In recent years, distracted driving has become a significant problem on the roads. All drivers owe a duty of care to drive responsibly and attentively to protect the safety and lives of all others sharing the roads with them. Commercial truck drivers owe an even higher duty of care. However, increasingly more texting and driving truck accidents in Baton Rouge are occurring every year.
If you suspect the truck driver who struck you or your loved ones was texting when your accident occurred, you are probably feeling overwhelmed. A knowledgeable truck accident lawyer from Tomeny | Best could help ease your concerns by answering your questions and guiding you through the process of filing a personal injury lawsuit against the responsible parties. Connect with our team today to learn more.
Negative Impacts of Texting Truck Drivers
When truck drivers are distracted by their phones, they pose a significant risk to other motorists, pedestrians, and bicyclists. A truck driver who is texting would not be aware of changes in traffic patterns. If the car in front of them is stopped, they might not see it until too late. Since a large commercial 18-wheeler takes considerably longer to stop, any additional holdup in applying pressure to the brakes could turn catastrophic.
Texting truckers are also unaware of changes in the road. If the road curves, a texting trucker might not follow the curve and continue to drive straight, which could send them veering into another lane or even off the road. Distracted truckers might also miss critical lane markers, road signs, red lights, stop signs, or obstacles in the road.
A trucker’s inattentiveness could cause rear-end, T-bone, head-on, or sideswipe accidents. If a trucker tries to correct their inattentiveness too late, such as by slamming the brakes on suddenly, they could also cause the truck to jackknife or rollover.
A compassionate Baton Rouge lawyer from Tomeny | Best understands how widespread the effects of texting while driving trucking collisions can be and could work tirelessly to fight for justice.
Proving a Truck Driver Was Texting
Establishing that a truck driver was texting at the time of a Baton Rouge wreck is not always simple.
With a Citation
According to Louisiana law, texting while driving any type of motor vehicle is prohibited, as outlined in Louisiana Revised Statutes Section 32.300.5. If the driver received a citation for texting at the time of the crash, a skilled local lawyer from Tomeny | Best could use that citation as evidence establishing the truck driver’s liability in a civil lawsuit.
Without a Citation
If the truck driver did not receive a citation for texting from the local police, a dedicated legal team could still work determinedly to build a strong case for liability. Our seasoned local lawyers could perform a detailed investigation of the accident, including carefully interviewing eyewitnesses and bystanders to learn what they observed. Even if the witnesses might not have seen the truck driver holding their cellphone, they might have noticed the driver looking down, which could indicate they were reading something on their phone. Our team could also comply with the necessary protocols to obtain copies of the driver’s phone records to search for proof.
Call a Baton Rouge Lawyer After a Texting Trucker Accident
Texting and driving truck accidents in Baton Rouge can devastate families and result in debilitating injuries. If you believe the truck driver who harmed you or your loved one was distracted, you deserve the opportunity to hold them accountable.
Call a seasoned lawyer from Tomeny | Best and let them help.
