Any form of distraction while driving can put you at risk of a collision. Unfortunately, cellphone usage has become an ever-increasing problem for motorists.
Removing your eyes from the road, even for a moment, can lead to a wreck. Texting and driving truck accidents in Katy can lead to substantial injuries or loss of life.
A knowledgeable tractor-trailer collision attorney could help you review your rights and recover compensation following a crash with a distracted trucker. Call our law office today for more information.
The Dangers of Texting While Driving a Truck
Texas law prohibits drivers from using a handheld communication device while behind the wheel. Distracted motorists have a much higher rate of accidents, which can result in more severe damages. Truckers, however, can face several additional challenges when they choose to text while driving.
The Risk of Larger Vehicles
Trucks require more time to maneuver, and distractions further reduce the time truck drivers have to react on the road. If they were to collide with a passenger vehicle or a motorcyclist, the sheer size of the truck could cause significant damage.
Blind Spots
Trucks have large blind spots, and distraction on the road decreases the odds that the driver will notice the traffic flow around them. Truckers need to stay alert and actively check their surroundings.
Decreased Maneuverability
Trucks are generally more challenging to maneuver, which means distracted drivers may have inadequate time to avoid a collision.
Unfortunately, truckers may choose to drive distracted despite the risks associated with it. Many drivers will look down to answer a single text, causing them to take their eyes, hands, and attention away from the task at hand.
This alone is enough to cause a catastrophic accident. A Katy lawyer could investigate a truck accident on their client’s behalf to determine whether texting while driving was a factor.
Liability for Texting and Driving Truck Accidents
Most of the time, liability for a texting and driving truck crash in Katy will rest with the distracted trucker. Because of this, if someone else suffers injuries in a truck accident, they will need to file a claim through the truck driver’s insurance company.
The trucking company may share liability if it does not have policies prohibiting texting and driving or if it pressures the driver to answer text messages while on the job.
Filing a Claim for a Texting While Driving Truck Collision
If someone suffers injuries in a distracted driving truck accident, they must file a claim before the two-year statute of limitations deadline on Texas personal injury cases. A lawyer could help determine who is liable for the accident and calculate the damages their client sustained.
While an injured person’s compensation will depend on multiple factors, including the truck driver’s insurance policy, most claims will include compensation for the following:
- Current and future medical bills (ambulance costs, doctor appointments, surgeries, rehabilitation)
- Lost wages and earning capacity
- Scarring and physical disability
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional and psychological trauma
- Loss of consortium
A reliable Katy lawyer could help pursue these damages after a texting and driving truck wreck.
Learn More About Compensation for Texting and Driving Truck Accidents in Katy
If you suffer injuries in a texting and driving truck accident in Katy, you need help from an experienced personal injury attorney. They could determine liability for the accident, assess the total damages you sustained, and fight for compensation.
Contact The Law Firm of Kinard, Garcia, and Saldana today for your free consultation.