Distracted Driving Truck Accidents in Seguin

Every driver needs to focus when they are behind the wheel. That is especially true for truckers. They drive long hours, which means they have more opportunities to get into accidents. The boredom can make it tempting to give in to distractions, making distraction more likely. Plus, their vehicles are much heavier than passenger vehicles, leading to serious collisions. The potential of severe injuries or even death means truckers should be vigilant at all times to reduce the chance of wrecks.

Driver error is the most common cause of motor vehicle accidents, and trucking accidents are no exception. Drunk driving, drowsy driving, speeding, and reckless behavior can all lead to accidents. Distracted driving can be more dangerous than these other apparent hazards. Looking away from the road for even a few seconds can mean traveling hundreds of feet. If you think a trucker’s distraction led to an accident, a truck crash attorney may be able to help. Speak to one to learn more about distracted driving truck accidents in Seguin.

Types of Distracted Driving

Three types of distraction can impact a trucker’s driving skills: visual, cognitive, and manual. A visual distraction is when a driver’s eyes are not focused on the road. Manual distraction involves removing one or both hands from the wheel. Cognitive distraction means thinking about something other than the road. Often, distractions involve two or three of those types.

Texting and driving is one of the most-discussed types of distraction. It may be deadlier than under the influence of alcohol or drugs. When people use their phones or other mobile devices to text, send other messages, read emails, get on social media, watch videos, or even make calls, they take their eyes off the road and their mind wanders. If the device is not hands-free, then they remove their hands from the wheel as well.

Texting is not the only distraction truckers face — almost anything can be a distraction. Some of the more common distractions include grooming, eating, talking to passengers, drinking, and daydreaming.

Using a mobile device leaves an electronic trail that makes proving distracted driving easy. Not every distraction is as easy to prove. Often, witnesses have to provide details about the trucker’s driving in order to establish that they were not paying attention to the road. A lawyer who handles distracted driving truck collisions in Seguin can assess the facts and determine the right approach for proof.

Truck Accident Injuries

Because of their size, trucks are likely to cause severe, catastrophic, or even fatal injuries in an accident. They can lead to spinal cord injuries, crush injuries, traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), internal bleeding, internal organ damage, neck injuries, burns, amputations, paralysis, and more. Minor injuries may include lacerations and broken bones.

Doctors judge the severity of an injury based on its impact on the ability to care for oneself, work, and quality of life. Lawyers look at the severity of the injury from a Seguin distracted driving truck accident to determine the amount of damages they should seek. At a minimum, damages need to be able to cover medical expenses, lost wages, loss of earning capacity, and the cost of any adaptive equipment necessary after an accident. Ideally, damages should also cover emotional trauma and pain and suffering, as well as compensate people for any loss of quality of life.

Explore Legal Options After Sequin Distracted Driving Truck Accidents

All motor vehicle accidents have the potential to cause severe injuries, but no other vehicle has the same potential to damage others as a large truck. A few moments of distraction can lead to life-altering injuries. The person who caused those injuries should be responsible for paying for them. To find out how to hold the wrongdoers financially responsible, consult an attorney. Our team can give you additional information about distracted driving truck accidents in Seguin.