Trucker Negligence

Professional truck drivers are held to a higher standard of care than non-commercial drivers who drive non-commercial cars and trucks. Professional truck drivers must obtain a Commercial Driver’s License under the rules of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. These drivers must obtain specialized training and must be able to pass the tests indicating proficiency Drivers are trained to identify what trucker negligence is.

Types of Trucker Negligence

Trucker negligence is the cause of many truck accidents that result in crashes, injuries and death. There are various forms of trucker negligence, including, but not limited to, the following:

• Distracted driving – when a driver engages in conduct that deviates from operating the vehicle
• Texting and driving – according to Distraction.gov, the Official U.S. Distracted Driving Website, a driver is 23 times more likely to crash if they text and drive at the same time
• Using a cellphone while driving
• Drinking and driving
• Taking drugs while driving
• Talking to passengers
• Grooming
• Reading anything while driving, including maps
• Fumbling with the CD player
• Reaching for something in the vehicle
• Driver fatigue – professional truck drivers must not drive in excess of the allowed hours per workweek

Astounding fact: “Sending or receiving a text takes a driver’s eyes from the road for an average of 4.6 seconds, the equivalent – at 55 mph – of driving the length of an entire football field, blind.” Source: Distraction.gov

Other Types of Trucker Negligence That Results in Distracted Driving, Leading to Possible Accidents

Many tasks are considered “normal” to commercial and non-commercial drivers, but they are all potentially dangerous and can lead to accidents because the driver’s full attention is not on driving. They include, but are not limited to the following:

• Interact with or look at dispatching device
• Dial cell phone
• Read book, newspaper, paperwork
• Look at map
• Use calculator
• Cleaning side mirror
• Rummaging through grocery bag
• Reaching for object in vehicle
• Open a pill bottle to take medicine
• Exercising in the cab
• Look back at sleeper berth
• Eating
• Adjust instrument panel
• Put on/remove /adjust sunglasses or reading glasses
• Use chewing tobacco

If You Were In an Accident with a Truck Driver Who Was Engaged in Negligent Conduct, Obtain a Free Case Review

If you were involved in an accident with a truck driver who appeared to be engaged in negligent conduct it is advisable to consult with an attorney to preserve your rights to future compensation, such as medical expenses, future rehabilitation, pain and suffering, lost income, property damage and more. At The Law Office of Paul W. VanDerwerken, our accident reconstruction experts and investigators will conduct a thorough examination of the accident with the goal of determining whether the driver was indeed involved in a form of negligent conduct that caused the accident.

No Upfront Costs and No Legal Fees at all Unless Your Case is Successfully Settled or Won in Court

Attorney VanDerwerken has been practicing law for more than 25 years and has negotiated more than 2000 car accident settlement agreements and has taken more than 125 cases to a successful court verdict. Attorney VanDerwerken provides personalized attention and is accessible 24 hours per day. He serves clients in and around the Las Vegas area, including North Las Vegas, Henderson, Boulder City, Pahrump, Overton and elsewhere throughout the state. He is also a member of the Nevada, New York and Colorado Bars. You may schedule your free case review by calling 702-385-5050.