Reckless Driving Truck Accident Lawyers

Truck drivers need to be extremely cautious on the road. However, unfortunately, not all drivers take this to heart. When truck drivers act aggressively or recklessly, serious accidents with catastrophic outcomes can occur.

If you were involved in a truck accident caused by a driver that was speeding, tailgating, changing lanes erratically, or any other unsafe behind-the-wheel behavior, the reckless driving truck accident lawyers can help.

Before we talk about that, though, let’s first understand what constitutes reckless driving and better understand why it’s so dangerous.

What Is Considered Reckless Driving?

We might apply the term “reckless” to a host of activities, but reckless driving differs from negligent driving. A negligent driver needs to pay more attention to other vehicles or roadways. On the other hand, a reckless driver intentionally does not adhere to traffic laws and acts aggressively on the road. Reckless driving can always be dangerous, but the hazard rises exponentially when a truck driver is engaged in this driving behavior. Common examples of reckless driving are:

• Breaking the speed limit
• Not yielding the right of way on a highway
• Tailgating
• Passing other vehicles aggressively
• Cutting off other vehicles and weaving in and out of traffic
• Driving under the influence
• Backing up without looking for other vehicles
• Slamming on brakes suddenly to irritate other drivers
• Stopping suddenly on the highway shoulder with no warning
• Making a sharp turn too fast and leaving no room for other vehicles

Here is additional information about the most common reckless driving behaviors that truckers commit:

Speeding

No commercial vehicle should speed anywhere in the United States. Speed limits vary for trucks by state and city but are posted on highways. Truck drivers must obey the speed limit and even drive slower in bad weather. A speeding truck driver can be dangerous as they try to stick to their delivery schedule. If a speeding truck driver recklessly injures you, our truck crash attorneys will investigate the accident and hold him accountable.

Tailgating

Tailgating is dangerous because the driver may not have time to slow down in an emergency. When a big rig tailgates you, there could be a violent collision if you need to stop suddenly, which could destroy your vehicle and its occupants. For example, the truck’s front tires could roll onto the smaller vehicle and crush everyone inside. Or the massive impact could cause the smaller vehicle to accordion or careen into oncoming traffic.

Big trucks need more time and distance to slow down, and prudent truckers maintain a safe distance from the vehicles they follow. If you see a truck driver tailgating anyone, you should immediately report them to the authorities.

Improper Passing

Unsafe lane changes are another form of reckless driving that cause many truck crashes. The trucker’s job is to change lanes when it’s safe and only after they signal and wait for the lane to be clear. Tractor trailers have significant blindspots on the left and right, and drivers must be cautious as they pass and switch lanes. Some truckers get impatient and may change lanes quickly several times to pass slower traffic, which increases the chances of a severe crash.

Running Red Lights

If a truck runs a red light, there could be a horrifying, fatal collision. Unfortunately, many aggressive truck drivers run red lights to reach their destination faster. If you see a truck run a red light, note the company’s name and registration number. If the reckless trucker endangers others’ lives, you can even call 911 and report the danger.

Distracting Driving

Handheld cell phone use is prohibited for truck drivers behind the wheel. If a trucker is distracted, the chances of an accident rise significantly, but other distracting activities can be hazardous for truck drivers:

• Eating and drinking when driving
• Reaching for an object on the floor
• Adjusting the CD or radio
• Checking the GPS
• Looking at events outside the cab

When a trucker is distracted, they are more likely to engage in unsafe driving that could lead to an accident or reckless driving charge.

What Makes Careless Driving and Reckless Driving Charges More Serious?

A reckless or careless driving conviction for a regular driver is problematic. You can be assessed points on your license, heavily fined, and may have to attend court hearings and take remedial driving classes. When a truck driver is convicted of reckless driving, they can have their trucking driver’s license suspended.

Penalties for Reckless Driving

Truck drivers face more severe consequences for reckless driving charges. They can be sued for causing injuries to other people in accidents, and there may be criminal charges in some instances where there was a severe injury or death. Also, depending on the state, a truck driver could face the loss or suspension of their commercial driver’s license (CDL) for many traffic offenses. Some offenses can lead to a CDL suspension even if the traffic violation was in the trucker’s private vehicle:

• Reckless driving
• Speeding 15 MPH or more in any vehicle
• Erratic and improper lane changes
• Tailgating in any vehicle
• Traffic violations involving a fatal accident in any vehicle
• Texting and driving in a commercial truck

In some states, two serious traffic violations in three years can cause the driver’s CDL to be suspended for 60 days. Three or more serious traffic violations can lead to a 120-day CDL suspension.

Additionally, some carriers may take additional actions for reckless truck driver violations. Certain trucking companies could discipline or terminate the driver even if the truck driver was driving their personal vehicle when the offense happened.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) also can levy fines against truckers and their employers for violating traffic rules, among other violations. Hefty fines are common. The FMCSA also can suspend a driver’s CDL for major violations, including driving recklessly.

If a governing body or employer disciplines the trucker for reckless driving and other violations, this fact can help secure your compensation in a personal injury claim.

Compensation in a Reckless Driving Case

If your truck accident attorney proves that a truck driver’s reckless driving led to your injuries, you could receive compensation in a lawsuit or claim. The potential recoverable damages in a careless driving truck accident include:

• Past and future medical expenses
• Past and future lost wages
• Physical and mental pain and suffering
• Disfigurement and physical impairment
• Property damage if your vehicle was damaged or totaled

Calculating all potential damages in a truck accident claim is challenging. A reckless driving truck accident lawyer can help to accurately gauge your economic and non-economic damages, including pain and suffering. Your attorney also can assist with adding up the financial impact of the truck accident, provide an accurate case value, and handle settlement negotiations with the trucking company and its insurance adjusters.

Contact an Experienced Reckless Driving Truck Accident Lawyer

If a reckless truck driver slammed into your vehicle and injured you or a loved one, you should receive compensation for your injuries and other losses. Our reckless driving truck accident lawyers at Nix Patterson are ready to go up against the trucking company and their attorneys and fight for your rights.

Our personal injury attorneys understand how helpless you can feel after a significant truck accident and will hold the negligent parties accountable, so please contact us now. There is no charge for the initial consultation, and you only pay us if we win.