Commercial truck drivers who do not exercise an appropriate level of care behind the wheel can cause devastating harm. When large commercial trucks strike passenger cars, the resulting injuries are often catastrophic. Distracted truck drivers are not only more likely to cause accidents, but also more likely to cause widespread damage.
If you were injured in a distracted driving truck accident in Katy, you have the right to take legal action. Distracted driving is a form of negligence, and it could serve as the basis for a personal injury lawsuit. Let a skilled injury attorney help you understand your legal rights and options.
Distractions Are a Substantial Risk for Truck Drivers
As technology advances, the number of ways for a trucker to become distracted increases. Every distraction poses its own unique dangers, but typically falls into one of three categories.
Physical Distractions
This type of distraction draws one or both of a truck driver’s hands away from the steering wheel. This behavior is dangerous, as driving one-handed makes it more difficult to respond to changing road conditions or maintain control of a large vehicle. Examples of physical distractions include adjusting the radio or eating while driving.
Visual Distractions
A truck driver becomes visually distracted when their eyes are drawn away from the road. Visual distractions pose a risk because road conditions can quickly change, making it impossible for drivers who aren’t paying attention to respond in time. Common visual distractions include reading text messages or watching videos on a cellphone.
Mental Distractions
A mental distraction is anything that takes a truck driver’s attention away from the task of driving. Mental distractions could be something as simple as daydreaming or having a conversation with another person. These distractions are dangerous, as losing focus can dramatically reduce reaction time.
When someone gets hurt in an accident caused by a distracted truck driver, they should meet with a Katy attorney to discuss the possibility of filing an injury claim.
Common Injuries in Distracted Driving Accidents
Tractor-trailer collisions can cause debilitating injuries to multiple. Trucks are much larger than other vehicles they share the road with, which means crashes can result in a tremendous amount of damage to passenger cars as well as nearby cyclists or pedestrians. Injuries from these collisions may include:
- Broken bones
- Internal bleeding
- Spinal cord damage
- Paralysis
- Amputation
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Severe lacerations
- Sprains and strains
Every form of serious harm caused by a distracted or negligent truck operator could serve as the basis for a civil injury lawsuit. Someone injured by a distracted truck operator could pursue financial compensation for lost wages and medical bills while they recover from their injuries. However, proving a truck driver and their employer should be held accountable is not always easy, especially without the help of legal counsel. A Katy attorney could develop a trial strategy aimed at securing fair compensation in a distracted driving truck crash case.
Meet With a Katy Attorney About a Distracted Driving Truck Accident
No one should have to bear the cost of recovering from an injury they had no part in causing. When a distracted trucker’s actions lead to your injuries, you deserve compensation, and the right attorney could make that monetary award a reality. After a distracted driving truck accident in Katy, reach out to our firm to get started on taking legal action.