Distracted Driving Truck Accidents in Victorville

Distracted driving is a significant problem on roadways across the United States, including and especially on highways that see tons of commercial truck traffic daily. Even a momentary lapse in concentration can lead to a driver missing a hazard ahead or veering out of their lane towards other nearby vehicles. When the vehicle a distracted driver is operating is a massive tractor-trailer, any ensuing accident tends to be especially dangerous.

Filing suit over distracted driving truck accidents in Victorville could be deceptively difficult, primarily because it is challenging to prove a truck driver was distracted behind the wheel. When you have been injured in a wreck of this nature, contacting an experienced truck crash attorney who has handled similar cases could be a crucial first step toward obtaining the civil restitution you deserve.

Common Causes of Distracted Truck Driving

In the modern day, the smartphone is an all-too-common source of distraction both on and off the road, including among long-haul truckers. Fortunately, almost every U.S. state has made it illegal for a person to read and write text messages behind the wheel. Federal law imposes even harsher restrictions on commercial truckers that effectively ban them from using any handheld electronic device at any point while in motion.

This is one of many ways a trucker could be distracted while driving and cause a serious crash in or around Victorville, with others including:

• Eating or drinking
• Looking at scenery or other vehicles nearby
• Personal grooming
• Reading a book
• Watching a video
• Adjusting a GPS or looking at a map
• Using their CB radio
• Changing a radio station or music playlist
• Reaching for something else in the cab

State law does not expressively prohibit all of these behaviors, but all of them qualify as a breach of a trucker’s legal duty of care, which requires them to obey the law and keep their focus fully on the road. Proving a breach directly led to a traffic accident and subsequent physical injuries is the foundation of every successful truck crash lawsuit.

Who Could Be Liable for a Truck Wreck?

Often, the main person to blame for a distracted driving truck crash in Victorville is almost always the truck driver who was unfocused right before the wreck. However, that does not necessarily mean a distracted trucker is the only party who could hold civil liability for such an incident.

Under the legal doctrine of respondeat superior, a court can hold employers vicariously liable for the negligence of their employee—something that can allow for substantially greater financial recovery than filing suit against a single trucker. A practiced legal professional could go into more detail during a private consultation about who might bear civil fault for a specific incident.

Consider Working with an Attorney After Distracted Driving Truck Accidents in Victorville

Distraction behind the wheel puts both the distracted driver themselves and everyone around them at risk of catastrophic harm. When a commercial trucker caused you injury because they were not focusing on their job, you may have grounds to file suit against them and their employer to demand comprehensive financial restitution.

Getting a good case result following distracted driving truck accidents in Victorville could be much easier with guidance from a knowledgeable lawyer. Call today to get started on your lawsuit.