Distracted Driving Truck Accidents in San Antonio
Truck accidents can be dangerous due to the sheer size and weight of commercial trucks compared to passenger vehicles. Truckers are professional drivers who are held to higher safety standards. This makes truck driver negligence, such as distraction, a more severe infraction.
The experienced truck accident attorneys at Felix Gonzalez Law know how to navigate the aftermath of distracted driving truck accidents in San Antonio. Contact the firm to learn how they can help guide your case toward an optimal outcome.
Distracted Driving Is a Leading Accident Cause
Every motorist is responsible for safely navigating the road, which includes accepting a duty of care regarding the safety of other drivers. Truck drivers are no exception to this responsibility.
Any form of distraction while driving can be exceptionally dangerous. Examples include talking on the phone, adjusting the temperature or radio controls, and daydreaming. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration identifies texting as the most alarming distraction.
Texting While Driving
It takes an average of five seconds to compose or read a text. During these five seconds, cars travel approximately the distance of a football field when driving at highway speeds. When the texting driver is operating a tractor-trailer in San Antonio, the risk factor for deadly crashes increases. This is why the state has strict anti-texting and driving laws, but drivers often ignore them.
Drivers who fail to pay adequate attention to the road and to the traffic around them make our roadways more dangerous for everyone. When the distracted driver is driving a machine that can weigh upwards of 80,000 pounds, it can lead to a tragic accident.
Effects of Distracted Driving on Truckers
A truck driver’s job is more than simply driving. It includes ensuring that their rigs are loaded properly, maintaining accurate driving logs, and implementing safety checks.
In addition to these responsibilities, they drive huge vehicles that require skill, experience, and focused attention to operate safely. Several factors make distraction when driving a big rig more dangerous. Truck drivers:
- Require significantly more stopping distance than other motorists, so they should leave adequate forward space and not cut off other drivers
- Are vulnerable to jackknife accidents when taking curves or exits too quickly
- Take very wide right turns, which require being mindful of the road and others on it
- Have large blind spots along all four sides of their rigs, making it critical to check them whenever changing lanes or leaving the road
Ultimately, truck drivers are responsible for considering these factors to avoid collisions caused by distraction in San Antonio.
How Can Distracted Driving Claims Be Proven?
In order to bring a successful distracted driving truck wreck claim in San Antonio, there needs to be proof of the driver’s distraction. This is a challenging process that involves evidence such as:
- Eyewitness testimony
- The truck driver’s phone records, which can pinpoint any activity at the time of the accident
- Photos and videos from bystanders at the scene and from the occupants of other vehicles
- Footage from any security cameras, dashcams, or traffic cameras in the area
- The police report and any written traffic citations
A capable lawyer can take the actions necessary to build a strong claim that supports a fair settlement.
Contact a San Antonio Attorney if Your Crash Involved an Inattentive Truck Driver
Distracted driving truck accidents in San Antonio are dangerous. The attorneys at Felix Gonzalez Law can work tirelessly on behalf of your rights in pursuit of the compensation you are entitled to. For more information about how Felix Gonzalez Law can help you. Do not hesitate to call or contact the firm online today.
