Distracted Driving Truck Accidents in Colleyville
Nearly everyone is familiar with the feeling of driving a car and glancing down at their phone to read a new text message or getting distracted by a passenger. Everyone knows that distracted driving can have dangerous repercussions. However, when someone is distracted while driving a truck, it is even more dangerous. The mere size of the truck can result in severe injuries to all involved parties—especially the occupants of the other vehicles involved—and immense property damage.
Distracted driving truck accidents in Colleyville are more common than one may expect. If such an accident has happened in your life, do not hesitate to contact a knowledgeable tractor-trailer crash attorney to assist you with navigating the local legal system.
Laws Regarding Distracted Driving for Truck Drivers
Commercial trucking is regulated by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), which controls the safety rules of commercial trucking. The regulations are wide-reaching and apply to driver qualifications, safety procedures, equipment inspection and maintenance, and more. It also addresses distracted driving. CMV drivers, interstate truck and bus drivers, and drivers who transport placardable quantities of hazardous materials are prohibited from texting or using hand-held mobile phones while operating their vehicles. Violations can result in fines or driver disqualifications.
Cell phones are the most common distraction when someone is behind the wheel of any motor vehicle, including trucks. Under Texas state law, it is illegal to read, write, or send a text while driving any vehicle, with a fine of up to $200 for anyone who violates the law. Drivers are forbidden from using wireless communication devices to send or receive messages while behind the wheel. Consequences can be severe due to strict local law enforcement cracking down on drivers texting while driving. After a crash, contact a Colleyville lawyer who is well acquainted with the applicable local and federal laws for truck accidents resulting from distracted driving.
The Impacts of Distracted Driving
Distracted driving includes any activity that takes a driver’s attention off of the road. This can include, but is not limited to:
- Eating and drinking
- Applying makeup
- Talking to passengers
- Adjusting the radio or a GPS
- Daydreaming out the window
- Talking or texting on the phone
- Anything else that takes someone’s attention away from safe driving
Any distraction for a truck driver can result in catastrophic and even fatal injuries for the surrounding drivers. Some of the most common injuries include:
- Broken bones
- Brain injuries
- Nerve injuries
- Severe burns
- Spinal injuries
- Loss of limbs
- Paralysis
- Death
The sheer mass of a truck can carry the risk of serious injury upon collision. Anyone who suspects the truck driver who caused the crash was engaged in distracted behavior should discuss their case with an experienced legal professional.
The value of any personal injury case is connected to the amount of the injured party’s damages. Economic damages are “tangible” in that there are typically receipts or monetary amounts documenting the costs of such losses. Some examples include medical bills, loss of income, and car repair costs. Another type of damages is non-economic damages, which are more subjective. This includes concepts like mental anguish, pain and suffering, and reduced quality of life. It is best to consult with a well-practiced Colleyville attorney who could analyze what kinds of damages an injured person may be able to seek after a wreck with a distracted truck driver.
Consult With a Colleyville Distracted Driving Truck Accident Attorney
You should not have to suffer due to a truck driver’s careless or reckless actions. Distracted driving truck accidents in Colleyville can have life-altering consequences. A proactive attorney can help you seek justice through a legal claim seeking financial compensation for your losses. Hire a lawyer who is unafraid to fight for your rights. Reach out today for a free consultation.