Dangers of Distracted Truck Driving in Mississippi

Distracted truck driving in Mississippi poses a threat to everyone on the road. A commercial truck moving at highway speeds can cover hundreds of yards in seconds — more than enough time for the rig to plow into an unsuspecting car.

Occupants of passenger cars are far more likely to suffer catastrophic injuries in these wrecks.

Anyone injured in a distracted driving truck crash should speak to a lawyer immediately to learn their legal options.

Why Is Distracted Truck Driving Dangerous in Mississippi?

Distracted truck driving is hazardous because large trucks require more time and distance to stop safely. Semi-trucks and other commercial vehicles are also much larger and heavier than smaller vehicles, which means they impart greater force when they collide. Distracted truck drivers can cause devastating collisions when they lose focus, even briefly.

Driver distractions fall into three main categories:

• Visual distractions occur when drivers take their eyes off the road, such as checking a phone or glancing at a GPS screen.
• Manual distractions involve taking hands off the wheel, like adjusting the radio or reaching for food.
• Cognitive distractions happen when a driver’s mind wanders from the task of driving, whether due to fatigue, stress, or daydreaming.

These split-second lapses can lead to multi-vehicle crashes, severe injuries, and fatal truck accidents. Careful truck drivers protect everyone on the road by staying focused behind the wheel, taking mandatory rest breaks, and following federal trucking regulations on distracted driving.

Common Types of Truck Driver Distractions

Some common examples of truck driver distractions include:

• Cell phones – Texting or making calls forces truck drivers to split their attention between their devices and the road.
• Eating and drinking – Handling food or drinks requires drivers to take at least one hand off the wheel and diverts their focus from operating the tractor-trailer safely.
• Adjusting in-cab systems – Changing radio stations, programming a GPS, or adjusting climate controls can distract a truck driver long enough to trigger a collision.
• Reaching for objects – Grabbing items from the passenger seat, floor, or back of the cab takes a truck driver’s eyes and hands away from driving.
• Conversations with passengers – Talking with others can shift a trucker’s mental focus and slow their reaction times.
• Fatigue and daydreaming – Long hours on the road can cause truck drivers to drift mentally and overlook nearby hazards.
• Reading or writing notes – Reviewing paperwork or jotting down delivery details takes a truck driver’s focus away from traffic conditions.
• Outside distractions – Looking at billboards, construction zones, or other roadside activity can draw a trucker’s attention away from the road and surrounding traffic.

Mississippi Laws and Federal Regulations on Distracted Truck Driving

Mississippi law bans all drivers from using any handheld or hands-free electronic device while driving. That prohibition covers calls, texting, social media, and emails. The state classifies this as a primary offense and enforces it statewide.

At the federal level, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) prohibits all commercial motor vehicle drivers from texting or using handheld mobile phones while driving. That rule applies even when the vehicle stops temporarily in traffic. Trucking companies cannot allow or require such behavior. Violations may bring fines, disqualifications, or civil penalties.

Consequences of Distracted Truck Driving Accidents

Distracted driving truck accidents can come with devastating consequences, such as:

• Serious injuries – Crash victims, particularly those in smaller cars, often suffer severe injuries in large truck accidents. These injuries may include broken bones, spinal cord damage, traumatic brain injuries, or internal bleeding.
• Deaths – Large trucks can easily hit other cars with enough force to cause deadly crashes.
• Financial hardship – Truck accident victims and their families may face medical bills, lost wages, and long-term rehabilitation expenses.
• Traffic disruption – Wrecks involving trucks can close lanes or entire highways for hours, delaying emergency responders and travelers and potentially causing more accidents.

If you or someone you love suffered injuries in a collision with an 18-wheeler, it’s crucial to consult a Mississippi truck accident lawyer immediately to learn your legal rights.

Compensation Available for Truck Accident Injuries

The value of a truck accident claim depends on the extent of your injuries and other factors. The truck accident lawyers at Mama Justice – MW Law Firm can collect evidence and negotiate for a fair settlement or defend your rights in court. With our help, your claim could include compensation for:

• Past, current, and future medical expenses
• Lost income
• Reduced earning capacity
• Diminished quality of life
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Punitive damages (in certain cases)

Proving Liability in a Distracted Truck Driving Case

Our Mississippi truck accident attorneys can collect evidence to show how a negligent truck driver caused a crash. That evidence could include:

• Cell phone records – Call logs and text history can show whether the driver was using a phone at the time of the crash.
• Electronic logging devices (ELDs) – Data from the truck can reveal sudden braking, swerving, or other erratic behavior, suggesting the driver was distracted.
• Hours-of-service data – Federal regulations require truckers to stop periodically to rest. Driver fatigue can lead to inattentiveness behind the wheel and increase the risk of a truck wreck.
• Dashcam or surveillance video – Footage from the commercial vehicle or nearby cameras can capture the truck driver’s actions before the collision.
• Eyewitness statements – Accounts from other drivers or bystanders can confirm signs of distraction, such as the truck weaving within traffic lanes or the driver following another car too closely.
• Police reports – Officers note their observations, the truck driver’s statements, or traffic citations related to distracted driving in their official accident report.

How Our Mississippi Truck Accident Lawyers Can Help You

When you suffer injuries because of a distracted truck driver, you need someone who will fight like a mother to hold the at-fault party(s) accountable. Mama Justice is the fastest-growing, female-owned law firm in the U.S. with over 400 5-star reviews from satisfied clients. Our law firm provides straightforward, no-nonsense legal representation backed by the compassionate support you need during your recovery.

What does that mean? We handle every aspect of your truck accident case so that your only job is healing. Our Mississippi truck crash lawyers will investigate the crash, document the crash, determine liability, and file a robust truck accident claim demanding full and fair compensation from the insurance company. We don’t settle for less. We prepare every case like it’s going to trial. That way, we can pivot quickly to file a truck accident lawsuit if the insurance company refuses to make a reasonable settlement offer.

Contact Us Today for a Free Case Review

There’s no excuse for distracted driving. If you got hurt in a commercial vehicle accident involving a distracted truck driver, contact the experienced truck accident attorneys at Mama Justice for a free consultation. We’ll stand by your side and take swift action to protect your rights.