A distracted semi-truck driver poses a significant hazard to everyone on the roads of St. Louis. Any distracted driver may cause harm to themselves and others. A distracted truck driver in a tractor-trailer weighing up to 80,000 pounds can cause a catastrophic accident. Unfortunately, despite their training, truck drivers can become complacent behind the wheel and allow distractions to take their focus off the task of driving. When distracted driving causes a crash, the at-fault driver may be held accountable for the harm caused.
The St. Louis truck accident lawyers at Craig, Kelley & Faultless have more than 20 years of experience fighting for the rights of those injured by negligent truck drivers and trucking companies. We understand the disruption and chaos that a serious injury can cause. We pride ourselves on treating clients like family and providing trusted guidance to help injured people move forward after serious accidents. Our legal team is available to answer your questions whenever you need us. We provide our clients with our cellphone numbers to make it even easier to reach us.
If a distracted truck driver has injured you, you have the right to seek answers and justice. Call us at (314) 367-2661 or fill out our online contact form for a free case review.
Types of Driver Distractions in St. Louis
There are multiple types of driver distractions:
- Visual — A visual distraction takes a truck driver’s eyes off the road and prevents the driver from seeing what is happening on the road ahead and around the truck. If a truck driver does not see what is happening, the driver has less time to react and take steps to avoid an accident. For example, a distracted driver may not see a car slowing ahead for a changing traffic light and may not have time to brake to avoid rear-ending the car in front.
- Auditory — An auditory distraction is anything that prevents a truck driver from hearing emergency vehicle sirens and other noises in the environment around them. If a truck driver is wearing earphones and concentrating on a phone conversation, the trucker may try to merge into another lane and fail to hear another driver’s horn warning that the lane is occupied.
- Manual — A manual distraction causes a truck driver to take one or both hands off the wheel. Manual distractions are more dangerous for truck drivers than other drivers because trucks are more difficult to operate. Truck drivers should have both hands on the wheel so they can react as quickly as possible in a hazardous situation.
- Cognitive — A cognitive distraction is anything that takes a driver’s mental focus off the task of driving. Trucks are large, heavy vehicles. Drivers need to be focused on keeping themselves and others around them safe. A truck driver who is having an intense phone conversation or thinking about something else instead of driving may be slower to recognize and react to traffic hazards.
Distracted Driving Laws in St. Louis, MO
For commercial drivers, Missouri’s distracted driving laws prohibit truck drivers from using a handheld cellphone to send or receive text messages or emails while driving.
In addition, regulations administered by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) prohibit interstate truck drivers from using handheld mobile phones while operating their vehicles. The regulations restrict truck drivers from reaching for or holding a mobile phone or pressing multiple buttons to conduct a phone call. Truckers are only allowed to operate a hands-free mobile phone that is in close proximity.
Truck drivers who are cited for using a handheld phone while driving face civil penalties and are subject to losing their commercial driver’s license for multiple offenses.
How Common Are Truck Crashes in St. Louis, MO?
According to recent statistics from the Missouri State Highway Patrol, there were 5,767 trucks involved in accidents statewide in one year. These crashes led to 64 deaths and 1,325 injuries.
Given that there were 766 total traffic deaths and 47,987 injuries statewide for that year, truck accidents accounted for about 8.3 percent of all deaths and about 3 percent of all injuries for that year.
Common Driving Distractions that Lead to Truck Accidents
Some of the most common types of truck driver distractions that cause accidents include:
- Talking on the phone — A truck driver who is talking on the phone isn’t paying full attention to what is happening around them. Talking on a cellphone usually requires one hand to operate the phone.
- Texting while driving — Texting requires a driver to take at least one hand off the wheel. The driver will be looking at the phone instead of the road, which diverts their eyes from the road. These factors make texting while driving one of the most dangerous driving distractions.
- Loud music — If music is so loud that you cannot hear what is going on, it poses a risk. Loud music may prevent a truck driver from hearing the sirens of approaching emergency vehicles. Truck drivers might be too distracted by music to notice a potential hazard.
