Distracted Driving Truck Accidents in Upper Marlboro
Ever-present technology such as mobile phones, tablets, smartwatches, and the like has fundamentally changed how society functions. However, more screens mean more distractions. Because of this, drivers could find themselves not paying attention to the road, causing dangerous conditions for themselves and those around them. If distracted driving truck accidents in Upper Marlboro occur, the driver’s negligence is typically the root cause.
Any collision with a commercial trailer can cause enough damage to sideline you from work and everyday activities. The cost of treatment after accidents like this is often high because of the large mass and size of semis.
Your resulting medical bills and lost income may be eligible for financial compensation through a personal injury claim. These claims against a truck driver or their employer can be complex, and a knowledgeable semi crash attorney at Gelb & Gelb, P.C. could provide the leverage you need to file a claim successfully.
What Causes a Truck Driver to Be Distracted?
In many cases, truck drivers are distracted by one electronic device or another. Cell phone distractions are a rising cause, but other electronic devices such as GPS or video players are also common contributors to driver distraction.
Electronic devices are not the only causes of inattentive driving 18-wheeler crashes in Upper Marlboro, especially during a long haul. With limited time to make deliveries, rig operators often resort to eating and drinking while behind the wheel. Eating may seem like a relatively innocent activity, but a collision can quickly ensue once a driver takes their eyes off the road.
Injuries in Inattentive Driving Semi Collisions in Upper Marlboro
The sheer size difference between a large rig and a standard passenger vehicle often leads to an overwhelming amount of damage to the smaller vehicle and its occupants. While any car wreck can lead to severe injury or death, the likelihood of life-altering damages in an Upper Marlboro wreck caused by trucker distraction is magnified.
Injuries often include damage to a passenger or motorist’s head, neck, back, and spine. If there is damage to the neck or spine’s vertebrae, the injured party may become paralyzed. Furthermore, a plaintiff may receive damage to their internal organs or have limbs crushed or amputated. In any case, the cumulative effect of costly treatments, time lost at work, and the potential inability to enjoy life can drastically impact someone’s life.
Financial Compensation is Available for Valid Claims
There is potential recovery available for a wide range of damages under both Maryland Code, Courts and Judicial Proceedings §§ 11-108 and 11-109. Together, the statutes above allow injured parties to recover for easily determined economic and non-economic damages.
Economic Damages
Recoverable economic damages include:
- Medical bills
- Rehabilitation costs
- Lost income
- Property damage
- Alterations to a home or vehicle to accommodate new disabilities
Upper Marlboro allows recovery for present economic harms and future economic damages, as Roger Gelb could further explain. Additionally, income lost due to life-altering injuries that incapacitate, disfigure, or otherwise compromise a person’s ability to function or perform are also recoverable.
Non-Economic Damages
Moreover, non-economic injuries also inflict physical pain and emotional anguish on the receiving party. Losing the ability to enjoy activities without pain can also be immensely frustrating. The law allows financial compensation for each of these scenarios.
Enlist an Attorney Familiar with Distracted Driving Truck Accidents in Upper Marlboro
Anyone can lose focus or take their attention away from the road, but the responsible party needs to be held accountable if their actions harm someone else. Distracted driving truck accidents in Upper Marlboro can wreak havoc on the lives of injured parties and their families.
Your resulting medical bills and lost wages due to the negligence of a truck driver should not be your responsibility. Schedule a consultation today at Gelb & Gelb, P.C. to discuss your claim.