Distracted Driving Truck Accidents in Katy

From Interstate 10 to US Highway 90 to West Grand Parkway, the roads in Katy, TX are no stranger to commercial truck traffic. Unfortunately, when these massive vehicles are involved in accidents, it is most likely the occupants of smaller vehicles that are injured or killed. Because of this, the truck driving industry is heavily regulated to reduce as many risks to other travelers as possible. Despite the regulations, truck accidents do happen here, and distracted driving is one of the most common causes.

Those who have been injured due to distracted driving truck accidents in Katy are often eligible to seek compensation for the economic and psychological costs of their injury. An experienced truck accident lawyer from Schechter, Shaffer and Harris can help you understand this process and provide services to assist you in seeking the compensation they need.

Federal Trucking Regulations Aimed at Preventing Distracted Driving

Distracted driving occurs when a driver performs a task that either draws their attention away from driving safely, causes them to look away from the road, or causes them to take their hands from the wheel. The incidence of distracted driving accidents has increased among drivers of all vehicle types in recent years as more and more people have cell phones and other handheld devices that they operate while driving.

Texas lawmakers have responded by passing laws that restrict the use of these devices by drivers when they are operating a motor vehicle. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, which is the agency that regulates and oversees the trucking industry in the US, also prohibits the use of handheld devices when operating a commercial vehicle.

There are regulations prohibiting truck drivers from using handheld devices and other requirements designed to prevent a distracted truck driver from causing an accident with a vehicle that weighs up to 80,000 pounds. Thus, trucking companies and drivers who do not obey these rules can be liable for compensating those who have been harmed by their negligence.

Compensation You Can Seek If You Were Injured

If you were injured in a distracted driving truck accident in Katy, Texas’ law allows you the opportunity to seek compensation for the expenses and impacts of your injury by filing a personal injury claim, generally within two years of the date of the accident. This claim is generally filed against the liability insurance policy on the truck. If the insurance company that services this policy fails to settle the claim, it can be filed as a lawsuit in court and a trial may be held.

Compensation for the expenses caused to the claimant by the distracted driving truck accident is referred to as economic damages. This compensation can include coverage of medical expenses, lost wages and permanent loss of earning capacity, damage to the claimant’s vehicle, and more. Distracted driving truck accident claimants in Katy can also seek non-economic damages for the psychological impacts they suffered as a result of the accident, such as physical pain and suffering or loss of the enjoyment of life.

We Handle Claims Involving Distracted Driving Truck Accidents in Katy

In the seconds it takes to read or respond to a text message, a distracted truck driver can cause an accident that results in profound injuries to the occupants of other vehicles, and can permanently alter the course of another person’s life. If you have been injured in a distracted truck driving accident in Katy, our legal team can help you understand the process of seeking compensation and tell you about the services we can provide to assist you during this time. Contact us for a free case evaluation.