New Mexico Truck Accident Lawyer for Wrecks Caused by Distracted Driving
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, nearly 4,800 people were killed in crashes involving large trucks last year; 72% of those fatalities were occupants of the other vehicles.
At the Law Office of Samuel I. Kane P.A., our truck accident attorneys in Las Cruces, New Mexico understand it is no secret that sharing the road with a semi-truck can be terrifying.
The size, weight, and height of semi-trucks are intimidating on their own, and when they are being driven by a distracted truck driver, everyone on our roadway’s lives is at stake.
Our distracted truck driving attorneys are providing tips on what to look for when sharing the roadways with dangerous semi-truck drivers who are not focusing on the road and providing ways to report their behavior when their negligence continues.
If you have been hurt in a truck accident, we can help you understand your rights and your legal options in holding the truck driver, trucking company, or another third-party responsible for your physical, emotional, and financial recovery.
Let’s get started.
What Is Distracted Semi-Truck Driving in New Mexico?
The Centers for Disease Control lists distracted driving as any activity that takes a driver’s attention away from the road. That includes truck drivers.
Not unlike other Dona Ana County passenger vehicle drivers, truck drivers have the same day-to-day distractions to contend with, including cellphones and personal thoughts that allow their minds to wander.
While distracted driving is never okay, semi-truck drivers have an extended obligation to avoid the behavior, as they are operating a vehicle that is 53 feet in length and can weigh up to 80,000 pounds. When distracted truck drivers cause an accident, the resulting injuries can devastate families, even causing fatalities.
What Are the Most Common Types of Distracted Driving for New Mexico Truck Drivers?
While we often think of distracted driving as a task that takes the eyes off the road, the reality is that truck driver distraction can include several elements, including taking their eyes off the road, taking their hands off the wheel, or taking their mind off driving.
The most common types of truck driver distracted driving can include, but are not limited to:
- Texting or talking on a cellphone while driving, both of which are illegal
- Using GPS or dispatching devices while moving
- Focusing on the end of their journey and time at home, instead of driving
- Reading or recording information in their logbooks
- Eating, drinking, or grooming behind the wheel of a moving truck
- Focusing on objects or actions outside the truck
What Should I Do If I See a Distracted Semi-Truck Driver in New Mexico?
New Mexico sees millions of trucks on its roadways each year, thanks to our proximity to Mexico, Texas, and other surrounding states.
If you see a distracted truck driver on any of our roadways, glance at their truck for their company phone number, so you can report their behavior. Never dial a phone while driving.
If you can commit the phone number or trucking company to memory you can make the call once you are safely stopped. If you can make a safe call from the handsfree device, do so.
You can also report negligent truck drivers to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration by phone or online.
What If I Have Been Hurt in a New Mexico Truck Accident?
No matter how proactive you are, distracted truck drivers can cause an accident without notice, and the resulting injuries can be catastrophic.
If you have been hurt in a New Mexico truck accident, contact our New Mexico truck accident attorneys at the Law Office of Samuel I. Kane, P.C. today by calling 575-222-0472 to discuss your injuries and learn what type of financial recovery you are entitled to, so we can pursue the best outcome available for your unique circumstances.
