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Recovering Injury Compensation From a Distracted Truck Driver

 Posted on August 18, 2021 in Truck Accidents

Cook County Truck Accident LawyerOver the last couple of decades, with the growing prevalence of text messaging and smartphones, distracted driving has become one of the most dangerous risks of injury on the road. Most distracted driving accidents involve passenger vehicles, but commercial truck drivers can also fall prey to distraction. If you have been in an accident with a distracted truck driver, your injuries may be especially severe. However, you may also be entitled to substantial compensation, and a personal injury lawyer can help you take the necessary steps to secure it.

The Dangers of Cell Phones for Commercial Truck Drivers

For truck drivers, using a cell phone while driving is risky on multiple levels. Reading or typing a text message means that a driver’s full attention is not on the task of driving, and research shows that it may lead a driver to take their eyes off of the road for almost five seconds on average. Texting also typically requires the use of a driver’s hands, which makes it more difficult for the driver to make steering adjustments or otherwise control the vehicle.

Distracted driving can have outsized effects among truck drivers since the adjustment time to change direction or bring their vehicle safely to a stop is longer than the time for a typical passenger vehicle. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) reports that texting makes truck drivers 23.2 times more likely to be involved in a crash or near-crash. Even simply dialing a phone by hand can make an accident or near-accident six times more likely.

Holding Negligent Truck Drivers Accountable

If you are injured in a truck accident, it is a good idea to get in touch with an attorney as soon as possible so that they can help you gather timely evidence that may point to distracted driving or other forms of negligence. Your lawyer can help you collect any available camera footage of the accident, testimony from witnesses, and possibly the driver’s phone records. This evidence can serve as crucial leverage in a settlement negotiation or support in a personal injury trial.

In addition to liability in a personal injury claim, truck drivers who text or use their hands to dial a phone can face other consequences, including fines, charges for traffic violations, and possibly the loss of their commercial driver’s license. If there is evidence that the truck driver’s employer allowed or required the driver to text while driving, the employer can also face substantial fines, and they may be named as another liable party in a personal injury claim.

Contact a Chicago Truck Accident Lawyer

At Adler Law Offices, LTD., we strive to give each client’s case the attention it deserves to give them the best chance of recovering full compensation. We will thoroughly investigate your truck accident case to identify all liable parties and find the evidence you need to demonstrate negligence. For a free initial consultation, contact our Chicago personal injury attorney today at 312-236-2700.

 

Sources:

https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/driver-safety/distracted-driving
https://csa.fmcsa.dot.gov/safetyplanner/MyFiles/SubSections.aspx?ch=23&sec=68&sub=170
https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/fulltext.asp?DocName=062500050K6-500

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