How Texting While Driving Causes Truck Accidents

As cell phones become more and more useful to us, it’s important that we consider the potential hazards associated with their use. Though cell phones are integral to navigation, communication, and entertainment, using them while driving can be extremely dangerous behavior. This is particularly true for truck drivers. Not only are they breaking the law, but truckers who use their phones while behind the wheel dramatically increase the chance that they’ll cause a collision.

Truck accidents can be devastating, bringing property damages and severe injury to all of those involved. There are several ways truck drivers’ cell phone use can increase the risk of a large truck accident.

If you or a loved one was involved in an accident with a commercial truck, contact us for a free case evaluation today.

Reduced Focus

Whether they’re sending a quick text, shuffling a playlist, or exploring nearby meal options, truck drivers’ extended cell phone use while driving can be extremely dangerous. When truck drivers engage in cell phone use, they’re taking their focus away from the road. This makes the trucker and any surrounding vehicles vulnerable in the event that they should have an unexpected encounter on the road. Such encounters might include:

• Crossing wildlife
• Debris in the road
• Braking passenger vehicles
• Unforeseen weather conditions
• Roadside construction
• Pedestrians

When they engage in cell phone use while driving, truckers are putting you and your passengers directly in harm’s way. This practice prevents them from remaining focused on the road and significantly increases the risk of a large truck accident.

Impaired Reaction Time

Not only can texting while driving reduce truck drivers’ focus, but it can also have an effect on their reaction time. As mentioned above, there are many potential hazards on the road that truckers are better equipped to avoid if they are not using their cell phone.

Because of their length and turning radius, large trucks often have extended stopping times and make wider turns than traditional passenger vehicles. If the driver isn’t paying attention while performing these maneuvers, these factors can pose significant threats to you and the occupants of your vehicle. If truck drivers engage in cell phone use while they’re behind the wheel, they will be unable to maintain a good reaction time and avoid potential collisions with nearby motorists.

Damages Associated with Truck Accidents

Large trucks are much bigger than passenger vehicles and therefore have the potential to cause greater destruction in an accident. Such collisions may include rollover accidents, T-bone accidents, jackknife accidents, and rear-end accidents. These collisions not only cause significant damage to your vehicle but also place you in danger of severe injury. Some examples of injuries often sustained in large truck accidents include:

• Traumatic brain injury
• Dismemberment
• Paralysis
• Spinal cord trauma
• Neck trauma
• Broken bones
• Lacerations
• Contusions
• Internal organ damage
• Internal bleeding
• Burns

These injuries are just of the few that victims of truck accidents often sustain. In addition, victims of large truck accidents are susceptible to other forms of psychological and emotional trauma, including loss of companionship, loss of mobility, or loss of enjoyment of life.

Accident Statistics

A report by Trusted Choice Insurance claims that “the state of Georgia prohibits: The use of handheld cell phones by all drivers [and] The use of any cell phones, even hands-free, by school bus drivers [and truck drivers].”

A report from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration states that in 2014, there were 155 fatalities as a result of Georgia truck crashes.

A report from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration states, “Of the approximately 510,000 police-reported crashes involving large trucks in 2019, there were 4,479 (1 percent) fatal crashes and 114,000 (29 percent) injury crashes.”

Need Help? Call Jonathan R. Brockman, P.C. Today

If you or someone you love has been involved in a large truck accident, you know how difficult it can be to deal with such a situation. From contacting law enforcement to communicating with insurance companies and filing a claim, there are many steps to making sure you receive the compensation to which you may be entitled.

At Jonathan R. Brockman, P.C., we’re eager to walk alongside you as you pursue compensation for property damage and injuries sustained in a large truck accident. Our personal injury attorneys have represented many clients just like you, winning cases and reaching favorable outcomes for over 20 years.

If you’re ready to seek justice for your injuries and losses, call the Georgia truck and car accident lawyers of Jonathan R. Brockman, P.C. at (770) 205-8827 or contact us online to request a free case evaluation today. We’ll put you in contact with one of our lawyers so that you can determine the best next steps in your pursuit of justice.