A truck accident has the potential to cause massive damage and catastrophic injuries. If you or a loved one have suffered a serious injury, contact the Irvine truck accident lawyers of Bisnar Chase for help today.
Truck accidents can occur for all kinds of reasons, from distracted driving to driver fatigue or poor vehicle maintenance. When a serious truck accident is caused by negligence – for example, if a truck driver was texting while driving and caused a collision – you need to take action.
Let our Irvine truck accident attorneys fight for the justice and compensation you deserve after a crash. We have been operating in Orange County for more than 45 years and have decades of experience handling major crash and serious injury cases. We have a 99% success rate, winning more than $700 million for our clients. Call (949) 203-3814 today for a free consultation with no obligations. our Irvine personal injury attorneys want to fight for you.
Dangers of Distracted Driving in Irvine
One of the top causes of truck accidents in and around Irvine is distracted driving. A distraction can be defined as any time a driver diverts his or her attention from the task of driving. This may include external distractions such as looking out the window or internal distractions such as talking on the cell phone or texting.
According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s Large Truck Crash Causation Study (LTCCS):
- 8 percent of large truck crashes occurred when the drivers were externally distracted.
- 2 percent of accidents involving large trucks occurred when the driver was internally distracted.
- In 2009, nearly 5,500 people died and half a million were injured in crashes involving a distracted driver.
According to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) research, distraction-related fatalities represented 16 percent of overall traffic fatalities in 2009.
Distracted Driving Law for Truckers
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) issued a new rule last year banning truck drivers from texting, using cell phones, and other communication devices while driving. This policy has serious implications for interstate truck drivers who carry cargo.
The FMCSA in issuing the rule cited recent research by Virginia Tech, which found that truck drivers who send text messages on a cell phone are about 23 times more likely to get into an accident than drivers who keep their eye on the road.
On average, texting drivers take their eyes off the road for about five seconds per message.
During that time, researchers say, a truck can travel the length of a football field. Imagine the damage an unattended, 80,000-pound tractor-trailer can cause. Any truck driver who violates the federal texting ban is subject to a penalty of up to $2,750.
Irvine Truck Accidents Caused by Distracted Driving
A truck accident caused by a distracted driver can result in major injuries especially for those in smaller passenger vehicles. Distracted driving truck accidents usually involve head-on collisions or rear-end crashes that involve several vehicles.
Injuries sustained in these types of crashes include traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, broken bones, and internal injuries. In cases where a distracted truck driver causes an accident, injured victims can seek compensation for damages including medical expenses, lost wages, cost of hospitalization, rehabilitation, pain and suffering, and emotional distress.
Families who have lost loved ones in distracted driving truck accidents can file a wrongful death claim seeking damages including medical costs, funeral expenses, lost future income, and loss of love and companionship.
Contacting an Irvine Truck Accident Lawyer
An experienced Irvine truck accident lawyer can help victims, and their families take the steps necessary to bolster their claims.
Cell phone records are critical in a distracted driving truck accident to determine whether the truck driver was on the phone or texting at the time of the collision. Such crucial evidence can get misplaced, lost, or destroyed if too much time passes.
The knowledgeable Irvine truck accident lawyers at Bisnar Chase have a long and successful track record of helping injured victims and their families. We will remain on your side, fight for your rights and help secure just compensation for your losses.
Trucking companies are often represented by large insurance companies and powerful defense lawyers who strive to protect their best interests.
Immediately call an experienced and reputable truck accident lawyer in Orange County for a free consultation at (949) 203-3814 or visit the Bisnar Chase law offices in Newport Beach. We have proudly served injury victims across Orange County for more than 45 years, and we are here to help you too.
