In addition to alcohol or illicit drug use, over-the-counter drugs can also cause debilitating side effects that put a truck driver at risk of causing an accident. Many truck drivers rely on over-the-counter (OTC) medications to treat common health conditions and help them during long trips. However, truckers may not realize that an OTC medication causes adverse side effects that impair their ability to drive safely.
If you suffered injuries in an accident resulting from a truck driver’s impairment from OTC drug use, you deserve a strong legal advocate who will demand compensation for your losses.
Contact The Terry Law Firm for a free initial case evaluation with our Morristown truck accident attorneys to learn how our firm can pursue the financial relief you deserve from a negligent truck driver and other responsible parties.
Why You Need Our Firm After a Truck Wreck Due to OTC Drugs
When a truck driver causes an accident due to impairment from over-the-counter drugs, you may have the right to seek financial recovery due to the truck driver’s negligence. Hiring experienced legal representation can give you the best chance of obtaining the compensation you need.
Since 1960, injured victims have trusted The Terry Law Firm to advocate for their rights and interests after accidents in Morristown because:
- We have over 50 years of combined legal experience among our highly qualified Tennessee truck accident attorneys, with a proven record of success in accident claims.
- We use a team approach to preparing and pursuing every case, so you benefit from each lawyer’s unique experience and insight.
- Our attorneys and staff strive to offer quality legal advocacy and personalized service, which includes responsive communication to address your needs and concerns.
- Our firm is committed to fighting as hard as needed to secure the best possible outcome for you under the circumstances of your case.
Common OTC Drugs That Can Affect Driving Ability
Depending on a person’s physical condition and underlying health issues, over-the-counter drugs can cause various side effects that may impair their ability to operate a motor vehicle safely. OTC drugs can cause impairing side effects such as drowsiness, blurred vision, dizziness, nausea, loss of focus, and slowed reaction times.
A few examples of non-prescription drugs that might affect a truck driver’s ability to operate their vehicle responsibly include:
- OTC antihistamines like Benadryl
- Anti-nausea or motion sickness medications like Dramamine
- Cold and cough medication
- Anti-diarrhea and indigestion medication
- Diet pills
- Caffeine pills
- Sleep aids like melatonin
- CBD products
Some over-the-counter medications do not cause side effects. Others may cause only minor side effects on their own. However, taking such medications with other OTC drugs, prescription drugs, alcohol, or illegal drugs can trigger or worsen side effects. Motorists – especially commercial truck drivers – should refrain from driving until they know what side effects an over-the-counter medication can cause.
Types of Truck Accidents Due to Over-the-Counter Drug Impairment
Side effects that impair safe driving can cause various types of truck crashes. Truck drivers may cause accidents due to impaired perception, slowed reactions, or falling asleep behind the wheel due to OTC-induced drowsiness.
Common types of truck accidents caused by OTC medications include:
- Rear-end collisions
- Sideswipe collisions
- Underride accidents
- Side-impact accidents
- Intersection collisions
- Head-on collisions
- Wide-turn accidents
- Road-departure accidents
- Jackknife accidents
Establishing a Trucker Was Impaired by OTC Drugs
Proving that a truck driver caused an accident due to debilitating side effects from over-the-counter drugs will require various forms of evidence to prove the drug caused the impairment, which in turn caused the crash.
Examples of evidence you might use to establish a trucker’s impairment from OTC drugs include:
- Post-accident blood or urine chemical test results
- Photos of OTC pill bottles in the truck cabin
- Police accident reports
- Eyewitness testimony of the truck driver’s impaired behavior
- Surveillance or traffic camera footage of erratic driving behavior by a trucker
- Medical expert opinion testimony regarding the side effects of the trucker’s OTC medications and how those effects impaired their driving ability
Potential Compensation for Victims of Drug-Impaired Driving
When a trucker’s OTC medication side effects cause an accident, and you suffer injuries as a result, you may have a claim to recover compensation for your resulting financial and personal losses, including for:
- Medical treatment and rehabilitation expenses
- Long-term disability care
- Lost income from missed work
- Reduced earning capacity and job benefits due to disabling injuries
- Physical pain and emotional distress
- Reduced quality of life
- Vehicle repair or replacement expenses
How Our Morristown Truck Accident Attorneys Can Help You
Establishing a truck driver’s liability for a crash caused by their impairment can involve a complex process, as over-the-counter medications affect everyone differently. The truck accident attorneys at The Terry Law Firm can help you recover from life-altering harm and losses after a crash by handling the details of your legal claims against the truck driver and other liable parties. We want you to have the time and space you need to focus on your treatment and rehabilitation.
