Distracted Driving Truck Accidents Up During Coronavirus Pandemic

West Virginia truck accident attorney explains what you need to know

Truck accidents caused by distracted drivers often result in serious injuries. While the number of drivers on the road has decreased during the recent coronavirus pandemic, the number of distracted truck driving accidents has actually increased in recent months, according to truck accident statistics compiled recently nationwide.

While distracted driving can cover a wide range of activities, it’s probably not a coincidence that texting while driving among truck drivers (as well as speeding) has also dramatically increased since this past March, when the coronavirus pandemic began to surge across the country.

Cellphone usage up 20 percent among truck drivers

According to an article published in CCJ Digital, a fleet management technology company recently studied data compiled from more than 120,000 truck drivers. According to their analysis, these companies discovered a:

• 20 percent increase in the number of text messages sent to truck drivers since March
• 30.8 percent increase in the number of inbound phone calls to truck drivers since March
• 26.5 percent increase in the number of times drivers attempted to access an app on their phone or another electronic device while driving on the road

In addition, their study also found that truck drivers have been driving 11 mph faster than the posted speed limit since March.

Truck driver distraction dramatically increases since March

In addition, the study by ELD, Samsara and Truce Software of 120,000 commercial trucks equipped with Truce Software found that “driver distraction has also been climbing sharply during COVID-19,” according to CCJ Digital. COVID-19 is the name of the disease caused by the coronavirus.

Truce Software CEO Joe Boyle told CCJ Digital that his company’s software can allow trucking companies to control mobile phone usage of truck drivers while on the road. For example, Boyle noted that cellphones and other personal electronic devices can be configured so they cannot operate inside a commercial truck equipped with Truce Software technology.

These measures need to be taken, given the high number of serious truck accidents caused by distracted truck drivers every year. In 2018, at least 2,841 people were killed in motor vehicle accidents nationwide caused by distracted drivers, according to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration.

What should I do if a distracted truck driver causes my accident?

If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck accident caused by a distracted truck driver, we strongly advise you to take the following steps, if you are healthy enough to do so:

• Contact the police right away and tell them you’ve been involved in a truck accident.
• Ask the police to respond to your accident.
• Ask the police to send an ambulance.
• If your accident happened several hours or days ago, seek immediate medical treatment. You could have a life-threatening internal injury.
• If you’re still at the scene of your accident and you are healthy enough to do so, make sure you get the following information from the truck driver:
  • Truck driver’s name
  • Truck driver’s address
  • Truck driver’s phone number
  • Truck driver’s license information
  • Truck driver’s insurance information
  • Truck driver’s trucking company information (name, address, phone number)
• If you’re healthy enough to do so, take pictures of your truck accident.
• If someone saw your accident, get the witness’s full name, address and phone number.
• Contact an experienced truck accident attorney right away.

Our dedicated team of truck accident lawyers at Recht Law Firm can help you every step of the way. Serving clients in West Virginia, Ohio and Pennsylvania, our experienced attorneys can answer your questions and explain your legal options. Contact us and schedule your free case evaluation today. We’re here to help your family.