Apr 14th, 2021
Paulozzi Joseph

Impaired driving is a persistent problem in the US. Most safety campaigns are aimed at individuals who are out at bars or restaurants. What about those that drive for a living? Is your Uber or Lyft driver intoxicated? What about the drivers of tractor-trailers? When you pass one on long stretches of highway, are you confident they are sober?

Commercial truck accidents cause widespread destruction. If impaired, the consequences can be more catastrophic. If you or someone you love has been injured by an impaired driver, you need a Cleveland DUI accident attorney. The dedicated attorneys at Paulozzi LPA injury lawyers know that a truck driving accident can be devastating. Don’t hesitate. Call our experienced team today and let us secure the compensation you deserve.

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration Effectively Shuts Down Ohio-Based Trucker after Fatal DUI Collision

Travis Lee Tolliver, a trucker based in Ohio, drove his tractor-trailer in the wrong direction on Route 23 in Wise, County, Virginia. Tolliver drove more than 2 miles before colliding head-on with a passenger vehicle. The driver of the vehicle survived with serious injuries. However, the passenger in the car was killed.

Tolliver was taken to a nearby hospital but refused to provide blood for drug testing. The Commonwealth of Virginia has charged Tolliver with “manslaughter under aggravated circumstances, driving while intoxicated, driving while under the influence of alcohol or a narcotic drug, and unlawfully (and) unreasonably refusing to have a sample of blood taken for chemical tests” after his arrest.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, FMCSA, investigated the incident and found that Tolliver did not maintain records of duty status. He also exceeded the allowable on-duty driving hours in the days leading up to the crash.

The FMCSA has effectively shut down Tolliver. Failure to comply with the provision of the federal imminent hazard order could result in civil penalties in the amount of $1,895 per violation. If Tolliver is found to have knowingly or willfully violated the provisions, he could face more criminal charges.

Impaired Drivers of Commercial Trucks Cause Life-Altering Consequences

Truck driving accidents are exceptionally severe due to the sheer size of tractor-trailers compared to the cars. They do extensively more damage. Drivers of semi-trucks are often unharmed in trucking accidents while the people in the other vehicle are seriously injured or killed. A truck driver must operate under specific standards set by the FMSCA and the law.

For a truck driver to drive under the influence is unforgivable. Their reckless, selfish, and negligent actions shatter lives. According to the FMCSA, on average;

  • 4,000 fatal crashes involved large trucks
  • 3.6% of truck accident fatalities involved an impaired truck driver

Operating a massive truck while under the influence of alcohol or medication turns the vehicle into a weapon of destruction. Pedestrians, bicyclists, and other motor vehicles have virtually no chance against large trucks’ weight and size.

Why Paulozzi LPA Injury Lawyers

The distinguished attorneys at Paulozzi LPA are here for you and your family during this tragic time. If you or someone you know has been injured in an accident caused by an impaired truck driver, you need our truck accident attorneys in Cleveland, Ohio. Contact us for a free consultation by clicking here or calling us at 888-710-0040.

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