For delivery truck drivers, the constant pressure to check navigation apps, scan delivery instructions, and rush between stops creates dangerous distractions. When a massive commercial truck collides with a passenger vehicle, serious injuries and fatalities can occur. If you were involved in one of these accidents, you deserve justice—and a Cincinnati truck accident lawyer can help you pursue compensation for your losses.
Types of Distractions for Cincinnati Delivery Truck Drivers
Anything that takes a person’s mind, eyes, or hands away from the act of driving counts as a distraction, which can be very dangerous. Delivery truck drivers encounter many of these distractions daily, including:
- Digital Devices: Commercial drivers frequently interact with smartphones, GPS devices, and dispatch systems while behind the wheel. These devices are a triple threat: they force drivers to take their eyes off the road, remove their hands from the wheel, and divide their mental focus between driving and processing information.
- Eating and Drinking: Many drivers eat meals while driving to meet tight schedules. This seemingly simple activity can lead to collisions as drivers remove their hands from the wheel to unwrap food, add condiments, or clean up spills.
- Environmental Factors: Roadside distractions like accidents, billboards, and searching for delivery locations pull drivers’ attention from the road ahead. Even brief glances away can result in devastating collisions.
- Vehicle Systems: Commercial trucks contain numerous controls and devices that require adjustment. Reaching for things like climate controls or dispatch equipment takes the focus off driving.
- Mental Fatigue: Long hours and monotonous routes can lead to dangerous cognitive distractions. Daydreaming and fatigue impair a driver’s ability to respond quickly to changing traffic conditions.
Liability for Accidents Caused by Distracted Delivery Drivers
If you were involved in a crash caused by a distracted delivery truck driver, you have options for legal action. A lawsuit or insurance claim can help you recover compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages—as long as you can prove that someone else is at fault. While the driver may face liability, you could also pursue a claim against the delivery company.
Employers are liable for the actions of their employees while they are on the job. However, many delivery companies classify their drivers as independent contractors in order to minimize their liability. In these situations, the company can still be held liable if its policies and practices caused the crash, such as ignoring safety violations or implementing unrealistic delivery schedules.
Gathering Evidence of Distracted Driving for Your Claim
Building a strong distracted driving accident claim requires equally strong evidence. A truck and car accident attorney in Cincinnati can help collect and preserve these documents and records before they disappear or get destroyed. Key evidence may include:
- Cell phone records showing device usage at the time of the crash
- Dash cam or surveillance footage that captures driver behavior
- Driver logs and delivery records that show unrealistic schedules
- Witness statements describing the driver’s actions before the collision
- Data from the truck’s electronic control module
- Documentation of company policies regarding device use and breaks
Start Your Legal Journey with Monge & Associates Today
Do not let a distracted delivery driver’s negligence derail your life. The attorneys at Monge & Associates have helped injured people stand up to delivery corporations and their negligent employees—we can help you secure the compensation you deserve. Contact us at (888) 302-7176 for a free case evaluation with our Cincinnati delivery truck accident lawyers.