How Relevant are Driving Distractions to Truck Accidents?
While many truck drivers obey the rules of the road and are conscientious drivers, others become involved in distracted driving and cause accidents. When a truck driver is at fault for your accident and you suffer serious injury, find out how attorneys can help.
The U.S. government has a website called distraction.gov that provides detailed information about distracted driving behavior. A distraction.gov article entitled Driver Distraction in Commercial Vehicle Operations provides research information acquired by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) through contracting researchers to investigate commercial driver distraction. The study evaluated 4,452 safety-critical events, which the study defined as crashes, near-crashes, crash-relevant conflicts and unintentional lane deviations. Of these safety critical events, 81.5 percent involved some type of driver distraction as a potential contributing factor. Some types of behavior that the study rated as having a high level of accident risk included the following:
- Text message on cell phone
- Complex activities (such as cleaning a side mirror or rummaging through a grocery bag)
- Interacting with or looking at dispatching devices
- Writing on a pad, notebook, etc.
- Using a calculator
- Looking at a map
- Using/reaching for an electronic device (camera, two-way radio, etc.)
- Dialing a cell phone
- Moderate tasks (opening a pill bottle to take medicine, exercising in the cab)
Accidents involving large trucks frequently result in severe injury or death. By consulting an truck accident lawyer, you can find out about the prospects of pursuing a case to recover compensation.
Kaine Law works with clients to hold negligent parties accountable and recover damages for medical costs, lost wages and other expenses in wrongful death cases.