Distracted Driving and Truck Accidents

Distracted driving is a major risk for any vehicle, but in accidents involving trucks, damages can be extreme. These cases are also unique in that fault might fall not only on the driver, but on the company they work for.

Navigating this liability can be complex. If you’ve been involved in a collision involving a truck, make sure you choose a skilled car accident attorney in Phoenix to ensure the right people are held responsible for the right damages.

Distracted Driving in Large Trucks

Large vehicles are involved in thousands of accidents in Arizona every year. The Arizona Department of Transportation reported that more than 14,000 accidents involved trucks and buses in 2024. 

Because truck drivers are responsible for unique responsibilities while on the road, distracted driving is different for them. Their long hours can make them more likely to do any of the following while driving:

• Use a phone
• Adjust navigation
• Communicate with dispatch

They may also easily lose focus while eating or feeling fatigued while driving. This is one of the reasons why there are so many federal and company-specific regulations around truck drivers, including the number of hours they’re allowed to be on the road.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration reports that commercial drivers who text while driving are more than twenty-three times as likely to be involved in an accident. These accidents can be uniquely catastrophic; trucks can weigh up to 80,000 pounds, making them difficult to stop and capable of extreme damage.

Proving a Truck Driver Was Distracted

The upside of accidents involving truck drivers is that there is, by the nature of their work, more surveillance and documentation than for the average driver.

Often, when someone is involved in a car accident, they must rely on eye witness reports, and lawyers are sometimes able to find surveillance footage or cellular data that helps establish driver behavior. The avenues of potential evidence are expanded considerably for truck drivers.

This can include:

• Dispatch information
• Dash-cam footage
• Driver logs
• Vehicle and crash data

Lawyers should still be able to get access to cellphone records, police reports, and witness statements. Combined with the above evidence, establishing driver behavior and fault is very possible.

Building a Strong Truck Accident Claim

Distracted driving accidents involving trucks can involve significant injury, multiple companies, electronic evidence, federal safety regulations, and private commercial documentation. Don’t navigate these issues alone.

Gage Mathers has a long history of getting fair compensation for people who have been hurt. Reach out to our team of experts today to see how we can help you build your case.

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About the Author

Joseph D'Aguanno

Guided by the belief that being a highly skilled specialist in a narrow field is better than being ordinary in everything, Joseph “JD” D’Aguanno leads Arizona’s best personal injury law firm in Phoenix, AZ. Having extensive cross-training in pre-litigation negotiations and trial lawyer skills, with decades of experience, JD strives to provide clients with the most valuable legal services a personal injury lawyer can provide. Under his direction, Gage Mathers Law Group is an award-winning personal injury law firm providing aggressive representation to victims of a car accident, medical malpractice, dog bite, motorcycle accident, and other injurious events. Gage Mathers is trusted by thousands of lawyers and clients throughout the country because of their reputation for getting clients the maximum compensation they deserve.

Years of experience: Over 24 years
Bar number: 020421
Location: Phoenix, AZ
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