When operating a commuter car, motorcycle, or commercial truck, drivers on the road must pay constant attention to their surroundings for the safety of their passengers and other motorists around them. Unfortunately, distracted drivers can put everyone else on the road at risk of harm. When a negligent person is operating a large vehicle like a truck, the potential damage to others increases significantly.
If you were recently struck by a tractor-trailer operated by a distracted driver, you should strongly consider contacting an experienced truck accident lawyer. Distracted driving truck accidents in Cincinnati can cause severe injuries and damages to property, and you may have trouble effectively recovering the cost of your losses without guidance from a legal professional.
Common Distractions Behind the Wheel of Commercial Trucks
Today, smart phones and cellular devices are often the main cause for distraction while a vehicle is in motion. However, cases of texting or using the Internet behind the wheel are only responsible for a fraction of distracted driving truck collisions in Cincinnati. Other contributors to these types of incidents include:
- Personal grooming
- Looking at a GPS or paper map
- Talking on the radio
- Eating and/or drinking while in motion
- Watching videos or reading books
These behaviors may stem from boredom rather than any intention to harm others, but that does not excuse negligence while on the road, especially when operating a potentially dangerous large vehicle. Those who suffered severe injuries or whose loved ones were fatally harmed in truck crashes caused by distracted drivers should consult a diligent Cincinnati attorney on holding negligent parties liable.
Civil Recovery for Distracted Semi-Truck Driving in Cincinnati
Distracted driving is just one of many potential ways that a truck operator could behave in a negligent manner behind the wheel. Legally speaking, “negligence” means violating a duty to other people on the road by doing something to put their safety at risk. Accordingly, any form of distraction could ostensibly serve as grounds for litigation if it directly causes an accident that results in compensable losses.
However, actually proving that distracted driving was the proximate cause of a truck accident can be tricky. Evidence suggesting a driver was distracted at the exact moment of a collision is often subjective and circumstantial rather than objective and documentary. Because of this, it is necessary to enlist the skills of a local attorney in attempting to hold a trucker or their employer financially liable for the plaintiff’s injuries.
Fortunately, recent changes to federal trucking law have made it easier to prove liability in certain types of inattentive truck driver claims. Since texting and driving is forbidden for commercial semi operators in all circumstances under federal law, any evidence that a truck driver was using their phone behind the wheel—from text message timestamps to Internet history logs—could be useful in establishing negligence.
Consult a Cincinnati Attorney About Your Distracted Driving Truck Accident Claim
Distracted driving is dangerous for anyone operating a motor vehicle, but it can lead to particularly devastating outcomes in cases involving commercial truck operators. If you were recently injured in this kind of incident, you may be able to pursue civil compensation for your suffering.
Seek help from a qualified personal injury lawyer with case experience related to distracted driving truck accidents in Cincinnati. If you have questions on whether you have grounds for a civil claim, call today to speak with legal counsel about your situation.