Our firm is ready to fight for the financial recovery and justice you deserve by:
- Thoroughly investigating the circumstances of the truck crash to recover evidence proving fault for the accident, such as evidence showing that the truck driver suffered impairment due to their OTC medications
- Identifying all liable parties and evaluating avenues for recovering compensation, such as insurance coverage
- Documenting your injuries and other losses to have the proof needed to argue for your maximum financial recovery
- Keeping you updated on the progress of your case and dealing with trucking company representatives and insurance adjusters on your behalf to relieve the stress of the claims process
- Aggressively pursuing the financial resources you need for your recovery through a settlement or by taking your claim to trial
After an accident caused by an OTC drug-impaired truck driver, you deserve to seek full compensation and accountability for the driver’s negligence. Contact The Terry Law Firm today for a free initial consultation with a truck accident attorney in Morristown, TN, to discuss your legal options.
When you file a truck accident claim, you may be able to recover compensation for various expenses and losses you incurred due to the crash. Your case may provide you with financial recovery for your:
- Medical and rehabilitation expenses
- Lost income
- Lost future earning potential and job benefits
- Pain and suffering
- Lost enjoyment or quality of life
- Vehicle repairs or reimbursement of your car’s value
Yes, it’s crucial to call the police at the scene of a truck accident. The police can investigate the crash scene, gather information from the truck driver and other motorists and eyewitnesses, and prepare an accident report. Police crash reports often provide critical information for truck accident claims.
Other steps you should take at the crash scene include:
- Check on everyone involved in the accident to see if anyone requires immediate medical attention.
- Move your vehicle out of the path of traffic if possible, or walk to the side of the road if your car has been disabled.
- Get the truck driver’s employer and insurance information and insurance information from any other drivers involved in the crash.
- Take photos and videos of the accident scene, including vehicle damage, license plates, visible injuries you suffered, skid marks on the road, and traffic controls at the scene.
- Talk to eyewitnesses to obtain a brief statement of what they saw and their contact information.
In most cases, the insurer of the at-fault truck driver or the trucking company that employed the driver will pay you compensation for your truck accident claim if they are found liable. Other parties may also have liability for the accident, including:
- The truck’s owner
- The cargo company
- The truck and trailer manufacturer
- Manufacturers of parts used on the truck
- Third-party auto shops that serviced the truck
You should contact a truck accident attorney immediately after a truck accident. A lawyer will know what it takes to thoroughly investigate the accident and prepare a compelling, persuasive legal claim. A lawyer can also document your injuries and losses and estimate future expenses to ensure you seek total compensation. Your attorney can also deal with trucking company representatives, insurance adjusters, defense lawyers, or bill collectors on your behalf so you can focus on healing.
Although liability for the truck accident is determined under traditional state negligence laws, other laws – such as state and federal trucking industry regulations – may affect the outcome of your case. For example, a truck driver’s violation of the federal or state hours-of-service regulations may serve as evidence that they were too tired to drive safely. Speak with your attorney to learn more about the laws that apply in your case.
Here are some factors that make truck accident cases more complicated than other kinds of auto accident claims:
- Truck accident victims often suffer more severe injuries that require longer, more expensive medical care.
- Truck accidents can injure more people than other types of crashes.
- Truck accidents may have multiple liable parties who will fight with each other to shift financial responsibility among themselves.
- Truck accident claims may involve lots of complex evidence.
- Trucking companies may have complicated corporate structures or layered insurance policies that make it difficult to determine the extent of financial assets available to the company.