Distracted Truck Driving Accident Attorney

Distracted Truck Driving Accident Attorney in Pasadena

Every day, large commercial trucks transport tons of cargo on California freeways. Though federal laws restrict truck drivers from using cell phones behind the wheel, far too many crashes result from distracted driving. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), distracted driving caused nearly 5,000 fatal truck accidents in the U.S. during a recent period. Hundreds of thousands more people suffered injuries in those wrecks.   

If a distracted truck driver caused or contributed to a collision that injured you, you could recover compensation for your injuries and losses. Working with a distracted driving truck accident attorney can strengthen your personal injury claim. It can also remove the burden of dealing with the insurance company while recuperating from your injuries. Contact the Law Offices of Pius Joseph for a free consultation.

Common Distractions Impacting Truck Drivers

Distraction-related accidents with trucks have several causes, such as:

  • Using a handheld cell phone or digital device
  • Eating or drinking
  • Reaching for an object
  • Rubbernecking and or looking at other exterior distractions, such as billboards
  • Adjusting a GPS device, audio, climate controls, and other functions
  • Daydreaming

Anything that takes a truck driver’s attention from the road could be considered distracted driving. 

Truck Drivers and Texting While Driving

Although FMCSA prohibits truck drivers from using a handheld mobile device, many do so despite the risks. Commercial truck drivers caught texting while driving in Pasadena face serious consequences. Penalties include a $2,750 fine for truck drivers and an $11,000 maximum fine for the trucking company that allows or requires drivers to use a handheld device.

Texting while driving is widely considered the most dangerous form of distracted driving. Here’s why:   

  • Texting drivers typically look away from the road for an average of 4.6 seconds, more than enough time for truck accidents to occur.
  • When dialing, drivers are six times more likely to cause or contribute to a crash.

Overall, a truck driver who texts and drives is 23 times more likely to be in a crash. 

In addition to FMCSA regulations, California law also limits cell phone use. Drivers cannot use a handheld device while driving. The penalties for violating the statute include: 

  • $162 fine for first citation
  • $285 for a second offense
  • Fines and a one-point penalty on a driver’s license for two cell phone violations within 36 months of each other

Criminal penalties are not the only consequences distracted truckers and truck companies face if a distracted driving truck accident harms someone else. Accident victims should consult an experienced truck accident lawyer to discuss filing a personal injury claim to obtain compensation.   

Establishing Fault in Distracted Truck Driving Accidents

Proving liability is essential to seek compensation in a lawsuit. Distracted truck driving accidents can result in mountains of expenses and potentially life-changing injuries.

A distracted truck driving lawyer can obtain documentation that shows cell phone activity in the moments leading up to and including the crash. Evidence of truck driver distraction could include:  

  • In-vehicle event data recorders (EDRs) or black boxes
  • Timestamps on social media posts or messages
  • Truck driver’s cell phone records, text messages, and data usage
  • Interior-facing dashboard cams
  • Witness statements
  • Exterior video footage

While distracted truck drivers may bear the largest portion of liability in inattention-related crashes, other parties could still be at fault. The truck company that employs the truck driver is one example. A skilled truck accident lawyer can investigate the case so every at-fault party is held accountable for their role in the truck crash. 

Distracted Driving Compensation for Accident Victims

A distracted truck driving accident attorney with the Law Offices of Pius Joseph can assemble a well-documented case to demand compensation for your losses. In California, you can pursue money for:  

  • Medical care
  • Rehabilitation
  • Lost wages
  • Lost earning capacity
  • Pain and suffering
  • Property damage

A skilled attorney will place a full and fair value on your case and push for maximum compensation from the distracted truck driver and other party(s) responsible for your losses. 

Contact a Distracted Truck Driving Accident Lawyer in Pasadena

Distracted driving truck accidents tend to be catastrophic. If a distracted driver injured you, the Law Offices of Pius Joseph can deal with the insurance company and legal ramifications so you have time to rest and recover your health. Our law firm has an impressive track record of securing multi-million-dollar verdicts for victims of truck accidents. Contact our office today for a free consultation.