Distracted driving is one of the leading causes of severe accidents in St. Louis. Statistics from the Missouri Department of Transportation show that in a recent decade, the state recorded more than 200,000 crashes involving distracted drivers and at least 801 fatalities.
Distracted driving can cause devastating injuries, lead to costly medical bills and lost income, and cause lasting emotional trauma, especially when large trucks or commercial vehicles are involved.
The distracted driving accident attorneys at Sumner Law Group, LLC, have the experience and resources to hold careless truck drivers and trucking companies accountable for crashes caused by distracted driving. We take the time to guide you through the claims process, challenge insurance companies, and fight for the compensation you deserve.
Contact our St. Louis office today and set up a free case evaluation to discuss the specifics of your situation.
What Is Distracted Truck Driving?
Technically, distracted truck driving is any action that removes a driver’s eyes, hands, or attention from the safe operation of their truck. Even seemingly minor tasks can prevent a truck driver from focusing on the critical operation of a massive commercial vehicle.
Three primary types of distractions can divert a truck driver’s attention from the road, leading to significant safety issues. These distractions include:
- Visual distractions – Visual distractions include anything that takes a truck driver’s eyes off the road.
- Manual distractions – These distractions take a driver’s hand off the steering wheel, such as eating, dialing a phone, entering GPS coordinates, or grooming.
- Cognitive distractions – When a trucker’s mind does not focus on driving, such as daydreaming or thinking about other things, that is a form of cognitive distraction.
Missouri Laws on Distracted Driving and Trucking
Missouri has distracted driving laws, as well as federal regulations that apply to distracted driving, specifically for commercial truck drivers.
First, the 2023 Sidden Bening hands-free law prohibits Missouri motorists, including truck drivers, from physically holding or supporting a cellular phone with their body while operating a vehicle. The law also prohibits drivers from typing, sending, or reading text-based messages and recording, posting, or sending videos, including video calls and social media posts.
Violating the Missouri hands-free law can result in fines of up to $500, depending on the number of previous violations, and more severe fines and imprisonment if a violation leads to a crash that causes serious bodily injury or a fatality.
Nationally, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration also strictly prohibits the use of cell phones by commercial truck drivers. CMV drivers cannot text while driving, and the use of cellular phones is restricted.
Commercial drivers who violate federal regulations can face civil penalties up to $2,750 and eventually commercial driver disqualification if an individual accrues multiple offenses. Trucking companies may also be subject to significant fines for their employees’ texting violations.
Who Can Be Held Liable for a Distracted Driving Truck Accident?
Determining liability in a distracted driving truck accident case is crucial. To pursue maximum compensation for a victim’s injuries, it is critical to complete a thorough investigation and uncover all potentially liable parties to hold them accountable.
Parties who may be partially or wholly responsible for causing a distracted driving truck accident in St. Louis can include:
- The commercial truck driver
- The trucking company that employed the trucker
Sometimes, a distracted driving accident may also result from other factors that can influence liability. For example, a distraction may trigger a crash, but unstable cargo may worsen the collision or prevent a driver from taking evasive maneuvers.
Some examples of additional parties that may potentially be liable include:
- Parts or truck manufacturer
- Cargo loading company
- Third-party maintenance provider
- Another motorist
Since multiple layers of responsibility are possible, having our experienced St. Louis truck accident attorneys investigate the crash is vital.
How to Prove a Truck Driver Was Distracted
Proving that a truck driver was distracted during the collision can be challenging and may feel like an uphill battle for vulnerable accident victims. Gathering and preserving the evidence to prove a truck driver was distracted may be possible with the help of an experienced St. Louis truck accident attorney. Sometimes, vital information may be accessible only through legal intervention.
A few examples of types of evidence that could help establish that a truck driver’s distraction caused the crash include:
- Information from the police report
- Eyewitness statements
- Expert witness testimony and accident reconstruction
- Cellular phone data
- Trucking company records and text messages
- GPS data
- Black box data
With this information, our truck accident lawyers can build a compelling picture of how the crash occurred, who was at fault, and how their actions in the moments leading up to the crash contributed to the wreck.
What Compensation Can You Recover After a Distracted Truck Crash?
The value of a distracted truck accident lawsuit varies depending on the unique circumstances of the accident. However, most accident victims can pursue money for the following losses:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Reduced earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Property damage
Never accept an insurer or trucking company’s offer without seeking legal advice about whether the settlement offer is fair. Our attorneys are ready to fight for your right to maximum compensation for all your accident-related losses.
Common Types of Distractions That Cause Truck Accidents
Some of the most common distractions that affect truck drivers and cause significant accidents can include:
- Use of a cellular device
- Eating and drinking
- Loud music
- Watching videos
- Programming a GPS or other electronic device
- Grooming
- Reading or texting
- Social media
- Talking to passengers
- Daydreaming
Anything that diverts a truck driver’s attention from the task of driving, even for a few seconds, can lead to devastating accidents that can change an injured person’s life.
How Our Law Firm Helps People Hurt by Distracted Truck Drivers
With the proper legal support, you can focus on your recovery while your lawyer works to protect your rights and pursue justice on your behalf.
At Sumner Law Group, LLC, we stand ready to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the cause of the accident and aggressively pursue evidence proving the truck driver was distracted. We can also protect your rights, manage all communication between you and the involved parties, and negotiate for maximum compensation. When a trucking company or insurer refuses to take responsibility, we are ready to take your case to court.
If you believe a distracted truck driver caused an accident that injured you, it is time to get legal help so you can assertively pursue the money you need. Contact the St. Louis office of Sumner Law Group, LLC, and request a free consultation with our experienced truck accident attorneys.
