Large trucks are on the road every day, delivering goods and supplies across the country. These vehicles are big, heavy, and harder to stop than smaller cars. When truck drivers lose focus, even for a second, the results can be deadly. Distracted driving is now one of the biggest dangers on the road, especially when the person behind the wheel is controlling a semi-truck or another commercial vehicle.
Cartee & Lloyd Attorneys at Law helps people who have been injured in crashes caused by distracted truck drivers. Many of these accidents involve traumatic brain injuries, spinal damage, or even fatalities.
Our team knows how to analyze black box data, review company policies, and hold trucking companies and drivers accountable when they violate safety rules. If you’ve been harmed or lost a loved one in a truck crash, we’re here to help you seek justice and answers.
Table Of Contents
Distracted driving means doing anything that takes a driver’s focus away from the road. This can include looking at a mobile phone, using a dispatching device, eating food, or reaching for something inside the truck. Some distractions are visual, such as noticing a traffic light too late.
Others are manual, like removing hands from the steering wheel. There are also mental distractions, like a momentary lapse in attention or daydreaming during a traffic delay.
Truck drivers operate large, heavy commercial motor vehicles that require more time to stop. When a texting driver takes their eyes off the road, even for five seconds, the truck may travel hundreds of feet without control. Add in a seated driving position for long hours and fatigue, and that short distraction can cause a crash with devastating consequences.
There are many reasons why truck drivers lose focus while driving. Some distractions come from inside the truck, while others are tied to technology or mental fatigue. Understanding these causes is important because even a quick distraction can lead to a serious crash.
Some of the most common reasons truck drivers get distracted are:
Mobile phone use is one of the top causes of distraction-related crashes. Some truck drivers caught driving while texting face hefty civil fines or risk being disqualified from driving. Even though federal law bans cell phone use for CMV drivers, some still use phones, send texts, or make phone calls while driving.
Others rely on combined GPS systems or hands-free devices, but even hands-free dispatching devices can still take attention away from the road.
Inside the cab, many things can distract a commercial driver. Reaching for coffee, adjusting the radio, checking a company’s fleet management system, or using a dispatching device while moving can all cause serious risks.
Some trucking companies even pressure drivers with too many updates through dispatching devices, ignoring common-sense safety procedures and increasing the chance of a crash.
Driving long hours without breaks makes it hard to focus. A tired driver is more likely to make mistakes, respond slowly, or experience a momentary lapse that leads to a crash. Mental stress from delivery deadlines or pressure from the driver’s employer can also add to the problem.
Data shows that distracted driving is a serious issue in the trucking world. Studies from safety groups and federal agencies reveal how often it happens and how dangerous it can be. These numbers highlight why truck drivers must stay focused and why trucking companies must take stronger steps to prevent such accidents.
According to the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute, driver distraction is a major factor in many crashes involving commercial drivers. Studies show that safety-critical events increased when CMV drivers were distracted by devices or other activities.
The FMCSA distracted driving rules were created to stop these events, but violations are still common.
Reports show that many trucking companies fail to train drivers properly or do enough to minimize distractions. In fact, truck accident cases involving distracted drivers are rising. Some drivers have received two serious traffic violations or more and remain behind the wheel.
These trends point to a need for stronger rules and better safety enforcement.
Truck drivers must follow strict safety rules while on the road. Both federal and state governments set these laws to help prevent accidents. They cover everything from phone use to dispatching devices. Understanding these rules helps show when a driver or company breaks the law and puts others at risk.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has strict driving rules for commercial drivers. These include bans on mobile device use while moving unless the device is safely pulled over or it's an exception to contact law enforcement. The FMCSA addresses dispatching devices as a major risk, requiring trucking companies to manage their fleets without putting safety at risk.
States like Alabama also have their own laws regarding cell phone use, texting, and hands-free devices. Some states issue serious traffic violations for these offenses, which may impact a driver’s ability to stay on the road. Traffic violations can also harm a driver’s safety measurement system (SMS) score for commercial drivers, which could lead to penalties for the driver’s employer.
When a distracted truck driver causes a crash, more than one party may be responsible. It’s not always just the driver. Sometimes, the company, dispatcher, or another group plays a role. Finding out who is legally at fault is important for getting justice and full compensation after a serious truck accident.
