Many people talk about the merits of multi-tasking. However, the one time you should not multi-task is when you are behind the wheel. Distracted driving is hazardous—it is one of the leading causes of traffic collisions. When focusing on other things, drivers cannot focus on the road. Even if they see things, they may not react in time.
That is particularly dangerous when the driver is behind the wheel of a commercial vehicle. These larger vehicles have longer stopping distances than smaller, lighter vehicles. Plus, they are more likely to cause severe damage in a crash. If you need more information about distracted driving truck accidents in Schaumburg, a seasoned semi-truck wreck attorney at The Kryder Law Group may be able to help.
What Is Distracted Driving?
Anything that diverts a driver’s focus qualifies as distracted driving. Eating, drinking, changing the radio station, and putting on makeup are all distractions. However, one of the most common distractions is using a cell phone while behind the wheel. Texting and driving is particularly dangerous, requiring drivers to take their eyes off the road and look down at a small screen. However, any intrusion can lead to unsafe driving.
For many truckers, the cab is more than their workspace—it is also their living space. So, it may not be unusual for them to do other things while driving. Many truckers will eat and drink in their vehicles. Others may use their cell phones to place calls, text, email, watch videos, or even surf the internet.
Hands-free devices may lessen the risk, but they do not eliminate it. Even hands-free telephone conversations can intrude on focus, splitting attention between the road and the conversation. If you were involved in a crash with a heavy commercial vehicle, you should consider enlisting our Schaumburg attorneys to investigate whether distracted driving contributed to the accident.
What Happens When the Injured Party Was Also Driving Distracted?
Sometimes, a victim may be a distracted driver. In those instances, they may think their distracted driving will hinder recovery. However, Illinois is a modified comparative negligence state. 735 ILCS 5/2-1116 clarifies that a victim’s negligence does not prevent recovery. As long as a victim is 50 percent or less responsible for the wreck, they may be able to recover from the other party.
Distracted driving may prevent a victim from seeing a trucker’s behavior, putting them at greater risk. However, truckers have a higher vantage point and—as commercial drivers—a more significant duty of care, so they may have more opportunities to prevent an accident. As a result, even if a victim is distracted, the trucker may be more to blame. Lawyers who have experience handling distracted driving truck accident cases in Schaumburg could provide advice about who is at fault for a specific crash.
Who Else May Be Liable?
Often, victims only think about the other drivers when looking at who is to blame for an accident. However, other parties may share responsibility. For example, if a commercial driver’s employer requires them to use their cell phone while on the road, they may share responsibility for the distraction.
Furthermore, distracted driving may only be part of the cause. It can combine with other factors, such as faulty brakes or mirrors, to make an accident more likely. A diligent distracted driving truck accident attorney in Schaumburg could investigate whether any other parties share the blame.
Contact a Schaumburg Distracted Driving Truck Accident Attorney Now
Some distracted driving accidents are easy to prove. If a cell phone was the distraction, that data could help establish a distraction. However, it is much more challenging to demonstrate that a trucker was eating, drinking, or even simply daydreaming. That is why many of these cases come down to negligence. Did the driver’s behavior cause the accident? If so, was that behavior unreasonable? A lawyer who handles distracted driving truck accidents in Schaumburg could help establish those claims. To find out more, schedule a consultation with our legal team at The Kryder Law Group today.
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