Distracted driving poses a serious threat to everyone on the road, resulting in approximately 400,000 injuries and more than 3,000 deaths each year in the United States alone. While driver distractions are dangerous for any motorist, these dangers are greatly Inside View of a Semi-Truck Cabmagnified when the distracted driver is a commercial truck driver operating a large, unwieldy, and unquestionably deadly big-rig vehicle. When you factor in all of the distracting equipment found in the average commercial truck cab, it's fair to say that distracted truck drivers are a significant cause for concern. Read on to learn more about common on-board distractions, as well as options for pursuing compensation if you were injured in a truck accident.

Common On-Board Distractions

Any activity that causes a trucker to look away from the road, take one or both hands off the steering wheel, or take his mental focus away from driving can be considered distracted driving behavior. Not only are truckers subject to many of the same driver distractions affecting average motorists—such as talking on a cell phone or eating while driving—they also use a significant amount of distracting on-board equipment that can put other motorists at risk. This equipment can include:

  • On-board mobile communication devices that allow truckers to communicate with dispatch
  • On-board displays and gauges
  • CB communication devices that allow for communication with other truck drivers
  • GPS navigation devices
  • On-board entertainment devices, such as televisions and DVD players
  • Laptops, commonly used for fleet management

Despite the commercial trucking industry's insistence that the use of on-board equipment is safe, research from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)—which shows that driver distraction is a factor in up to 80 percent of accidents—suggests otherwise.

Were You Injured in a Car Crash With a Truck Driver?

If you were injured in a vehicle collision that was caused by a distracted commercial truck driver, you may be facing a long and difficult recovery, as well as a great deal of medical debt. However, you may not be required to bear this significant burden unassisted, as you may be eligible to pursue compensation for current and future medical bills related to injuries sustained in the accident, as well as property damage to your vehicle, lost wages if your injuries are serious enough to prevent you from working, and even physical pain and emotional suffering. Contact Steinberg Injury Lawyers today to schedule a free, no-obligation evaluation of your case. We're ready to help you fight for the compensation you need and deserve.

 

Peter Steinberg
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Los Angeles Personal Injury Attorney Since 1982
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