Distracted Driving Truck Accidents in Terre Haute

Motorist distractions cause thousands of life-threatening and deadly crashes yearly. While being distracted behind the wheel is hazardous for any driver, distracted truck drivers are particularly dangerous because of the size and weight of the vehicles they operate.

When you are involved in a collision with a semi, tractor-trailer, or other type of commercial vehicle, you deserve to understand your options for moving forward. Our team of hard-working truck accident attorneys could help. Reach out to Fleschner, Stark, Tanoos & Newlin after a distracted driving truck accident in Terre Haute to learn more.

Types and Risks of Trucker Distractions

There are three types of distractions: manual, cognitive, and visual. Manual distractions are any action, such as smoking or eating, that takes a driver’s hands off the steering wheel. Cognitive distractions divert their focus. Examples include speaking with passengers or talking on the phone, even when using hands-free devices. Visual distractions cause drivers to take their eyes off the road and include actions such as texting. Other examples of distractions include reaching for objects in the cab, adjusting the radio, and looking at something outside the truck, such as a driver turning his or her head to stare as they pass collisions.

Risks Associated with Distracted Truckers

Inattentive truckers in Terre Haute put themselves and others at a significant risk of accidents and severe harm. There are many risks associated with distracted driving including:

• Perceptual blindness occurs when a driver fails to see something in front of them in the roadway, in plain sight, because of inattention.
• Impaired reaction times and responsiveness caused by distractions diverting their focus to something other than operating the vehicle safely.
• Decreased judgment from distractions can cause truckers to fail to notice or misinterpret vital cues, such as brake lights or a traffic signal turning yellow.

Studies conducted by the U.S. Department of Transportation found that truckers are six times more likely to make critical mistakes, such as unintentional lane deviation while using a cell phone to dial phone numbers or text.

Hands-Free Laws

The state has hands-free communication device regulations and strictly prohibits texting while operating vehicles. According to the guidelines of the Indiana Code § 9-21-8-59, motorists, including commercial truck drivers, cannot use mobile devices to make phone calls that require using their hands, communicate via text, or browse the internet unless they stop in a safe location. The law does allow the use of hands-free or voice-activated technology.

Further, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration prohibits using handheld communication devices requiring them to press multiple buttons. Failing to adhere to state and federal regulations can result in steep fines and the loss of their license to operate commercial vehicles. A lawyer from our team who is seasoned in Terre Haute distracted driving truck crashes could answer questions about these regulations in more detail during a private consultation.

Speak to Our Terre Haute Team About Distracted Driving Truck Accidents

Truckers are professional drivers and are legally obligated to operate their vehicles safely and follow federal and state traffic laws to avoid causing harm to others. This includes avoiding distractions while driving.

You could be eligible for compensation for injuries and losses if a negligent trucker causes an avoidable crash. Please schedule a consultation with one of our lawyers at Fleschner, Stark, Tanoos & Newlin to handle your distracted driving truck accident in Terre Haute.