Even the best, most attentive drivers are still human, meaning they sometimes take their eyes off the road, hands off the wheel, or let their minds wander. These moments of inattention are usually insignificant, so it surprises people to learn that distracted driving is as dangerous as driving while intoxicated or drowsy.
The more you drive, the more likely you are to get distracted. So, it is no wonder that distracted driving is such a significant problem with truckers. They log more miles on the road than most drivers, often on stretches of highway that can be monotonous. While a trucker getting distracted may be common, there is no excuse for causing a wreck or injuries.
If you have been a victim in a distracted driving truck accident in Goodlettsville, the responsible party should pay for your injuries. Our skilled tractor-trailer collision attorneys at Ponce Law can help you pursue the compensation you need and deserve.
There are three main types of driver distraction—visual, manual, and cognitive. Visual distractions take the driver’s eyes off the road, manual distractions take the driver’s hand off the wheel, and cognitive distractions mean the driver’s attention is focused somewhere other than on the road. Often, activities involve multiple types of distractions. For example, a driver who eats while behind the wheel may take their eyes off the road to look for their food and remove their hands from the wheel to eat it.
One of the riskiest types of distracted driving is texting—or otherwise using a wireless communication device—while behind the wheel. Federal law prohibits truckers from using cell phones most of the time. Truckers are also subject to Tennessee Code Annotated § 55-8-199, which specifically prohibits drivers from:
Because state law is stricter than federal law, Goodlettsville truckers must be familiar with and observe it to avoid causing a distracted driving truck accident.
It is easy to prove some types of distracted driving. When the use of a mobile communication device is to blame for a crash, the phone records will generally reveal if the device was in operation and help prove negligence. However, it is difficult to prove other distractions—such as eating while driving—and it can be impossible to prove a cognitive distraction, such as daydreaming.
Instead of focusing on the cause of the behavior, a diligent attorney will focus on evidence of distraction after a semi-truck wreck. Was the trucker driving erratically? Were they failing to maintain their lane? Did they run a stoplight or stop sign? Did they fail to yield the right of way? While none of these events prove driver distraction, they are signs of negligence, which can help demonstrate that the trucker was responsible for the collision.
Calling the police to the scene of an accident can also help with gaining evidence of a distracted driving truck accident, as officers are trained to recognize signs that a driver may have been distracted. For example, fries scattered over the cab after an accident, along with a recent receipt from a restaurant, would be evidence that the trucker may have been distracted. Alone, it is not enough to prove negligence; however, combined with other evidence, it can help build a case. For this reason, it is important to contact the police after any wreck with a big truck.
Witness statements can also be critical to building a case. Depending on the location of a tractor-trailer crash, people may stop to offer help and may be able to provide information about the trucker’s driving behavior before the accident. Sometimes, the people who witnessed bad behavior are no longer at the scene, and a proactive lawyer must investigate and try to locate witnesses and other proof. Ponce Law is the only law firm with RoadProof, which allows us to download footage from the Tennessee Department of Transportation cameras. This footage could be crucial evidence in your Goodlettsville distracted driving truck accident case.
While distracted driving is risky for any driver, it is especially dangerous when large trucks are involved. Some trucks are so big that any crash, even a minor contact, can lead to severe injuries or even death. That is why truckers must undergo specialized training before they can get their licenses.
You should be entitled to compensation if a trucker’s negligence led to your injuries. The experienced lawyers at Ponce Law can help you understand liability in distracted driving truck accidents in Goodlettsville. Schedule a free consultation with our team to learn more.
