Over the past few decades, distracted driving has gone from a serious but somewhat rare problem to the number-one cause of traffic accidents all over the United States. Unfortunately, commercial tractor-trailer drivers are not immune from this trend, and when big rig operators allow their minds to wander away from the road, they can—and all too often do—wind up causing high-speed collisions with life-altering repercussions for everyone involved.
Anyone who drives distracted is violating their duty of care toward other people on the road with them, which means they can be held civilly liable for any injuries they cause through that misconduct. It can be helpful to know a little in advance about the common reasons why truck drivers drive distracted, if only so you can have some idea of what evidence to look for if you end up in a wreck with one.
They’ve Been on the Road Too Long
Unfortunately, one of the leading causes of distracted driving among truck drivers and of truck crashes in general is that long-haul trucking can be a boring, thankless, and immensely exhausting job. Not only are tired people more likely to lose focus while doing any kind of task, but truck drivers are sometimes more likely than the average person to be dangerously fatigued behind the wheel in the first place, especially if the company they’re working for forces them to drive longer than federal law allows.
They Have a Passenger in the Cab with Them
It’s far from uncommon for commercial truckers to have people ride in their passenger seat with them so they have someone to talk to during long stretches of driving. However, a trucker who’s focused on a conversation with someone sitting next to them doesn’t have their full and undivided attention on the road ahead of them, which can increase the risk of them getting involved in or personally causing a crash.
They’re Eating a Meal on the Road
Whether it’s to save time on a route or just because they’re not scheduled for a break yet, a lot of truck drivers take their meals on the road and also use drinks like soda and coffee to keep themselves alert. One hand on a burger or soda means there’s only one hand on the wheel, and that can potentially lead to them not being able to react to a hazard ahead of them quickly enough to avoid a crash.
They’re Looking at Their Phone
Finally, the number-one reason why truck drivers drive distracted is also the number-one reason for distracted driving among all drivers: cell phones, smart phones, and the various other gadgets we use on a daily basis. Even though it’s against federal law for truckers traveling across state lines to use any kind of mobile communications device while their truck is in motion, a lot of them do it anyway, sometimes with devastating consequences.
No matter what specifically led a truck driver to be distracted enough to cause an accident, you can more effectively hold them accountable for injuries you suffered through that accident with help from seasoned legal counsel. Call today to discuss your options.
