Truck drivers under the influence pose a significant risk to others on the road. Large trucks, also known as semi-trucks, 18-wheelers, or big rigs, can weigh up to 80,000 pounds, making them much larger and heavier than the average passenger vehicle. This size disparity means that accidents involving large trucks are more likely to result in severe injuries or fatalities, especially for occupants of passenger vehicles and motorcycles. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), alcohol-impaired accidents involving large trucks increased by 24 percent between 2020 and 2021. During the same year, fatalities of other vehicle occupants in these accidents increased by 19 percent. This data, while disheartening, is not surprising when we consider the types of catastrophic accidents that large trucks can create. When combined with negligent behavior, such as drunk driving, the result is that other motorists are much more likely to sustain severe or fatal injuries than the truck drivers themselves. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) revealed that in one recent year, large trucks were in 10 percent of all fatal motor vehicle accidents. Life-changing injuries or the loss of a family member to an unexpected accident is something that no one should have to face alone. If you have been personally affected by a truck driver under the influence, our attorneys are here to offer compassionate support and legal advocacy.