Texting and Driving Truck Accidents in Gainesville

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Trucks outweigh other passenger car vehicles by thousands of pounds, making any crash that involves a commercial vehicle especially severe. Texting while driving poses a distraction to truckers, making it even more difficult to operate these vehicles. As such, it is exceptionally dangerous and can lead to accidents that are entirely avoidable.

If you were in a collision with a careless truck operator who was texting behind the wheel, you could be eligible to collect compensation. Reach out to an attorney who has experience handling texting and driving truck accidents in Gainesville. The dedicated truck wreck attorneys at Smith Hulsey Law are ready to support you.

The Dangers of Texting While Driving a Truck

Maintaining control of a commercial truck is challenging under normal circumstances. Adding the distraction of a cellphone increases the chances of a trucker losing control of their vehicle, not noticing another vehicle, or making unsafe decisions on the road.

There are three primary forms of driving distractions: visual, manual, and cognitive diversions. Visual distractions take the driver’s eyes off the road, manual distractions take the trucker’s hands off the wheel, and cognitive distractions cause the driver’s mind to wander away from operating the vehicle safely. Texting while driving a truck can pose a distraction on every one of these levels, making it particularly hazardous.

Texting While Driving Can Cause Severe Injuries

A truck collision with a distracted driver can cause a wide range of injuries and other losses. Some of the most common texting and driving truck accident injuries include the following:

When truck crashes occur because a negligent trucker is texting, the civil court could hold the at-fault party financially accountable. A Gainesville truck wreck attorney could answer questions about the hazards of texting and driving.

Penalties For Truckers Using Handheld Devices

The number of traffic accidents caused by motorists texting and using other handheld devices continues to increase significantly. Therefore, most state lawmakers have enacted a hands-free driving law. According to Georgia’s Hands-Free Law, motorists cannot use a handheld communication device while operating a motor vehicle. This state law further prohibits drivers from reading, sending text messages, watching, or taking videos while driving. The Federal Government also bans commercial truck drivers from using these distractions, reinforcing the risk they pose.

A driver guilty of texting while driving will receive one point on their driver’s license and a $50 fee. A second offense can lead to two points against someone’s license and a $100 fee. Any subsequent offenses are three points on the motorist’s license and may require additional fines. A Gainesville lawyer with experience handling texting and driving crashes could investigate whether a trucker broke a hands-free law at the time of the accident. If they did, they might be liable for providing compensation to injured parties.

Discuss Texting and Driving Truck Accidents With a Gainesville Attorney

An accident involving a large truck can leave you with painful injuries that lead to long-term or permanent disabilities. Sending or receiving messages while driving is extremely dangerous, and most of the country has criminalized this act.

If you were injured in a texting and driving truck accident in Gainesville, you have every right to seek payment from them for your losses. Contact our team at Smith Hulsey Law to get started.

Smith Hulsey Law

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