Trucks are a constant presence on Louisiana roadways. With that come certain dangers to those who share the road with these massive vehicles. In addition to the speeds they travel, truckers are going long distances, often with a hard deadline to get to their destination. That lends itself to speeding. Driving at excessive speeds is risky enough on its own, but there is evidence that truckers also behave in other ways while speeding that could increase the chance of a crash. People who have been hurt or lost a loved one in a truck accident should be cognizant of this.
Survey shows worrisome trucker behaviors in addition to speeding
SmartDrive conducted a survey to assess how truckers behave while on the road. It found that if the driver speeds, there is a tendency to also use a cellphone, groom themselves, eat, do paperwork and remove their hands from the steering wheel. There was a connection between how much they exceeded the speed limit and the likelihood of various acts.
For example, if the driver surpassed the speed limit by at least 10 mph, there was a 266% greater chance that they were talking on a cellphone and a 241% greater chance that they would text. The most egregious speed limit violators had a 69% higher chance to be in a truck accident. Moderate speeders who were only up to 10 mph above the speed limit had a 45% higher chance of an accident. This combination can place people in serious jeopardy of a collision and its long-term aftereffects.
Seeking legal assistance
Truck accidents can cause catastrophic injuries to occupants of other vehicles. People who are simply heading to work, running errands or going for a leisure activity could find themselves with long-term problems due to the recklessness of a trucker. They might find it advisable to discuss their situation with an experienced attorney.