Distracted Driving Truck Accidents in Grapevine
Today’s technology causes more potential for distractions while behind the wheel. Unfortunately, when truckers take their focus off the road, they put themselves and other motorists at unnecessary risk of harm.
If you were in a collision with a careless truck driver, a skilled truck crash attorney could help you collect financial compensation for your medical bills, lost income, and mental suffering. Schedule a meeting with a hard-working lawyer to learn more about distracted driving truck accidents in Grapevine.
Operating a Vehicle with Distractions
Distracted driving is a significant issue countrywide. Like motor vehicle drivers, truck operators also drive with distractions. However, due to the massive size of commercial vehicles, crashes resulting from distracted driving can be much more severe.
According to the Texas Department of Transportation, any activity that causes a driver to take their focus away from the road is considered a distraction. Common manual and visual distractions include texting or talking on the phone, eating, applying makeup, and adjusting the radio.
Cognitive distractions can also cause a trucker’s mind to wander and disregard the road ahead of them. A knowledgeable attorney n Grapevine could complete a thorough investigation to determine the cause of a tractor-trailer collision.
Damages for Distracted Driving Truck accidents
Award amounts in personal injury claims vary significantly, and the court will consider many factors. Details regarding the extent of a person’s injuries, the cause of an accident, and a defendant’s actions are vital for calculating a settlement. In most cases, compensation will reimburse a claimant for the following:
- Medical expenses related to the crash
- The cost of ongoing care, including physical and psychological treatment
- Lost income while the plaintiff misses work to recover from injuries
- Diminished earning capacity due to a permanent disability
- The loss of enjoyment of life
- Inconvenience
- Physical, mental, and emotional pain and suffering
Accidents involving distracted truckers can potentially leave the occupants of smaller vehicles with serious and life-changing injuries. Therefore, the award amounts in civil trials are often significant.
Truck Operators Using Electronic Messaging Devices Behind the Wheel
Truck drivers who text while driving create a hazardous situation for other drivers on the roadway. According to the United States Department of Transportation, reading or sending a text distracts the driver for approximately five seconds, which is equivalent to traveling the length of a football field without looking.
Lawmakers in this state have enacted legislation to deter truckers from driving with distractions. For example, under the Texas Transportation Code § 545.4251, an operator who reads or sends a message while the vehicle is moving is guilty of a misdemeanor offense. A Grapevine distracted driving truck accidents attorney could answer questions about safety regulations and transportation statutes.
Schedule a Meeting with a Knowledgeable Attorney About Grapevine Distracted Driving Truck Accidents
Distracted driving is a primary cause of severe accidents around the nation. In addition, unsafe actions, such as texting, are a significant cause of fatal crashes. Sadly, the casualties are entirely avoidable.
Truckers have a legal duty to act safely and follow traffic rules and safety regulations. However, you could hold them accountable when their careless actions cause you to suffer. To learn more about distracted driving truck accidents in Grapevine, call an experienced lawyer as soon as possible.