Any distracted driver is a dangerous driver, but think about what happens when that driver is a trucker. The size, weight, and challenging operation of a tractor-trailer or other big truck can make a distracted trucker even more dangerous and the resulting injuries even more catastrophic.
As a motorist, motorcyclist, or pedestrian, you can’t know what is going on in the cab of a truck that is traveling near you, and you may not immediately know what caused the truck accident that resulted in your injuries. However, our experienced truck accident lawyers thoroughly investigate each of our client’s truck accident cases. If you hire us to represent you in a truck crash case, then we will investigate whether distracted driving was a cause of your truck accident injuries.
What Is Distracted Driving?
Distracted driving is anything that takes a driver’s hands off the steering wheel, a driver’s eyes off the road, or a driver’s mind off driving safely.
Truckers face the same types of distractions as other motorists. However, they are on the road more often than many other motorists which could make some of the following distractions more likely. These distractions include:
- Eating or drinking behind the wheel. Eating snacks or drinking non-alcoholic drinks can be distracting.
- Changing the music. Music may help pass the time, but it can also be distraction.
- Texting or using a cell phone while driving. This includes browsing the Internet, using social media, or talking on the phone.
- Using GPS or a map. These may be necessary tools for truckers who are on unfamiliar roads, but they can also be distracting and are best used by a trucker who is safely parked.
Sanctions for distracted driving—particularly for texting while driving—are significant and include fines and license suspension.
What to Do If You’ve Been Hurt by a Distracted Trucker
While truckers are supposed to take action to prevent distracted driving accidents, some truckers are distracted behind the wheel and cause serious truck crashes. If you’ve been hurt in such a crash then you may have the right to recover compensation for your medical expenses, lost income, out of pocket costs, and pain and suffering. Please contact us online or call us directly at 800.800.5678 to learn more about protecting your fair recovery.
