When commercial truck drivers do not exercise a certain level of caution behind the wheel, they can cause severe injuries. Their vehicles are larger and often carry cargo, causing more damage in an accident than the average car. The accident injuries can be so catastrophic that they might cause permanent damage or death.
When you have been injured in a distracted driving truck accident in Richland, you deserve to pursue compensation for your harm. One of our experienced truck wreck attorneys at Telaré Law can help you demonstrate the trucker’s negligence in the case and win the highest amount of money possible to cover your losses.
There are several ways in which a Richland trucker’s distraction can cause an accident while they are driving. When someone takes their eyes off the road for even a second, they can cause a wreck. The speeds of moving vehicles can cause collisions in very short time frames. Other forms of distracted driving include the following:
Driving while impaired by drugs, alcohol, or fatigue could be a kind of distraction, though it is not normally considered as such.
Additionally, truck drivers must be even more attentive than your average driver because safely operate large trucks require a higher degree of skill, as not doing so can cause more damage.
In the case of a distracted driving truck accident, you will likely need to show how and why the driver was distracted. One of our attorneys can gather this kind of evidence to push your claim forward, should you bring a lawsuit based on the accident.
When someone is pursuing an injury claim in a Richland truck wreck, they typically need to prove the distracted driver’s negligence to win damages. Negligence is the legal term for one person’s unreasonable behavior causing harm to another person. These claims require proof of four elements: a duty of care, breach of that duty, causation, and damages.
For example, a trucker has a duty to drive safely and attentively, which they could breach by getting distracted from the road. Then you would need to show that the distraction caused the accident and your injuries, which in turn need to count as legal damages. These legal damages include:
Distracted driving can fall under negligence; although the driver does not intend to cause an accident, they can still end up hurting other people with their recklessness.
When you are pursuing an accident injury claim, you should also understand the statute of limitations, which is the amount of time you have to file the claim. Revised Code of Washington § 4.16.080 provides that this state’s statute of limitations is three years. You should speak with an attorney as soon as possible after an accident, as you will lose the ability to sue if you wait longer than three years from the date of the accident.
You should know that your own actions surrounding an accident can work against you under state law. Under the state’s negligence rules, set forth in RCW § 4.22.005, victims can be negligent and partially responsible for their own injuries. If so, their total compensation can be reduced in proportion to their own fault, though not blocked if less than 100 percent.
Your attorney will be able to help you prove your negligence claim, file in time to preserve your rights, and show that you are not responsible for your accident.
We understand that the last thing on your mind after a truck accident is filing a lawsuit. You want to prioritize your health and well-being. However, your health can be costly, depending on how badly you were hurt in the crash.
Our lawyers at Telaré Law can handle injury claims based on distracted driving truck accidents in Richland, and we can work with you throughout the entire legal process. We will stand by you throughout the entire legal process and bring our best resources and expertise to your case. Call our office as soon as possible to connect with our legal professionals.