Distracted driving is a common cause of Florida truck accidents. Any distraction that causes the trucker to take their eyes off the road can be a potential for an accident. In 2012, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) defined new regulations to prevent distracted truck driving. These rules restricted commercial drivers from texting or using a hand-held cellphone while driving their vehicle. If you were injured in an accident caused by a distracted truck driver, a truck accident lawyer can help you obtain the compensation you deserve. 
How the FMCSA Defines “Distracted”
It’s important that truck drivers understand how the FCMSA defines distracted driving: “Driver distraction is the diversion of attention from activities critical for safe driving to a competing activity. Driver distraction increases your risk of getting into a crash.” These activities can include:
- Eating or drinking
- Talking to a passenger in the truck
- Changing radio stations
- Using a mobile phone to make a call or texting
Using a Mobile Device and Texting
Using a mobile phone is a huge distraction for anyone behind the wheel, including truckers. Specifically, texting has become an especially problematic behavior that causes drivers to lose focus on the road. The FMCSA defines texting as: “…manually entering alphanumeric text into, or reading text from, an electronic device.” The new rules prohibit truck drivers from pushing more than one button to initiate or terminate a call. A trucker also cannot:
- Reach for a phone
- Hold a phone
- Dial a phone
- Read a message on a phone
- Text on a phone
Unless a trucker needs to call law enforcement for an emergency, all phone use must be “hands-free.”
Why You Need a Florida Truck Accident Attorney
Even though distracted driving is a common cause of truck accidents, it is not always easy to prove. That is why you need a truck accident lawyer on your side. To have a winning outcome for your case, you must prove that the trucker was distracted at the time of the crash and caused the accident. A truck accident lawyer will talk to witnesses and investigate the accident by gathering evidence such as police reports, medical reports, cellphone records, videos, truck driver logs, and anything else that can be used to prove negligence.
Potential Damages in a Florida Distracted Truck Driving Case
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Loss of future earnings
- Pain and suffering
If You Were Injured in a Florida Truck Accident
If you or a loved one suffered injuries in a Florida truck accident due to a distracted driver, contact Browning Law Firm as soon as possible for a free, no-obligation consultation. We can help you obtain fair compensation. There are never any legal fees unless we win your case. To schedule an appointment, fill out our online contact form, or call us at 850-344-1736.
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