New Jersey Distracted Truck Driver Accident Lawyer
New Jersey Attorney Representing Victims of Trucking Accidents
What is Distracted Driving?
Distracted driving presents a big problem in New Jersey and across the country. In 2010, 3092 people were killed in crashes involving a distracted driver and an additional 416,000 were injured in motor vehicle crashes involving a distracted driver. 18% of injury crashes in 2010 were reported as distraction-affected crashes.
Distracted driving is defined as any act that may distract a truck driver’s attention away from the road, including taking the eyes off the road, the hands off the wheel and the mind off driving safely. The following distractions endanger not only the truck driver, but also the passengers, bystanders and other motorists:
- Fatigue
- Texting
- GPS use
- Using a cell phone or smartphone
- Eating and drinking
- Talking to passengers
- Grooming
- Reading, including maps
- Using a navigation system
- Watching a video
- Adjusting a radio, CD player, or MP3 player
Perhaps the most dangerous distraction is texting, because it requires visual, manual, and cognitive attention from the driver. With the growing popularity of texting, more and more drivers find themselves texting while driving. In June 2011, more than 196 billion text messages were sent or received in the US. 11% of all drivers under the age of 20 involved in fatal crashes were reported as distracted at the time of the crash. Studies revealed that driving while using a cell phone reduces the amount of brain activity associated with driving by 37 percent. It means that the reaction of a distracted driver is slowed down.
Many truck drivers do not realize how dangerous distracted driving is. Others know about the risks of being sleep-deprived while driving, but choose to do so anyway. Many drivers are extremely busy and use cell phones and smartphones to stay connected with their families, friends, and workplaces. They forget that distracted driving may kill.
Your Trucking Accident Lawsuit
The successful litigation of truck accident claims involving driver distraction can be extremely challenging. The truck driver may claim he or she was not distracted or was not using a device in a dangerous fashion. The driver may also claim the distraction occurred but did not actually cause the truck crash. At Hark & Hark, we have built a reputation for innovative investigations, creative litigation and results that exceed clients' hopes and expectations. We subpoena of Electronic Control Module (ECM)/black box records which record crucial details that occur immediately prior to a crash. At Hark & Hark, our truck accident attorney Jeffrey S. Hark, Esq. knows that acquisition and analysis of cell phone records is critical in determining whether the truck driver was using a cell phone at the time of the truck crash. We have successfully litigated many auto accident cases and have helped hundreds of clients receive the financial recovery they deserve.
Driver distraction can also involve driver fatigue, a driver's health and a driver's use of alcohol and drugs. To learn more about our advances and success in litigating truck accident cases involving driver distraction, contact our firm. Hark & Hark offers free initial consultations and handles all trucking accident cases on a contingency fee basis.