Every driver has the same duty of care, which requires them to keep their full attention on the road at all times. It’s especially important for truck drivers carrying tens of thousands of pounds of cargo to fulfill this basic responsibility, given how much damage they can cause if they don’t. Unfortunately, not every long-haul trucker is as responsible while driving as they should be.
Distracted driving truck accidents in Hershey are all too common across the Commonwealth and throughout the United States. If you’re dealing with injuries from an accident caused by this kind of misconduct, you should make it a priority to speak with a skilled truck accident attorney about what legal options you have and what the best course of action for pursuing civil compensation would be.
Common Causes of Distracted Truck Driving Wrecks
It’s illegal under state and federal law for truck drivers to read, write, or send text messages over any kind of electronic device while behind the wheel of their truck with the engine on. It’s also illegal for them to use a phone or any other electronic device for any other purpose without it being in hands-free mode. However, while texting behind the wheel is a common cause of distracted driving truck accidents, it’s not the only one that our Hershey attorneys see on a regular basis.
Other ways in which long-haul truckers may distract themselves while driving include:
- Using a CB radio
- Changing a radio station or music playlist
- Looking at a map or GPS readout
- Eating or drinking
- Personal grooming
- Reading a book or watching a video
All these behaviors qualify as a breach of duty truckers have to keep their full attention on the road. Any truck driver who causes a crash because they’re distracted in one of these ways may be legally liable for resulting injuries.
What Evidence Will You Need to Sue a Distracted Truck Driver?
One of the things that makes cases built around distracted driving truck wrecks in Hershey especially complicated is the fact that, with the exception of texting behind the wheel, distracted driving isn’t strictly against the law. More specifically, it’s not illegal in a way that a police officer can easily pull someone over and ticket them, which means an accident report may not include a citation against the distracted truck driver that you could use as evidence of their negligence.
You may need to track down and make good use of other kinds of evidence in order to achieve a good result from your civil claim. Our legal team can help incorporate things like accident scene photos, videos recorded by dashboard or surveillance cameras, eyewitness testimony, and even subpoenaed cell phone records to establish a truck driver directly caused an accident because they were driving distracted.
Contact a Hershey Attorney for Assistance After a Distracted Driving Truck Accident
Truck drivers are human, and that, unfortunately, means they make mistakes that lead to tragic traffic collisions. Even if a trucker caused your injuries completely by accident, they—and likely their employer—should still be held financially accountable for the harm they’ve unfairly caused you.
Representation from a skilled legal professional can be crucial throughout every stage of a civil claim built around distracted driving truck accidents in Hershey. Learn more by calling Ostroff Godshall Injury and Accident Lawyers today. You won’t owe us anything until we win the compensation you deserve.
