Distracted truck drivers can endanger the safety of other motorists. However, distractions do not always involve mobile phones or devices. For example, truckers can become distracted by fidgeting with their radios or eating behind the wheel. Unfortunately, distracted commercial drivers frequently cause serious car accidents.

We can use a recent truck accident that occurred in Golden, Colorado, as an example. A distracted truck driver recently caused a three-vehicle accident that severely injured a Florida family. Colorado law enforcement claims the distracted driver was unable to slow down his truck in time to avoid colliding with the other two vehicles.

Due to the severity of the accident, two young children suffered serious injuries. The accident also injured three other motorists. Colorado State Patrol troopers have claimed something other than a mobile phone or device distracted the driver.

Why Inattentive Commercial Drivers Are a Major Cause of Truck Accidents

According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), other types of distracted driving include eating, reading, adjusting the radio and using dispatching devices.

In addition, objects and events outside of truck cabins can distract truckers. This can include billboards, landmarks and other accidents.

Prior FMCSA statistics have shown inattentiveness to be a primary cause of truck accidents. According to FMCSA data gathered in 2006, 80 percent of truck accidents involved driver inattention in the three seconds before crashing. As we have learned today, distracted truck drivers can present a serious safety risk to other motorists.

The Colorado truck accident attorneys at Metier Law Firm can help victims of truck accidents and their families seek justice against negligent commercial carriers.