When you venture out, whether going to the grocery store or heading to another state, you can feel confident you will encounter one or more large trucks. These are commonplace on modern roads and highways.
Unfortunately, just like distractions can lead to accidents among passenger vehicle drivers, they can also cause truck drivers to lose focus and drive recklessly. Learning about some of the main causes of distractions for truck drivers may help you avoid an accident.
Bright signs and moving people
According to information from the FMCSA (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration), anything that takes a driver’s eyes off of the vehicles around them for more than a second can cause an accident. For truck drivers, this includes bright advertisements and billboards on the roadside and people who may be standing near the side of the road.
Sometimes, truck drivers turn their heads to look at these things. An accident can occur even if they take their eyes off the road for just half a second. Trucks are bigger and heavier, so they need more time to stop than traditional vehicles. Every second counts if there is a person, vehicle or something else on the road ahead.
Dispatch communications
It’s difficult for a trucker to respond to dispatch communications while they’re in motion and keep their focus on the road. The disruption could easily lead to a major accident, especially if it involves any complicated information.
Your options after a truck accident
Being involved in an accident with a large truck can lead to serious injuries and the need for expensive, long-term treatment. If you find yourself in this situation, you have legal rights. Knowing these will help you recover the compensation you are entitled to.
