Sacramento Area Truck Accident Caused by Distracted Driver on Drugs
A driver who officials say was high on methamphetamine and talking on a hand-held cell phone caused a truck accident in Flag City, California the morning of February 1, 2010 as he plowed into seven parked cars. The Lodi News Sentinel reports that 39-year-old Robert Lee Michael Jr. was driving his big rig on Highway 12 and had turned onto Thornton Road when his door swung open because it wasn't properly latched. Michael, who wasn't wearing his seat belt, began to fall off out of the truck.
Several Violations
He lost control of the rig, veered off the roadway and crashed into vehicles in a Park and Ride lot. Thankfully, no one was in the cars. Michael is facing a number of charges including driving under the influence and being under the influence of a controlled substance. He could also face citations for a seatbelt violation and using a cell phone without a hands-free device.
This incident definitely had the potential to be disastrous. Thankfully, Michael only hit parked cars and there was no one in the vehicles. Had he veered into oncoming traffic or had someone been in one of the parked vehicles, this could have easily become a fatal car accident.
California Laws
If this news account is accurate, Michael broke several laws here. He was driving under the influence of methamphetamine a controlled substance. California Vehicle Code section 23152 (a) prohibits motorists from operating under the influence of alcohol or dugs – both recreational and prescription. It is also a violation of California law to drive while talking on a handheld cell phone. And he wasn't wearing a seatbelt.
Drug Use among Truckers and Liability Issues
Recent Government Accountability Office (GAO) reports indicate that drug use among truck drivers is more common than you and I expect. In such cases, if injuries occur, both the truck driver and the trucking firm could be held liable. Had someone been killed in this accident, the trucking firm will very likely, face a wrongful death lawsuit because of the alleged conduct of their employee.
There is no question that trucking companies do not monitor their drivers often or well enough to make sure they are sober and able to drive their big rig safely. Trucking companies are too narrowly focused on meeting delivery schedules and increasing their profits. Public safety has become less of a priority for them. If you or a loved one has been injured because of truck driver negligence, please contact an experienced Sacramento personal injury lawyer to find out more information about your legal rights and options.
We are not representing any of the parties mentioned in this article at the time the article was posted. Our information source is cited in the article. If you were involved in this incident or a similar incident and have questions as to your rights and options, call a reputable law firm. Do not act solely upon the information provided herein. Get a consultation. The best law firms will provide a free confidential consultation to "not a fault" persons named in this article and their family members.
