Distracted Driving Truck Accidents in Southlake
While most people want to believe that commercial vehicle drivers do not engage in distracted driving, the reality is that many truckers use handheld devices behind the wheel. Unfortunately, given the size, weight, and towing capacity of the vehicles they operate, distracted truckers can cause devastating accidents in a matter of seconds.
An attorney could help you take legal action after being injured in a distracted driving truck accident in Southlake. Whether they need to negotiate with insurance companies, provide advice about settlement offers, or file a civil lawsuit, our lawyers, who have years of experience representing people injured by tractor-trailers, can help you recover fair compensation for your injuries. Call today to schedule a confidential consultation.
Texting While Driving Laws in Southlake
One of the more common causes of local distracted driving semi-truck crashes is texting behind the wheel. This is in spite of the fact that Texas Transportation Code Section 545.4251 explicitly outlaws using a cell phone to read, write, or send a text message, or any other form of electronic communication, like an e-mail, while a vehicle is in motion.
Similarly, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration—a federal agency underneath the Department of Transportation that regulates commercial vehicles—outlaws texting and driving in 49 CFR §392.80, as well as handheld mobile phone use in 49 CFR §392.82. Each of these rules also states that a trucking company cannot allow or make its employees engage in these prohibited activities while driving for the company.
Violating these laws could make the trucking company or driver responsible for fines or penalties. Proof showing that the driver or trucking company violated these laws is valuable evidence that the truck driver was at fault for the accident, which could increase the amount of compensation available to an injured person in a settlement or lawsuit.
Common Causes of Distracted Driving Truck Wrecks
Using a cell phone is not the only form of distracted driving. Drivers of 18-wheelers may be distracted in a variety of other ways, including:
- Drinking or eating
- Listening to or adjusting the radio
- Talking or listening to a passenger
- Looking at a GPS or other navigation device
- Watching other events happening on the road
- Reading road signs, billboards, or advertisements
A determined lawyer in Southlake could investigate a distracted driving semi-truck crash to determine whether the trucker engaged in one of these behaviors. A typical investigation could involve interviewing eyewitnesses or the truck operator, examining the trucking company’s internal reports and communications regarding the collision, or working with experts to reconstruct the accident scene.
Call a Hardworking Lawyer in Southlake Who Handles Distracted Driving Truck Accidents
When you are injured in a semi-truck crash, you are likely traumatized by the event and overwhelmed by the expenses you face in the aftermath. If the wreck was avoidable, but another driver failed to pay proper attention to the road, you are entitled to fair compensation for your injuries. One of our experienced attorneys could help you collect the payments you deserve by protecting your rights, investigating the crash, and helping you manage communication with insurance companies, medical providers, and the trucking company.
When you have been hurt in a distracted driving truck accident in Southlake, schedule a consultation with a lawyer to begin filing your claim for compensation.