- Snacking — Eating is a distraction while driving. If a driver takes a hand off the wheel to eat or drink while the truck is in motion, the driver will have a harder time reacting to any sudden dangers. Snacking takes a truck driver’s concentration off the road for a few seconds. That is enough time to cause an accident.
- Using a navigation device — GPS navigation systems are a helpful tool for truck drivers. But a driver should only enter information on the device when the truck is stopped. If the driver tries to interact with a navigation device while the truck is moving, the truck driver will be taking at least one hand off the wheel.
- Grooming — A truck driver who is using their mirrors to comb their hair or groom him/herself won’t be focused on the road and is more likely to cause an accident.
- Looking at a crash or a vehicle that has been pulled over — Truck drivers who are looking at an accident or a stopped vehicle on the roadside may fail to notice when traffic ahead stops suddenly.
- Looking at roadside ads — Billboards and other roadside ads are meant to be eye-catching, but drivers should keep their eyes on the road.
- Talking to passengers — Truck drivers sometimes work in pairs to make better time, but conversations with a passenger can also be a potential distraction if a truck driver isn’t careful.
- Daydreaming — Daydreaming is a hard habit to avoid, especially on long drives. Even a momentary lapse in concentration can lead to a catastrophic truck accident.
How to Prove Distracted Driving in a Truck Accident Lawsuit
Proving that driver distraction caused a truck accident can be challenging. It requires the help of an experienced attorney who knows the types of evidence to seek.
Examples of evidence a lawyer might look for to build a persuasive case include:
- Police accident reports — A truck driver might admit they were distracted when talking to police. The officer might conclude the driver was distracted based on the lack of skid marks or lack of evidence of braking before a collision.
- Eyewitness accounts — You or another driver may have seen the truck driver with a phone in hand or noticed the truck driver acting erratically before a crash.
- Surveillance photos/video — If a truck accident is caught on camera, the footage may reveal the truck driver was distracted.
- The truck’s electronic data recorder — Most trucks are equipped with electronic devices that record the truck’s speed, direction, and other factors as the truck moves. This data can help show what the driver was doing moments before the crash.
- Cellphone records — Time and location data from the driver’s cellphone can show if the driver was texting or making a call at the time of an accident.
Distracted Driving Truck Accident Compensation in St. Louis, MO
If you were involved in a collision with a distracted truck driver in St. Louis, a truck accident lawyer might be able to help you pursue compensation for:
- Medical bills
- Lost income
- Reduced future income
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Damaged personal property
Determining Who Is at Fault in a Distracted Truck Driving Accident in St Louis
Recovering compensation after a truck accident will require determining who is at fault for the crash.
Depending on the circumstances of your collision the following parties could be liable for compensating you:
- The truck driver – The driver is responsible for the safe operation of their vehicle and would likely be the primary party responsible for a distracted driving accident. If the truck driver failed to pay attention and injured you, you could hold the driver accountable.
- The trucking company – Employers are responsible for hiring, training, and supervising those who work for them. Trucking companies are no exception. If the driver had a history of unsafe driving and the company was aware of the issue, the company could be partially responsible for the crash.
- Defective parts manufacturers or maintenance companies – If the driver was distracted due to a mechanical error or another problem with their vehicle, the entity responsible for the vehicle’s part, system, or maintenance could be partly to blame.
Determining liability for a truck accident can be challenging, especially since multiple parties and insurance policies might be involved. It’s important to have an experienced personal injury lawyer help you determine who is financially liable for your injuries.
Contact a Trucking Distracted Driving Lawyer in St. Louis for Help
The experienced truck accident attorneys at Craig, Kelley, & Faultless provide representation to people injured in collisions caused by distracted driving in St. Louis. We are ready to review your accident and discuss how we could help when you call us or reach out to us online. Our consultations are always 100% free, so call us now.
