When a distracted driver gets behind the wheel of any vehicle, there is always a strong potential for severe injuries and damages to ensue from a serious roadway collision. If this driver is operating a commercial vehicle like a truck, which is considerably larger and heavier than a traditional motor vehicle, any other drivers in the vicinity could be put in extreme danger in the event of an accident.
If you were recently injured in a tractor-trailer collision caused by a distracted driver, you may be wondering what legal recourse you have. The lawyers at our family firm have handled numerous cases involving distracted driving truck accidents in Clearwater. Our dedicated truck crash attorneys could help you seek just and fair compensation for all your losses.
The Most Common Dangerous Driving Distractions
All drivers have a legal duty to operate their vehicles with reasonable care so they do not injure other motorists. Truck drivers are no exception. Any instance of distracted driving by a truck driver can lead to a tragic accident in Clearwater that results in grave injuries and, in some cases, fatalities. Distracting driving can take various forms, but it comes down to anything that would cause a driver to remove their focus from the road and from operating the semi-truck safely.
Common examples of distracted driving include:
- Texting while driving
- Eating or drinking while driving
- Talking on the phone while driving
- Adjusting the controls on the radio
- Anything else that constitutes a manual, cognitive, or visual distraction
Semi-trucks weigh significantly more than the average motor vehicle. An accident involving a truck and a motorist in a regular car could leave the former virtually unscathed while the latter is suddenly grappling with tremendous personal injuries.
Injuries and Damages from Distracted Driving Truck Crashes
Traumatic brain injuries, nerve damage, broken bones, loss of a limb, paralysis, and internal injuries are just some examples of the potential injuries a motorist involved in a car accident could sustain. But injuries from a distracted driving truck collision in Clearwater pose even more risk of serious harm and even death due to a truck’s larger size and weight.
Such severe injuries can require immediate emergency surgery as well as long-term care after the accident. Depending on a person’s specific injuries, any of the following may be necessary:
- Rehabilitation
- Physical therapy
- Reconstructive surgery
- Assistive technology (prosthetics, wheelchairs, other accommodations)
The medical expenses related to truck accident injuries are just one set of costs recognized as economic damages. Other economic damages include present and future lost wages and property damage. Other damages that could come from a successful injury lawsuit are categorized as non-economic and may include:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of consortium
- Loss of enjoyment of life
Truck accidents involving a distracted driver can cause these kinds of physical injuries and scar a victim and their loved ones, leading to claims for both types of damages.
How Our Distracted Driving Truck Accident Attorneys Could Help
Having a Clearwater attorney by your side could help you or your loved ones cope with the aftermath of a distracted driving semi-truck accident and secure the future. At Perenich Law Injury Attorneys, our seasoned professionals could guide you through your legal options for demanding compensation and through other practical matters, such as:
- Documenting and receiving medical care
- Navigating necessary accommodations after an accident
Beyond legal advice, our lawyers could provide genuine emotional support and a source of information. Our main concern is with you and your well-being, which is why we handle all of our cases one-on-one, to give you the personalized support you need and deserve.
Filing a Legal Claim for a Distracted Driving Truck Collision
When someone is injured in a semi-truck crash caused by a distracted driver in Clearwater, what legal options are available will depend on multiple factors. In Florida, individuals who are injured in a motor vehicle accident are not automatically entitled to sue the at-fault driver for negligence. The law requires that injured individuals go through their own insurance company to pay for costs like medical bills stemming from the accident, even if someone else was at fault.
However, if someone has serious injuries from a roadway accident, they may have grounds to file a claim for compensation against any and all negligent parties involved. In the case of a distracted driving truck wreck, these potentially liable parties could range from the truck driver to the company they work for.
A proactive attorney could evaluate the sequence of events leading to the crash to determine whether distracted driving was involved and work diligently to establish liability. When you are dealing with serious injuries after a collision caused by a distracted truck driver, you should speak with a lawyer who could offer advice tailored to your specific situation. Florida law provides injured victims just two years from the date of the crash to file a lawsuit, but other filing limits can apply to these cases, so it is best to consult with an attorney as soon as possible.
Get Help from a Clearwater Distracted Driving Truck Accident Attorney
If you are grappling with serious injuries after being involved in one of the recent distracted driving truck accidents in Clearwater, you should know that you do not have to face the legal system alone. Not only are these cases often extremely complex, but navigating interactions with the insurance company and building a compelling, clear-cut case for compensation is not something you should have to do on your own.
Our firm understands the unique challenges facing truck accident victims and the most common tactics insurance companies use to avoid paying out claims. We are three brothers helping others, and we make sure that every case gets the individualized attention and tailored strategy it deserves. To see what may be possible for your case, contact our office today and schedule your free legal consultation.
(727) 669-2828
