Trucking Accident Causes – Driver Distraction

Commercial trucks are large, long and heavy machines that can drive at fast speeds.  When fully loaded, semi-trucks are driving on interstates or freeways at top speeds, and it can be nearly impossible for them to come to an abrupt stop.  With numerous dangers and obstacles on roadways – including pedestrians, animals, debris, other motorists and construction zones, to name a few – commercial truck drivers must be alert and cautious at all times while operating semi-trucks.  Unfortunately, many commercial truck drivers are distracted while driving by such activities as the use of cell phones, texting, emails, eating, drinking, looking at maps, drowsiness and other roadway distractions 

The FMCSA (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration)  issued a report that indicates the odds of being involved in a safety-critical event (e.g., crash, near-crash, unintentional lane deviation) are 23.2 times greater for truck drivers who text while driving than for those who do not. According to the FMCSA, texting drivers took their eyes off the forward roadway for an average of 4.6 seconds. At 55 mph, this equates to a driver traveling 371 feet, or the approximate length of a football field (including the end zones)—without looking at the roadway!

Truck driver distraction is one of the main causes of trucking accidents.  As with all trucking accidents, early and aggressive investigation into the cause of the accident involving driver distraction is critical to guarding the rights of injury victims, including the right to obtain fair compensation for your injuries, medical bills, lost income, and pain and suffering.  The attorneys at Feagans Law Group P.C.  have the experience necessary to investigate and prosecute trucking accident cases and would be honored to Guide Your Path to Justice.