Distracted drivers are a danger on the road, causing accidents that injure innocent people. When the distracted driver is operating a truck, the risk is even more serious. Distracted driving truck accidents in Orlando frequently result in catastrophic injuries and damages.
Speak with our truck crash attorneys at Colling Gilbert Wright if you were hurt in a wreck caused by a distracted trucker. We are devoted to pursuing your interests and holding the trucking company accountable while ensuring you get the support you need throughout your recovery. We take pride in the fact that many of our clients come to us through referrals from other local lawyers and former clients who appreciate our professionalism and excellent results.
The Rules Against Distracted Driving Are Clear
Every state in the union has a law against distracted driving. Texting while driving is an especially dangerous form of distracted driving, and there is only one state that does not have legislation banning it. Florida has had a law against texting while driving since 2019.
Truckers are bound by the laws of the states they are driving in, but also by federal rules that apply to interstate truck drivers. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration Rule 6.3.8 bans drivers from using handheld devices while operating a commercial vehicle. Any other form of distraction that takes a trucker’s eyes from the road is also forbidden.
Truckers must be fully attentive to operate their rigs safely. Eating, adjusting their infotainment systems, and even talking with a passenger can cause driving errors that lead to dangerous accidents. The Orlando attorneys at The Florida Firm will investigate the crash to determine whether the truck driver was distracted.
How Do You Prove a Trucker Was Distracted?
When you are seriously injured in a crash and bring a lawsuit, you must prove that your injuries are a direct consequence of another party’s negligence. Truck drivers must maintain a high standard when operating their vehicles. Any proof that the trucker was distracted is also proof of truck driver negligence.
Occasionally, a trucker might acknowledge a distraction to another involved party or the first responders who attend the crash scene. This does not happen often because truck drivers are trained not to make statements after an accident. An Orlando lawyer typically must conduct an independent investigation to learn whether a truck driver’s distraction contributed to a crash.
We could subpoena the truck driver’s cell phone records to determine whether the driver was using it at the time of the crash. We could also obtain video of the cab’s interior to view the driver’s actions in the moments leading up to the crash. Sometimes, witness statements, video from traffic cameras or other sources, and the truck’s electronic data recorder provide evidence of driver distraction.
Significant Compensation May Be Available When a Truck Driver Was Negligent
When a truck driver is at fault for a crash, the transportation company that hired them is typically liable for your injuries. Trucking companies carry commercial policies with high coverage limits, so it is usually possible to secure reimbursement for your expenses and get compensation for your pain and suffering. Our firm has obtained verdicts and settlements of several hundred thousand dollars and up for numerous clients hurt in truck crashes.
You can claim all reasonable medical expenses, including effective therapies that might not be covered by insurance. If your injuries are permanent and require ongoing treatment, you can claim the anticipated cost of this future care. You can also claim your reduced income to date and any impact the injury will have on your ability to earn a living in the future.
Pain and suffering damages compensate you for the changes the injury caused to your lifestyle. Our Orlando distracted driving truck crash attorneys will review your pharmacy and medical records to prove your physical pain, and can rely on your testimony and that of close family members to prove your psychological suffering. We will also demonstrate the ways the injury has caused changes in your hobbies, family life, and social activities.
Talk to Our Orlando Lawyers If You Were Hurt in a Collision Caused by a Distracted Trucker
The Florida Firm has been helping people injured in distracted driving truck accidents in Orlando for more than 20 years. We have the knowledge and skills to hold the truck driver and transportation company accountable for the harm done to you.
We do not accept payment from you unless we win your case, so you can work with us at no risk. Schedule a complementary consultation to discuss your case with a member of our truck accident team.