The consequences can be deadly when a truck driver takes his or her eyes off the road, even for a moment. Truck accidents caused by distracted driving are all too common in Pennsylvania. Many companies rely on truck drivers to transport goods with a strict delivery schedule, requiring truckers to work long hours. When drivers are on the road for extended periods, they are more likely to become distracted.
When you or a loved one are injured in a collision caused by a distracted truck driver, you have legal options. An experienced truck accident attorney can pursue financial compensation for your injuries and other losses related to the crash. When truckers or their employers are negligent, they are liable. If you are considering legal action after a distracted driving truck accident in DuBois, contact our office to discuss your legal rights and remedies.
Truckers spend long hours on the road in Pennsylvania. Although truck drivers are obligated to pay attention, it is easy to become distracted by cell phones and other tasks. Distractions for commercial truck drivers in DuBois take various forms, including:
Requires the trucker to take his or her hands off of the steering wheel. Some examples include texting while driving, eating while driving, or changing radio stations.
These distractions take the truck driver’s eyes off the road. Many things inside and outside of a truck’s cab can be visually distracting for truckers. For example, billboards and in-cab computer screens are examples of visual distractions.
Anything that diverts a trucker’s focus and mental attention away from the road is a cognitive distraction. Talking on the phone via a hands-free device could be a cognitive distraction.
Texting while driving combines all three types of distractions, making it one of the most dangerous distractions for truckers and motorists. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has prohibited cell phone use for truckers in an effort to curb distracted driving. While truckers can talk on the phone using a hands-free device, they cannot hold the phone while the truck is in motion.
Evidence of distracted driving is crucial evidence in a truck accident lawsuit. Proving that a truck driver was distracted and that it contributed to the crash could be enough to establish negligence on the trucker’s part. Evidence of distracted driving could result in the truck driver, the trucking company, and other parties being held liable for your injuries and property damage.
A skilled lawyer can work with you to prove fault after a distracted driving truck wreck in DuBois. A proactive attorney can investigate the circumstances of the crash, talk to eyewitnesses, obtain security footage, and subpoena the trucker’s cell phone records to collect the evidence necessary to establish liability. Time is critical because this evidence might only be available for a limited period of time.
At Marcus & Mack, our committed legal professionals have years of experience helping people like you recover compensation for accident-related injuries. You should secure legal representation immediately when you are hurt in a collision because the trucker was distracted.
When you hire our team of lawyers to review your claim, we will thoroughly investigate the cause of the accident and the driver’s history. In some instances, the trucker’s employer may share fault for your injuries. We will negotiate with insurance companies to get you the fair compensation you need and deserve. Call today to schedule a free and confidential consultation with one of our well-practiced attorneys.