In a crash caused by a distracted driver, there may be more than one person or group at fault. The commercial driver may be personally liable, especially if they were texting or ignoring the law. However, liability can also extend to the driver’s employer, the trucking company, or even a dispatching device manufacturer.
When a driver’s employer dishes out unrealistic schedules, fails to train drivers, or pushes for fast deliveries over safety, they may also be held responsible. In many truck accident cases, the crash could have been avoided if the company had followed existing FMCSA guidelines and trained drivers properly.
Crashes involving trucks often cause serious injuries, including broken bones, spine damage, and traumatic brain injuries. Victims may face surgery, long hospital stays, or permanent disability. These injuries can change lives in an instant, leading to years of recovery and emotional suffering.
1. What Does It Mean to Address Distracted Driving in the Trucking Industry?
Addressing distracted driving means taking real steps to prevent drivers from losing focus. This includes better training, safer schedules, and rules that stop the use of phones or manual distractions while the truck is moving. It also means holding drivers and companies accountable when safety is ignored.
2. Why Are Distracted Driving Crashes Involving Trucks Considered So Dangerous?
When a truck driver gets distracted, the results are often much worse than with a regular car. These big vehicles are harder to stop, and delayed reaction times can lead to major accidents. Because of the damage they can cause, these crashes often turn into giant lawsuits waiting to happen, especially if the company knew the driver had a history of distraction.
3. What Should a Truck Driver Do if They Need to Make a Call or Check Directions?
The safest choice is for the driver to stop the truck completely before using any device. They should pull over in a safe place and avoid using phones or dispatching devices while driving. This helps reduce the risk of a crash caused by manual distractions.
4. Can Truck Drivers Keep Their Jobs After Repeat Offenses for Distracted Driving?
If a driver has repeat offenses, especially involving serious traffic violations, they can be disqualified or fired. Some companies still keep these drivers on the road, which puts others in danger and can make them more responsible if another crash happens.
5. What Safety Tips Help Reduce Distracted Driving Among Truck Drivers?
Simple safety tips can go a long way. These include using hands-free devices, setting up GPS before the trip, avoiding meals behind the wheel, and taking regular breaks. Companies can also help by giving clear policies and reducing pressure that leads to distractions.
If you were injured by a truck driver who wasn’t paying attention, don’t wait to get help. The crash may have left you with serious injuries, high medical bills, and more questions than answers. At Cartee & Lloyd Attorneys at Law, we understand how hard it is to move forward after a traumatic event. That’s why we’re here to stand by your side.
Our team investigates truck accident cases carefully. We look at dispatching devices, training policies, mobile phone records, and black box data to uncover the truth. We hold truck drivers and trucking companies accountable when they break the law or ignore safety rules. And we fight hard to get you the justice and compensation you deserve.
Contact us today for a free case review. We’ll explain your options, answer your questions, and help you take the next step toward recovery.
We listen to your story and understand your struggles. We handle the insurance companies and hire the experts and do the things necessary to win your case while you focus on going to the doctor and recovering from your injuries.
Through over 77 years of combined litigation experience, we have learned that the best way to make an insurance company pay you fairly for your damages is to be well prepared, fully investigate every detail, hire experts and prepare your case for trial even if most cases will settle without trial.
We know the law and have decades of experience in the courtroom and dealing with insurance companies. We use all of our resources to hire the experts necessary for trial, fully investigate, and pay for your medical records and litigation expenses so that you do not have to come out of pocket yourself while you are struggling to recover. We fight the big insurance companies for you and only get paid for our time and expenses if we recover for you.
Don’t fall for lawyer ads telling you Ai will tell you the value of your car wreck case or believe flashing dollars on a lawyer tv commercial. The real value of your case is what a judge or jury decides is the value of your case after hearing all of the law and evidence. An experienced personal injury lawyer will know the issues that affect the value of your case. We have over 77 years of combined litigation experience and we stand ready to take your case to trial if an insurance company refuses to fairly compensate you for your injuries and damages.
Your success matters to us. Since 1992, we have helped over 11,000 clients in Alabama and recovered millions of dollars in settlements and verdicts for our clients. We measure our success by helping you receive the justice and fairness that you deserve.
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