Texting and Driving Truck Accidents in Charleston County

When truck drivers get behind the wheel, they need to focus on the road and give their full attention to the task at hand. Distraction can prove devastating for any driver, but for truck drivers, who need more time to successfully respond to potential hazards, those distractions can pose even greater danger. Texting and driving truck accidents in Charleston County often result in substantial losses. If you suffered injuries because of a distracted truck driver, working with a tractor-trailer crash lawyer could help you recover the compensation you deserve.

Why Texting While Driving Is Dangerous

Texting and driving pose a number of potential dangers. While any distraction can prove problematic, texting involves all three major types of distraction: visual, manual, and cognitive. As drivers try to text, they have to look at the phone, take at least one hand off the wheel, and think about the text instead of the task of driving. As a result, they can miss the movement of other vehicles around them, turns in the road, or changes in traffic signals, increasing the likelihood of a Charleston County texting while driving truck collision.

Liability for Texting and Driving Truck Accidents

Most of the time, the truck driver will bear direct liability for texting while driving. In South Carolina, no driver can use a wireless communication device, including phones and tablets, to compose, send, or read text messages while driving. When a driver knowingly chooses to violate that law, they bear liability for the damages caused by that decision. As a result, the accident claim will go through that driver’s insurance policy.

The texting truck driver does not necessarily have to receive a citation for their distraction in order for the injured person to recover compensation. Often, texting and driving leads to other dangerous behaviors, including speeding, failure to yield, or swerving, all of which can leave the truck driver liable for a wreck in Charleston County.

Compensation for Texting and Driving Truck Accidents

Texting and driving truck wrecks in Charleston County often lead to not only serious injuries but also financial losses. As part of a truck crash claim, injured individuals can claim compensation for the losses they face. This may include:

• Lost wages: The lost income individuals may face when they cannot get back to work because of their injuries
• Future anticipated medical costs: The likely cost of future treatment for the injuries sustained in the truck accident
• Lost earning potential: The loss of the ability to earn income, or to earn the same level of income, that the injured person had prior to the crash
• Medical costs: The cost of all treatment for their injuries, from the cost of care in the emergency room to the ongoing care costs for severe injuries
• General damages: Most injury claims will also include this category, which covers the suffering faced by the injured person and non-financial losses from the wreck

Clearly accounting for all damages after a crash with a texting truck driver is essential. Truck drivers often have substantial insurance policies that can provide considerable compensation for the losses faced by the injured individual. However, the insurance company will need proof of those damages in order to provide compensation. Furthermore, many insurance companies will work to reduce the compensation they have to pay out. A lawyer could help injured individuals navigate the complex claim process.

Hire a Charleston County Lawyer After Texting and Driving Truck Collisions

While claims for texting and driving truck accidents in Charleston County may seem straightforward, you may find yourself fighting to get the full compensation you deserve. At The Farmer Law Firm, we understand the challenges that can arise after a truck accident, and we fight to help our clients recover fair compensation. Contact us today for your free consultation.