Distracted truck driving accidents can be devastating given the size and weight of a typical commercial truck or tractor-trailer. Although the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has established strict regulations governing the conduct of truck drivers, distracted truck driving causes thousands of accidents and injuries each year.
The truck driving accident attorneys at J&Y Law are committed to keeping the roads and highways of California safe. If you or a loved one has been injured in a distracted truck driving accident, you have the right to file a lawsuit to obtain compensation. When you work with our Los Angeles truck accident lawyers, we will stand by you every step of the way and handle all the details of your claim so that you can focus on recovering.
Common Causes of Distracted Truck Driving
Truck drivers are frequently distracted by:
- Using a cell phone
- Texting while driving
- Reading a map or using a GPS device
- Viewing a dispatch device
- Searching through compartments or bags
- Reaching for an object
- Eating and drinking
According to a recent report on truck accidents by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 6 percent of truck accident fatalities involved truck driver distraction, 16 percent of which were attributed to cell phone use. The FMCSA has also reported that truckers who text or use cell phones while driving are 23 times more likely to be involved in an accident; the average text takes a truck driver’s attention off the road for an average of 4.6 seconds.
For this reason, the FMCSA has banned truckers from texting while driving as well as the use of hand-held mobile devices. In particular, truck drivers are prohibited from holding, dialing, or reaching for their cell phones while driving. Truckers may only use a cell phone if they have pulled the vehicle to the side of the road or another location where they can bring the vehicle to a complete stop. Truck drivers are permitted to use an earpiece, however, or another hands-free device.
These rules were put in place to reduce the number of distracted truck driving accidents. A truck driver who disobeys these rules faces fines up to $2,750 for each offense and may lose his or her commercial driver’s license for multiple offenses. A truck driver may also face criminal penalties for accidents that result in injuries and a trucking company can also be fined for allowing its drivers to use mobile devices while performing driving-related work.
If a distracted truck driver causes an accident that results in injuries to the occupants of another vehicle or pedestrians, the truck driver may be held legally responsible. Depending on the circumstances, the truck company may also be held liable. If the company failed to put a policy in place that prohibits distracted driving, for example, the company may also be responsible for the injuries, as well as any property damage.
For a free legal consultation with a distracted truck driver accident lawyer serving Los Angeles, call (877) 735-7035
Contact Our Los Angeles Distracted Truck Driving Accident Attorney
Distracted truck driving is not only reckless, but it is also a violation of federal safety rules. If you have been involved in an accident with a distracted truck driver, you must act quickly because California’s statute of limitations to file a lawsuit is 2 years from the date of the injury. The sooner you contact J&Y Law, the sooner we can file a claim on your behalf.
Our distracted truck driving accident attorneys have a proven history of helping our clients obtain just compensation. In a successful truck accident claim, you may be awarded economic and noneconomic damages. Economic damages cover your actual monetary losses, such as medical expenses, lost wages, loss of earning capacity. Noneconomic damages are designed to compensate you for intangible losses such as pain and suffering, permanent disability, and loss of enjoyment of life.
When you become our client, we will offer you knowledge, compassion, and superior personal service. Our legal team will see to it that you receive the medical care you need and the compensation you deserve. If a loved one has been killed in a distracted truck driving accident, we will determine if there is a basis to file a wrongful death lawsuit. No amount of money can replace a life, but we will fight to help you find justice.
Above all, we believe that the responsible party must be held accountable for distracted truck driving accidents, whether that’s the truck driver, the trucking company or both. Please contact our office today to speak with our distracted truck driving accident attorneys. We offer free consultations and you will not pay any attorneys’ fees to us until we recover compensation for you.
Call or text (877) 735-7035 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
