The leading causes of traffic accidents are Big rigs and distracted driving. Big rigs, however, have a particularly lethal combination when combined with distracted driving. Another thing that often causes unhappiness is leaving work to drive home one’s truck for nine hours of hard labor on the road at sunset.
Though they may have nothing against our profession, if you ask a committed truck driver what his or her chosen word in religion is, the answer is almost invariably solitude. None of these factors make distracted driving safe for others on the road.
Hence, big rigs and distracted driving rank among the top causes of traffic accidents. Distracted driving is a leading cause of accidents. Big rigs, given that they usually clock in about 80,000 pounds fully loaded and moving, can be deadly indeed.
How Distracted Driving Affects Big Rig Drivers
Truckers have long hours on the road, and distractions can be a greater risk. Some common situations in which distractions result in incidents are as follows:
- Use of electronic devices: While federal regulations prohibit truck drivers from texting or talking on handheld cell phones behind the wheel, many drivers still do. Just a few seconds spent gazing at a phone is enough to distract their eyes from the road long enough for a crash to occur.
- Fatigue and Daydreaming: Drivers are more likely to zone out or lose focus on long shifts. However, this mental distraction amounts to just as much of a danger as physical distractions do.
- Dine and Dash: Truckers eat on the go, often while they are driving, to save time. This innocent activity can easily distract their hands and eyes from the road.
- Multi-Tasking: Adjusting the GPS, watching for cargo, or talking to dispatch can all cause drivers to split their attention, and that split can lead to accidents.
Distracted Driving by Other Motorists
It’s not only the truckers who are driving distracted. Many truck accidents are caused by what other drivers do on the road. For example:
- Tailgating: Drivers low on patience or distracted by texting would follow behind a truck too closely, without enough time to react if the truck slows.
- Unintended Lane Changes: Distracted driving can lead to sudden lane changes, where a driver doesn’t realize he/she is cutting off a tractor-trailer, forcing the truck driver to make sudden, emergency maneuvers in reaction.
- Failure to Account for Blind Spots: Many drivers do not realize that trucks have large blind spots. If a distracted driver hangs out in one of these zones, they are putting themselves at risk of being struck if the truck changes lanes.
The Devastating Impact of Big Rig Accidents
A distracted driver, whether that be the truck driver or another driver when they cause a big rig accident, the outcome can be deadly. These accidents can lead to:
- Serious injuries or fatalities
- Multi-vehicle collisions
- Massive property damage
- Lengthy road closures and traffic delays
The victims of big rig accidents can sometimes take years before they fully heal, incur high medical expenses, or deal with emotional trauma. These big rig accident lawyers are involved in every legal process, as are motorcycle accident injury attorneys in such cases, to receive proper compensation.
Why Legal Help Is Essential After a Big Rig Accident
An attorney can help you seek compensation for injuries caused by distracted driving in a big rig accident. Big rig accident lawyers know how to investigate the crash and find out who is at fault, and will make sure you get the justice you deserve. Car crash laws or a workplace accident with a truck, an attorney makes all the difference.
Summing it up!
Widely Pervasive Issue → We have no qualms about debating the cell phone bans. By following proper rules and regulations, truck drivers and other motorists can help make the roads a safer place for everyone if they are on the lookout for one another. If you have been involved in a truck accident, you need to consult legally with someone who is equipped to help you recover quickly.