Our Skilled KY Accident Attorneys Discuss the Dangers of Distracted Truck Drivers
Operating a motor vehicle requires a driver’s constant focus, but operating a semi-truck safely requires a higher level of attention. In 2021, there were over 5,700 people killed in traffic accidents involving large trucks in the U.S., and according to the Kentucky Transportation Center, there were 1,351 truck-related injury crashes and 86 truck-related fatal crashes in 2022. Some of these truck crashes were due to distracted driving. 
When driver distraction leads to life-changing truck accidents, victims have the right to pursue a personal injury claim for compensation under KY law. But filing a claim against a truck driver or a trucking company can be a challenge without legal counsel. The experienced truck crash attorneys at Skeeters, Bennett, Wilson & Humphrey understand trucking laws and how to help prove liability.
How the FMCSA Defines Distracted Driving
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) defines distracted driving as “the diversion of attention from activities critical for safe driving to a competing activity. Driver distraction increases your risk of getting into a crash.” Thus, anything that takes your attention away from the road—both inside and outside the truck—is considered distracted driving. These distractions can include the following:
- Looking at or reading a billboard
- Searching for a building at a certain location
- Taking a second or third glance at a person on a sidewalk
- Eating or drinking
- Talking to a passenger inside the truck
- Changing radio stations or fiddling with the GPS
- Using a mobile phone to make a call or texting
Kentucky truckers are allowed to use a cell phone while driving to call law enforcement for an emergency. All other phone use must be “hands-free.”
The Life-Altering Impact of Distracted Truck Drivers
Distracted driving is a dangerous behavior no matter what type of vehicle you’re driving. But when truck drivers take their attention from the road or their hands off the wheel, they risk losing control of their big rig and may fail to take actions that could minimize the impact of a crash.
Because tractor-trailers take more time and distance to slow down or stop, it’s more difficult for them to make sharp or quick turns to avoid a collision. The extreme force of the impact with another vehicle will likely leave victims with catastrophic injuries, such as the following:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord damage
- Paralysis
- Limb loss
- Organ damage
For victims seriously injured in a truck crash, the road to recovery is long and difficult. A full recovery may not be possible, leaving victims with lifelong limitations.
Proving Negligence in KY Truck Driver Distraction Injury Claims
Victims often don’t know whether the truck driver who crashed into them was distracted, and the trucker isn’t likely to admit it. So, how do you prove the driver was distracted and hold them liable in a truck accident injury claim?
It’s in your best interests to hire an experienced Elizabethtown truck accident lawyer. The attorneys at Skeeters, Bennett, Wilson & Humphrey are skilled at proving liability for a truck accident. Some of the ways we establish liability include:
- Sending a spoliation letter to the trucking company to prevent them from getting rid of critical evidence
- Getting personnel records about the driver, along with maintenance records, trip logs, and black box data from the trucking company
- Analyzing photos and videos of the scene, police reports, and witness statements
The success of your truck accident injury claim depends on being able to prove the liability of the truck driver and any other defendants. In a truck accident, there can be multiple potential at-fault parties.
Our KY Attorneys Will Help You Recover a Fair Settlement in a Distracted Truck Driver Accident
Your injury claim provides you with the opportunity to pursue financial compensation. Victims injured in truck accidents in Kentucky may be able to seek compensation for the following losses:
- Medical bills
- Rehabilitation
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of quality of life
- Property damage
Promptly hiring a truck accident attorney allows you to build a strong case for financial compensation. We assist our clients at every stage of the legal process, from the initial investigation to seeking a resolution to their case. Throughout the litigation process, Skeeters, Bennett, Wilson & Humphrey can manage your claim, providing peace of mind through our trusted guidance and common sense advice.