Truck drivers are prohibited from driving distracted, and for good reason. A truck driver who is operating an 80,000 lb truck must be in complete control of the vehicle, aware of the road ahead, and prepared to react correctly. Eating, talking on the phone, texting, watching videos, or adjusting in-vehicle systems are all forms of distracted driving, and unfortunately, common. When a distracted driver is operating a semi-truck, 18-wheeler, or any commercial truck, others sharing the roadway are at risk of suffering a serious or fatal injury.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck accident caused by distracted driving, you are living through some very difficult challenges. At Sorey & Gilliland, LLP, our truck accident attorneys are here to help victims and protect their rights to the maximum fair compensation for their injuries and damages.
What Constitutes Distracted Driving?
The NHTSA defines distracted driving as: “any activity that diverts attention from driving, including talking or texting on your phone, eating and drinking, talking to people in your vehicle, fiddling with the stereo, entertainment or navigation system—anything that takes your attention away from the task of safe driving.”
While any truck driver distraction is dangerous, texting while driving is among the worst – and most common. Texting takes in the range of four to six seconds on average. If the truck is traveling at 55 miles per hour (an average safe speed driving on a highway), the truck will travel the length of a football field. If the driver’s attention and eyes are on his phone, what happens if someone merges in front of him? Or a road hazard appears?
The FMCSA (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration) reports that recent research shows the odds of being involved in a crash, near-crash, or unintentional lane deviation are 23.2 times greater for truck drivers who are texting while driving. Truckers who use a mobile phone while driving increase the odds of being involved in an accident by six times.
How Do I Know If the Truck Driver Was Distracted?
There are several ways that we can determine whether or not the driver was distracted, and at Sorey & Gilliland, LLP we will obtain the evidence needed to support your injury case, including but not limited to:
- Cell phone records that show dates and times of calls and text messages (which we can subpoena from the driver’s cell phone provider)
- Commercial trucks typically have a “black box” (electronic control module) that is continuously recording data, including the truck’s speed before a crash, sudden acceleration or deceleration, brake application (or not), whether the truck was moving at the posted speed limit, tire pressure, email communications, and driver hours of service.
Common Truck Accident Injuries
Truck accidents often involve multiple vehicles, with many injured drivers and passengers. The sheer mass of a moving commercial truck can crush any car or SUV that gets in its way. Common types of injuries sustained in truck accidents include:
What Is My Case Worth?
The value of your personal injury case will reflect the severity of the injuries sustained, and the long-term impact on your future health, wellbeing, and ability to earn a living or enjoy the quality of life you had before the accident. At Sorey & Gilliland, LLP, we work closely with medical experts and other specialists to value a distracted truck driver injury case. The damages pursued will include:
- Costs of medical care
- Rehabilitation
- Lost wages, lost earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional anguish
We understand that no amount of money can or will make up for your injuries, but it can help – and our goal is to achieve a level of compensation that allows our clients to have the best quality of life possible going forward.
Contact Us Today
Our skilled and experienced personal injury attorneys at Sorey & Gilliland, LLP have been practicing in the states of Texas and New Mexico for decades and have earned a reputation for legal excellence. We have recovered millions of dollars in settlements and jury verdicts, and we treat each client with the compassion, respect, and decency they deserve. Our personal injury cases are all taken on a contingency-fee-basis, with no legal fees charged unless we win. Call us today at (903) 230-5600 for a free consultation.
