Distracted driving is dangerous for everyone, but it is especially dangerous when commercial truck drivers take their eyes off the road and cause serious truck accidents. At Bowen Painter Injury Lawyers, our team of dedicated truck crash attorneys has represented numerous victims of distracted driving truck accidents in Savannah and the surrounding areas of the state.
We understand just how destructive this behavior is, and we work tirelessly to help victims pursue accountability and compensation for their injuries. If you sustained injuries in a truck accident caused by a suspected distracted driver, we are ready to help you.
Truck Drivers Face Both Personal and Work-Related Distractions
Commercial truck drivers encounter numerous distractions during their long hours on the road. Some of the most common include cellphones, GPS and dispatch systems, eating and drinking, driver fatigue, non-essential vehicle controls, and paperwork and logs.
Cellphones
Federal regulations ban handheld device use, but some drivers still make calls, send texts, or check social media while driving.
GPS and Dispatch Systems
Programming routes or reading dispatchers’ messages takes eyes off the road.
Eating and Drinking
Drivers often consume meals while driving, forcing them to take one or both hands off the steering wheel.
Driver Fatigue
Exhaustion causes mental distraction and delayed reactions, even when the truck driver’s eyes remain open. Obstructive sleep apnea is also very common among truck drivers, which worsens fatigue.
Non-Essential Vehicle Controls
Adjusting the stereo or searching for podcasts diverts attention.
Paperwork and Logs
Despite the obvious risks, some drivers fill out shipping documents or review delivery schedules while moving.
Engaging with distraction is sometimes the driver’s choice. Other times, however, it is simply part of a truck driver’s job. Trucking companies often pressure drivers to keep in constant communication through electronic devices and respond immediately to dispatch messages. They may also have unrealistic delivery schedules that encourage multitasking. When companies in and around Savannah prioritize speed and efficiency over safety, they create an environment where distracted driving truck accidents almost become inevitable. Our attorneys can help determine the cause of your accident. Call to learn more. Our Savannah truck accident attorneys can help determine the cause of your accident, so call to learn more.
What Evidence Does a Truck Accident Attorney Use To Prove Distracted Driving?
Proving distraction often requires multiple types of evidence. Our truck accident lawyers gather cellphone records to determine whether a driver was on their device at the time of the collision. Other drivers can provide witness statements if they observed erratic driving or saw the trucker looking down. Surveillance footage from traffic cameras or dashcams can visually document the moments before impact.
The truck’s event data recorder, commonly referred to as the black box, records data such as speed, braking, and steering in the seconds before a crash. This information can show whether a driver tried to apply the brakes or take evasive action. Black box data has proven distraction in countless cases where truck drivers claimed they were paying attention.
Trucking companies must also maintain logs, dispatch communications, and electronic device policies. Our legal team would request these documents to establish whether employers encouraged or required truck drivers to use distracting devices while operating their vehicles in Savannah.
Contact an Accident Attorney After a Savannah Truck Accident Caused by Distracted Driving
Following distracted driving truck accidents in Savannah, delays can compromise evidence preservation. Trucking companies routinely destroy or overwrite electronic data after short retention periods. Black box information may disappear within days or weeks, especially if this information could prove damaging to the company or driver.
You will not be able to take action nearly as quickly as insurers and trucking companies do, but please do not wait too long to seek help. If contacted relatively quickly, our team at Bowen Painter Injury Lawyers could send preservation letters and file emergency motions to prevent evidence destruction. The sooner you reach out after a crash, the better our chances of securing the evidence needed to build a strong case on your behalf.
Our firm offers free initial consultations, which means you risk nothing by exploring your legal options. Contact our Savannah distracted driving truck accident lawyers today to share your story and schedule a free consultation.