PA Truck Accidents Due to Distracted Driving
Commercial truck accidents are increasingly common in Pennsylvania. It may come as a shock to learn that according to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), seventy-one percent of truck accidents are caused by distracted driving.
If you or someone you love was involved in a PA truck accident due to distracted driving, you may be entitled to financial compensation.
A respected PA distracted driving truck accident lawyer at Anapol Weiss can guide you through the claims process so you can maximize your settlement. PA truck accidents due to distracted driving are unacceptable. Our firm is here to help you get the justice you deserve.
What Is Distracted Driving?
Distracted driving occurs whenever a driver is doing something other than paying attention to the roads. Some common types of actions that constitute distracted driving in PA include:
- Using a cell phone
- Adjusting or looking at a GPS or navigation device
- Inputing a driver’s log
- Eating or drinking
- Sending an email or text message
- Reaching across the seat for an item
- Adjusting climate control
- Using a CB radio
- Adjusting the music selection
These are only a few examples of distracted driving. Truck drivers who cause accidents due to distracted driving in PA may face serious penalties. In addition to license suspension, jail time, and fines, they could also be suspended or fired from their job and have their Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) suspended temporarily or indefinitely. Unfortunately, these deterrents have not been very effective in reducing distracted driving by truckers
There are other consequences. Distracted truck drivers who cause a crash face in the civil claim you may file against them for hurting you or your family. Your attorney can analyze the details of your case to ensure the liable party is held accountable for their negligence.
Things to Know About Distracted Driving and Truck Accidents in PA
Commercial truck accidents are often devastating due to the sheer size of these vehicles. They can weigh 16 to 25 times as much as a standard sedan or SUV.
With such massive vehicles, distracted driving is very dangerous. The FMCSA says reading or writing the average text takes 5 seconds. If a distracted truck driver took his or her eyes off the road for five seconds at fifty-five miles per hour, it’s like driving the truck the length of a football field blindfolded.
According to the Crash Facts and Statistics for 2020 provided by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, there were 104,475 traffic accidents in PA in 2020. 11,019 of those were caused by distracted drivers. This is likely an understatement. The total estimated costs of traffic accidents across the state is estimated to be more than $25 billion in 2020.
With numbers this staggering, it’s surprising that additional measures haven’t been taken by trucking companies to keep their truck drivers distraction-free. This leaves them open to liability in PA truck accidents due to distracted driving.
What to Do After a PA Truck Accident Due to Distracted Driving
Once you have been deemed medically stable, you should make a call to an attorney who focuses on PA truck accidents due to distracted driving. Having a lawyer who spends so much time on this particular area means you have an experienced professional who understands the ins and outs of legislation surrounding distracted driving and commercial truck accidents. You deserve to be fully repaid for your suffering. Anapol Weiss is here to help you get the most out of your claim.
$8 BILLION+ Recovered: Let Anapol Weiss Can Help You
Choosing the right attorney to represent you after your PA truck accident due to distracted driving can be tough. You want to make sure your attorney is compassionate and communicative. But more than that, you need an attorney who has an understanding of what you’re going through.
Anapol Weiss has long supported distracted driving education and advocacy. Joel Feldman, partner at Anapol Weiss, became a leader in advocating safe driving after losing his daughter, Casey, to a distracted driver more than a decade ago. Our firm has shown support via the annual Video and Meme Contest presented by the End Distracted Driving organization, a project of the Casey Feldman Foundation, and the “Kids Speaking Up for Road Safety Program” that offers elementary school lesson plans to teachers across the country.
Our dedication to the prevention of unnecessary deaths and injuries caused by distracted driving is unparalleled. We’re the zealous advocates you need to go up against money-hungry insurers and trucking companies alike.
Fault For Truck Accidents Caused by Distracted Driving in PA
It’s easy to assume that the distracted driver is at fault for your accident. And they very likely are. You will be able to file a civil claim against them seeking full compensation for your economic and non-economic damages. However, you might also have a claim against the trucking company that employed the truck driver.
They are responsible for hiring skilled and competent truckers to manage these colossal vehicles and for the negligence of their employees. Additionally, if they failed to do their due diligence, failed to properly train, or are otherwise found to be partially at fault, they can also be responsible in your PA distracted driving truck accident claim.
200+ Years of Collective Experience Advocating for Injury Victim’s Rights
Commercial truck accidents caused by distracted driving are 100% preventable. We work tirelessly to advocate against distracted driving. And we know how to make those who put others at risk pay. Anapol Weiss has successfully obtained compensation in a number of different PA truck accidents due to distracted driving. But some of the most notable include:
- $9 MILLION settlement involving a distracted bus driver
- $3.75 MILLION settlement for a client who suffered a head injury in a collision caused by a distracted trash truck driver
- $1.4 MILLION trial verdict for a mechanic who lost the use of his arm in a crash caused by a distracted driver
- $1.45 MILLION insurance settlement for the family of a four-year-old who suffered fatal injuries after being struck by a distracted dump truck driver
- $2 MILLION insurance settlement involving a distracted commercial tractor-trailer driver
Our proven track record of success speaks for itself. Let us help you through this difficult time in your life. We’ll build your case, calculate the value of your claim, negotiate with the insurance company, and even bring your case to trial to get you the compensation that is rightfully yours.
Contact a PA Truck Accident Lawyer for Help Today
PA truck accidents due to distracted driving could completely change the course of your life. Don’t let a negligent truck driver or other liable party get away with the harm they’ve caused. Make them pay for their actions when you file a claim against them. A dedicated PA truck accident attorney at Anapol Weiss could help you build a compelling case that’s sure to win.
Schedule a free, no-obligation consultation when you call our office at (866) 670-4704. Or fill out our quick contact form, and we’ll reach out to discuss the details of your commercial truck accident.