Distracted driving causes numerous truck accidents, many of which can be deadly. Most, if not all, distracted driving accidents involving a large commercial truck can be prevented. Learn how distracted driving causes truck accidents and what you can do if you or a loved one are hurt in a truck accident caused by a trucker not paying full attention to the road.
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Using a Cell Phone
Cell phone use — either talking or texting — is arguably the most common cause of distracted driving accidents in both trucks and passenger cars. Often, truckers use their phones as a GPS to find where they’re going. Or, they will talk or text friends and family members during lonely drives. Cell phone use while driving a truck is illegal. Drivers should wait until they are stopped or have exited the vehicle to text or make a phone call.
Eating
Many truck drivers will get their food to go and eat in the truck in order to save time. However, eating while driving can be dangerous, even if the food seems “portable,” like a hamburger or a burrito. Truck drivers might swerve their vehicle or fail to stop in time while unwrapping a food item or dabbing a ketchup spill from their shirt.
Listening to Music
While listening to music isn’t a problem, issues can arise from a driver changing the radio station, going through a playlist, or bending down to pick up a CD from the floor of the truck. It only takes a split second of looking away from the road for an accident to occur.
Using a CB Radio
Truck drivers have long communicated with each other via CB radio. However, this can pose the same distractions as listening to music does. When a driver uses the CB radio and adjusts the dials to find what frequencies other drivers are on, he may miss a stop or neglect an issue with their surroundings, potentially causing an accident.
When to Contact an Attorney
If you or a loved one were hurt in a truck accident, it’s important to contact an attorney as soon as possible. If the driver was distracted at the time of the collision, he or she may be considered at-fault. Then, you may be eligible for financial compensation. Call today for a consultation at (678) 319-9991.
