Distracted driving truck accidents in Lake County can be catastrophic. Distracted driving encompasses more than cell phone use and includes anything that takes drivers’ attention away from the road. Common examples include eating, drinking, and personal grooming while driving. Regardless of the underlying reason, distracted driving truck accidents can cause extensive personal injury and property damage due to the size of the vehicle involved.
If you were involved in a distracted driving truck accident, an experienced truck accident attorney could help you navigate your options and get the legal justice and compensation that you deserve.
Establishing Negligence in Truck Accidents
Florida is a no-fault accident state. Despite that, injured parties can seek compensation if someone’s negligence caused a distracted driving truck accident in Lake County. To prove negligence, a lawyer could help a distracted truck driving accident victim establish the core pillars of the legal case to get the compensation necessary.
Duty of Care
Truck drivers in Lake County have a responsibility to control their vehicles to ensure the safety of others, which includes obeying all traffic laws. If a Florida truck driver violates distracted driving laws, the truck driver may be found negligent as they breached their duty of care responsibilities.
Accident-Related Injuries
Injured parties must show that the driver’s negligent actions caused the accident, resulting in their injuries. Establishing the connection often requires expert opinions, such as from accident reconstructionists, police, and medical professionals. A skilled Lake County personal injury lawyer with truck accident experience could provide clients access to experts.
As of 2023, Florida uses a modified comparative negligence model that allows injured parties to receive partial compensation, even if they are partially at fault. However, anyone more than 50% responsible cannot collect damages.
Gathering Evidence
Lake County distracted driving truck accidents can be highly complex. Truck drivers and their companies may be negligent, but other factors, like third-party maintenance or loading crews, can contribute to an accident. Determining who is at fault requires evidence and strong legal counsel.
Police Reports
Police reports document the accident scene and may include vehicle speed, braking distances, and any citations issued. Drivers must report truck accidents to local authorities within 10 days.
Witness Statements
Drivers should exchange insurance and contact information and gather witness contact information. Witness statements can support victim statements and provide accident details.
Physical Evidence
Traffic cameras in Lake County may capture how a truck accident happened. Their footage can also identify weather and road conditions during the accident. With most people having smartphones, bystanders may have photos or videos documenting the accident scene.
Maintenance Records
Trucks need maintenance on a set schedule, whether general maintenance, tire rotation, or new brakes. Some trucking companies perform maintenance in-house, while others use third parties. Their records show mileage, repairs, and time since the last maintenance. Poorly maintained trucks can contribute to a distracted-driving truck crash in Lake County.
Logbooks
Every truck driver must maintain a paper-based logbook. However, commercial truckers must use an electronic logbook to record engine operations. The data records a truck’s location and movements. The information can highlight a trucker’s driving hours and locations.
Load Manifests
Trucks that are loaded, unloaded, and reloaded at multiple stops along a route can be overloaded or overweight. The cargo may shift during transit if the crew does not load them correctly. These changes can contribute to a Lake County distracted-driving truck wreck.
Cellphone Records
Cellphone logs can establish whether a driver was using their phone before an accident. They can also help clarify a trucker’s actions leading to the accident and demonstrate possible distractions.
Medical Records
Medical records are critical documentation of an accident victim’s injuries. They include emergency services, hospital stays, and doctor visits. They document diagnostic test results, physical therapy records, and medications.
Contact a Truck Accident Attorney in Lake County about Your Distracted Driver Case
Distracted driving truck accidents in Lake County may involve more than the truck driver. While the driver may have been distracted, other factors, such as improper maintenance or unbalanced cargo, may have contributed to negligence. A seasoned personal injury lawyer can guide accident victims in pursuing compensation. Contact us today for a free consultation.
