A trucker who texts while driving engages in one of the most dangerous roadway activities. Unfortunately, it is not uncommon for truck drivers to read and send texts while driving, increasing the risk of an accident. Because of the size of these commercial vehicles, truck collisions can crush smaller passenger vehicles, leading to catastrophic injuries and possible death of the vehicle’s occupants.
If you have been injured because a truck driver was not paying attention to the road, the experienced truck accident attorneys at Dunnion Law can help you pursue compensation. As a local personal injury law firm operating for over 50 years, we have helped many injured residents hold at-fault truck drivers accountable. Our lawyers can guide you through the process of pursuing compensation for texting and driving truck accidents in Fresno today.
State law prohibits drivers from texting while driving. When operating a semi or another large truck, drivers must follow even stricter rules regarding these activities. This is because truckers in Fresno who text while driving are significantly more likely to be involved in an accident.
In the four to five seconds it takes to read a message and resume paying attention to the road, a fully loaded 18-wheeler traveling at 55 mph would have traveled the length of a football field, including the end zones. That means the driver travels blind during that time, which significantly increases the risk of a crash.
A fully loaded truck transports about 80,000 pounds of freight, meaning that a collision with a smaller passenger car or SUV, which weighs between 4,000 and 10,000 pounds at full capacity, is likely to cause victims catastrophic injury.
Some common injuries suffered by victims include:
Victims of texting and driving accidents should act quickly—contact our experienced lawyers to pursue full compensation.
A conviction for texting while driving can have grave consequences for truck drivers. Penalties include monetary fines of up to $11,000 and Commercial Driver’s License suspension or disqualification.
Drivers may also be forced to pay other fines. However, these are technically the least severe penalties. The most severe penalty a texting truck driver may face is a Fresno injury lawsuit brought by either the injured accident victim or their relatives if their loved one suffered fatal injuries.
To bring legal action against the at-fault driver, you must first determine negligence and liability. Most of the time, fault is assigned to the commercial motor vehicle driver.
However, it may also extend to their employer if they knowingly allowed or encouraged their driver to use a mobile phone while operating their big rig. Additional parties, such as other road users or even government municipalities, may also be liable if their actions or negligence contributed to the crash.
After a truck wreck involving a texting driver, an experienced attorney in Fresno can handle everything from assigning fault to filing the claim on the victim’s behalf and negotiating a substantial settlement amount.
Texting and driving truck accidents in Fresno may not only lead to devastating injuries for victims but also cause financial ruin. You may have to deal with mounting medical expenses due to extended hospitalization, property damage, lost income, and more. No one should face these challenges while in recovery.
This is where the experienced lawyers at Dunnion Law can help you. We guide you through the claims process, pursue compensation for you, and deal with the insurance companies while you recuperate.
Contact us today to discuss your legal options with a member of our family-run, award-winning law firm.
