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It doesn’t take much to cause a serious truck accident. A momentary distraction can lead to a devastating wreck. For example, a simple glance into the driver-side mirror caused one truck driver to miss traffic slowing directly in front of him while driving in Maryland earlier this summer. The result? The car in front of him was pushed off the Chesapeake Bay Bridge, and the truck driver now faces charges for causing an injury crash.

This driver is not alone. Truck drivers in particular are susceptible to driving distractions because they spend so many hours behind the wheel. Experts say there are four types of driver distraction that can lead to truck accidents in Maryland:

  1. Visual – Looking at anything other than the road, such as an electronic device or a passenger
  2. Auditory – Listening to noises other than traffic, including a passenger, phone conversation, or music
  3. Manual – Adjusting anything inside the car, such as fiddling with the GPS or adjusting a mirror while driving
  4. Cognitive – Thinking about anything other than the task at hand, which is driving and safely maneuvering traffic

Any one of these is enough to cause a crash, but typically, a driver is distracted in at least two of these areas, such as visual and cognitive. Top driving distractions that can lead to a serious Maryland truck accident include the following:

  • Talking or texting on a cell phone
  • Fiddling with a GPS, tablet, or other electronic device
  • Watching a TV show or video on a phone or tablet 
  • Eating or drinking
  • Shaving or grooming
  • Nodding off
  • Looking at a billboard or car accident on the side of the road

If you spot a driver participating in any one of these activities, stay clear, and report the driver to the proper authorities. If you can’t actually see the driver in the cab, then look for these external telltale signs that the truck driver near you may be distracted:

  • The driver waits until the last second to brake
  • The driver is swerving in his own lane or between lanes
  • The driver misses a stop sign or other traffic signal

When the driver of a tractor-trailer gets distracted, the results can be catastrophic. If you or a family member has been the victim of a Maryland truck crash where distracted driving was involved, you deserve compensation. To talk to an experienced Maryland truck accident lawyer who can help you following a devastating injury, call Nickelsporn and Lundin at 800-875-9700, or fill out our online form for more information.