Every year, thousands of motorists in the United States suffer severe or fatal injuries from automobile collisions caused by inattentive driving. When a distracted driving accident involves large vehicles like semi-trucks, the ramifications may be catastrophic.
If you or your loved one were seriously injured in a collision due to a distracted commercial truck driver, they may owe you financial compensation for the resulting damages. For injury claims regarding distracted driving truck accidents in Alpharetta, contact a reputable attorney who can help you pursue justice for your losses.
What is Distracted Driving?
Under §40-6-241(b) of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, "distracted driving" involves engaging in any act that may distract a driver from a motor vehicle's safe operation. As outlined in O.C.G.A. §40-6-241(c), such activities include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Physically holding or supporting a wireless/standalone communication device without the use of any of the hands-free technologies available
- Writing, reading, or sending text messages, emails, or instant messages (I.M.)
- Watching videos or movies on a wireless/standalone device while driving
- Recording or broadcasting videos on a wireless or standalone device
Each time a driver commits one of the acts listed above, it will be considered a separate offense by Georgia law, O.C.G.A. §40-6-241(e). If an injured motorist can provide sufficient evidence to show their injuries were caused by the distracted driving of a commercial semi-truck operator, a skilled attorney in the Alpharetta area could help file a personal injury claim for the accident. This would allow the injured victim to pursue compensation for damages from the negligent truck driver.
Georgia Negligence Laws and Distracted Driving Truck Accidents in Alpharetta
Due to Georgia's adoption of contributory negligence law, the court could reduce or even bar the amount of damages a motorist can receive if they contributed to their injuries sustained in an accident. This is true even if the collision occurred due to the distracted driving of a commercial truck operator. As provided under O.C.G.A. §51-12-33(a), if a motorist is injured in a traffic collision with a large commercial vehicle in Georgia and is found by a jury to have contributed to their resulting injuries, the jury will assign them a percentage of fault for the accident, by which their recoverable damages may be reduced.
However, under O.C.G.A. §51-12-33(g), if an injured motorist is found to be 50 percent or more at fault for the traffic wreck, even if the leading cause of the accident was the distracted driving of a commercial truck operator, they will be barred from recovering damages entirely. An experienced truck accident lawyer could assist an injured victim with pursuing their injury claim to ensure their right to recover is adequately protected.
Legal Help is Available for Distracted Driving Truck Accidents in Alpharetta
A commercial semi-truck accident caused by distracted driving can result in extensive damage to the property and motorists involved. Because large truck collisions tend to have sizable repercussions, finding a dedicated legal advocate is critical for those injured in these types of accidents to seek compensation for their losses.
The physical and financial impact in the aftermath of such an accident can be just as shocking and devastating as the collision itself. If you are suffering from severe injuries incurred in a distracted driving truck accident, seek legal assistance from a licensed Alpharetta attorney with years of experience in similar injury cases. Call today for a free, no-risk consultation.