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The Dangers of Distracted Driving

Apr 30, 2015

With advances in mobile and in-car technology, today's truck drivers face more potential distractions today than ever before. Now that we have so many communication and entertainment options readily available, it takes discipline to stay fully focused behind the wheel. Yet, losing concentration even for a second can be the difference between getting home safely and causing a collision or losing control.

Most Common Driving Distractions

Based on our lawyers' experience, some of the distractions that most frequently lead to trucking accidents include the following:

  • Talking on the phone. While many states have either outlawed or significantly restricted handheld cell phone use while driving, studies have shown that there is actually very little difference in terms of risk between handheld and hands-free calling. If you need to make a call, be sure to use your phone's hands-free capability and consider waiting until you can pull off to the side of the road.
  • Texting, emailing and using social media. Reading and typing on your mobile device take concentration and often take longer than you might think. Drivers who get engrossed in exchanging texts or trying to post to social media are at a significantly increased risk of causing an accident.
  • GPS, media library and in-car technology. If you need directions for your trip, you should type in your destination and familiarize yourself with the route before shifting into drive. Interactions with your GPS device, media library and other technology features should be kept to a minimum while you are on the road.
  • Fatigue. Too often, truck drivers work long hours driving over-the-road. Although the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSR's) set out federal standards for maximum hours an interstate truck driver may drive, far too often we find that serious truck crashes and accidents are the result of distracted and fatigued drivers who have driven far beyond acceptable hours.

Consequences of Distracted Driving

Distracted driving can have life altering – and sometime fatal – consequences. Victims of serious accidents often suffer traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, and other forms of significant bodily harm. These types of injuries can lead to:

• Medical bills for diagnosis, treatment, surgery, rehabilitation and therapy • Prescription costs • Lost time from work • Inability to return to work, and lost future income • Costs for psychological treatment and emotional therapy • Loss of enjoyment of life and spousal relations

If a distracted truck driver is responsible for causing your injuries, or if you have lost a loved one as a result of someone else losing focus behind the wheel, you may be entitled to a financial recovery for these and other losses. Wyoming law entitles victims and their families to obtain compensation for damages sustained as a result of another driver's negligence behind the wheel.

Injured by a Distracted Driver? Contact the Wyoming Trucking Accident Lawyers at Spence Today

The lawyers at the Spence Law Firm, LLC provide experienced representation for victims of distracted drivers. We represent injured individuals and their families in personal injury settlements and litigation throughout Wyoming, and we have particular experience with the unique issues involved in trucking accidents. If you have questions about what to do after suffering injuries in an auto accident, contact us today.

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If you are struggling with a serious injury, or are fighting against seemingly impossible odds against big corporations, insurance companies or the government, call us to speak with our team of trial lawyers who will fight for you. We take no fee unless we earn it by winning your case.