Drunk driving truck accidents in Rolla are among the most devastating crashes on the road, often leaving victims with life-changing injuries and overwhelming financial burdens. When a truck driver chooses to drive under the influence, the results can be catastrophic due to the sheer size and weight of such commercial vehicles.
If you or your loved one have been injured in a DUI truck crash, you deserve justice and full compensation for your losses. A skilled truck accident lawyer from AW Smith Law could investigate your crash and help you hold those at fault responsible for their negligence.
The legal alcohol limit for truck drivers is much less than for non-commercial motorists. A truck driver is considered legally drunk if their blood alcohol content (BAC) is .04 or higher, meaning some truck drivers would be deemed a drunk driver if they have had as little as one alcoholic drink. Because of this, truck drivers should never drink alcohol before or during their trip under any circumstances.
If it can be proven that the at-fault truck driver had a BAC over the legal limit at the time of your Rolla accident, you may qualify for compensation under the legal theory of negligence per se. This violation of a statute or regulation is considered proof of negligence on its own. If you are unable to prove that the truck driver was drunk, you must show that they behaved in a way that would be considered unreasonable under the circumstances.
When a truck driver causes an accident while under the influence of alcohol, their employing company may also be held responsible under certain circumstances. Employers have a legal duty to ensure that their drivers are properly qualified, trained, and monitored. A company may be found negligent if it fails to conduct background checks, ignores prior convictions for driving under the influence (DUI), or does not enforce federal regulations, such as random alcohol testing.
Additionally, under the legal principle of respondeat superior, employers may be held liable for their employees’ actions committed within the scope of employment. Therefore, if a truck driver was on duty and caused a crash while impaired, the trucking company may share liability for the resulting injuries and damages. Rolla victims of drunk driving truck accidents may pursue compensation not only from the impaired driver, but also from the trucking company’s insurance and corporate assets.
You may be able to pursue punitive damages in a case that involves an impaired truck driver, depending on the circumstances and state law. Punitive damages are not meant to compensate for injuries but to punish particularly reckless or egregious behavior and deter similar conduct in the future.
The act of driving while impaired is widely recognized as reckless behavior, and courts may award punitive damages when a truck driver’s intoxication leads to serious injuries or fatalities. Several factors, such as prior DUI convictions, extreme negligence, or ignoring safety regulations, could strengthen your claim. However, punitive damages are often limited by the law and require clear evidence of the driver’s reckless state.
An experienced Rolla attorney could help gather evidence, demonstrate recklessness, and maximize your chance of receiving punitive compensation following a drunk driving truck crash.
If you have been injured in drunk driving truck accidents in Rolla, you may be entitled to financial compensation. Reach out to an experienced lawyer at AW Smith Law today. We could explain your legal rights and pursue full compensation on your behalf. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation. You pay nothing unless you win.
© The A.W. Smith Law Firm, P.C. 2025. All rights reserved.
