How Distracted Driving Can Increase the Risk of a Truck Accident?

Truck drivers, like other drivers, can get distracted, but the risks associated with these crashes are significantly more severe. Because of their size and weight, smaller vehicle drivers and passengers often experience life-changing injuries or worse.  When a truck driver becomes distracted, even for a moment, the consequences can be catastrophic.

What Is Considered Distracted Driving?

Distracted driving refers to any activity that diverts a driver’s attention away from the primary task of driving. This includes manual distractions, like adjusting the radio or reaching for an object, as well as visual distractions like reading a billboard or looking at a phone. Cognitive distractions, such as daydreaming or being preoccupied with a conversation, can also be hazardous.

Truck drivers often spend long hours on the road, which can increase the temptation to multitask while driving. Using GPS devices, eating, or managing documentation while driving can result in dangerous lapses in attention. Even a brief distraction can lead to delayed reaction times, missed traffic signals, or failure to notice slowing vehicles ahead.

Why Are Distracted Truck Drivers So Dangerous?

A fully loaded commercial truck can weigh up to 80,000 pounds. When a truck driver becomes distracted, the ability to stop quickly or adjust to traffic patterns becomes significantly limited. The consequences of an inattentive moment behind the wheel can be far more severe than in a smaller vehicle.

The combination of momentum and size means that a distracted truck driver who fails to react to a hazard may cause multi-vehicle collisions or fatalities. Additionally, trucks have large blind spots, which already limit visibility. When a truck driver’s focus shifts away from the road, they may not notice smaller vehicles entering these zones. This increases the chances of sideswipe or rear-end crashes.

Are There Federal Rules Addressing Distracted Driving for Truckers?

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) enforces regulations aimed at reducing distracted driving among commercial drivers. These rules prohibit the use of handheld mobile devices while operating a commercial vehicle. Truck drivers are not allowed to hold a phone, dial by pressing more than one button, or reach for a device in a manner that requires them to leave their seated driving position.

Violations of these rules can result in steep fines and potential disqualification from commercial driving; employers who knowingly permit or require drivers to engage in prohibited conduct can also face penalties. These regulations aim to reduce the number of distraction-related incidents on highways and interstates.

How Can Investigators Determine if a Truck Driver Was Distracted?

After truck crashes, investigators review driver logs, surveillance footage, and data from electronic logging devices or onboard telematics systems. These tools may indicate whether a driver was speeding, braking abruptly, or deviating from traffic lanes.

Phone records may also be reviewed to determine whether a driver was using a mobile device at the time of the crash. Witness statements, dashboard camera footage, and physical evidence from the scene can also help piece together whether distraction played a role in the incident.

Why Is it Important to Hold Distracted Drivers Accountable?

When a distracted driver causes a serious collision, the physical, emotional, and financial consequences can be long-lasting and severe. Holding drivers accountable for careless behavior may help reduce future incidents. Identifying the root cause of the crash also allows injured individuals to pursue compensation for medical expenses, lost income, and other damages.

Because trucking companies are required to follow safety regulations, failure to do so can support a legal claim. Accountability helps reinforce safer driving practices and highlights the importance of maintaining full attention behind the wheel at all times.

Our El Paso Truck Accident Lawyers at Flores Mendez Law Can Advise You About Proceeding With a Legal Claim

Our El Paso truck accident lawyers at Flores Mendez Law can assess the circumstances of your claim and advise you about the next steps. For a free consultation, call 915-308-9999 or contact us online. Located in El Paso, Texas and Las Cruces, New Mexico, we serve clients in the surrounding areas.