Distracted driving can be just as dangerous as driving under the influence. Operating a vehicle with distractions is especially hazardous for commercial truck drivers. The massive size and weight of a truck already make them more challenging to operate, and even a momentary distraction can cause a truck driver to lose control of their vehicle.
When a negligent truck driver causes what could have been an avoidable accident, they should be held liable. An experienced truck accident attorney at Smith Hulsey could help you collect compensation for your losses. Call a skilled lawyer who understands how to navigate legal claims after distracted driving truck accidents in Gainesville.
Most people think of distracted driving as taking their eyes off the road. However, there are different forms of distractions that all pose unnecessary hazards. According to the Centers for Disease Control, there are three primary types of distractions to drivers. Visual distractions take the truck driver’s eyes off the road. Manual distractions cause them to take their hands off the wheel. Cognitive distractions cause the driver’s mind to wander instead of focusing on operating the vehicle safely.
Driving massive commercial trucks is difficult without distractions. Truck operators need even more time and space on the road to bring their vehicles to a complete and safe stop. When they do not notice or react to obstacles in time, distracted truckers pose a severe risk of causing accidents and harm to themselves and others. A Gainesville attorney with experience handling distracted driving truck crashes could answer questions about what may be considered a distraction on the road.
Because of the severe risk associated with these collisions, there are laws prohibiting acts behind the wheel that distract motorists. It is unlawful for any driver traveling in Georgia to write, read, or send text messages using a cell phone, laptop, or any other communication device while operating a vehicle. In addition to this requirement, the Official Code of Georgia Annotated § 40-6-241 prohibits commercial truck drivers from doing the following while operating a vehicle:
Distracted driving is avoidable. Those who suffer harm in accidents caused by someone else’s careless driving deserve a means to recover their losses. A knowledgeable lawyer could investigate a truck accident in Gainesville to determine if it was caused by distracted driving and help potential plaintiffs pursue the compensation they need.
The statute of limitations limits the length of time an injured party has to file a case for damages against negligent truck drivers. Under the Official Code of Georgia Annotated § 9-3-33, the petitioner has two years from the day of the accident to prepare and file a lawsuit in civil court.
An injured party may want to seek compensation for the loss of consortium, meaning the loss of benefits from family relationships, including love and support. In these cases, a potential plaintiff has four years to file a case. A Gainesville attorney could provide more insight into what damages might be available after a distracted driving wreck.
Severe accidents continue to occur despite regulations and trucking company rules that prohibit truckers from driving with distractions. When there is evidence a trucker caused an accident because their attention was not on the road, you could hold them financially accountable for their careless actions.
The attorneys at Smith Hulsey Law are prepared to fight to get the compensation you deserve from negligent truckers and their parent companies. Call us today for help with cases involving distracted driving truck accidents in Gainesville.
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