Arlington Texting While Driving Truck Accidents
Truck wrecks are usually devastating because of the amount of damage a large vehicle can create. If distracted driving is the cause of a big rig collision, an injured person could file for compensation and hold the responsible party accountable.
Enlist the aid of a lawyer familiar with Arlington texting while driving truck accidents. A truck accident attorney could ensure that your rights are protected and help you receive the most compensation possible for your losses.
How Likely are Texting and Driving Truck Wrecks?
Research has shown that the odds of being involved in a crash are 23 times greater for commercial rig operators who text while driving than for those who do not. A texting person drives with their eyes off the road for an average of 4.6 seconds. At 55 miles per hour, this equates to a vehicle traveling the approximate length of a football field without looking at the roadway.
Truckers who use a mobile phone while driving are six times more likely to be in a more critical collision than those that do not use their phones. Because of this, using a handheld device while driving could result to driver disqualification for commercial motor vehicle operators. An Arlington attorney well-versed in big rig accidents caused by cellphones could aid someone in determining how the other driver caused the crash resulting in their injuries.
Regulations for Using a Cellphone while Operating a Truck
Federal rules in place for commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers state that truckers are prohibited from the following while driving:
- Texting
- Emailing
- Instant messaging
- Looking at a web page
- Using a mobile phone
If a driver must use their phone while driving, they are permitted to do so by utilizing an earpiece or the speaker function of the phone, and use the voice activated features.
The use of mobile phones is mostly restricted for truckers, but unfortunately, some still choose to use their cellphone while operating their vehicle. A knowledgeable Arlington attorney could help an injured person gather evidence to prove that the trucker was on their phone at the time of the accident.
Consequences for Truckers Who Text and Drive in Arlington
The violations for texting and driving a big rig can result in fines and driver disqualifications. A rig driver being on a cellphone and driving will not only impact the driver’s safety measurement system results, but also the big rig company for which they work.
If a driver is caught using a handheld phone while driving, there are sanctions including civil penalties up to $2,750 as well as potential driver disqualification for multiple offenses.
Motor carriers are prohibited from requiring their drivers to use handheld mobile phones for communication. If they do, they may be subject to civil penalties up to $11,000. All violations will impact their SMS results, so texting and calling on a handheld phone can carry severe penalties for trucking companies. An eagle-eyed attorney in Arlington could help an injured person determine which regulations were violated and fight for correlating penalties for the at fault parties.
Contact an Arlington Texting While Driving Truck Accident Attorney Today
Getting injured because someone chose to use their cellphone while operating a commercial rig can be frustrating and painful. Hold the responsible party accountable with the aid of an experienced attorney.
An attorney familiar with Arlington texting while driving truck accidents could fight for your rightful compensation and make sure the at fault party is held accountable for their actions. Call our office today to set up an initial consultation.