If you have been in a truck accident in Canton, Van Zandt, Mt. Pleasant, Jefferson, Paris, and Marshall, Texas, you may have many questions about your rights. The Cooper Law Firm are truck accident attorneys in Texas who assist victims in seeking damages for their medical costs, lost wages, pain and suffering, and rehabilitation expenses. The value of your truck accident recovery will depend on many factors. Your medical costs and losses will be considered, but also the role the driver and the truck company had in your crash will play a role in the recovery you may be able to seek. One of the causes of truck accidents is prescription drug use. Drug use and drug abuse can impact a driver’s alertness and reaction time. When drivers are on certain types of prescription drugs, they may no longer be permitted to operate a truck under medical qualification laws. Or, if drivers are permitted to operate the truck, they may be required to do so only under close medical monitoring. However, when truck drivers fail to report changes in their health status or when truck drivers abuse prescription drugs, accidents can occur. If you have been in a truck accident where the use of prescription drugs may have played a role, or where the abuse of prescription drugs may have played a role, you may have certain rights and options under the law. Contact the Cooper Law Firm, a truck accident lawyer in Canton, Van Zandt, Mt. Pleasant, Jefferson, Paris, and Marshall, Texas today to learn more and to protect your rights.
Prescription Drugs That Can Impact Driving Ability
What kind of prescription drugs can impact your driving ability? According to the FDA, some types of prescription and over the counter drugs can impact your ability to drive. In fact, in some states, if your alertness is impacted by prescription or over the counter drugs, you could face DWI or DUI charges. What are some types of prescription or over the counter drugs that could impact a driver’s ability to operate a motor vehicle? According to the FDA, some kinds of anxiety medications, antidepressants, medicines containing codeine, cold medicines and allergy medicines, tranquilizers, sleeping pills, pain medicines, and certain types of diet pills can impact your ability to drive. If a truck driver is on these medications, he or she may need to stop driving, or may need a period of time to adjust to the medications. Or, before a truck driver can resume driving, he or she should be closely monitored by a doctor and may even need a waiver from a doctor in order to operate the truck while taking these medicines.
These types of medicines can impact many different aspects of a person’s alertness. For example, certain prescription medication can leave a person feeling sleepy or drowsy, result in blurred vision, result in dizziness, result in slower reaction times, lead to fainting, lead to loss of focus or difficulty paying attention, lead to nausea, or result in excitability. While some people might be able to take these medications as prescribed and be okay to drive, some individuals might be affected and may be unable to drive. Truck drivers have a responsibility to speak to their doctors about the potential side effects of any medication that they might take. Truck drivers also have a responsibility to tell their doctors about any other medications they might be taking so that their doctor can adjust for potential negative interactions. Sometimes simple things, like adjusting a dose, or changing the time when a dose is taken can make a big difference. Finally, truck drivers may need to disclose the use of certain medications when seeking medical certificates for their commercial driver’s license.
However, if a truck driver failed to inform his or her company that medicines could have impacted his or her ability to drive, and an accident takes place, victims may have the right to seek damages for their losses. You and your family may be entitled to pursue a lawsuit against the truck driver or the truck company. The Cooper Law Firm are truck accident lawyers in Texas who may be able to help you.
Prescription Drug Abuse and Truck Driving
Unfortunately, sometimes individuals abuse or misuse prescription drugs. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, abuse of prescription drugs means taking more than the prescribed dosage or using a drug in a manner that is not in accordance with its labelled use. The most commonly abused prescription drugs include opioids, tranquilizers, sedatives, drugs used to treat anxiety and sleep disorders, and stimulants. Abuse of prescription drugs can impact a truck driver’s ability to safely operate a motor vehicle. In fact, abuse of these drugs can result in criminal charges for a DUI. If you or a loved one were hurt in a truck crash in which the abuse of prescription drugs is suspected, you may have certain rights and options under the law. The Cooper Law Firm are Canton, Van Zandt, Mt. Pleasant, Jefferson, Paris, and Marshall, Texas, truck accident lawyers who may be able to help you seek damages for your loss. Our lawyers can investigate your case, and fight for your rights. Contact us today.
Seek Justice Today
If you or a loved one have been hurt in a truck accident, the Cooper Law Firm are truck accident attorneys in Texas who may be able to help you pursue a lawsuit and who may be able to assist you with speaking to insurance companies to help you get the recovery you may deserve. Drivers who abuse or use prescription drugs that impact their alertness or ability to drive should be held accountable for their actions. However, you may only have a limited amount of time to pursue a lawsuit. The Cooper Law Firm may be able to help you with every step of the claims process. Contact the Cooper Law Firm today to learn more.
