Texting and Driving Truck Accidents in New Braunfels
Distracted driving, such as texting, is highly dangerous—particularly for those operating large trucks, such as 18-wheelers. People who obtain a commercial driver’s license (CDL) to operate heavy commercial vehicles are professional drivers and must use the highest level of caution and safety while traveling on the roadways.
Using a cell phone while driving is reckless. When it causes a tractor-trailer collision that leads to harm, injured people have every right to hold the trucker legally and financially accountable. If you need help with a case, call a knowledgeable lawyer qualified to handle cases resulting from texting and driving truck accidents in New Braunfels.
Texas Cell Phone Laws
Any motorist who reads or sends text messages while operating vehicles puts themselves and others at severe risk of accidents with catastrophic consequences. States nationwide continue to raise awareness of the issue and strictly prohibit the use of handheld cell phones to reduce the number of collisions.
Texas traffic statutes ban all drivers from texting, tweeting, emailing, or using any form of electronic communication. The penalty for a first offense is a fine of $99, which increases with each subsequent violation. An attorney skilled in cases involving texting and driving truck crashes in New Braunfels can investigate the operator’s background and actions during the traffic event to build a solid case for damages.
Commercial Truck Operators and Texting
Texting, emailing, scrolling the internet, or any action on a cell phone or other device requiring them to push more than one button is unlawful for truckers. Federal agencies conduct studies regularly to find common hazards leading to heavy commercial truck crashes and adjust rules and regulations accordingly.
Research shows that texting is a safety-critical event. When operators text, they are more likely to make errors, such as deviating from their lane. The risk of crashing, or nearly crashing, is approximately 23 times greater than those who refrain from the action while behind the wheel.
The Trucker No Texting Rule
Federal and state agencies prohibit all motorists, including professional truckers, from texting while operating vehicles. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) fact sheet instructs that violations under the law will result in a range of penalties, including:
- Trucker disqualification for up to 120 days
- As much as $2,750 in fines for CDL drivers and $11,000 for employers allowing employees to use handheld devices while operating the vehicles
- Permanent loss of CDL for subsequent convictions
A lawyer with experience handling cases resulting from New Braunfels texting and driving semi-truck collisions can investigate and thoroughly analyze the evidence to determine the cause.
Damages and Dealing With Insurance Companies
18-wheeler collisions are much more likely to leave accident victims with severe, life-threatening injuries. Therefore, the settlement for injury claims can be significant. Examples of potential recoverable damages include:
- Healthcare expenses and ongoing medical treatment
- Therapy, medical devices, and prescriptions
- Lost earnings and benefits
- Permanent disabilities
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional and psychological stress and anguish
Insurance companies usually contact victims quickly to obtain statements and discuss settlements after accidents. Accepting a payout without legal advice can result in low settlements and other problems during the damage recovery process.
Schedule a Consultation With a New Braunfels Attorney After a Texting and Driving Accident
Truck drivers who take their eyes off the road to text put themselves and others at extreme risk of harm. According to the FMCSA, they are much more likely to deviate from their lane or make other mistakes that lead to road and highway crashes.
If you suffered damages and losses in a collision because of trucker negligence, you should hold them accountable. Call a compassionate lawyer who is experienced in handling cases involving texting and driving truck accidents in New Braunfels for help.
