Northern California Distracted Driving Truck Accident Attorneys
If you were involved in an accident with a distracted truck driver, contact the Northern California truck accident attorneys of Tiemann Law Firm to discuss your legal options. You might be entitled to compensation from the truck driver or the trucking company for the injuries and losses you suffered. We have over 25 years of experience holding careless parties accountable for the harm they’ve caused. When you hire us, we will fight hard for the justice you deserve and help you get back on your feet.
According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, 67,693 people were injured, and 4,519 people died in accidents involving large trucks in 2020. If a truck driver becomes distracted behind the wheel, they don’t have the physical or mental capacity to react to what’s happening around them. They likely won’t be able to stop in time to avoid a collision with another vehicle if they’re looking at their cell phone or focusing on a conversation with a passenger.
You have the right to hold the truck driver liable for your medical bills and other expenses after an accident. At Tiemann Law Firm, our legal team can help you with your insurance claim or lawsuit to recover the maximum financial award you need and deserve to heal your injuries. Call our Northern California distracted truck driver accident lawyers right now at (916) 999-9000 for your free same-day consultation to learn more about our legal services.
Defining Distracted Driving
Driver distractions are everywhere. When someone focuses on something other than operating their vehicle, that’s considered distracted driving. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, three types of distractions exist that could cause accidents, injuries, and fatalities.
Manual distractions are actions requiring the driver to remove one or both hands from the steering wheel. Without having total control over the vehicle, a truck driver can’t maneuver through traffic or around a hazard in the middle of the road. Common examples of manual distractions are:
- Eating
- Changing the radio station
- Reaching for an item in the vehicle
- Composing an email or text message
Visual distractions involve a motorist looking at something besides the road or vehicles nearby. Truck drivers have the difficult task of controlling an 80,000-pound vehicle with various moving parts and cargo loaded on the back. It’s crucial that they pay attention to the road ahead. The second their eyes focus on something else, an accident could occur. Some examples of visual distractions include:
- Looking at a passenger
- Reading a text or email
- Staring at something happening on the side of the road
- Reading a newspaper
Cognitive distractions require a driver to redirect their attention and focus away from the task at hand. A truck driver spends hours on the road and drives hundreds of miles every day. They must remain alert at all times. Unfortunately, truckers often allow their minds to wander, putting the occupants of other vehicles at risk of injury. Some of the most common cognitive distractions they face are:
- Daydreaming
- Thinking about an upsetting situation that occurred
- Signing along to a song on the radio
- Engaging in road rage behaviors, such as gesturing to other drivers or honking the horn
Federal regulations are in place that are meant to prevent truck drivers from texting or using a hand-held mobile phone during their driving shifts. Violating these safety regulations could result in fines for the driver and their employer. The driver could even lose their commercial driver’s license for subsequent offenses.
What to Do After a Truck Accident Involving a Distracted Driver
Most people know the importance of calling 911 after a motor vehicle accident, especially if there are injuries or fatalities. However, what should you do in the days, weeks, or even months that follow? The steps you take could improve or ruin your chances of recovering compensation if you choose to pursue legal action.
If you plan to hold the truck driver liable, it’s critical that you hire an experienced Northern California distracted driving truck accident attorney and seek treatment for your injuries immediately after the accident.
It doesn’t matter who you see initially for a physical examination. You can request an ambulance to transport you to the hospital or drive yourself to your doctor’s office after leaving the crash scene. Either way, you must undergo an evaluation of your injuries to determine the necessary treatment plan. Medical records can document the specific injuries you suffered and the timeline of your recovery. They help prove that you were, in fact, hurt in the crash.
Hiring a lawyer is necessary because you likely don’t know how to handle an insurance claim or lawsuit. Even if you’ve gone through this experience before, you should still seek legal representation. If you attempt to go through the claim and lawsuit process alone, you could end up with much less compensation than you deserve.
That’s because insurance companies look out for their own interests over the interests of injured claimants. They want to save money and avoid large settlement payouts. With a Northern California distracted driving truck accident attorney in your corner, you can expect you’ll have a dedicated advocate who will fight to protect your right to obtain the maximum insurance coverage available.
It’s also vital that you maintain copies of every document related to your case. Hospital records, physical therapy bills, prescriptions, out-of-pocket expenses, and car repair estimates are proof of your injury and the costs you incurred from the accident. Tiemann Law Firm has the resources to obtain the necessary available evidence showing the truck driver or another party was responsible for the suffering you endured.
There are also some things you should avoid at all costs. Your life will be under a microscope while the insurance company investigates the truck accident to determine the settlement amount you deserve. Saying or doing the wrong thing could result in a low number or a denied claim.
- Don’t sign any forms you receive from the insurance adjuster. The language can be confusing, and you might unknowingly sign away your right to hold the policyholder liable for your expenses.
- Don’t talk to the insurance adjuster. If they call you to discuss the details of your case, give them our contact information. We can communicate with them on your behalf.
- Don’t wait long before beginning the claims process. Although many insurance companies don’t have strict filing deadlines, some do suggest that you initiate a claim “within a reasonable amount of time” or “promptly” following a car crash. Additionally, state laws require filing lawsuits within a specific timeframe.
- Don’t tell the insurance company that you believe your actions might have contributed to the accident. Pure comparative negligence could reduce the amount of compensation you’re entitled to if a jury determines you share any percentage of fault for your injuries.
- Don’t attempt to handle your case without retaining a Northern California distracted driving truck accident attorney. It’s stressful to deal with deadlines, paperwork, and aggressive insurance companies. Tiemann Law Firm can take on that responsibility so you can solely focus on your recovery.
Compensation Available from a Distracted Truck Driver Accident
You could seek compensation from the truck driver or trucking company if you suffered physical, financial, or emotional losses in the accident. The trucker becoming distracted while operating their vehicle doesn’t necessarily mean they’re the only party to blame. Their employer could be at fault for knowingly hiring an unqualified driver or failing to provide adequate training.
When you file an insurance claim or lawsuit, the losses you can pursue might include:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
- Lost future earnings
- Emotional distress
- Property damage
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Disfigurement
- Physical impairment
- Pain and suffering
- Inconvenience
California is an at-fault state, meaning whoever causes an accident that results in injury, death, or property damage becomes liable for the resulting expenses. Federal law requires trucking companies to purchase liability insurance for their drivers. Coverage begins at $300,000 and can reach up to $5 million, depending on the weight of the truck and the type of cargo it contains. These limits should adequately compensate for your past and future losses, so you’re not forced to pay for anything out-of-pocket.
Contact Tiemann Law Firm Today
The Northern California distracted driving truck accident attorneys of Tiemann Law Firm have been fighting for accident victims since 1998. We have decades of experience handling insurance claims and lawsuits against negligent truck drivers and trucking companies. Our team cares about our clients, and we will always go above and beyond to meet your needs.
We understand the severity of your situation. You might struggle to afford the hefty cost of medical treatment and be unable to return to work due to your injury. This can create significant stress and lead to debt. We don’t want to add more burden to your life, which is why we take cases on contingency. You don’t have to worry about upfront legal fees or costs while we’re pursuing compensation. We don’t get paid unless you get paid.
If you suffered injuries in a truck accident with a distracted driver, do not hesitate to immediately reach out to Tiemann Law Firm. One of our Northern California distracted driving truck accident attorneys can meet with you for a free same-day consultation to discuss the details of your case. We will determine the available options for holding the truck driver liable and help you on your road to recovery. Call us today at (916) 999-9000.
