Truck driver’s medical condition and a fatal accident

A truck driver who was in an accident when he lost consciousness and struck a trooper has been deemed to be unfit to drive a commercial vehicle, according to reports. The DOT, through the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, apparently has issued an order disqualifying the trucker from further driving commercial vehicles.

The safety regulations specify the medical condition of the commercial or professional driver. In this regard, a big rig driver is akin to an airline pilot in that the safety of many others rests on their physical and mental well-being.

While the specifics regarding the truck driver’s medical condition were not disclosed, reports indicate that the trucker may have failed to disclose to his medical examiner the full extent of his medical conditions. The issue came to light after the fatal accident, and when medications were found in his truck.

Whether or not there are criminal charges filed from the fatal accident is another question. The administrative finding is separate and distinct from any civil or criminal actions that may be undertaken in connection with the fatal truck accident.

This case clearly illustrates the importance of the medical condition of commercial truck drivers. Big rigs can weigh up to 80,000 pounds, and we have numerous instances of multiple fatalities when a truck driver’s condition is substandard.

If you are loved one has been injured in a truck accident in Texas and would like to speak with an eighteen-wheeler accident attorney in Houston, call the Baumgartner Law Firm for a no-obligation consultation.