Operating a vehicle while distracted could cause driver error that leads to crashes. If the inattentive driver is behind the wheel of a big rig, the damage they could cause is potentially catastrophic.
If you suffered injuries in a distracted driving truck accident in Creve Coeur, you have a right to seek compensation for the losses the driver’s negligence caused. A well-versed semi wreck attorney could explain your legal options and help you get the damages you deserve.
A loaded tractor-trailer could weigh up to 80,000 pounds, while the average mid-size sedan weighs less than 3,500 pounds. In addition, trucks brake slowly, handle sluggishly, and have large blind spots. If a trailer and a passenger vehicle collide, the latter is likely to be damaged, and its occupants might suffer severe injuries.
Trucks can be incredibly dangerous if their drivers do not keep their attention on the road. Because of this, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) bans commercial drivers from using any handheld electronic devices to talk, text, or watch videos. However, using a device is just one form of distraction. Any activity that takes a driver’s eyes or attention off the road could be a distraction that interferes with the safe operation of the vehicle.
The chances of a collision increase if a trucker eats or drinks while operating their vehicle, adjusts their equipment, or checks the GPS. Other distractions that could cause a rig wreck include grooming oneself, looking for an item in the cab, and becoming lost in thought.
A diligent attorney in the area could help determine what caused the trucker to not be paying attention to the road.
If an injured party seeks damages after a distracted driver rig collision, their Creve Coeur attorney could look into the circumstances of the crash to find evidence of negligence. Distracted driving is a common reason for driver error and an example of negligence. Law enforcement personnel are attuned to the possibility of inattentive driving, and their report from the accident site might provide evidence that the trucker’s attention was divided.
Other sources of evidence that the truck driver was distracted could include the:
If evidence exists that the driver’s attention was divided at the time of the crash, the driver and their employer could be found responsible.
A jury might award three types of damages to someone who suffered losses because of a truck driver’s negligence: economic, non-economic, and in some cases, punitive damages. A local attorney could advise a plaintiff about how best to document the losses they suffered after a semi crash caused by inattentive driving.
Economic damages include all feasible expenses incurred while seeking or receiving treatment. This could include medical costs, property damage, and lost wages. Projected future medical expenses could be awarded if the injury requires ongoing treatment.
Non-economic damages include payments for physical pain, emotional anguish, disfigurement, disability, and other subjective losses. The Revised Statutes of Missouri §510.261 allow an injured person who can show the trucker’s flagrant disregard for others’ safety to seek punitive damages with the court’s permission. Courts might grant permission to seek punitive damages if the defendant’s behavior was especially reckless.
Truck collisions could cause devastating injuries to the occupants of other vehicles. If you were hurt because an 18-wheeler driver failed to keep their attention on the road, you could be entitled to significant damages.
Contact a local lawyer if you suffered injuries in a distracted driving truck accident in Creve Coeur. They could help you secure a settlement that helps you get back on your feet financially. Call today.
