Being distracted behind the wheel dramatically increases your chances of causing a motor vehicle accident, which is why distracted drivers who get involved in traffic collisions are usually found at fault for ensuing injuries and losses. Unfortunately, when it is a tractor-trailer driver whose lack of attention leads to a wreck, the consequences of that wreck are often so severe that money alone cannot completely make up for them.
This is a big reason why filing suit over distracted driving truck accidents in Glendale can be uniquely complicated, and why it can be so important to have help from seasoned legal counsel when pursuing this type of claim. A qualified truck accident attorney from Phillips Law Group can give you the custom-tailored legal support you need to establish fault for your accident, recover fairly for all your losses, and avoid common legal and procedural roadblocks along the way.
Common Causes of Truck Driver Distraction
Texting—or doing anything else with a handheld electronic device, for that matter—while driving is prohibited by Arizona law for all drivers, and federal laws impose similar restrictions specifically on commercial truckers traveling across state lines. However, cell phones are just one of the many things that a truck driver can potentially be distracted by, such as:
- Reading a map or GPS display
- Using a CB radio
- Changing a radio station or playlist
- Eating and drinking
- Personal grooming
- Reaching for something in the passenger seat
- Talking to someone else in the cab
While these types of distracted driving may not be expressly illegal in the same way texting behind the wheel is, they still qualify as legally actionable “negligence” if they directly lead to an otherwise avoidable traffic accident in Glendale or elsewhere in the state. Being distracted behind the wheel is a violation of every driver’s “duty of care” to follow traffic laws, stay aware of their surroundings, and generally act responsibly while driving.
What Damages Are Recoverable for a Truck Wreck?
A truck driver or trucking company found civilly liable for a distracted driving truck wreck in Glendale can be made to pay for both the economic and non-economic repercussions of that wreck. Economic damages can include short-term and long-term medical expenses, lost work income and benefits, lost future working capacity, vehicle repair/replacement costs, and other out-of-pocket expenses stemming directly from the accident.
Non-economic damages typically center around physical “pain and suffering,” but it can also be important to recover for things like emotional anguish, psychological trauma, and lost overall quality of life, especially if a crash results in a permanently disabling or disfiguring injury. Support from seasoned legal representation can be key to identifying, determining a fair financial value for, and proactively demanding compensation for every form of harm stemming from a specific incident.
Talk to a Glendale Attorney About a Distracted Driving Truck Accident Claim
Even if you know that the trucker who hit you was distracted behind the wheel when the accident happened, proving them directly at fault for causing the collision and your ensuing injuries can be deceptively challenging. You will need substantial evidence on your side that you can also use effectively during settlement negotiations or a trial in civil court. Put bluntly that is not something that you should expect to manage while still dealing with a serious injury.
Assistance from a local lawyer with more than 30 years of experience helping families all over the Phoenix metro area will dramatically improve your chances of getting the restitution you deserve. Call Phillips Law Group today to get started on your claim over distracted driving truck accidents in Glendale.
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