Earlier this week in a tragic semi-truck accident out of Michigan, an 11-year-old boy was killed when the SUV he was in was struck by a semi-truck. According to a report by the Detroit Free Press, the child was sitting in the SUV that was stopped on the far right side of the road with some kind of engine problem. Shortly after 8:30 p.m. a semi-truck driving on the same highway did not see the disabled SUV and collided with the rear of the vehicle.
The SUV had five people in it, two adults and three children; aged four months, one year, and eleven years. The two younger children suffered minor injuries and are expected to recover fully. The eleven-year-old child suffered critical injuries, and despite emergency personnel attempts to save him, he died later that evening at the hospital. The two adults also suffered minor injuries that did not require hospitalization.
There is no indication that the driver of the semi-truck was issued any citation; however, an investigation is ongoing.
Semi-Truck Accidents Involving Distracted Driving
It is not certain given the limited information available, however, there is a real possibility that the semi-truck driver’s attention was somewhere besides the road when he slammed into the SUV containing five people. In New Mexico, distracted driving is a serious epidemic that extends to commercial drivers as well as the general driving community.
Distracted driving can consist of any activity that takes the driver’s attention off the road, even for just a moment. Common things that distract drivers are:
- Passengers: Talking to passengers, scolding children in the back seat, or any other interaction with a passenger can remove a driver’s attention from the road.
- Radio Communications: Semi-truck drivers commonly use CB radios to communicate with one another. Doing so may take the driver’s attention off the road.
- Cell Phones: Talking or texting on a cellular phone are both proven to take a driver’s attention off the road, resulting in an increased chance for a traffic accident.
- Personal Care: Things like applying nail polish or make-up, shaving, or combing one’s hair are common causes of accidents.
- Eating: With the prevalence of long work days and easily accessible fast food, many drivers find themselves consuming their meals in the car. However, this takes the driver’s attention away from where it should be.
The list of things that may distract a driver is limitless. Suffice it to say that the things listed above, however, make up a majority of the causes of distracted driving accidents.
Have You Been Injured in a New Mexico Semi-Truck Accident?
If you have been involved in a New Mexico semi-truck accident, you should speak to an experienced New Mexico personal injury attorney as soon as possible. Depending on the specifics of your case, you may be able to recover monetary damages to compensate you for your injuries as well as for any pain and suffering you experienced due to the accident. Contact the Fine Law Firm today by calling 505-889-FINE, or contact the firm online. One of the dedicated personal injury attorneys at the Fine Law Firm will be happy to meet with you for a free initial consultation to discuss the facts of your case.
More Blog Posts:
Tragic Wrongful Death Case Reminds Trucking Companies Operating in New Mexico and Elsewhere to Properly Maintain Tractor-Trailers, New Mexico Truck Accident Lawyer Blog, January 20, 2013.
Federal Judge Discusses Expert Testimony Requirements in Fatal New Mexico Truck Collision Lawsuit, New Mexico Truck Accident Lawyer Blog, January 14, 2013.