As our post discussed, texting while driving is dangerous, and people’s attitudes towards texting and driving may not always align with their actions concerning the subject. When truck drivers are texting and driving, an already dangerous situation becomes more dangerous. Commercial trucks can weigh between 80,000 and 105,000 pounds, which makes the potential consequences of a truck accident significant.
Simply because of the increased size of semi-trucks, accidents involving these vehicles can be more serious and cause greater damage. Because of the serious nature of the dangers presented by truck accidents, federal regulations require that truck drivers are not permitted to have a phone in their hands while driving. According to statistics, truck drivers who text, or talk, on their cell phones while driving are 23 times more likely to crash than truck drivers who do not engage in those behaviors.
In general, the problem of distracted driving is a serious one. Victims harmed in a truck accident because of an inattentive truck driver may face a series of unexpected challenges and damages that range from medical expenses to lost wages and pain and suffering damages. Families of the victims of truck accidents may also suffer damages. Legal options may be available after a truck accident in order to help victims and their families recover for the physical, economic and emotional damages they have suffered.
Because of the significant size disparity between semi-trucks and the other types of vehicles they share the roadways with, the consequences of a truck driver’s negligent actions can be catastrophic. Understanding how to respond following a truck accident is important.
Source: KTVB.com, “‘Texting truckers make the roads more dangerous,” Justin Corr, Feb. 15, 2015