Truck Driver Was Allegedly “Distracted by Dating App” When He Killed Motorist

Yet another rear-end collision accident caused by a distracted truck driver. This one is from Texas. The driver of an 18-wheeler that crashed into a woman’s SUV, ending her life, was taking screenshots and looking at a dating app at the time of the accident, new court filings claim.

The crash occurred on May 22, 2024, in Bell County, Texas. The decedent was in her vehicle, which was stopped on I-35 when the 18-wheeler slammed into her SUV from behind. Her family’s attorney claims that the truck driver was distracted by a dating app on his phone.

Dashcam video from the truck appears to show the defendant-driver looking away from the road before the crash. Analysis of his phone records revealed that at 4:44 a.m., the driver took a screenshot of himself and a friend on motorcycles. The crash occurred one minute later at 4:45 a.m. In addition, a download found evidence that he was on a phone call, using his Apple Watch, and reviewing screenshots from his Facebook Dating app.

The wrongful death lawsuit names both the defendant-driver and J.B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc., one of the largest trucking companies in the United States. J.B. Hunt has denied all allegations and suggested that both the victim and her driver were negligent for the accident. This makes a lot of sense if you don’t have the first clue about what happened. In this case, the defendant-driver rear-ended the victim’s vehicle as she was stopped at a red light. Since her vehicle was not moving, and she was struck from behind, it stands to reason that she did not contribute negligence to the accident. It would be similar to blaming the owner of a parked car for an accident.

The driver 

Records indicate that the defendant-driver had been reprimanded on several occasions before the fatal crash for distracted driving. Six weeks earlier, his truck’s detection system flagged him for eating while driving. He was using his elbow or knee to steer, one report indicated.

Three weeks prior to the crash, he was documented for taking his attention off the road for five seconds. Attorneys for the plaintiff suggest that J.B. Hunt has multiple opportunities to take action against the defendant-driver and prevent the fatal crash.

Rear-end collisions and truck accidents 

Large semi-trucks and other commercial industrial vehicles can’t stop quickly like your typical commuter vehicle. Instead, they roll to a stop. For that reason, drivers have to be that much more attentive to the road as they are navigating. Unfortunately, we’re seeing a lot of large commercial trucks cause serious accidents in rear-end collisions. It’s startlingly common. Ultimately, the trucking company is responsible for these types of accidents.

Talk to an Oakland, CA Truck Accident Lawyer Today 

The Oakland, CA, personal injury lawyers at Venardi Zurada represent the interests of truck accident victims in lawsuits filed against negligent trucking companies. We serve the Bay Area from our office locations in Oakland and Walnut Creek. Call our office today to schedule an appointment and learn more about how we can help.

Source:

abc13.com/post/truck-driver-distracted-dating-app-before-crashing-tomball-woman-bell-county-central-texas-lawsuit-claims/15986131/