Distracted Driving Affects Tractor-Trailer Drivers, Too
For many years now, distracted driving has been a top target for Florida law enforcement, given its dangers and potential to harm so many others on the road. However, most of the focus has been on distracted car and SUV drivers – but distracted driving in those who operate tractor-trailers and other commercial vehicles may be even more deadly and costly. If you have been injured in a crash involving a tractor-trailer, the question of whether or not the driver was distracted may help to establish liability in your case.
More Distractions Than Ever
There are three different types of road distractions, any of which can cause an accident all on its own. Visual distractions are fairly self-explanatory; manual distractions are those which require a driver to take their hands off the wheel, such as eating or adjusting mirrors, and cognitive distractions are those which take a driver’s mind off the road – anything from trying to pay attention to the GPS to being overly fatigued. Over time, it can be argued that tractor-trailer drivers have become more prone to all three types than they would have been formerly.
There are several factors in this statement. Perhaps most notably, the increased reliance on electronic devices like GPS units, electronic logging devices (ELDs) and communication devices can create countless visual and manual distractions, while the trend of more and more truck companies pushing their drivers to their limits (sometimes in violation of federal Hours of Service regulations) can breed fatigue and cognitive impairments. In addition, many tractor-trailer drivers are simply not educated enough when it comes to risk management on the road.
Get The Evidence You Need
Regardless of the driver’s mental state, being involved in a tractor-trailer accident is likely to result in serious injuries all around. However, if there is evidence that the driver was distracted, it may help to establish that they were negligent – or negligent as a matter of law, which is a different issue. (If a defendant is ruled negligent per se or negligent as a matter of law, the plaintiff in their case does not have to spend time establishing their negligence.) A tractor-trailer driver in Arizona pleaded guilty to negligent homicide in August 2024 after killing five while driving and trying to watch Tiktoks at the same time, and his phone records were an integral part of the case against him.
If you have been involved in a tractor-trailer crash and you suspect the driver was distracted, it is imperative to enlist the right legal help in order to properly collect the evidence you will need to prove that fact. Tractor-trailer truck injuries can change your life, and if possible, you deserve to be compensated for the harm you have suffered.
Contact A Tampa Tractor-Trailer Accident Attorney
Tractor-trailers are disproportionately larger and heavier than most other vehicles on the road, so if their drivers are distracted, it can result in tragedy all too easily. A Tampa tractor-trailer accident attorney from the Rinaldo Law Group can help you determine your best path forward through the legal process and your physical recovery. Contact our office today to schedule a free consultation.
Source:
fdot.gov/safety/programs/distracted-driving.shtm
