Failure to Maintain a Proper Lookout Causing Truck Accidents

All drivers have a duty to maintain a proper lookout while behind the wheel. Keeping our eyes on the road, other vehicles, road conditions, and pedestrians enables us to respond quickly when needed to avoid an accident. When a truck driver fails to maintain a proper lookout while behind the wheel, the results can be catastrophic.

If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident due to another driver’s negligence, we at 844 See Mike are here for you every step of the way to ensure that your rights are protected, and you are fully compensated for your injuries and losses.

Proper Lookout for Truck Drivers

Truck drivers have a greater duty than drivers of passenger vehicles to maintain a proper lookout, or keep their eyes on the road, at all times. Due to the larger blind spots, larger size, and increased weight of commercial vehicles, it is more difficult and takes longer to slow down, stop, and generally maneuver through traffic and around various road hazards.

Maintaining a proper lookout is closely related to a truck driver’s reaction time. When a truck driver allows their attention to wander, they are unable to quickly and safely react to other drivers, pedestrians, and road conditions or anticipate problems that occur.

How Failure to Maintain a Proper Lookout Leads to Accidents

In 2009, a study done by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) found that 71% of large truck crashes were caused by distracted truck drivers. Distracted driving is dangerous for all drivers but is especially dangerous when behind the wheel of a vehicle that weighs upwards of 80,000 pounds.

Other unsafe driving practices that cause a truck driver to fail in maintaining a proper lookout include:

• Inadequate surveillance of surroundings- According to the FMCSA, 14% of truck accidents are due to inadequate surveillance of surroundings and this often occurs at intersections or during lance changes. Due to the larger blind spots and the increased time it takes to maneuver and stop, truck drivers need to check their mirrors frequently, maintain a 15 second lookout in front of the truck, check left, right, and left again when approaching an intersection, and watch for brake lights of other vehicles.
• Inadequate evasive actions-Inadequate evasive actions are when a driver does not reasonably anticipate road hazards and the driver does not execute proper avoidance maneuvers that would prevent an accident. The FMCSA found that inadequate evasive actions were the contributing factors in 14% of truck accidents.

Common Truck Accident Injuries

When a truck driver fails to maintain a proper lookout, the consequences are often tragic for those involved. Truck accidents often have serious injuries and are more often fatal. The truck accident injuries most commonly seen include:

• Broken bones
• Severe lacerations
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Spinal injuries
• Paralysis
• Burns
• Psychological trauma

If you or a loved one were involved in a truck accident and you feel the driver was negligent because of a failure to maintain a proper lookout, it is important to contact an experienced personal injury lawyer to review your case.

We at 844 See Mike are proud to serve our fellow citizens in personal injury cases, especially when you or a loved one has been injured in a trucking accident, and we are fully committed to protecting your rights and ensuring that the other party is held legally accountable when negligence occurs. We will fight until the very end to ensure that you are fully compensated for all injuries and losses resulting from the accident, including medical expenses, property damage, lost wages, and pain and suffering, and you won’t owe us a dime for our services.

We see you as a person, not just a client – and that makes us better at work we do. We listen. We learn your story. And, as we help you get the money you deserve, we go above and beyond in a way most law firms never could and never would. Because we’re not just lawyers. And you’re not just a client. We’re friends, neighbors, family. We’re all people and here at 844 See Mike, we put People, First.

Helping our clients is about counseling, advocating, and ultimately solving problems. With years of experience successfully representing the people, not the powerful, we will take care of the insurance adjusters, your medical bills, your property damage, your lost wages, and monitor your treatment so you can focus on healing and getting your life back to normal. Our unique formula has earned us over 900 outstanding client reviews on our website, an A+ BBB rating, and over 120 five-star reviews on Google.  Call 888-572-0176, e-mail us at michael@agrusslawfirm.com, or schedule meeting with us here. We’re here 24/7.