Every day, drivers take to the roads with the intention of getting from Point A to Point B without problems. Most of the time, people are able to do so successfully. Unfortunately, there are always car accidents waiting to happen, and one of the biggest dangers that currently affects people is distracted driving. In 2020, more than 3,000 people were killed in the U.S. as a result of distracted driving, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. While those numbers are staggering, they only tell part of the story. For every fatal car accident caused by distracted driving, there are countless other accidents that result in serious injuries, property damage, and emotional trauma. 

Distracted driving is any activity that takes a driver's attention away from the task of driving. Distractions can come in many forms, but they can broadly be divided into three categories: visual distractions, manual distractions, and cognitive distractions. All of these distractions can be dangerous, but in many cases, drivers will engage in multiple types of distractions at the same time, and this can greatly increase the chances that they will become involved in accidents. Car accident victims will need to take steps to make sure a negligent driver who caused an accident due to distracted driving will be held liable for their damages.

Visual Distractions

These distractions cause a driver to take their eyes away from the road. Obviously, this is extremely dangerous, because it means a person is not paying attention to what is happening around them. They may fail to notice important details, such as a vehicle that has slowed down suddenly, a pedestrian who has entered a crosswalk, or an obstacle in the road. This will give them less time to react, and they may be unable to slow down, swerve, or take other actions to avoid an accident. Common examples of visual distractions include reading text messages, looking at a navigation system, paying attention to a billboard near the road, or "rubbernecking" to get a view of the scene of an accident.

Motor vehicle collisions of all types can be very dangerous, and they can lead to severe or fatal injuries for victims. However, commercial truck accidents can be especially devastating, and the large size and massive weight of 18-wheelers and similar vehicles may result in life-changing injuries and other types of damages. Truck accidents can be caused by a variety of issues, but one contributing factor that can sometimes be overlooked is defective equipment. Faulty parts or equipment that has not been properly maintained may cause a truck driver to lose control of their vehicle and collide with others. In these situations, victims may be able to pursue compensation from the manufacturers of defective parts, a company that did not perform proper maintenance, or other liable parties.

Common Equipment and Maintenance Issues on Commercial Trucks

Multiple types of equipment and components of large trucks may fail to function correctly, leading to dangerous accidents. Defective or faulty parts may include:

• Tires - A truck's tires are crucial to ensure that a driver can maintain control. Tires that are worn, that were installed incorrectly, or that were otherwise defective can cause blowouts, which can lead to a significant loss of control, no matter the truck's speed. However, blowouts that occur when a truck is traveling at highway speeds can have catastrophic results. 

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At any given time, there are millions of vehicles on Illinois roads. Cautious drivers need to be able to handle many different situations, including traveling at high speeds, navigating busy roads and intersections, and being aware of pedestrians or obstacles in the road. Traffic laws are in place to ensure that everyone can share the road safely. 

Unfortunately, many drivers violate these laws. These violations occur due to carelessness, lack of respect for others, stress related to busy schedules or other factors, anger at other people's actions, fatigue, and more. When drivers fail to obey traffic laws, they put themselves and others at risk. There are multiple types of violations that are likely to cause car accidents, including:

1. Speeding - This is one of the most common violations, as many people regularly travel at least a few miles per hour over the speed limit in order to get to their destinations as quickly as possible. Speeding makes it more difficult for a driver to stop in time if someone else slows down suddenly or if there is an obstacle in the road. It also increases the force of impact if a collision does occur.

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Without a doubt, driving a large commercial truck is a challenging job. Drivers must deal with long, lonely hours on the road, tight deadlines, and irregular schedules. These factors can make it difficult for commercial truck drivers to get the sleep they need. While federal regulations limit the number of hours drivers can drive without a rest break, fatigued driving is still a major contributor to severe and fatal truck crashes.

Sleepiness Behind the Wheel of a Big Rig

Everyone has experienced the sensation of sleepiness. Usually, fatigue is little more than an annoyance. However, research shows that fatigue can dramatically affect driving ability. Drivers who are sleepy have longer reaction times, slower information processing, and are less vigilant. Fatigue affects driving similarly to alcohol intoxication. Some sleep-deprived drivers even fall asleep at the wheel.

Because fatigued driving is so dangerous, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration restricts the number of hours a commercial truck driver can drive at a time. However, not every driver abides by these Hours of Service rules. Some drivers are even pressured by their employer to drive longer than federal law allows and falsify their logbooks to hide the evidence.

Marijuana is now legal in Illinois for adults aged 21 and over. However, driving under the influence of marijuana is still against the law. Cannabis flower and THC products have a major effect on a person’s cognitive function. Studies show that it can distort a person’s perception, decrease coordination, and slow reaction time. It is, therefore, no surprise that drugged driving is associated with a higher risk of being in a car accident. One study published in the American Journal of Public Health found that cannabis-related auto accidents have doubled in the last 20 years.

If you or a loved one were hurt in a crash caused by a driver who was intoxicated by marijuana, it is important to know your legal options.

Car Crashes Caused by High Drivers

Public opinion about cannabis has changed dramatically in recent years. However, this does not mean that marijuana use is without risk. People who drive while “high” put their own lives and the lives of others in danger. In Illinois, those who drive with greater than five nanograms or more of THC per ml of blood are at risk of DUI charges. However, criminal charges against a drugged driver do not provide any restitution to victims.