Distracted truck drivers pose a serious risk on New Jersey roads. When a truck operator takes their eyes off the road, even for a few seconds, the consequences can be catastrophic due to the size and weight of commercial vehicles. Victims of distracted truck driving accidents may be entitled to compensation—especially when the crash involves violations of federal safety regulations. Establishing liability often requires a detailed investigation of driver behavior, company practices, and regulatory compliance.

Why Work With Nagel Rice LLP After a Distracted Truck Crash?

Distracted driving cases require legal skill, technical investigation, and a firm that understands how to prove negligence under both state and federal standards. At Nagel Rice LLP, we:

  • Have decades of experience with complex truck accident litigation in New Jersey
  • Work with forensic experts and subpoena key electronic data
  • Know how to hold both negligent drivers and trucking companies accountable

If you were injured in a truck crash caused by distraction, contact us today to discuss your legal options.

What Causes Truck Driver Distraction?

Distracted driving involves any activity that diverts the driver’s attention from the road. In commercial trucking, distractions can come from physical, visual, or cognitive sources—many of which are preventable.

Common causes of truck driver distraction include:

  • Texting or using a smartphone while operating the vehicle
  • Programming GPS systems or electronic logging devices (ELDs)
  • Eating or drinking while driving
  • Adjusting in-cab systems, like radios or air conditioning
  • Fatigue-related zoning out, especially on long-haul routes
  • Reading paperwork or dispatch notes while moving

Even a few seconds of inattention can be deadly when an 80,000-pound truck is moving at highway speeds.

What Federal Rules Regulate Distracted Truck Driving?

Truck drivers and their employers are subject to federal regulations that go beyond New Jersey’s traffic laws. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) prohibits certain distracting behaviors outright, including:

  • Texting while driving (includes typing, reading, or sending texts)
  • Using a hand-held mobile phone while operating a commercial motor vehicle
  • Manually inputting data into ELDs or GPS devices while the vehicle is in motion
    Violating these rules can lead to:
  • Fines and license penalties for the driver
  • Civil penalties for the trucking company
  • Use of the violation as evidence of negligence in a civil lawsuit

These regulations are in place to prevent avoidable tragedies. When they are broken, victims have a stronger case for liability.

How Trucking Companies Must Monitor Compliance

Trucking companies are not just responsible for hiring drivers—they must also monitor and enforce safe driving practices.

Under FMCSA guidelines and industry standards, trucking companies must:

  • Train drivers on prohibited distracted driving behavior
  • Install monitoring systems such as dash cams or telematics
  • Review electronic logging data and hours of service records
  • Discipline drivers for violations and maintain compliance logs
  • Avoid incentivizing dangerous behavior with unrealistic delivery deadlines

If a company ignores red flags or fails to supervise known safety issues, it may be held directly liable for negligent hiring, supervision, or retention.

What Evidence Is Used in a Distracted Truck Driving Claim?

Proving a truck driver was distracted often requires a combination of physical, electronic, and testimonial evidence.

Key sources may include:

  • Cell phone records showing calls or messages at the time of the crash
  • Dash cam footage or in-cab video systems
  • ELD data indicating sudden stops or erratic driving patterns
  • Eyewitness testimony from other drivers or passengers
  • Event data recorders (black boxes) from the truck
  • Police reports noting observations of distraction
  • Company records showing prior violations or lack of driver supervision

An experienced attorney can subpoena this evidence and consult experts to build a compelling case.

What Happens When Federal Safety Violations Are Involved?

If a crash was caused by a violation of federal trucking regulations, this can significantly strengthen your claim. Courts may view these violations as evidence of negligence per se, meaning the conduct was inherently negligent under the law.

In some cases, violations can also support:

  • Claims for punitive damages, especially if the company knew about dangerous behavior
  • Broader liability for the trucking company due to systemic safety failures
  • Expanded discovery, allowing deeper access to company policies and practices

Holding drivers and companies accountable for violating safety rules is not only critical for your case—it also helps protect others on the road.

Speak With a New Jersey Truck Accident Lawyer Today

Distracted truck driving accidents are preventable—and when they happen, victims deserve answers and compensation. At Nagel Rice, we have the experience and resources to investigate distracted driving claims, uncover FMCSA violations, and hold negligent drivers and trucking companies accountable. We fight for those injured by inattention behind the wheel—because safety should never be optional.

Contact us today to schedule a free consultation.

People Also Ask

Can I still file a lawsuit if the truck driver wasn’t cited for distracted driving?
Yes. A citation is helpful but not required to file a personal injury claim. Civil cases use a lower burden of proof than criminal or traffic cases, and evidence of distraction—like cell phone use or in-cab behavior—can still support your claim even without a ticket.

How is distracted driving different from driver fatigue in legal terms?
Both may be forms of driver negligence, but fatigue is often linked to hours-of-service violations, while distracted driving involves active behaviors like texting or reaching for objects. Each has different evidence sources and regulatory implications.

What if the trucking company denies responsibility for the driver’s behavior?
Trucking companies are often still liable under the legal principle of vicarious liability, which holds employers responsible for the actions of their employees while on the job. They may also be directly liable if they failed to train or supervise the driver properly.