Driving can seem simple, but it’s a complex task that requires total focus. All it can take is a few seconds of splitting your attention with something else, like your cellphone, to cause a terrible wreck that hurts or kills people.
This is true no matter what you are driving, especially for commercial trucks like 18-wheelers. Semis usually are the largest and heaviest vehicles on the highway. They require attentive control from a trained driver. A distracted trucker can quickly lose control. A collision between the average passenger vehicle and a massive, 80,000 lb. truck often leads to disaster.
Common distractions for truckers
Truck driving is a tough job that requires long hours behind the wheel every day. But there is no excuse for choosing to drive while distracted. Some common distractions for truckers include:
- Cellphones
- Dispatching devices
- Paper maps
- Food and drink
- Billboards and other objects outside of the truck
Distraction is a huge safety problem in the trucking industry. A 2009 study revealed that 71 percent of trucking accidents happen while the trucker is distracted by something. The fact that distracted driving is completely preventable is both good and bad news. Good, in that it is theoretically possible to eliminate truck accidents caused by distraction. Bad, in that distracted driving has persisted as a major issue for decades now and shows little sign of going away.
Injuries from a trucking accident can affect you and your family for the rest of your life. Depending on the events that led to your injuries, you might be able to pursue compensation from the trucking company as well as the driver. This can give you a better chance of total compensation for your lost wages, medical bills and pain and suffering.