience in criminal defense to build a strong case for compensation on your behalf.

Accountability for DUI truck accidents

The truck driver is not the only party that can be held liable after an accident. Our Sevierville DUI truck accident attorneys have been able to obtain many large jury verdicts and negotiated settlements because we bring claims against all the responsible parties. The people and businesses that can be held responsible for a DUI truck accident include:

• The truck driver. This person bears primary responsibility for any truck accident.
• The truck owner. Many times, the truck is owned by another person or company. Truck owners have a duty to make sure their drivers understand the dangers of drunk driving. They have a simple remedy if they have reason to believe the driver may drive while intoxicated—take away the keys to the truck. They can also communicate with the driver while he or she is driving to see if the driver slurs words or gives other signals of intoxication.
• The truck business that employed the driver. In shipping cases, a truck company may directly a hire a driver to operate one of the company’s trucks, or it may hire an outside company and driver. The company that does the hiring has a duty to monitor any and all drivers.
• Vendors who serve the alcohol. Tennessee has a dram shop law that allows victims the right to sue a bar or tavern that knowingly serves someone who is intoxicated when that customer later causes an accident.

We look closely at your case to determine who may be liable. We then fight to hold that party responsible and get you the compensation you deserve.

How our truck accident attorneys can help you

Our Sevierville truck driver negligence attorneys work with law enforcement to verify that a driver’s BAC was too high, as determined by breath, blood, and field sobriety tests. We investigate where, what, and how much the driver drank. We review driving and log records to determine if the truck driver violated the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) rules on drinking. One FMCSA rule, for example, states that a truck driver who has just one drink cannot operate their truck for a minimum of four hours.

Bringing lawsuits against drunk drivers does more than help our client get the damages he or she deserves. A civil verdict or large settlement also sends a message that drunk driving has severe financial consequences. In drunk driving cases, our lawyers demand payment for all lost wages, the full medical expenses for hospital and doctor visits, and payment for medications and medical devices. We also demand compensation for physical pain and emotional suffering, disfigurement, and scarring. We bring claims for monetary and emotional loss for the families of deceased victims. In addition, in drunk driving cases, we may demand that the defendants pay punitive damages since reckless conduct is one of the conditions for a punitive damage award.

Make an appointment with an experienced Sevierville DUI truck accident lawyer today

The Sevierville DUI truck accident lawyers at Delius & McKenzie, PLLC work compassionately with accident victims and their families. We understand what you are going through, and we are prepared to fight for your rights through the legal process. Please call our firm at 865-428-8780 or fill out our contact form for a free case evaluation. We represent clients in Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, Seymour, and throughout Tennessee.