Carolina Truck Accident Injury Lawyers: Truck Driver Distractions | Shapiro, Washburn & Sharp

We’ve all heard about how dangerous driver distractions can be – teens on cell phones, commuters applying makeup, and mothers tending to children in the back seat. But often, trucker driver distractions are overlooked as the cause of NC and SC truck accidents. In reality, truck drivers are most prone to driver distractions because so much of their life is spent on the road and so many hours of each day are spent behind the wheel.

Because their trucks are difficult to maneuver, and because when hauling goods every minute counts, truckers are reluctant to get off the road to take care of small matters of business. Also, because driving a commercial truck is so mundane for them, it does not seem dangerous to multi-task while barreling down the road. All too often, truckers will continue to drive on the highway and interstate while doing any of the following activities, leading to Carolina truck accidents:

· Talking on a cell phone or texting on a cell phone.

· Reading the internet on a mobile device such as an iPhone or Blackberry.

· Talking on a CB radio.

· Changing radio stations, changing CDs, or browsing through a MP3 player.

· Urinating into a bottle.

· Watching small personal TVs.

· Eating a meal.

· Looking at a road map or GPS system.

According to recent studies, driver distraction can be more dangerous than driver fatigue or drinking and driving – and truck accidents often result in more severe truck accident injuries and greater numbers of deaths. How can you tell a truck driver might be distracted? His truck may be drifting and swerving. His speed may be inconsistent. He may brake suddenly when not needed.
 

About the Editors: Shapiro & Appleton& Duffan personal injury law firm is based in Virginia (VA), near the NE North Carolina (NC) border and handles car,truck,railroad, and medical negligence cases and more. Our lawyers proudly edit the Virginia Beach Injuryboard, Norfolk Injuryboard, and Northeast North Carolina Injuryboard as a pro bono public information service. Lawyers licensed in: VA, NC, SC, WV, DC, KY.

 

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