D.C. Texting While Driving Truck Accident Lawyer

As defined by D.C. law, the local rules regulating the use of cell phones while driving are that If a person wants to use a cell phone while driving, they have to use Bluetooth. Behaviors that are allowed in D.C. by a person who is operating a vehicle are speaker phones, programming their GPS, using a map on Uber, and hands-free settings.

Behaviors that are explicitly prohibited by D.C. when a person is operating a motor vehicle include texting, talking, and social media, such as Facebook or Twitter. Not only are these behaviors prohibited they are also behaviors that endanger their lives and the lives of other drivers on the road. Texting while driving can lead to truck collisions that result in serious injuries and property damage. If you have been injured in a truck crash due to a texting truck driver, get in touch with a capable D.C. texting while driving truck accident lawyer. A dedicated and compassionate attorney could work towards a positive outcome for you.

How Common Are Texting While Driving Collisions?

Truck accidents caused by cell phone use in D.C. are not common but occur from time to time. If truckers have hands-free devices, they are going to be on hands-free devices. If they are not paying attention the way they should, it could result in a serious accident. It is hard to determine whether or not it is a serious problem in D.C. D.C. texting while driving truck accident lawyer often see the worst cases and there is a fair amount of texting while driving accident cases that occur in D.C. It seems like it might be more prevalent than it should be.

Types of Evidence in Driving While Texting Truck Crash Cases

The types of evidence that a  D.C. texting while driving truck accident lawyer would need to obtain in a truck accident claim/suit involving cell phones are the cell phone records. They need to get phone records from the carriers to determine if the people were on the cell phone at the time of an accident.

To do that, they need to request permission of the court and the court needs to make a determination if there is evidence showing that the individual was on their cell phone. If that individual was on the cell phone, it is a factor that the court or the jury considers when determining whether or not the person should be held liable for causing the accident.

Consent Required to Seize Phone Records

The consent required for law enforcement and insurance companies to seize the phone records of drivers involved in a truck accident in D.C. is that of the court, which needs to order it. They need the party whose cell phone records they are and the company whose cell phone it belongs to, to authorize their use.

Impact Cell Phone Use Can Have on a Claim

As a  D.C. texting while driving truck accident lawyer could explain, the use of a cell phone by the plaintiff at the time of an accident could impact the injury claim of the plaintiff. If a plaintiff is driving and using a cell phone at the same time, they could be contributorily negligent. If the plaintiff is a passenger, it has no effect. If the plaintiff is a pedestrian and using their cellphone, they may be held contributorily negligent and be prevented from recovery.

The use of a cell phone by the defendant at the time of an accident could impact the injury claim of the plaintiff. If the defendant is on the cell at the time of the accident, there is a strong likelihood they are going to be held responsible for the accident.

What if Both Parties Were on Their Phones?

An injury claim could be impacted if both the injured party and the at-fault driver were found to be using their cell phones at the time of the accident. If the injured party is operating a cell phone at the time of the accident, they might be held comparatively or contributorily negligent. This could preclude or diminish recovery. If the plaintiff is a passenger, it would have no effect. If an individual wants to know more about tractor-trailer collisions that have occurred as the result of texting, they should get in touch with a knowledgeable D.C. texting while driving texting accident lawyer that could answer their questions and advocate for them.