No matter what type of vehicle they are driving, everyone who operates a motor vehicle on public Florida roads has a “duty of care” under state law to keep their attention entirely on driving at all times while behind the wheel. However, not everyone can cause as much damage by driving while distracted as a long-haul trucker transporting tens of thousands of pounds of cargo—something you, unfortunately, may have learned the hard way.
Distracted driving truck accidents in Pace can have uniquely devastating consequences, and there is only so much that civil compensation can do to make up for the losses a crash like this can cause. That said, working with the skilled truck accident lawyers at Emmanuel Sheppard & Condon to demand fair financial restitution for your damages can still be key to maximizing your quality of life now and well into the future.
Common Causes of Truck Driver Distraction
Under Florida state law, it is illegal for commercial truck drivers to read, write, or send text messages with a cell phone while driving. Federal law goes even further by banning truckers from using any kind of handheld electronic device for any reason while driving. Unfortunately, these laws do not stop every truck driver from distracting themselves with phones, tablets, or even laptop computers while driving, nor do they prevent them from being distracted in other ways by doing things like:
- Eating and drinking
- Personal grooming
- Talking to someone else in their cab
- Looking at a map or GPS readout
- Reading a book
- Watching a video
All these behaviors qualify as a “breach” of the duty of care truckers have to keep their focus entirely on the road, regardless of whether they are specifically prohibited by law or not. Among other things, a seasoned legal professional can provide crucial help with collecting evidence to prove that a truck driver engaged in distracted driving was the main person to blame for your truck accident in Pace.
Are Trucking Companies Liable for Distracted Driving Truck Wrecks?
Legal counsel can also potentially help you take legal action against the company that a distracted truck driver was working for at the time of your wreck. In many situations, a company whose negligent worker causes you to get hurt can be held “vicariously liable” for their employee’s misconduct under a legal doctrine called respondeat superior, which your lawyer can explain in more detail as needed.
In other situations, a trucking company may even be directly at fault for a truck crash in Pace because it negligently hired a driver with a history of distracted driving. Either way, this approach to civil litigation tends to allow for much greater financial recovery than a claim filed solely against an individual trucker would.
Talk to a Pace Attorney About a Possible Distracted Driving Truck Accident Claim
Just like you have a duty to pay attention and act responsibly while driving your personal vehicle in Florida, commercial truck drivers have a duty to act the same way behind the wheel of their big rigs. Any truck driver who causes a wreck because they were not paying attention while driving should be held accountable for the harm their misconduct has caused.
However, getting a positive case result after a distracted driving truck accident in Pace can be difficult, which is why it is so important to have dependable legal representation every step of the way throughout the case process. Call Emmanuel Sheppard & Condon today to learn how our team of legal professionals can help you get paid what you deserve.
