A commercial truck driver who looks away from the road can travel a significant distance before noticing slowing traffic, a changing signal, or another vehicle. When distraction causes a serious wreck, you may face extensive medical care and questions about what happened. In these circumstances, an experienced truck accident attorney can investigate the crash and pursue appropriate compensation.
Distracted driving truck accidents in Southaven require careful attention to what the driver was doing before impact. At The Law Office of David E. Gordon & Elissa M. Coombs, our team represents people injured in serious auto accidents. We can examine the circumstances surrounding a commercial truck crash while handling communications with the companies and insurers involved.
Driver Distraction Takes Different Forms
Cell phone use is a familiar example of distracted driving, but it is not the only activity that can take a commercial driver’s attention away from safely operating a truck. Distraction can involve taking the driver’s eyes off the roadway, removing a hand from the controls, or diverting attention from traffic.
Examples can include:
- Reading or sending a text message
- Looking at a navigation device
- Reaching for an object inside the cab
- Eating or drinking while driving
- Adjusting equipment or controls
- Focusing on something outside the vehicle
Mississippi Code Annotated § 63-33-1 prohibits the operator of a moving motor vehicle from writing, sending, or reading text messages or accessing certain social networking functions with a hand-held mobile telephone. The law provides exceptions for certain communications and circumstances.
A distracted driving truck accident lawyer serving Southaven can evaluate whether the driver diverted their attention and how that conduct relates to the wreck. Elissa can also explain which information may help establish what occurred before impact.
How Can We Establish Driver Distraction?
A driver may not admit to distraction before a collision. For this reason, determining what happened may require comparing several sources of information rather than relying on a single person’s account.
Depending on the circumstances, phone records, electronic truck data, available video, and company records may provide useful information about how the accident happened. The physical evidence from the crash can also help establish whether the driver reacted before impact or failed to recognize a developing hazard.
A Southaven truck wreck attorney can determine which sources of information are relevant to a particular collision when assessing whether distracted driving occurred. Elissa can review the available evidence and evaluate whether it supports a claim of driver distraction.
Injuries and Compensation After a Distracted Driving Truck Crash
The size and weight of a commercial truck can cause serious harm, including traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, fractures, and internal trauma. People who suffer injuries in these crashes may also face ongoing treatment, time away from work, and changes in their daily lives.
In Southaven, compensation in a distracted driving truck accident claim may account for:
- Medical expenses and future treatment
- Lost income and reduced earning ability
- Physical pain and emotional distress
- Permanent impairment or disability
Our firm can evaluate these losses and pursue appropriate compensation from responsible parties and insurers. Elissa provides experienced personal injury representation and can help injured clients understand how their injuries affect the value of a claim.
Call a Southaven Attorney About a Distracted Driving Truck Crash
Distracted driving truck accidents in Southaven can raise questions about what captured the driver’s attention and whether available evidence can establish it. You do not have to investigate those questions or deal with commercial insurers alone.
At The Law Office of David E. Gordon & Elissa M. Coombs, we can review your wreck, explain your options, and pursue compensation on your behalf. Contact our board-certified lawyer today to discuss your case and schedule a free consultation.
