How to Prove Distracted Driving Caused a Truck Crash in Kansas City
Distracted driving can be deadly in any situation. However, distracted truck drivers are a serious problem for everyone on the road. These extremely large vehicles are responsible for thousands of deaths and catastrophic injuries each year. In a large truck accident, the occupants of other vehicles are far more likely to suffer the consequences of distracted driving than the occupants of the truck.
If you suspect a distracted truck driver was responsible for your traffic accident, contact a Kansas City truck accident attorney to discuss how you can prove distracted driving was the cause of your injuries and damages.
Common Distractions that Cause Truck Accidents in Kansas & Missouri
Truck drivers can fall victim to many of the same distractions that other motorists are guilty of committing while driving. Many forms of distracted driving impair the driver’s visual, manual, or cognitive abilities to operate a motor vehicle safely.
Common truck driver distractions in Kansas and Missouri include:
- Talking on a cell phone or radio
- Texting while driving or sending/reading emails
- Watching videos and using social media
- Eating and drinking
- Grooming and dressing
- Operating a GPS or adjusting the truck’s controls
- Writing and reading
- Reaching for objects in the truck’s cab
- Daydreaming and talking to passengers
The above list is just a small sample of the distractions that could cause a truck accident. Because any activity can take a truck driver’s attention away from the road, distractions while driving a truck can be deadly. Drivers of 18-wheelers, big rigs, tractor trailers, semi-trucks, and other commercial vehicles have a duty to avoid distractions while driving.
Holding a Truck Driver Liable for Distracted Driving Accidents
Proving that a truck driver was distracted at the time of a truck crash can be challenging. However, a comprehensive accident investigation can lead to evidence of distractions. For example, obtaining copies of the truck driver’s cell phone records can help determine if the truck driver was using the cell phone or texting at the time of the truck accident.
The information on the truck’s black box can provide insight into the truck driver’s action immediately before the collision. For example, did the truck driver fails to brake or avoid the collision? Videos of the truck driver immediately before the accident from dashcams and traffic cameras can provide information about whether the truck driver’s full attention was on the road or another task. In some cases, an eyewitness can provide information about the truck driver’s activity at the time of the crash.
If it is not possible to prove that the truck driver was distracted when the crash occurred, we focus on proving how the crash happened. Did the driver fail to yield the right of way, swerve into oncoming traffic, or fail to stop for traffic? Proving that the truck driver committed a traffic infraction or was otherwise negligent in causing the truck accident also serves to prove the driver should be held liable for any damages caused by the truck accident.
Who Else May Be Liable for a Distracted Driving Truck Accident?
In some cases, a trucking company could be held liable if it was negligent in hiring or training the truck driver. Other drivers might also be liable for damages from a truck accident if they contributed to the cause of the traffic accident. A thorough accident investigation can identify and prove all liable parties by determining the factors that led to the truck accident.
Contact a Kansas City Truck Accident Attorney for a Free Case Review
If you are injured in a truck accident in Kansas or Missouri, contact our Kansas City truck accident lawyer today. Our legal team at the Law Office of Kevin J. McManus is ready to discuss your legal options, answer your questions and guide you through the process.
Call 816-203-0143 for a free consultation with a Kansas City truck accident attorney near you.