Cell Phones Responsible For Most Distracted Driving Trucking Accidents
Cell phones are now the leading cause of distracted driving among commercial truck drivers, according to a global survey. With truck traffic rising across Atlanta’s congested highways, the risks of distraction behind the wheel are higher than ever.
Large truck wrecks are on the rise across Georgia interstates, and in many cases, distraction is the common thread. For victims injured in these crashes, cell phone use behind the wheel isn’t just reckless — it’s often the key to holding truck drivers and companies legally accountable.
Report Highlights a Disturbing Trend Among Truckers
According to the latest Teletrac Navman survey, 68% of fleet operators cited mobile phone use as the top reason drivers become distracted. That includes texting, swiping, checking notifications, or even dialing a number. In a car, this is dangerous. In a multi-ton commercial truck, it can be even more catastrophic.
Operating a commercial truck requires constant attention. Drivers must account for blind spots, shifting weight, braking distances, merging traffic, and tight delivery schedules. A few seconds of distraction is all it takes to miss a stopped vehicle, cross a center line, or run a red light.
How cell phone use leads to trucking accidents
Smartphone use is especially dangerous because it involves all three types of distraction:
- Visual: Eyes off the road.
- Manual: Hands off the wheel.
- Cognitive: Mind off the task of driving.
These distractions are a factor in rear-end crashes, sideswipes, jackknife accidents, and fatal rollovers — particularly on high-speed corridors like I-75, I-20, I-85, and I-285. And when a driver is distracted while operating under a tight deadline, the consequences often extend beyond the initial impact.
What Georgia law says about cell phone use behind the wheel
Georgia’s Hands-Free Law prohibits drivers from holding a phone or supporting it with their body while driving. This includes:
- Texting or emailing.
- Watching or recording videos.
- Browsing social media.
- Making calls without a hands-free device.
For commercial drivers, violating this law can strengthen a claim of negligence per se in a personal injury case. That means if the driver broke this law and caused a crash, that violation may automatically support a finding of legal fault.
It’s also important to note that employers may be held liable under vicarious liability or negligent hiring and supervision laws if they failed to enforce cellphone policies or pushed drivers into unsafe practices.
What injured Truck Accident victims can recover
Truck accident injuries are rarely minor. When a distracted trucker causes a collision, the consequences can include broken bones, spinal damage, brain injuries, and long-term disability. Georgia law allows injured individuals to pursue compensation for a wide range of losses.
Victims may be entitled to compensation for:
- Medical Expenses: Emergency care, surgery, rehab, and future treatment.
- Lost Income: Missed work and diminished future earning potential.
- Pain and Suffering: Physical pain, emotional distress, and reduced quality of life.
- Property Damage: Vehicle repairs or replacement.
- Punitive Damages: In cases of gross negligence or reckless behavior, such as texting while driving.
Proving these damages often requires strong evidence — something not easily obtained without legal help. That’s why it’s important to act quickly and consult an experienced Georgia truck accident lawyer as soon as possible.
The role of evidence: proving a distracted driving claim
In trucking accident cases, the burden is on the injured person to prove what happened — and why. Fortunately, many modern trucks are equipped with tools that can help do just that.
Telematics systems, GPS data, and dashcams can provide:
- Vehicle speed and braking patterns.
- Video of the driver at the time of the crash.
- Location and time stamps.
- Alerts if a phone was used during operation.
Phone records may also be subpoenaed to show whether the driver was texting or calling at the time of the incident. However, this evidence can be deleted or overwritten quickly — especially if no legal action is taken to preserve it.
A truck accident lawyer can secure and analyze this data before it’s lost, helping to build a strong claim that holds negligent parties accountable.
Contact Georgia's Billion Dollar Truck Wreck Lawyer Today
Truck wreck claims involving distracted truckers are time-sensitive. Georgia law typically gives two years from the date of the crash to file a personal injury lawsuit, but waiting too long can make it harder to collect the evidence needed to win.
If you were seriously injured or a loved one was killed in a trucking accident caused by a distracted driver, contact an experienced Georgia truck accident attorney at the Law Offices of Gary Martin Hays & Associates, P.C. for a free consultation. We can help clarify next steps and ensure no deadlines are missed. Based in Atlanta and serving all of Georgia, our legal support can make a crucial difference — not just in what’s recovered, but in how the road to recovery begins.
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