Distracted Driving for Truck Drivers in Birmingham, Alabama

According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), distracted driving is the second-most common driver-related factor in fatal truck accidents, after speeding. Recently, at least 252 truck drivers involved in fatal accidents for the year were found to be distracted. In an earlier study, the FMCSA found that a whopping 71 percent of large truck accidents involved a distracted truck driver.

In a world that is increasingly connected by smartphones and mobile technology, drivers are more prone to be distracted on the road. Truck drivers are no exception. Truck drivers actually have more technology to contend with in their vehicles, such as navigation devices and in-cab communications systems.

When truck drivers use handheld devices while driving or otherwise allow themselves to get distracted on the road, they put themselves and other motorists in grave danger. The FMCSA has set forth specific guidelines for truck drivers to follow in order to protect themselves and others on the road. The penalties for violating these rules can be severe.

If you were injured in a truck accident caused by a distracted truck driver, don’t wait to talk to an experienced Birmingham truck accident attorney about your rights. At Serious Injury Law Group, we have worked hard to earn recognition as leading personal injury attorneys in Alabama and have been included in The National Trial Lawyers’ list of Top 100 Trial Lawyers.

We hold ourselves to extremely high professional and ethical standards, and we will work tirelessly to pursue the full compensation you deserve. For a free consultation with a compassionate attorney, call us or contact us online today.

What Does the FMCSA Mean by “Distracted Truck Driving?”

The FMCSA describes distracted driving as “the diversion of attention from activities critical for safe driving to a competing activity.” The FMCSA has outlined a number of regulations and recommendations designed to prevent distracted driving:

Do not text while driving – It is illegal for commercial motor vehicle drivers to text while driving. Studies have indicated that drivers who text spend an average of five seconds at a time looking at their phones. At 55 miles per hour, that’s the equivalent of driving the full length of a football field blind.

Do not use handheld phones or devices while driving – Using a handheld phone while driving is illegal for truck drivers. Research commissioned by the FMCSA has found that the likelihood of being involved in a safety-critical event like a crash is six times higher for truck drivers who dial a mobile phone while driving. If a truck driver needs to make a call while driving, they should pull over and stop at a safe destination.

Do not eat or drink while driving – Truckers are under tight deadlines and are surely tempted to save time by eating and drinking on the road. However, the FMCSA advises them not to. Eating and drinking can take a driver’s hands off the wheel and their eyes off the road. The FMCSA even cites one study that found that eating while driving was even more dangerous than talking on a cell phone.

Avoid writing and reading (including paper maps) while driving – Truck drivers are advised to pull over if they need to write down a note or read a map. Of course, many truck drivers now use GPS navigational systems, but these can also pose a hazard if a trucker tries to manipulate the GPS device while driving.

Avoid distractions outside of the vehicle – Truck drivers pass by any number of distractions when they’re on the road, such as billboards, traffic accidents, and people. It’s important that drivers keep their attention on the road so they can react quickly to any hazards that arise.

What to Know About Laws Concerning Dispatching Devices?

According to FMCSA rules, truckers are allowed to use dispatching devices as long as they are used as intended, for job-related purposes, and not for texting. If dispatching devices are used for texting, then they fall under “distracted driving.”

However, dispatching devices can still be dangerous even when used correctly. The FMCSA reports that using a dispatching device while driving increases a driver’s odds of being involved in a safety-critical event by 9 times. To combat this problem, trucking companies are increasingly opting for hands-free dispatching devices that only allow drivers to read incoming messages when they are parked.

What Are the Distracted Driving Penalties in a Truck Accident?

Truck drivers who drive while distracted can face severe penalties enforced by the FMCSA. If a truck driver breaks a distracted driving law, including texting or using a handheld device while driving, they could be fined up to $2,750. In addition, breaking one of these laws could result in driver disqualification. If a driver violates the texting or handheld device laws multiple times, they could be disqualified by the FMCSA for up to 120 days.

The truck driver isn’t the only party who might face distracted driving penalties. For instance, if the trucking company that employs the driver knowingly allows the driver to text or use a handheld device while driving, then the company could face a fine of up to $11,000.

Violating distraction laws will also negatively impact the employer’s Safety Measurement System rating. In many cases, employers will have established distraction guidelines for truckers as well, and any violation of those guidelines could result in the employee’s termination.

Truck drivers who violate these rules in Birmingham may also be subject to Alabama’s distracted driving law. If it is discovered that distracted driving led to a commercial truck accident, this fact can potentially expose the truck driver and company to liability for the resulting crash.

How Our Birmingham, Alabama Attorneys Can Help You After a Distracted Truck Driving Accident

If you are the victim of a distracted driving truck accident in Birmingham, Serious Injury Law Group can help. We understand that being in an accident can be stressful, and navigating the complex claims process while you are trying to recover can be overwhelming. Our seasoned attorneys will take some of that burden off your shoulders.

As a locally-owned firm, we are fierce advocates for victims of trucking accidents in our community. We will work with you to investigate your claim, assemble a solid case, and aggressively seek the compensation you are entitled to. Call us or contact us online today for a free consultation with a caring truck accident attorney. We are available to meet with you wherever is most convenient for you.